The Armageddon Reservists Leaving London This picture by Fortunino Matania shows German reservists leaving London from Victoria station. They are destined for Queensborough in Kent, from where they would catch a boat to Flushing, now Vlissingen in the Netherlands. On the 1st of August, when Germany declared war on Russia, there were 35000 Germans living in Britain. Those who went to answer the call of their own country often left wives and children in Britain; however, many preparing to leave Britain were arrested and detained by police under the Aliens Restriction Act, hastily passed by Parliament on the 5th of August. It stated that after the 10th of August, enemy aliens would be unable to leave the United Kingdom without a special permit, leading to a huge exodus in the little time available. by late September, 13600 Germans and Austrians were in internment camps.