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Internment during World War II Australia
Image: Drawing - Exterior of Huts, Tatura Internment Camp, Karl Muffler, 1942
Source: Museum Victoria
In 1939 thousands of Australian residents suddenly found themselves identified as potential threats to Australia's national security. The outbreak of World War II triggered a mass fear of invasion by Germany and later Japan. This led to panic that tens of thousands of Australian residents might become saboteurs or spies.
Government regulations required 'enemy aliens' to register and limit their travel to between work and home and within a specified distance from the local post office. They had to obtain permission from the authorities to travel further or change residence.
The most dramatic response was the internment of many German, Italian and Japanese residents in camps - overseas and Australian-born, and naturalised British subjects. Australia interned about 7000 residents, including nationals from over 30 other countries, such as Finland, Hungary, Portugal and Russia.
A further 8000 people were sent to Australia to be interned after being detained overseas by Australia's allies. Midway through the war, more than 12,000 people - mostly men, but some women and children - were interned in 18 camps around southern Australia, including Tatura in Victoria, and Cowra and Hay in New South Wales.
Internees were usually separated from their families and tried to find ways to keep themselves occupied. They set up their own study classes, theatre groups and market gardens, and were issued 'internment currency' in order to purchase goods within the camp grounds. Many volunteered to work on Australian farms to help with the manpower shortage and some, later in the War, joined the Australian army. Most made the best of the situation, but it was a traumatic experience that left some internees permanently scarred.
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 21 - 27) 27 items
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Letter - to Karl Muffler, 21st May, 1944
This is one of three letters written in German to Karl Muffler by his sister Maria, this one dated 21st May, 1944. The accompanying envelope states that the contents were opened by a ce ...
Images: 1 -
Technical Drawings Folio - Tatura Internment Camp, Karl Muffler, 1943-1944
This large green bound folio contains technical mathematical and geometric colour pencil sketches. This folio of work by Karl Muffler, is inscribed 'Tatura' 29th March 1943 to 20th Apri ...
From: Tatura, Australia Images: 3 -
Theatre Program - Tatura Internment Camp, 1941
This is a hand-drawn and photostat theatre program for the 'Theatre Tatura', Feb 1941. It features cartoon-style illustrations and includes an advertisement in German for cakes, appleca ...
From: Tatura, Australia Images: 3 -
Theatre Program - Tatura Internment Camp, 1942
This is a hand-drawn and photostat theatre program produced at Tatura Internment Camp in 1942. It features cartoon-style illustrations, and a list of performers and also includes an adv ...
From: Tatura, Australia Images: 1 -
Travel Permit - Hilde Muffler, 1943
This is a travel permit granting permission to Hilde Muffler, wife of Karl Muffler, to travel to and from home to place of employment and to 'move freely for business and recreation pur ...
From: Brighton, Australia Images: 2 -
Wooden Tray - Tatura Internment Camp, Karl Muffler, 1940s
Carved wooden tray made by Karl Muffler for his wife Hilde during his internment at Tatura Internment Camp between 1939 and 1944. The initials 'HM' have been carved into the tray. The t ...
From: Tatura, Australia Images: 1 -
Drawing - Cake Shop Interior, Karl Muffler, 1944
This is a ink and watercolour drawing by Karl Muffler [signed K. Muffler, Tatura], which he completed at Tatura internment camp, northern Victoria, on 28th May, 1944, just prior to bein ...
From: Tatura, Australia Images: 1
