ISLANDERS who lived through the German Occupation have branded the new ITV drama series, Island at War, as boring and inaccurate. Author of top-selling book A Child’s War Molly Bihet said the first programme was more for people who did not know the facts of the Occupation.

‘There were lots of things that you could pick up on,’ she said.

It was not a factual documentary of the Occupation and generally disappointing. Mrs Bihet said she could, however, relate to footage of a boy who did not want to be evacuated as she had been taken to departing boats three times.

‘But the boats taking the evacuees in the film were so small and did not reflect an operation that involved about 20,000 people,’ she said.

‘The film also implied that several cars were being stolen and houses stripped of furniture but we saw none of that.’

Occupied Guernsey author Herbert Winterflood said the script had failed to identify individual characters and the settings lacked the unique atmosphere of the Channel Islands. ‘The next episode will have to speed up if it is to hold UK audiences,’ he said.

Some looting of homes did occur in the latter stages of the Occupation, he said, but not within minutes of the occupants being evacuated, as the film suggested.

‘We must accept that this is a highly commercial enterprise aimed at drawing viewers. But I hope that ensuing episodes don’t stray too far from the truth with the risk of giving the impression of weak civil leadership in dealings with the men with guns.’

VisitGuernsey chief executive Stuart Pinnell said the series would highlight the story of the Nazi Occupation to millions of UK residents who might be unaware of how history unfolded.

‘While the programme is based on the fictitious island of St Gregory and characterisation has been strengthened for dramatic effect, the programme will serve only to highlight the islands’ rich heritage and culture to a mass audience.’

VisitGuernsey continues to liaise with journalists who are keen to visit the islands’ museums and fortifications to learn the real story of the Occupation.

The programme, along with the journalist coverage, would help in encouraging to the Bailiwick first-time visitors whose attention had been focused on the islands by watching the mini series, said Mr Pinnell.