After the demise of Czechoslovakia in March 1939, the Jewish population fell victim to Nazi persecution. Hoping to find a safe haven elsewhere in the world, some Czechoslovak Jews turned to Australia to seek refuge. This book focuses on their struggles to survive in life-threatening situations and their efforts to reach the safety of the distant continent.
Although the German occupation of Czechoslovakia has been a subject of extensive academic debate, the role of the Australian government in this international event has thus far not been examined. This book evaluates the impact on Australia of policies pursued by Europe’s leading politicians with regard to Czechoslovakia that ultimately failed to prevent the outbreak of the Second World War.
Central to the book is a discussion of Australia’s policy towards the admission of Jewish refugees from Czechoslovakia. Drawing on archival sources as well as original interviews conducted with former refugees from Czechoslovakia, the author offers insights into the lives and experiences of these Jewish refugees down under. At the same time, the book sheds light on Australia’s involvement in one of the defining moments of the twentieth century.
**
General
History
Cover 1
Contents 9
Figures 11
Abbreviations 13
Preface and Acknowledgements 15
Introduction 19
Chapter 1: The Small Country in the Heart of Europe 23
The Czechoslovak Republic 34
Chapter 2: The Rise of Fascism and National Socialism 41
Towards the End of a Promising Beginning 41
Chapter 3: On Australia’s Horizon 63
Australia–Czechoslovakia Contacts 63
Immigration Prior to 1938 72
Czechoslovakia 1930–1936 74
Government Responses 81
Imperial Conference 85
The Key Players 90
Chapter 4: 1938: Australian Responses to the Munich Agreement 105
The Australian Media 118
Chapter 5: The Aftermath of the Munich Agreement 147
The Aftershock: The Human Cost of Munich 149
Appeals for Admission of Czecho-Slovak Refugees Worldwide 155
International Refugee Organizations 159
Appeals for Admission of Czechoslovak Refugees to Australia 165
The Immigration Challenge 168
Chapter 6: Czechoslovakia’s Refugee Crisis: The Australian Perspective 175
Government Responses 177
Response of Australia’s Non-governmental Organizations 184
The Collapse of Czecho-Slovakia: Responses in Australia 188
Chapter 7: Australia and the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia 199
Government Responses 199
Responses from Federal Parliament 204
Economic Repercussions 206
T. H. Garrett’s Fact-Finding Mission to Europe in 1939 210
Chapter 8: Emigration 223
Escape Routes 227
Passports, Travel Documents and Landing Permits 242
Professional Qualifications 243
Sponsorship 244
Evacuees from South East Asia 245
Chapter 9: Australia and the Czechoslovak Government in Exile 249
Developments during the Second World War 249
Case Study: Adolf Solanský 253
Internment of Czechoslovak Refugees 262
The Czech Refugee Trust Fund and the Australian Connection 266
The Participation of Czechoslovak Volunteers in the Australian Armed Forces 270
Chapter 10: Czechoslovak Jews Down Under: Individual Stories 275
Life Altering Changes 276
Their Stories 278
Conclusion 317
Chronology of Events 321
Bibliography 325
Primary Sources 325
NAA – The National Archives of Australia 325
NA, P – The National Archives, Prague 328
AÚTGM – Archives of the Institute of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk 328
AMZV – Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prague 329
NA UK – National Archives of the United Kingdom 329
Archival Institutions in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom 329
Hansard Reports 329
Film 330
Secondary Sources 330
Books 330
Theses and Unpublished Manuscripts 336
Articles (Journal Articles and Chapters in Books) 336
Lectures, Conferences, Proceedings, Panel Discussions 343
Index 345

upload/motw_shc_2025_10/shc/finished/The Safe House Down Under_ Jewi - Anna Rosenbaum.pdf

upload/motw_shc_2025_10/shc/The Safe House Down Under_ Jewi - Anna Rosenbaum.pdf

motw/The Safe House Down Under_ Jewi - Anna Rosenbaum.epub

motw/The Safe House Down Under_ Jewi - Anna Rosenbaum.pdf

Rosenbaum, Anna

Lang AG International Academic Publishers, Peter

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

Exile studies, Oxford, 2017

Exil-Studien, Oxford, 2017

Unabridged - New, PS, 2017

Exile Studies, 15

producers:
Adobe PDF Library 10.0.1

Memory of the World Librarian: Calamitous Annunciation

The Small Country In The Heart Of Europe -- Coming Out Of The Shadow And The Rise Of Fascism And National Socialism -- On Australia's Horizon -- Australian Responses To The Munich Agreement -- The Aftermath Of The Munich Agreement -- Czechoslovakia's Refugee Crisis: The Australian Perspective -- Australia And The Protectorate Of Bohemia And Moravia -- Emigration -- Australia And The Czechoslovak Government In Exile. Case Study: A. Solansk -- Czechoslovak Jews Down Under: Individual Stories. Anna Rosenbaum. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

2025-10-27