Australian Internment Camps during World War I

6 Questions

What was the main focus of the book by photographer Paul Dubitzky?

The lives of the German internees during World War I

How did the public sentiment towards people of German origin in Australia change during World War I?

They were initially supported, but war hysteria turned them into enemy aliens

What kind of businesses were operated by the internees in the internment camps?

Bakeries, tailors, and shops

Which of the following activities played a significant role in the internment camps?

Theatrical performances and playing female roles

What is one aspect of life in the internment camps that is often overlooked or unknown?

Talent, creativity, and ingenuity displayed by the internees

In addition to internees, who else shared the camps during World War I?

Official prisoners of war

Study Notes

During the early months of 1914, as the Anzac legend was being forged at Gallipoli, Australia faced a different enemy - the enemy at home: around 7,000 people of German origin, including prominent citizens, were interned in three camps in New South Wales during the war.
Initially, many Australians supported their German friends and neighbors, but war hysteria quickly changed public sentiment, turning these individuals into enemy aliens.
German immigrants, naturalized citizens, and even those with German ancestry who were born in Australia or whose parents were born there shared the camps with official prisoners of war.
Photographer and internee Paul Dubitzky captured this period in a book that highlights the internment experience, showcasing the lives of the internees.
The internment camps had a degree of self-administration, with businesses such as bakeries, tailors, and shops operated by the internees. They also had sporting clubs, athletic clubs, and theatrical performances.
The theater played a significant role in the camps, with men playing female roles and putting on regular reviews inspired by German theater programs.
The internees' energy and creativity were evident in the establishment of a parallel world within the Australian bush, reflecting a strong German influence.
Despite the internment camps being a place of talent, creativity, and ingenuity, this aspect of the story is often overlooked or unknown.
Over 6,000 people were deported at the end of the war, even though many of them had no connections to Germany and did not speak German anymore.
The images captured by Paul Dubitzky serve as a legacy, showcasing the universal message of the basic human need and urge for art in life.