What the World Knew and Did (1942-1945)

As information about the “Final Solution” reached the free world, few countries believed it, responded, or called for action. Allied nations focused on military victory. Rescuing Jews was not a priority.

In summer 1942, the U.S. State Department and British Foreign Office received information about Germany’s intent to annihilate Europe’s Jews. Britain offered no rescue plan, and it took the United States 16 months to officially respond by establishing the War Refugee Board in January 1944. In Europe, some international diplomats rescued Jews with transit or false citizenship papers. At the war’s end, Jewish refugees from Nazism serving with U.S. military forces in Europe (“Ritchie Boys”) provided valuable intelligence.