Disturbance at Tatura, by Jennifer Rix

Disturbance at Tatura:
Nazi Internment during World War Two
By Jennifer Rix

Figure 1.
On the 29th of September 1941, in Tatura Internment Camp 3, a riot broke out between Nazi

and Jewish internees. Internees grabbed whatever they could get their hands on, brooms,

spades, rocks, and even pieces of wood, to fight other internees.1 The unrest began with the

anti-Semitic chanting and singing by Nazi youth directed at Jewish internees. The ordeal

ended with the intervention of Australian soldiers who fired shots into the air from their guns.

This disturbance, as it was dubbed by an investigation by the Australian Army, highlights the

anxiety surrounding Nazis housed in internment camps around the country during World War

Two by fellow internees, as well as the fear that arose from the general public towards these

individuals.

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Disturbance at Tatura, by Jennifer Rix
Internment in Australia
During both World War One and World War
Two, the Australian government interned
thousands of men, women, and children in
camps around the country in the interests of
national security. During the Second World
War, over 15,000 people were interned in
Australia, including Japanese, German, and
Italian nationals.2 These people
classified as enemy aliens. Being not part of
the British race, it is little wonder that
enemy aliens were vulnerable to exclusion
and marginalisation, with their loyalty to both
Australian and the Empire in question during
wartime.3 When war broke out, any person
not born in Australia was required to register
as an alien, regardless of how long an
individual had resided in the country.4
The National Security Act 1939, released by
the Australian government, sanctioned the
detaining of these individuals into Internment
Camps during World War Two. This piece of
legislation was introduced to upkeep the
safety and the defence of
Commonwealth and the Territories of the
Commonwealth, and within this act, the
Governor-General of Australia
authorised to prescribe any action to be taken
in regard to enemy aliens or any persons
having enemy associations or
[connections].5 This ultimately lead to the
construction of Internment Camps across the
nation.
Individuals identified as being high risk to
national security were arrested, and sent to
were internment camps.6 Many camps were built in
remote areas of the country, away from
highly populated areas, in the fear of the
possible security risk these camps could
offer.7 Each camp was different in its
facilitates, but a common feature was the
barbed wire fences surrounding the camps.
Figure 2.for Tatura Internment
This was no different
Group.
Tatura Internment Group
Tatura Internment Group operated between
the years of 1940 and 1947, and consisted of
four separate camps. Two of these camps
were located at Tatura, and two at Rushworth
in northern Victoria. The camp was operated
the
and run by the Australian Army, and housed
people of all ages during the Second World
War. Across the country, internment camps
was
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Disturbance at Tatura, by Jennifer Rix

were typically separated upon the nationality because they were not treated as human by

of internees. However, Taturas Camp 3 D the guards and officers.8 Most of those held

Compound was the only family compound in the camp had never committed any crimes,

among the four camps, and therefore housed however, they were guarded day and night by

people of several nationalities, with Jewish, soldiers from the Australian Army.

Italian, and German families together in the Compounds A, B and C housed mostly

one compound. From August 1941, the rest German internees and access was granted

of Camp 3 was formed to create one family for internees from these compounds to mix

camp. Life in Tatura Internment Group was between camps during the day, however,

not easy for internees. One internee noted curiously, D was kept separate, and locked

the demoralisation felt in camp, these off from the other compounds.9 It was in this

people did not feel like human any more, camp that the riot occurred.

Figure 2. Tatura Internment Camp 1

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Disturbance at Tatura, by Jennifer Rix

The Riot Sharpe was the first to fire a shot into the

air in an attempt to stop a group of

In hindsight, it is not all that surprising that
internees from attacking Mr Weber. A
a riot could occur between Nazis and
sentry then fired two shots into the air to
Jewish people detained within an
stop one internee from climbing the fence
internment camp. Tensions between Nazi
between Compounds C and D. This put an
and Jewish internees started in the evening
end to the riot, and it was recorded that no
of the 28th of September 1941, when a
other disturbances occurred in the camp
group of young Nazi internees from
after this outburst.
Compound C approached the fence

adjoining Compound D. The Jewish Within a report published by the Australian

internees in Compound D reported that the Army, the riot was downplayed to a mere

songs sung by the young Nazis were disturbance.11 Lieutenant Colonel

provocative and [anti-Semitic in nature] and Tackaberry saw that internees were

that the Nazis marched in formation.10 One singing German songs merely to amuse

internee, Mr Weber, a self-professed Nazi, themselves with no ulterior motive.12

admitted freely that he had used However, for a riot to have occurred more

provocative words and gestures, including must have happened than just a few

calling out Heil Hitler. harmless songs. There was evidently a

tense relationship between Nazi and

The following morning, Mr Webers wife
Jewish internees, with much tension,
reported to command that she had been
bitterness and arguments occurring
insulted by Jewish internees, most likely in
between those housed in adjoining
response to the occurrences of the night
compounds.13 One possible reason for
before. The decision was made that Mrs
these was the strong presence National
Heymann, a Jewish internee, should be
Socialism had within Tatura Internment
placed in a cell. This provoked the Jewish
Group.
population, and the riot began. Private

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Disturbance at Tatura, by Jennifer Rix

The Nazi Camp intervention from Australian soldiers,

Nazism was extremely prevalent in Camp

When Australians think of Nazis, they think
3.14 Even with the introduction of camp
of Europe, of Germans, and of Hitler.
rules in March 1941 which banned
Rarely do people link Nazis with Australia.
behaviours or activities associated with
However, during World War Two, there
Nazism, many internees still continued to
were a significant number of Nazis and
perform such actions.15 Jewish internees
Nazi sympathisers who were forced to call
noticed Nazi behaviours being
Australia home. These individuals had a
demonstrated by some, such as the
significant impact on Tatura Internment
exchanging of Nazi salutes between some
camps. This can easily be observed
internees.16 Even National Socialist
through the riot; however it is also
celebrations and commemorations were
interesting to view the impact National
observed in camp, and German children
Socialism had on camp life.
attended a Hitler-youth program.17
Due to the large intake of German

internees at Tatura, as well as to the limited

Figure 3. - German Internees line up for a one of their regular marches

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Disturbance at Tatura, by Jennifer Rix

There was a very clear us versus them control, it was left to the Camp

mentality for German and pro-Nazi Commandants discretion the extent to

internees. In a report from the Army in which such rules were enforced.21 It would

1941, official visitors to Tatura stated that seem, that as long as internees were

some internees complained that they were generally behaving, little acts of support

regarded as enemies by German towards Nazism by some internees was

internees, and that they were unhappy ignored. Post the camp riot, the Australian

within the camp.18 This is especially so for Army conducted a review on the camp, and

Jewish internees, who felt threatened by highlighted a disjunction between the

displays of Nazism in camp. Armys policy within internment camps, and

the application at Tatura with rules not

There was even tension within pro-Nazi
being followed.22 This comment from the
family units. Within these families, the idea
Army seems to confirm that it was the
that a family members loyalty was with
disobedience by internees that caused the
Australia, and not with Germany, was the
riot, and that just an event could have been
cause of strain. In a letter sent to an
avoided if proper rules had been enforced,
internee, a mother spoke of her son who it
which could have avoided the strong
was rumoured to have joined the A.I.F, to
presence of Nazism in the camp.
which she said she should have shown

him the door should it be true.19

It is important, however, to note that not all

camps at Tatura saw internees supportive

of National Socialism. Internees at other

camps would proudly claim their camp to

be anti-Nazi.20

To a large extent, as long as the general

day to day runnings of the camp was under

Figure 4. Internees leaning against a compound fence

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Disturbance at Tatura, by Jennifer Rix

Nazis in Australia panic

Throughout the war, reports were printed in would then administer bashings to those he

Australian newspaper about the threat believed to be unfaithful.25

Hitler and the Nazis imposed on Europe,

and the British Empire. Articles were

released all over the country discussing the

Nazi terror in Europe.23 These articles

had a direct impact in Australia, with

Australians becoming increasing more

fearful of Germans and Nazis over the

course of the war. By wars end in 1945,

Australians had had enough of Nazis on

Figure 5. The Canberra Times 10 Jan. 1946
their shores. Australians began to question
It was only at the end of the war that the
the influence National Socialism was
wider Australian public found out about the
having in internment camps, and whether
Nazi behaviours happening at Tatura
Nazis should be allowed to reside in the
Internment Group. It seems that the
country once released from internment
Australian Army was attempting to keep all
camps, as many internees wanted to
Nazi activities occurring at Tatura
create a new life for themselves in
Internment Group secret. It would seem
Australia.24 An inquiry was held, chaired by
that the Army was afraid of how the public
Justice W B Simpson, into reports of Nazis
would react had they known of the Hitler
at Tatura. There were reports by some at
Youth programs operating, or Nazi salutes
the enquiry of a Gestapo operating out of
exchanged by internees. Were they scared
Tatura. Internee Johan Krauel reported
of a panic that would instil itself in society
spies operating within the camp, reporting
should the nation find out about the
any German internees who were disloyal to
influence National Socialism had in the
Germany to the Nazi camp leader, who

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Disturbance at Tatura, by Jennifer Rix

internment camp, or was it more a fear of their own country. It was as if until now,

embarrassment at not being able to Australians had tried to pretend that Nazis

enforce rules to counter such behaviours. only existed on the other side of the world.

It wasnt until the threat was more

It is surprising that it wasnt until the end of
immediate, with ex-internees wanting to
the Second World War that newspaper
settle in Australia, that they began to take
articles started arising about Tatura, and
action. If more attention had been paid to
the fear of the Nazis housed there. Those
Nazi internees, events like the riot at
years of reading about Nazi terror all over
Tatura, might not have occurred.
Europe had worn off on Australians, who

now turned their fear to the threat facing

Thousands of people were interned in Australia during World War Two. These people came

from all over the world, and had many different cultural backgrounds. Clashes would have

been common, especially with groups so prevalent as the pro-Nazis held at Tatura.

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Disturbance at Tatura, by Jennifer Rix

Bibliography

Figure List
Figure 1: Tatura, VIC. 1943-06-20. Divisions between compounds A and B at No. 1
Camp, Tatura Internment Group (German). The gate between the compounds is
open to give free access for visits between internees [image], (20 June 1946),
<https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C16671>, accessed 22 Oct. 2017.
Figure 2: Tatura, VIC. 1946-06-24. No. 1 Camp, Tatura Internment Group, showing most of
the compounds but excluding headquarters and the hospitals [image], (24 June
1946) <https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C16812>, accessed 16 Oct. 2017.
Figure 3: Tatura, VIC. 1943-06-15. Internees of No. 1 Camp, Tatura Internment Group
(German), line up for one of their regular route marches [image], (15 June 1943)
<https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C16695>, accessed 16 Oct. 2017.
Figure 4: L. CPL E. McQuillan, Liverpool Prisoner of War and Internment Camp, NSW 1945-
11-21. A group of Italian Prisoners of War behind the wire perimeter fence of the
main compound [image], (21 Nov. 1945)
<https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C199169>, accessed 10 Oct. 2017.
Figure 5: Gestapo alleged in Tatura Camp, Canberra Times, 10 Jan. 1946, 2, in Trove
[online database], accessed 16 Sep. 2017.

Primary Sources
Alien Internee Inquiry at Tatura, The Canberra Times, 25 Oct. 1945, 1, in Trove [online
database], accessed 9 Oct. 2017.
Emery Barcs, His Majestys Most Loyal
Internees, Quadrant, 12/3 (1968), 70.
Gestapo in Camp for Internees, The Sun, 9 Jan. 1946, 3, in Trove [online database],
accessed 9 Oct. 2017.
Internment Camps, The South Eastern Times, 10 Dec. 1940, 4, in Trove [online database],
accessed 3 Oct 2017.
NAA: MP70/1, 36/101/45.
NAA: MP70/1, 37/101/185.
NAA: MP508/1, 255/715/143.
National Security Act 1939 (Cth) s5.
Nazi Threat, The Mercury, 25 Jan. 1940, 1, in Trove [online database], accessed 9 Oct.
2017.

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Disturbance at Tatura, by Jennifer Rix

Secondary Sources
Bashford, Alison, and Strange, Carolyn, Asylum-Seekers and National Histories of
Detention, Australian Journal of Politics and History, 48/4 (2002).
Beaumont, Joan, Introduction: Internment in Australia 1939-45 in Joan Beaumont, Ilma
Martinuzzi OBrien, and Mathew Trinica (eds.), in Under Suspicion: Citizenship and
Internment in Australia during the Second World War (Canberra: National Museum
of Australia, 2013).
Koehne, S. P., Disturbance in D Compound: The Question of Control in Australian
Internment Camps during World War II, Melbourne Historical Journal, 34 (2006).
Seitz, Anne and Foster, Lois, German Nationals in Australia 1939-1947: Internment, forced
migration and/or social control?, Journal of Intercultural Studies, 10/1 (1989).
Spizzica, Mia, Italian Civilian Internment in South Australia Revisited, Journal of the
Historical Society of South Australia, 41 (2013).
Wartime internment camps in Australia, National Achieves of Australia [website],
<http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/snapshots/internment-camps/index.aspx>.
Winter, Christine The Long Arm of the Third Reich: Interment of New Guinea Germans in
Tatura, The Journal of Pacific History, 38/1 (2003).

1
S. P. Koehne, Disturbance in D Compound: The Question of Control in Australian Internment Camps during
World War II, Melbourne Historical Journal, 34 (2006), 71.
2
Wartime internment camps in Australia, National Achieves of Australia [website],
<http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/snapshots/internment-camps/index.aspx>.
3
Joan Beaumont, Introduction: Internment in Australia 1939-45 in Joan Beaumont, Ilma Martinuzzi OBrien,
and Mathew Trinica (eds.), in Under Suspicion: Citizenship and Internment in Australia during the Second World
War (Canberra: National Museum of Australia, 2013), 5.
4
Alison Bashford and Carolyn Strange, Asylum-Seekers and National Histories of Detention, Australian
Journal of Politics and History, 48/4 (2002), 518.
5
National Security Act 1939 (Cth) s5.
6
Mia Spizzica, Italian Civilian Internment in South Australia Revisited, Journal of the Historical Society of South
Australia, 41 (2013), 66.
7
Internment Camps, The South Eastern Times, 10 Dec. 1940, 4, in Trove [online database], accessed 3 Oct
2017.
8
NAA: MP70/1, 37/101/185.
9
S. P. Koehne, Disturbance in D Compound: The Question of Control in Australian Internment Camps during
World War II, Melbourne Historical Journal, 34 (2006), 74.
10
NAA: MP70/1, 36/101/45.
11
S. P. Koehne, Disturbance in D Compound: The Question of Control in Australian Internment Camps during
World War II, Melbourne Historical Journal, 34 (2006), 71.
12
NAA: MP70/1, 36/101/45.
13
Anne Seitz and Lois Foster, German Nationals in Australia 1939-1947: Internment, forced migration and/or
social control?, Journal of Intercultural Studies, 10/1 (1989), 15.
14
S. P. Koehne, Disturbance in D Compound: The Question of Control in Australian Internment Camps during
World War II, Melbourne Historical Journal, 34 (2006), 75.

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15
Christine Winter, The Long Arm of the Third Reich: Interment of New Guinea Germans in Tatura, The
Journal of Pacific History, 38/1 (2003), 98.
16
S. P. Koehne, Disturbance in D Compound: The Question of Control in Australian Internment Camps during
World War II, Melbourne Historical Journal, 34 (2006), 75.
17
Christine Winter, The Long Arm of the Third Reich: Interment of New Guinea Germans in Tatura, The
Journal of Pacific History, 38/1 (2003,) 100.
18
NAA: MP508/1, 255/715/143.
19
NAA: MP70/1, 37/101/185.
20
Emery Barcs, His Majestys Most Loyal Internees, Quadrant, 12/3 (1968), 70.
21
Christine Winter, The Long Arm of the Third Reich: Interment of New Guinea Germans in Tatura, The
Journal of Pacific History, 38/1 (2003), 99.
22
S. P. Koehne, Disturbance in D Compound: The Question of Control in Australian Internment Camps during
World War II, Melbourne Historical Journal, 34 (2006), 72.
23
Nazi Threat, The Mercury, 25 Jan. 1940, 1, in Trove [online database], accessed 9 Oct. 2017.
24
Alien Internee Inquiry at Tatura, The Canberra Times, 25 Oct. 1945, 1, in Trove [online database], accessed
9 Oct. 2017.
25
Gestapo in Camp for Internees, The Sun, 9 Jan. 1946, 3, in Trove [online database], accessed 9 Oct. 2017.

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