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W. Webster, “Enemies, Allies, and transnational histories” (2014).

W. Webster, Enemies, Allies, and transnational histories (2014)

Austrians, Germans, neutral Irish, and Italians during the mid-1940s within Britain, were facing mass internment, after being labelled “enemies” by the British government. There was a shift, however, in the views of said “enemies” after Winston Churchill, recruited many into the British forces, who became loyal allies. This article focuses on the formed transnational allegiances, focusing on those who helped contribute to the war effort, even after facing comments of treachery from their own, fellow nationals. Webster tries to bring attention, and commemoration to the international allies, who Webster describes, as being often neglected through historical literature, even after giving their lives.

Webster gives an example of just how fast the opinions of the foreign “enemies” shifted. An example of two German Jewish brothers is given, describing their arrest in 1940 after the new mass internment policy’s, this, however, was a completely different story by 1942, when both brothers emerged as members of his majesty’s forces, as opposed to the previous dangerous enemies that they were labelled s mere two years earlier.  The outbreak of the war was forcing people to question nationally, within both private, and public life, as to who should be deemed allies, and enemies became more and more blurred between countries. 

Many neutral Irish, at the time, had also been targeted, and attracted hostile views, due to suspicion placed on them being spies, and fifth columnists. A fifth column is any group of people who undermine a larger group from within, usually in favour of an enemy group or nation. Mass observation evidence from the time (M-O) often showed that individuals would lump all foreigners together, whether they were German, Italian, or Irish, showing why the internment of all aliens was a popular choice. There were some exceptions that could be seen, however, for example, Belgium, and dutch refugees living within Leeds, were offered various shelters, and forms of care from the population, who viewed them as allies.

All those who enlisted to the British forces swore an oath of allegiance, but many kept a range of ties to their own families, countries, and communities overseas. Many Irish individuals were motivated through the pay, the chance of a new adventure away from home, and they’re hatred for the nazi regime. Irish women, unlike other women who could enlist, were not allowed, as it conflicted with their family loyalties. Many Irish supported Britains, and Eire’s policy of neutrality, upon arrival home however after the war, Many Irish faced hostility for their involvement. The majority of both German, and Austrian refugees decided to remain within Britain, after the war.

However, support for mass internment started to fade quickly after many of scandals, and horrible treatments of the internees came to light, including the sinking of the Arandora star- that was carrying people to Canada, many of which were refugees, and anti-fascists when it was sunk by a German torpedo, that made people finally start to become aware of the discriminative and dangerous roundups of both Germany and Italians. Deportation was shortly after abandoned by the government, and the white paper was published, stating 18 different ways internees could be released, and by 1941 more than 10,000 had. Webster showed the degree in which the British public had changed their views on the internment of ‘enemy” aliens, by stating that a further M-O, one month after the white papers publishing, detailed that now “less than a quarter now think that all aliens should be interned”.

Other examples of anti-alien riots and pro internment movements were given, such as the anti-Italian riots of June 1940, where many Italian owned businesses were targeted, as well as items that they possessed such as their bicycles, which had been given to them by farmers, or ministries of agriculture for their journeys to work, this was deemed “soft treatment. Anger also grew after photographs of starving British prisoners in Germany where released, which caused many to believe that German prisoners of war were being treated too kindly, there was a call for the German prisoners to have their rations reduced by the Manchester Grocers so that they received less than the Britons. 

However, by the late 1940’s many of the previously labelled “aliens” were starting to be recognised for a variety of the skills that they possessed, such as German speakers, who were useful in prisoner camps, often highly secret missions, special radio operators, and other tasks where their language skills could be used. Italians also seemed jobs were speaking Italian could be beneficial in roles such as scriptwriters, translators, and actors.

Overall the recruitment of “aliens” into the British forces, as well as war work, helped to reduce internment, as well as breaking down the idea that all Germans, and Italians, as well as other foreign individuals, were all the same and should be treated as enemies to Britain, and instead, a hierarchy of allies to the country, that they would serve, and lay down their life, making the ultimate sacrifice. Webster explained this was often missed out on through historical writings, and that the life of such Germans, Italians, and Irish should be commemorated, and praised for the vital support that they gave.

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