We Fight Fascists: The 43 Group and Their Forgotten Battle for Post-war Britain

They Fought Fascists! The forgotten battles against Oswald Mosley after World War IIIn 1946 many Jewish soldiers returned to their homes in England imagining that they had fought and defeated the forces of fascism in Europe. Yet in London they found a revived Union of Fascists movement, led by a buoyant Oswlad Mosley, released from prison and, once again, stirring up agitation against Jews and communists. Many felt that the government, the police and even the Jewish Board of Deputies were ignoring the threat; so they had to take action into their own hands. 43 Jewish servicemen met together and set up a group that, over the next three years, tirelessly organised, infiltrated meetings, broke up street demonstrations and used their fists when necessary to stop the rebirth of the far right. The group included returned war heroes; women who stood on the front line; as well as young Jews, such as hairdresser Vidal Sassoon, who were seeking adventures. From 1947, the 43 Group grew into a powerful troop that raised funds, collected intelligence and could muster 100s of fighters at short notice. This culminated in victories such as the 1949 Battle of Ridley Road, when 300 members prevented Moseley from taking the stage. The group disbanded in 1950, when the threat of far right groups petered out. The history of the 43 Group is not just a gripping story of a forgotten moment in Britain's post war history; it is also a timely lesson how to confront fascism, and how to win.