Australian War Memorial Logo
Search

Donate Today

  • Collection Open Information Close Information
    • Official Histories & Unit Diaries
    • Understanding the Collection
    • Research at the Memorial
    • Donating to the Collection
    • National Collection Loans
    • Projects
  • People
  • Visit
  • Commemorate Open Information Close Information
    • Last Post Ceremony
    • Honour Rolls
    • Anzac Day
    • Remembrance Day
    • Customs & Ceremony
    • Speeches
  • Learn Open Information Close Information
    • Schools & Teachers
    • Memorial Articles
    • Encyclopedia
    • Understanding Military Structure
    • Podcasts
    • Glossary
    • Magazine
  • Get Involved Open Information Close Information
    • Donations & Bequests
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Volunteer at the Memorial
    • Friends of the Memorial
    • eMemorial Newsletter
    • Grants, Scholarships & Residencies
    • Research Papers
  • Shop Open Information Close Information
    • Memorial Shop
    • Images, film and sound
    • Lone Pine Seedlings

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Learn
  3. Schools & Teachers
  4. Classroom Resources
  5. Anzac Diversity
  6. European Anzacs
  7. “Enemy aliens”

Main navigation

  • Schools & Teachers
    • School visits
    • Classroom Resources
    • Virtual Excursions
    • Memorial Boxes
    • Publications
    • Education Programs
    • The Simpson Prize
    • Professional Learning
    • Classroom Showcase
  • Understanding Military Structure
  • Australian military history overview
  • Podcasts
  • Glossary
  • Boy soldiers
  • Understanding Military History

“Enemy aliens”

Collection Item C256238

Accession Number: H17417

Three Austrian girls wait for their rations at the German Molonglo Internment Camp, Canberra, c. 1918.

It is estimated that over 100,000 Germans were living in Australia when the First World War broke out. They had been migrating since the 1850s, establishing families, businesses, and new lives across the colonies. Despite their contributions to their communities and their loyalty to Australia, many were negatively impacted by the growing anti-German sentiment.

When Britain declared war on Germany, people living in Australia with links to enemy countries, were classified as “enemy aliens”. These enemy aliens included naturalised British subjects born in enemy countries, Australian-born descendants of migrants born in enemy countries, and others who were thought to pose a threat to Australia’s security.

Approximately 7,000 people were interned in Australia during the war, including 4,500 enemy aliens with German or Austro-Hungarian heritage.

1. Explore the following sources, before answering the questions below:

  • Migration Heritage Centre website
  • Article from “The Conversation”
  • Photos from the Australian War Memorial
  • Film from the Australian War Memorial
  • National Archives of Australia website

a. What does it mean to be interned?

b. How is an internee different to a prisoner of war?

c. Find the locations of some of the camps around Australia, and investigate the camp conditions.

d. What happened to the internees when the war ended?

e. Could women and children be interned?

f. What do you think about the internment of civilians during times of war?

Collection Item C256234

Accession Number: H17414

Children and teachers of the school at the German Molonglo internment camp, Canberra, c 1918.

2. Not all Australians of German heritage were interned, and some German migrants and their descendants served with the Australian Imperial Force. Read the case studies of Adolphus Schmahl, Eric Ernest von Bibra, and George and Herbert Heinecke.

a. Discuss the home front and service experiences of the men. What challenges did they face due to their German heritage?

b. For those who returned home, did their service have a positive impact on their place in society? Use examples from the case studies to support your opinions.

c. These men saw action against Germany in Europe. What do you think it would have been like for them to fight against the nation that was home to their ancestors?

d. Why do you think they wanted to serve for Australia?

e. How did Australian society respond to men who chose not to enlist during the First World War?

f. Do you think this response differed for those born in Australia and those born overseas? The following sources may assist:

  • Article from the Inquiries Journal
  • Article from The Canberra Times
  • Article from the Australian War Memorial

Last updated: 19 January 2021

1 The Donations and bequests

Donations & Bequests

Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future.

Find out more
2 Visit Transcribe.awm.gov.au

Transcribe

Help preserve Australia's history by transcribing records from the National Collection. Enhance accessibility and discoverability for all Australians.

Find out more
The placesofpride

Places of Pride

Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia.

Find out more
Visit the Australian War Memorial

Visit the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is open for visitors as we work to expand our galleries. Entry is free and tickets are not required.

Find out more
Canberra Highlands in Grayscale

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
Location map of The Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial building

The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue
Campbell ACT 2612
Australia
View on Google Maps (opens in new window)
Google Map data ©2025 Google
Australian War Memorial Logo
  • Go to AWM Facebook
  • Go to AWM Trip Advisor
  • Go to AWM Instagram
  • Go to AWM Youtube

Footer

  • About
  • Contact
  • Venue Hire
  • Media
  • WM Magazine
  • Donate Today

The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue

Campbell ACT 2612

Australia

 

Opening Hours

10 am to 4 pm daily (except Christmas Day)

 

In preparation for the daily Last Post Ceremony,

galleries are progressively closed from 3:40 pm.

 

Public entrance via Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell ACT 2612

Sign up to our newsletter

Subscribe

Legal

  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Freedom of information

Copyright 2025 Australian War Memorial, Canberra. All rights reserved