Desperate measures : Britain's internment of British fascists during the Second World War

This dissertation seeks to examine, understand and analyse the threat posed by Oswald Mosley and the British fascists leading up to and during the Second World War. It focuses on the culmination of events and analysis that led to the British government’s internment policy in 1940 as well as the administration and effects of that policy. Based on research using newly declassified Security Service files, this dissertation seeks to contribute to our understanding of an episode in Britain’s history which until now has been described as a ‘draconian mistake’ and a ‘dark spot’ on her wartime record and which has been inaccurately and undeservedly blamed on the incompetence of the Security Service. It aims to explore the threat posed by the British fascists in the interwar period, the escalation of that threat during the ‘Phoney War’ and the resulting decision to intern the British Fascists under Defence Regulation 18b. Furthermore, this dissertation is a study of how Defence Regulation 18b was administered as well as the functions and interactions of the departments involved; for the first time, including the Security Service. It seeks to contribute to the study of British fascism and to the growing study of the Security Service, as well as provide insight into the practice of executive detention.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo