We look at the First World War from a historical perspective that concerns us German-Australians. Or are we simply Germans in this case? Since we were the war opponents in the two great world wars, Anzac Day is a bit of a conflict for many of us, no matter where we stand politically.
But even at the time of the First World War, there were German-Australians. And what happened to them is discussed in our 4th Program with Louise Anemaat, Executive Director of the Library and Information Services at the State Library of NSW, where more and more artifacts related to this period are provided for inspection, such as photos and diaries of the Germans and Austrians who were locked up in internment camps during World War I in Australia.
These eras form the background for the rapid assimilation of the German-speakers, who often even changed their names, in order not stay under the radar. Another issue discussed is the fact that this issue of the assimilation of Germans and Northern Europeans is hardly included in the historical awareness of Australia. You could start talking about this and the far-reaching effects, says Louise Anemaat.
Frank Bungary und Otto Wortmann, zwei der im Ersten Weltkrieg in Australien internierten Deutschen "Enemy Aliens"
Im Internet kann man Auszüge der Tagebücher der Deutschen und Österreicher einsehen, die während des 1. Weltkrieges in Australien in sogenannten "Konzentrationslagern" interniert waren.
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