In the years leading up to World War II, the Nazi regime’s antisemitic policies became increasingly violent. Many German Jews fled to Britain and other countries to escape persecution. However, when war was declared between Germany and the United Kingdom, these refugees were reclassified as ‘enemy aliens’.

Initially, this reclassification had little effect, as it was understood that these individuals were fleeing Nazi oppression. But after Germany’s victories in France and the Low Countries, panic set in. The British Government ordered the mass arrest of enemy aliens, regardless of their religion, politics or personal history.

To reduce the number of internees in Britain, the government arranged for some to be transported to dominions such as Australia. Passenger ships were repurposed for this task, including the HMT Dunera.

The Dunera carried 2,542 people, including:

• 2,036 anti-Nazi refugees, most of whom were Jewish
• 200 Italian prisoners of war
• 251 German prisoners of war
• A small number of Nazi sympathisers

Tensions were high on board. Fights broke out, and the 300 British guards assigned to the voyage were often violent toward the passengers.

The ship departed Liverpool on 10 July 1940. Originally a luxury liner, the Dunera was dangerously overcrowded. Hygiene supplies were scarce, disease spread rapidly, and the threat of German U-boat attacks loomed constantly.

Aliens distinguished

On 30 July 1941, the Australian Government announced it would accept 300 Japanese internees if required. Eventually, 3,160 Japanese people were transported to Australia from Allied-controlled territories, including:

• New Zealand
• New Caledonia
• The New Hebrides (now Vanuatu)
• The Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia)

At the start of the war, 1,103 Japanese residents in Australia were also interned. By November 1946, when the last internees were released, 3,268 Japanese people remained in Australian camps.

In February 1942, the government introduced new classifications under the National Security Regulations, distinguishing between:

• Allied nationals
• Enemy aliens
• Neutral aliens
• Refugee aliens

This change led to the release of many Dunera Boys, who were reclassified as refugee aliens. Many of them volunteered for service in the Australian armed forces. Although they were not permitted to serve overseas, they joined the 8th Australian Employment Company, working alongside more than 500 other Jewish refugees to support the war effort.

Despite their contributions, some Australians opposed the release of internees. Ex-soldiers and members of the public called for the internment of all aliens, regardless of their status.