5

From 1941 to 1943, London became the focal point for information concerning the ‘Final Solution'. The British leaders were aware of the mass slaughter which the Nazis had been perpetrating against the Jews in Europe since August 1941, that is, one year before the ‘Riegner telegram'. Such grave and tragic information gave rise to contradictory reactions in the United Kingdom. In 1942, the organisation of a movement emanating from within British civilian society itself and involved in developing support for refugees was to come up against the confused opposition of the authorities as they drew back before the prospect of setting up some sort of rescue plan, before finally and progressively opting not to take any action whatsoever.