Occupiers, Humanitarian Workers, and Polish Displaced Persons in British-Occupied Germany

This book provides an interesting insight into the interactions between Polish DPs in the British zone in Germany and the British occupying authorities and aid workers from UNRRA in the post-war period. Timely and important, there are parallels between that situation and what is happening now. * Myra Cross, Associate Lecturer at The Open University, UK *
Knapton has produced a convincing and well-researched analysis of the difficulties faced by international organizations and the British Military Government in attempting to ameliorate the living conditions of DPs and the reasons behind their inability to resolve the situation. In doing so, she has exposed the sheer inefficacy as well as the extent of discriminatory attitudes that were prevalent within UNRRA and the Military Government, while bringing to the fore the significant contribution of some individual humanitarian workers in providing care and relief. -- Camilo Erlichman * German History *
Knapton’s notable study advances our understanding of ethnicity, nationality, and identity in periods of postwar occupation and displacement. This work is a significant addition to existing literature on the histories of reconstruction and displacement in post-World War II Europe and addresses a gap in scholarship by examining the lesser-studied British zone of occupation. * H-Net *
[S]tands as a valuable contribution to the historiography of post-war Europe and the first monograph focusing in depth on the Polish DPs in the British zone of occupied Germany. Through meticulous research and a thoughtful examination of diverse perspectives, the book enriches our understanding of the complexities surrounding the displacement, relief efforts, and interactions between aid providers and aid recipients in the aftermath of Second World War. * CEU Review of Books *