Feb 1944 El Shatt Egypt Nov 1948

By Rusko Matuli?

In the beginning of this short memoir, mention is made of certain publications and the broadcast media interpretation of events in WWII refugee camps in Egypt. These are so replete with propaganda from 'Uncle Joe' period that it is impossible to overlook them.
That is why this little book started.
Now, there is additional indication that very little has changed through past decades. In Podgara on the Dalmatian coast in Croatia, on 12 April 2014, there was a celebration for the 70th anniversary of the refugee community in Egypt.
The president of Croatia delivered an appropriate address noting that his father was an escort for the refugees!
In one of press reports of these festivities it is noted that this refugee camp was closed in March 1946.But in truth, the refugees outside of Communist Party reach were there till November 1948, when the camp closed and all the remaining inmates were moved to Italy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499027754

Rusko Matuli?

Rusko Matulic - Born in Yugoslavia in 1933. After five years in a refugee camp in Egypt, via Italy, Chile, and England, landed in Hoboken, NJ in 1952. U.S. Army claimed years 1954-56, and the NJIT extracted 1958-66 (nights). Retired electrical power engineer. Edited bimonthly bulletin for defense of Yugoslav dissidents 1980-92. Published a number of technical and non- technical articles. Original Bibliography of Sources on Yugoslavia published in 1981. Three new volumes in 1998-2014.

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Rusko Matulić.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014910213

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4990-2776-1

                Softcover       978-1-4990-2777-8

                eBook            978-1-4990-2775-4

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Rev. date: 06/05/2014

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Contents

Introductory Remarks

Abandoned In The Sinai Desert

The Camps

The Identity Card

The High School

The Sand Storm-Khamsin

Friends Parting

Departure And An Anniversary

References

For Additional Reading

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

In memory of my mother Zora and my sister Maja who shared described experiences, and in memory of our tent cohabitants Marinko, Marija and their son Slaven Luketina this short memoir is dedicated.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

In the beginning of this short memoir, mention is made of certain publications and the broadcast media interpretation of events in WWII refugee camps in Egypt. These are so replete with propaganda from ‘Uncle Joe’ period that it is impossible to overlook them.

That is why this little book started.

Now, there is additional indication that very little has changed through past decades. In Podgora on the Dalmatian coast in Croatia, on 12 April 2014, there was a celebration for the 70th anniversary of the refugee community in Egypt.

The president of Croatia delivered an appropriate address noting that his father was an escort for the refugees!

In one of press reports of these festivities it is noted that this refugee camp was closed in March 1946.But in truth, the refugees outside of Communist Party reach were there till November 1948, when the camp closed and all the remaining inmates were moved to Italy.

Jersey City, NJ

May 2014

ABANDONED IN THE SINAI DESERT

WWII YUGOSLAV REFUGEES IN EGYPT

El Shatt – Amriya – Tolumbat - El Arish - El Shatt, thus a full circle of refugee camps was completed from 16 February 1944 to 2 November 1948.

The aim of this essay is to record how Yugoslav refugees in Egypt, who were not under Communost Party control, lived and survived the loss- of loved ones, the harsh desert climate and the threat of homelessness or repatriation to stalinist-ruled homeland. It will also attempt to demonstrate the amicable relationship between certain British Army (MERRA) and UNRRA personnel on one hand and the Refugee Central Committee (RCC) on the other. This committee was directly appointed by the Communist Party ofYugoslavia (CPY).

Before the break-up of Yugoslavia in 1991, a number of articles and monographs appeared in the press describing the life in refugee camps in El Shatt. The refugees were sheltered, fed, and clothed by the allies(*) but the discipline was imposed by the RCC. As could be expected these writings were replete with communist propaganda. What is surprising, however, -is the airing