Tag Archives: jews

Escaping the Holocaust- Via Switzerland?

Posted on January 30, 2026 by comocompanion

Once the Nazis had occupied Northern and Central Italy from September 8th 1943, escape across the border to Switzerland was the only option for many Jews seeking safety. But the Swiss had issued an anti-semitic decree back on August 13, 1942 that closed their borders to most Jews Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, People, History | Tagged Como, Politics, Mendrisio, holocaust, jews, second world war, History, Chiasso, Shoah, Switzerland, Asylum, Erwin Naef, Voetterl | 1 Comment

Escaping the Holocaust: Hiding from Home in Varese

Posted on January 29, 2025 by comocompanion

Personal testimonies can help us understand the reality of living through historical events. These diary extracts convey some sense of the constant anxiety in avoiding deportation to a Nazi death camp. Continue reading →

Posted in crime, History, People, Uncategorized | Tagged Auschwitz, cernobbio, Como, De Danonis, Fargion, germany, History, holocaust, Italian Jews, jews, nazifascists, Race Laws, Shoah, Varese, Wartime | 2 Comments

Como to Auschwitz on Convoy 8

Posted on January 31, 2024 by comocompanion

Convoy 8 to Auschwitz. The story of a diverse group all arrested in Como over December 1943 but from different backgrounds forced on the same journey and to share the same fate due to their shared ethnicity. The enormity of where racism can lead us must surely never be forgotten. Continue reading →

Posted in crime, History, Uncategorized | Tagged Auschwitz, Brunate, Convoy, Fossoli, History, holocaust, jews, Memorial Day, Olgiate, Questura, RSI, Shoah, SS, world-war-ii | 6 Comments

Como’s ‘Viaggi della Salvezza’ – In Memory of the Holocaust

Posted on February 16, 2017 by comocompanion

Last 27th January was Holocaust Memorial Day in both UK and Italy – and even though Como Companion is behind schedule on this, I would like to mark the event by looking at the heroic activities of one particular group … Continue reading →