The Channel Islands were the only part of the United Kingdom to suffer enemy occupation during the Second World War. Following the liberation of France, the Islands were liberated in May 1945. The Memorial in St Peter Port, Guernsey takes the form of a giant sun-dial. On Liberation Day (9 May) and only on that day, the shaddow of the tip of the column falls on the back of the bench. As the day progresses, the shaddow traces the day's events in "real time".