Collar the Lot!

Collar the Lot! examines Britain's World War II internment of German and Italian refugees through extensive research and survivor interviews. The book reconstructs the government's shifting policies toward "enemy aliens" during 1940. Using official records and firsthand accounts, the authors track Britain's transformation from initial tolerance to mass detention of refugees following France's fall to Nazi Germany. The narrative covers key events including Winston Churchill's infamous order to "collar the lot" and the subsequent roundup of thousands of Germans and Italians living in Britain. The text documents the tragic transport of internees to Canada and Australia, including the sinking of the Arandora Star and the perilous journey of the Dunera. Events are traced through to the policy's eventual reversal and the release of most internees. The book serves as a study of how fear and wartime pressure can override humanitarian principles, documenting a challenging period in British history when national security concerns clashed with refugee protection.

Readers describe Collar the Lot! as a detailed account of World War II internment camps in Britain, though some found the writing style dry and academic. Readers appreciated: - Thorough research and documentation - Personal testimonies from internees - Examination of government decision-making - Coverage of both well-known and obscure camps Common criticisms: - Dense prose with excessive detail - Limited coverage of certain camps - Lack of maps and photographs - Some statistical errors noted by historians Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (12 ratings) Amazon UK: 4/5 (6 reviews) Several readers mentioned they found the book through academic research rather than general interest. One reviewer on Amazon noted: "Important history but a challenging read - took me months to finish." A Goodreads reviewer highlighted its value as "the first comprehensive study of British internment policy." Limited review data exists online as the book is primarily found in academic libraries.

The Enemy Within by David Renton A chronicle of Britain's treatment of German, Austrian, and Italian civilians during WWII covers similar internment themes and government policies as Collar the Lot.

Island of Barbed Wire by Connery Chappell The examination of Isle of Man internment camps during World War II provides a focused view of the locations where many internees from Collar the Lot were held.

The Internment of Aliens by François Lafitte A contemporary account written in 1940 documents the initial phases of British internment policy and the classification of "enemy aliens."

Britain's Internment of the Jews by David Cesarani and Tony Kushner This study of Jewish refugees who were interned as enemy aliens in Britain presents the experiences of one specific group affected by the policies described in Collar the Lot.

In Memory's Kitchen by Cara De Silva The collection of recipes and memories from women in concentration camps presents another perspective on internment experiences during World War II.

🔸 The book's title "Collar the Lot!" comes from Winston Churchill's infamous directive in May 1940, ordering the widespread internment of enemy aliens in Britain. 🔸 The Arandora Star, carrying 1,500 internees to Canada, was torpedoed by a German U-boat on July 2, 1940, resulting in the deaths of over 800 people. 🔸 Peter Gillman, beyond his work on this book, is an acclaimed mountaineering author who has written extensively about climbing expeditions and mountain tragedies. 🔸 The HMT Dunera's 57-day voyage to Australia became notorious for the cruel treatment of its 2,500 internees, most of whom were Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. 🔸 Many of the interned "enemy aliens" were actually refugee scientists and intellectuals who later made significant contributions to British society, including Nobel Prize winners and renowned artists.