Mrs Nightingale said all families were welcome to join.

But there was little chance of organised resistance in the islands where the geography allowed nowhere to hide and where, at times, there was one German soldier for every three islanders.Just as in France and other occupied countries, there were also those who assisted the Germans.

Some businesses took German money to help build the fortification while some women were referred to as "Jerrybags" afterOthers took a more active role in denouncing their neighbours. Some suggested the occupiers look in the coal shed of a house to find a hidden radio, illegal food or an escaped slave.Sir Winston Churchill recognised the Channel Islands, being so close to occupied France, would be hard to retake and almost impossible to keep.

He was happy to let the Germans expend huge efforts and materials on fortifications that would never be needed.It is thought that about 10% of all the steel and concrete used in Hitler's Atlantic Wall was used to make the bunkers, guns and casemates in the Channel Islands.

In the margins of an official report in September 1944 about the islands, Churchill wrote: "No fighting. Let 'em rot."

Although it has never been clear whether he meant the German occupiers or the Channel Islanders, there was no attempt to retake the islands, even after France had been liberated.Whether Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to patch up relations with his US counterpart Donald Trump is wise depends on who you ask in Ukraine.

"A very bad decision," remarked blogger and army serviceman Yuriy Kasyanov, who thinks the US "won't help Ukraine with anything" after this mineral deal is signed."The president behaved with dignity" said former MP Boryslav Bereza, who described Zelensky's softening of tone as an "apology".

Last night, Ukraine's leader gave his evening address from the courtyard outside Kyiv's Presidential Office. It was the same spot where he gave the now famous "we are all here" speech with his cabinet on the second day of Russia's invasion.Back then, he'd turned down offers to leave. Many in the West expected Russia to be in the capital within days, with the president being captured or killed.