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Last Updated: Monday, 19 July, 2004, 16:00 GMT 17:00 UK
Occupation programme criticised
German soldiers
The article describes the drama as a "terrible car boot sale"
Criticism of Channel Islanders and the way they behaved during the German occupation has outraged residents.

The comments in a Sunday newspaper follow a television programme about life in Jersey and Guernsey during World War II.

Writer, AA Gill, says islanders "lay on their backs and made moaning noises" when the Germans arrived.

Jersey senator, Frank Walker, says he and a number of his colleagues, are considering what action they can take.

What have the Channel Islands ever done for us? A couple of really expensive potatoes, a few flowers and fatty milk
AA Gill

Mr Walker said: "Deputy Morgan and his team are over with us today from Guernsey, as are representatives from the parliaments of Sark and Alderney.

"This is something we may take concerted action on.

"We'll have to see. Sometimes the better reaction to these things is not just to dive in, because it sometimes backfires.

"But we've got to consider it and decide what to do."

Tax haven

The Sunday Times article claims the occupation of the Channel Islands has never seriously featured in Britain's collective mythology of the war.

According to Mr Gill, Island at War was actually filmed in the Isle of Man, "because the Channel Islanders have some weird rule about acting in public or that nobody outside the Bailiwick is allowed to own a camera."

He claims the title of the ITV programme is misleading, saying "island hanging out the white flags and profiteering" is closer to the truth.

In the article, Mr Gill suggests most people view the islands as tax havens, adding they are also for "secretive arms dealers, cheap booze and fags, putting greens and snobbery."

The writer claims that all the Channel Islands have given to the rest of the world is expensive potatoes, a few flowers and fatty milk.

Mr Gill described the first episode of the prime-time ITV drama as a 'terrible car boot sale'.


SEE ALSO:
Liberation Day celebrations begin
08 May 04  |  Guernsey
Occupation hero honoured
27 Jan 04  |  Jersey
Journalist appeals for help
16 Feb 03  |  Europe


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