During the Second World War, British and Imperial forces captured more than half a million Italian soldiers, sailors and airmen. Although a symbol of military success, these prisoners created a multitude of problems for the authorities throughout the war. This book looks at how the British addressed these problems and turned liabilities into assets by using the Italians as a labour force, a source of military intelligence and as a political warfare tool before their final repatriation in 1946-47.

Autorentext

Author Kent Fedorowich: Kent Fedorowich is Reader in British Imperial and Commonwealth History at the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.

Inhalt

Preface Introduction British Planning and Policy for POWs, 1939-1941 The Essential Labour Supply: The Import of Italian POWs to the United Kingdom Italian POWs in Africa, 1940-43 Farming Down Under: Italian POWs in Australia, 1941-43 Intelligence, Propaganda and Political Warfare The Watershed Year of 1943: From Enemies to Co-belligerents Neither Enemies Nor Allies: Italian Prisoners in the United Kingdom after the Armistice Freedom, Farming and Frustration: Italians in Africa and Australia, 1943-45 The Long Road Home Conclusion Bibliography Index