The state, internment and public criticism in the second world war

Abstract

As the phoney war ended and the military situation deteriorated with the collapse of Denmark and Norway, British right‐wing newspapers ran an anti‐alien campaign. When Holland collapsed, Sir Nevile Bland (British Minister to the Dutch government at the Hague) broadcast his conviction that ‘Fifth Columnists’ had been responsible for Holland's defeat. He claimed that no German, Austrian nor any person who had connections with them could be trusted. As Britain was threatened with invasion, the general public and the Security Services demanded mass internment. During May and June 1940 B and C category aliens were arrested and interned, and following Italy's entry into the war on 10 June, Italians were included. The policy was executed by the War Office. But its other wartime commitments and the haste and numbers involved led to chaos and appalling conditions. Over 7,000 aliens were transported to the Dominions in an attempt to ease this pressure. At first only a liberal minority of the general public and the ...