Robert Aufrichtig: Dunera Internee

On 10 July 1940 the HMT Dunera left Liverpool, England with 2,036 Jewish refugees from Austria and Germany, 451 German and Italian prisoners of war and others scheduled for internment in the remote rural town of Hays in New South Wales, Australia. Into the ship that had a maximum capacity for 1,500 including crew, were crammed 2,542 men, aged between 18 and 45 who, as well as dealing with the inhumane conditions, were subjected to ill-treatment by the British guards on board.

Despite the fact that most of the Jewish internees had fled Continental Europe to escape certain death at the hands of the Nazis, it had been suggested that some of them may have been agents planted to assist a planned German invasion of Britain. Thus began an ordeal that was to extend beyond the nightmare seven-week journey to Australia.

Full Story Here and following the links through on those pages shows quite a story…

Comments

Robert Aufrichtig: Dunera Internee — 2 Comments

Moravian on May 10, 2012 at 9:09 pm said:

Thank you Mike for your site and for reproducing my father’s story – “Robert Aufrichtig: Dunera Internee”. This was indeed a black mark against Britain’s wartime government. For my father, it meant he was forcibly despatched to Australia and was half-way through the tortuous 57-day voyage when his terminally ill mother died. He eventually arrived at the Hay internment camp the very day before my brother was born. He never spoke about his experiences, which was a sure sign that he never got over not being present at either of these events, or the inhumanity of the deportation.

As my article highlights, despite the Dunera having a maximum capacity of 1,500, more than 2,500 were crammed onto the vessel. Most of the passengers were Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany and Austria who had fled to Britain – a country renowned for fairness and justice. Many of them could be forgiven for thinking they had avoided the Nazi concentration camps, only to end up on a British floating version.

And the man with whom lay the ultimate responsibility for the inhumane treatment meted out to the innocents? Winston Churchill – who later described the decision as “a deplorable mistake”.

Thanks again
Ronny

Reply ↓
- Mike on May 10, 2012 at 9:30 pm said:
  
  Hello Ronny
  
  I’m really pleased if this site helps and it’s been a fascinating and interesting journey with the site! It started from the Beginnings with that story from David and another from Norman – both school travellers. I had NO idea that this would grow like it has over the years with the different sides of the Dunera travels.
  
  Thank YOU Ronny for adding to the great content – add as much as you like and we’ll be interested to read it.
  
  Bye for now
  
  Mike
  
  Reply ↓

MS Dunera Troop Ship To School Ship

Memories and Stories From Travellers

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Robert Aufrichtig: Dunera Internee — 2 Comments

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