Phoenix: Justice Delayed - How Britain Became a Refuge for Nazi War Criminals | WWII History Book | Phoenix Press | Perfect for History Buffs & WWII Researchers

Just after the second world war Europe was in turmoil: millions of displaced persons, the Soviet Union emerging as the new enemy and the occupying needed to build up their destroyed homelands in addition to ruling the remains of Germany. In this hectic climate literally thousands of former Baltic and Ukranian people found their way to the UK, and among them a good many war criminals. Checking was only cursory if at all, and their was great reluctance with the British government to send even the criminals back to the USSR.In the 1980's it became more and more clear that Britain provided a safe haven. It took a long and tedious process to get legislation approved that made the trial of war criminals possible. Quite a few influential people thought it was a"Jewish conspiracy". In the end only one war criminal stood trial and was convicted.David Cesarani describes this whole process in much detail,maybe a little too much detail, because who is interested in an extensive list of which honourable MP said what except for the highlights? Still it was interesting to read in the end.This is scandal that somehow failed to lodge itself in the public consciousness. And what a scandal it is! 9000 members of the Waffen SS came to Britain to live after the war with the full knowledge of the government. This tells how it happened. It was a strange time and national interests and morality made for strange bedfellows after the war. A fascinating tale.Arrived in great condition as described by the seller and very quickly. Subject matter is grim and just like what happened here in Australia and in the U.S., one can't believe that Nazi War Criminals were allowed to enter 'legally' even after they were known what type of people they were! Legit refugees were held back and these monsters were allowed into countries first! So hard to believe now.Not an easy read, but well researched and worth reading for the information presented.Very interesting reading.excelent