19 February 1942 (2)

Camp Swift, Texas

 

Regardless of what two resources I happened to look into saying that only the Japanese were relocated, German and Italian immigrants and visitors alike were interned during WWII.  Also, under the pressure of the American government, Latin-American countries arrested more than 4,000 German-Latin Americans.  Most of these people were sent north to the US camps and at least that number of internees were were later exchanged for Americans being held on German soil.

German-Italian Detention Centers

 

Both of these groups were not detained to the extent of the Japanese.  There were far too many, numbers that went into the millions.  Rather, they were arrested individually and sent to the camps seen in the map above.  The German total was approximately 11,000 and the Italian sources stated 1,521 to 3,000.

Secretary of War, Stimson said the Italians were “potentially less dangerous as a whole than those of other enemy nationalities…the siege of Italian population and the number of troops and facilities which would have to be employed to deal with them; their inclusion in the general plan would greatly overtax our strength.”  Later, in November 1942, it was announced that the Italians were “no longer considered aliens of enemy nationality.”

Forrest, TN

The House Select Committee investigating the evacuation came to similar conclusions.  At the bottom of a full text of lengthy hearings regarding the German and Italian situation, the passage reads___”From the reasons mentioned above…Indeed, this committee is prepared to say that any such proposal is out of the question if we intend to win this war.”

Crystal City, Volunteer Fire Dept. & sketch of cottage homes

General Drum, leading the Eastern Defense Command, stated…”Mass evacuation is not contemplated.”  But, General DeWitt, of the Western Defense Command, called mass evacuation___”a military necessity” and “definite instructions to the contrary would exempt him from all responsibility for the consequences.”

Click on images to enlarge.

A fellow blogger, James Rada, Jr. has a very interesting article on German POWs who worked in Gettysburg, PA during the war, which can be located HERE!

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In Canada, the Minister of Justice could detain anyone acting “in any manner prejudicial to the pubic safety of the state.”  Therefore, both enemy and Canadian citizens were subject to internment.  Around 40 camps held an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 prisoners at various times.

Most of the German internees were members of German-sponsored organizations or leaders of the Nazi Party in Canada.  Hundreds of Germans on Canadian soil were accused of spying and subversion.  The camps also served to house captured enemy soldiers, such as over 700 German sailors captured in East Asia and sent to Canada.

After Italy entered the war, a number of prominent Italians and Canadian fascists, notably Adrien Arcand of Montréal, were interned.  About 600 Italian men suspected of sympathizing with fascism were placed into 3 camps: Kananaskis, Alberta, Petawawa, Ontario and Fredericton, New Brunswick.  This last camp also held 517 Jews sent from England by Winston Churchill, who suspected them of being disloyal.

Approximately 20,000 Japanese-Canadians were removed from the Pacific Coast in 1942.  Many were housed in isolated areas and had their activities severely restricted.  The Army and Secretary of State shared administrative responsibility for the camps.

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The information on Australia and New Zealand was supplied in the previous post, in the comment section, by Norma @ Thru My Eyes and Gallivanta @ Silk Ann Threades.   Please show them your support for their efforts.

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HUMOR of TODAY ______

 

 

 

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FAREWELL SALUTES – 

Allan Arnold – Wayland, MA; US Army, Vietnam

Marine Bugler

Gerald Boissonneault – Quebec, CAN; RC Navy, WWII

Patricia Boyd – Medical Lake, WA; US Air Force, Desert Storm (Ret. 21 years)

Frederic Edouard de Bray III – Atlanta, GA; US Army, Korea, 1st Lt.

Ron Forsyth – CAN; RC Air Force, WWII, 403rd Squadron, ETO, Flt. Lt.

Desmond Howitt – North Cote, NZ; NZ # 61034, 2NZEF, 14LTAA Gunner, WWII

Frank Manigault – Charleston, SC; US Army & US Navy

Hilary “Larry” Olmscheid – Providence, OR; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 11th A/B Div.

Red Ryder – Toronto, CAN; RC Air Force, WWII, ETO, 403rd Squadron, pilot

Donald Stonert – Ft. Wayne, IN; US Army, WWII

George Taylor – Lufkin, TX; US Army, WWII

Donald Wolsfelt – Montgomery, IL; US Army, Korea

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