ABSTRACT

The British government interned some 4,000 women in the panic situation of May-June 1940. The tribunals had graded nearly all of them' B' and a large proportion were in actual fact refugees from Nazi Germany. Most of them were eventually taken to Rushen camp on the Isle of Man. Here they were treated relatively easily and quickly organized self-help groups and activities, as is seen from the many personal reminiscences quoted. As irrationally as they had been interned, so the women were released from July 1940 onwards.