Manchester University Press
21 ‘The Dutch orphans’
Abstract
Preparations in the north-west for the reception of ‘war refugees’ began immediately after the invasion of Holland on 10 May 1940, with local authorities throughout Lancashire and Cheshire being called upon by the Ministry of Health to provide hospitality for an estimated 20,000 refugees. Interpreters throughout the region, it was said, would be provided by the Manchester Dutch Society. The story of the Dutch orphans is more than a narrative of heroism and salvation, although it is certainly that. It is also a reminder of the tragic dispersal and the destruction of German and Austrian Jewish families.
Abstract
Preparations in the north-west for the reception of ‘war refugees’ began immediately after the invasion of Holland on 10 May 1940, with local authorities throughout Lancashire and Cheshire being called upon by the Ministry of Health to provide hospitality for an estimated 20,000 refugees. Interpreters throughout the region, it was said, would be provided by the Manchester Dutch Society. The story of the Dutch orphans is more than a narrative of heroism and salvation, although it is certainly that. It is also a reminder of the tragic dispersal and the destruction of German and Austrian Jewish families.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Abbreviations vii
- Glossary ix
- Preface xi
- 1 Introduction 1
- 2 Speak no evil 9
- 3 'Displaced scholars’ 34
- 4 ‘Refugees and Eccles Cakes’ 58
- 5 ‘Something ought to be done’ 80
- 6 The forgotten refugees 99
- 7 ‘The work of succouring refugees is going forward’ 143
- 8 ‘Serious concern’ 170
- 9 ‘Our remaining comrades in Czechoslovakia’ 193
- 10 ‘Not because they are Jews’ 208
- 11 ‘Inspired idealism’ 217
- 12 The Harris House girls 225
- 13 ‘A haven of safety’ 237
- 14 ‘Outposts of Jewish Palestine’ 246
- 15 ‘The most difficult boys to handle’ 271
- 16 ‘By the grace of the Almighty’ 288
- 17 ‘From slavery and persecution to freedom and kindness’ 300
- 18 ‘Bright young refugees’ 308
- 19 ‘Humanitarianism of the greatest value’ 325
- 20 The saved and the trapped 343
- 21 ‘The Dutch orphans’ 359
- 22 Pacifism and rescue 379
- 23 Conclusion 394
- Bibliography 405
- Index 414
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Abbreviations vii
- Glossary ix
- Preface xi
- 1 Introduction 1
- 2 Speak no evil 9
- 3 'Displaced scholars’ 34
- 4 ‘Refugees and Eccles Cakes’ 58
- 5 ‘Something ought to be done’ 80
- 6 The forgotten refugees 99
- 7 ‘The work of succouring refugees is going forward’ 143
- 8 ‘Serious concern’ 170
- 9 ‘Our remaining comrades in Czechoslovakia’ 193
- 10 ‘Not because they are Jews’ 208
- 11 ‘Inspired idealism’ 217
- 12 The Harris House girls 225
- 13 ‘A haven of safety’ 237
- 14 ‘Outposts of Jewish Palestine’ 246
- 15 ‘The most difficult boys to handle’ 271
- 16 ‘By the grace of the Almighty’ 288
- 17 ‘From slavery and persecution to freedom and kindness’ 300
- 18 ‘Bright young refugees’ 308
- 19 ‘Humanitarianism of the greatest value’ 325
- 20 The saved and the trapped 343
- 21 ‘The Dutch orphans’ 359
- 22 Pacifism and rescue 379
- 23 Conclusion 394
- Bibliography 405
- Index 414
