Page 43 - Sjæklen2002

62. Samme.
63. A1245, LB 3 “Korrespondance” 1943.
64. A1245, LB 7 “Korrespondance” 1944.
65. A1245, LB 4-5 “Korrespondance” 1943.
66. A1245, LB 6 “Korrespondance” 1943.
67. A1245, LB 7 “Korrespondance” 1944.
68. Samme.
69. Frit Danmark, The Danish Weekly published in
London, 3-4. årg.
70. L A1245, LB 11 og 18 “Korrespondance” 1944.
71. A1245, LB 10 “Korrespondance” 1944.
72. A1245, LB 8 “Korrespondance” 1944.
73. A1245, LB 7 “Korrespondance” 1944.
74. Hjorth Rasmussen, 1980, p. 151.
75. Frit Danmark, The Danish Weekly 2 årg. nr. 41, 15/10
1942. Omtale af et fællesmøde for fiskerne.
Summary
This article deals with the situation of Danish fishermen
who were staying in Britain during the Second World War.
Particular focus is placed on the “Danish Fishermen’s Uni-
on of 1942”, which was one of four Danish fishermen’s uni-
ons which came into existence in Britain during the period
in question. It is argued that the fishermen did not compri-
se a homogenous group, but instead suffered internal strife.
A division was found between the fishermen who had been
in Britain from the German occupation of Denmark in 1940
and the fishermen who arrived in 1942. The first group was
largely allowed to continue fishing with their own boats,
whereas the fishermen from 1942 had most of their ships
taken by the prize court. This led to a social and political
division between the fishermen, and the fact that it was
wartime did not induce them to reconcile their differences.
This was a problem particularly for the Danish Council –
one of its main purposes being to create good-will for Den-
mark amongst the British. To achieve this the Council had
to rely to some extent on the Danish sailors and fishermen,
who could make a practical contribution to the war effort.
For this reason it was important that all Danes in Britain
stood united. The Council therefore attempted to suppress
conflicts among the fishermen, with mixed results. It was
not until the end of 1944, when the fishermen themselves
recognised the need for unity in dealing with the postwar
problems, that they united.
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