Monaco Apologizes For Deportations

"Monaco's Prince Albert II apologised for his country's role in deporting Jews to Nazi death camps during the Second World War.
Despite being neutral during the conflict, police rounded up scores of people who managed to escape from France into the principality believing they would be safe from the Holocaust.
At a special unveiling ceremony today, Prince Albert dedicated a memorial to those who died as a result of the actions of the Monegasque police.
He said: 'To say this today is to recognise a fact. To say it today, on this day, before you, is to ask forgiveness.'
At his side were Serge and Beate Klarsfeld, renowned Nazi hunters and Holocaust researchers who encouraged Albert's father to begin examining Monaco's role during the war.
Albert unveiled a monument at the Monaco cemetery Thursday carved with the names of Monaco's deported Jews. The date was chosen to mark 73 years since Monegasque authorities, under pressure from Nazi collaborationist leaders in France, rounded up at least 66 Jews on the night of Aug. 27-28, 1942."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3213192/Prince-Albert-makes-historic-apology-claiming-committed-irreparable-neutral-Monaco-deported-Jews-Nazi-death-camps-Second-World-War.html#ixzz3k4GSFWk3

 

much thanks for the read, as I don't see much on Monaco during the war....very interesting, near the borders of 3 countries, and neutral?? !!

 

The history of Monaco in WW2 is rather more complex. Technically neutral, it was occupied by the Italians twice and Germans once. Jewish people who fled there were turned over to Vichy France but when Germany occupied Monaco they wanted Jewish citizens of Monaco as well. The police and citizens of Monaco were not cooperative but........ Finally is was freed by the allies and the new head of the Grimaldi family joined the Free French.

It was a favorite getaway place for leading Nazi's and leave destination for the Wehrmacht for banking , gambling, and relaxation. Quite a history during the war.

Quick read: http://stutenzeehistoryblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-principality-of-monaco-in-world-war.html

Gaines

 

The "small countries" didn't have the means to enforce their neutrality, San Marino was heavily bombed by allied planes despite mostly managing to keep the Germans out. IMO the one that fared best was the Vatican as any "invasion" there was likely to have huge effects.

 

good and interesting point TOld Soldier....GTblackwell thanks for the read...realistically thinking, I would think it was like other places where you had 'good' police and 'bad' police..you had police and civilians that wanted to get revenge on some people, so they turned in ''innocent'' people.... and then there were some police that wanted to save some people.....you had your various allegiances to Italy, France, Germany, and everything in between, along with the hatreds of Jews, and said countries