The Enemy at Home: German internees in World War I Australia

When nearly 7,000 people with German and Austrian heritage were detained by the Australian authorities following the outbreak of World War I, Paul Dubotzki, a talented Bavarian photographer, was among them. These unlikely prisoners-of-war came from all walks of life - merchant sailors, visiting academics - and many, including beer baron Edmund Resch and acclaimed orthopaedic surgeon Dr Max Herz, had lived in Australia for decades. In The Enemy at Home Dubotzki’s rediscovered photographs and never-before-published excerpts from inmates’ diaries reveal what life was like inside the Holsworthy, Berrima and Trial Bay internment camps. Dubotzki’s stunning images offer a rare and surprising snapshot of the theatrical events, small businesses and sports that boosted the men’s spirits.