Versione Italiana : English Version
 


446 Italian males lost their lives.

These men were civilians most of whom had made their homes in this country in the early 1900's. Many of the internees had sons and other relatives serving in the British Armed Forces.

The internees had no rights whatsoever, and were denied even the basic rights allowed to prisoners under the Geneva Convention. Many were robbed of their valuables whilst in internment.

Relatives of the internees were not advised what became of their husbands, brothers or fathers after their arrest in early June 1940.

Under Government regulations families of many of the internees living in coastal areas were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge outwith main cities - wives and children with no home, no means of support, and no assistance whatsoever.

Many internees were shipped overseas with their families being unaware of the fact and receiving no notification.

The Arandora Star, on course to Canada, sailed without convoy, was grossly overloaded, and with no regard to the capacity of the ship's lifeboats.

The Arandora Star put to sea with 80% of the crew newly signed on that morning. No emergency drill or instruction was given either to the crew, the military guards or to the internees.

The ship had been overpainted in battleship grey and had the appearance of a troop carrier. It carried no Red Cross or other means of identification.

All the lifeboats had been secured behind heavy wire mesh. The number of lifeboats being grossly inadequate, having been designed for the ship's maximum complement of only 500 passengers.

The internees were harshly treated and held in overcrowded conditions. Many of the Italians, sleeping on the ballroom floor, being severely injured with breaking of the large mirrors when the torpedo struck.

The survivors of the Arandora Star were again harshly treated when brought ashore and, despite their ordeal, many were put on board other ships for internment in Australia.

No apology or compensation has ever been made to the Arandora Star victims. The American government, having interned many Japanese civilians during the war, subsequently made an apology to each and every one - and made a payment of compensation. As far as we can ascertain, no Japanese civilians suffered loss of life resulting from internment by the American authorities.



The surname list of missing persons from the Arandora Star
click here >

 


In early June 1940, immediately Italy entered the Second World War, all Italian male civilians between the ages of 18 and 70 years were arrested by the police and military - forcibly and hurriedly taken from their homes or their places of business - to be interned under instructions of the War Cabinet.

As is shown from the Red Cross and other reports, these internees were maltreated by the authorities and were held in inhumane conditions, without proper food, sanitary facilities and medical care. Following a decision to transport a number of internees to Canada and Australia the liner "Arandora Star" left Liverpool for Canada carrying some 1,570 Italian, German and Jewish internees.

On the morning of 2nd July 1940, off the coast of Ireland, the Arandora Star was torpedoed and sank with the loss of nearly 700 lives - which included 446 Italian Nationals who had made their permanent home in the United Kingdom.

Even today memorial masses are held annually by those Italian communities in Britain and Italy who lost loved ones. We will never forget the prejudices and hardships suffered by our fathers and grandfathers at this time, may they rest in peace.


Arandora Star
Una Tragedia Dimenticata
Maria Serena Balestracci

In 2002, in Italy, the book "Arandora Star, una tragedia dimenticata" by Maria Serena Balestracci was released. The book makes use of historical reconstructions, documents, as well as direct testimonials from people who were struck by the tragedy, today living in Italy, and who for years had kept their suffering quiet. Following the release of the book in Italy last year we have helped re-awaken interest in this so far ignored event. Many newspapers have concerned themselves with the Arandora Star, and two influential journalists, Gian Antonio Stella and Corrado Augias have spoken of the tragedy in their new books "L'orda" and "I segreti di Londra" respectively, mentioning Maria Serena Balestracci's book. This book is available in Italian language only at present. Details of availability can be obtained from arandorastar@onetel.com


The Star of Shame
Des Hickey and Gus Smith
Madison Publishing, Dublin

The failings of the authorities, and the tragic events which followed the sinking of the Arandora Star have been vividly recorded in a book published in 1980 entitled "Star of Shame" - the only book of the disaster based on factual accounts of many of the survivors Italian, British and German. This book, written in English, was not available for sale in Britain. For enquiries as to availablilty contact arandorastar@onetel.com

 


To make known the tragic events June/July 1940 and the circumstances surrounding the loss of the Arandora Star.

To obtain an official apology from the British Prime Minister and to seek compensation for the many Italian families who suffered grave personal and financial loss due to the Government's policy of internment.

To recognise the brave contribution made to the British war effort by sons, brothers and cousins of those interned.



Please give your support to this campaign.

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If you are a British citizen we would also urge you to write to your MP informing him of the tragic events of 1940 and asking him to support this campaign.

Please forward our web address to anyone you think may be interested:
www.ArandoraStarCampaign.com


The Association for the Arandora Star Victims, Bardi, Italy
About the Association and the memorial chapel in Bardi


Ancoats Little Italy
See 'The War Years'

Vice-Admiral DeWolf
Rescuer of Arandora Star victims
Vice-Admiral DeWolf
Obituary

Book - 'Isle Of The Displaced'
An Italian-Scot's Memoirs of Internment during the Second World War by Joe Pieri

Caduti di Arandora Star
Surname listings of the Italian civillians who lost their lives on the Arandora Star

Alfo Bernabei Conference

Arandora Star - Una Tragedia Dimentica
The presentation of Maria Serena Balestracci's book
 
 
Contributors to this site:

Content:

 Anthony Gallo Campaign Founder, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
  Anthony Rea Member of Manchester Italian Association (M.I.A.), and community historian
Manchester, England, UK
Contributor: Beppe Conti President of the Association for the Arandora Star Victims of Bardi, Parma, Italy
Translation & content: Maria Serena Balestracci Author 'Arandora Star - Una Tragedia Dimenticata', Florence, Italy
With grateful thanks to:
 Peter Mead Department of Translation, Language and Culture, University of Bologna, Forli, Italy
  Gus Smith Author 'Star of Shame', Ireland
  Chris Gibson Web & logo design, Manchester, England, UK