A touching initiative is underway to locate the 24 remaining Scottish families of Italian men who tragically lost their lives aboard a ship during World War II. The Arandora Star was torpedoed by a German U-boat on July 2, 1940, while transporting interned Italian and German men, along with German prisoners of war, to Canada. Project AS94, led by Raffaello Gonnella, Roberto Lucherini, and Michael Donnelly, began as an effort to gather photos of 22 Italian men from Barga, Tuscany, whose names are inscribed on a memorial plaque in the Glasgow Italian Garden at St Andrew’s Cathedral. The project expanded to include all 94 men listed on the memorial wall, hence Project AS22 became Project AS94.
Raffaello, an expert in Scottish Italian history, highlighted the drastic impact of internment on Italian and German men during the war. With Defence Regulation 18B enabling the arrest of individuals suspected of opposing the war, many were detained in prison camps or makeshift facilities, reflecting the tense political climate of the time. The tragic sinking of the Arandora Star claimed the lives of 805 individuals, including numerous Italian internees, crew members, and military guards. Following the disaster, efforts are underway to locate living relatives of the victims and gather photographs in anticipation of the 85th commemoration in May.
The luxurious Arandora Star, once a prominent cruise liner, was repurposed as a wartime vessel, stripped of its decadence before embarking on its ill-fated journey. The ship met its demise off the coast of Ireland after being struck by a German torpedo. Despite the losses, stories like that of Francesco D`Inverno, whose body washed ashore in Scotland weeks later, serve as somber reminders of the tragedy’s lasting impact. As the anniversary approaches, the Project AS94 team aims to honour the victims by connecting with their families and preserving their memories for future generations.
Insight:
The Project AS94 team’s dedication to commemorating the lives lost on the Arandora Star reflects a commitment to honouring history and connecting with the past. By tracing the families of the Italian men who perished in the tragedy, they are shedding light on a lesser-known aspect of World War II and ensuring that these individuals are remembered and respected. In a world where historical events can sometimes be forgotten or overlooked, initiatives like Project AS94 play a vital role in preserving the stories and memories of those who came before us.