Conditions of Internment Camps
There were many thousands of men, women and children that were sent to the
internment camps of Australia. These people were dubbed the name “enemy aliens”.
The internment camps were initially aimed at the people living in
Australia who might pose as a threat to the safety and defence of
Australia.
During the later part of the war however, Japanese, Germans
and Italians were interned en masse on account of their nationalities. The
internment camps kept not only Australian born internees, but Australia’s
allies’ internees as well. The internees were first housed in prisons or grouped
in a collection of tents.
Inside the camp, there were theatres, cafes,
restaurants and any other small business that was allowed to open up.
internment camps of Australia. These people were dubbed the name “enemy aliens”.
The internment camps were initially aimed at the people living in
Australia who might pose as a threat to the safety and defence of
Australia.
During the later part of the war however, Japanese, Germans
and Italians were interned en masse on account of their nationalities. The
internment camps kept not only Australian born internees, but Australia’s
allies’ internees as well. The internees were first housed in prisons or grouped
in a collection of tents.
Inside the camp, there were theatres, cafes,
restaurants and any other small business that was allowed to open up.
The conditions of some camps such as the Holsworthy internment camp at NSW were tough as the living quarters were crowded and only the most basic form of sanitary facilities were made available.
The internees experienced periods of intense heat and cold.
The dust that covered the place was maddening.
There was no escape from the boredom experienced and all the while, those interned were kept awake at night worrying over families thousands of kilometres away.