Internment
In the fearful months of 1 942, Australians of both German and Italian heritage were interned. 15% of Australia’s Italians were interned as “enemy aliens. ” But in Queensland, where the fear was greatest, the number was far higher!
‘Forty-three percent of the state’s resident male ‘enemy aliens were interned compared to only three percent in Victoria. Naturalisation offered 1 ittle protection because naturalised British subjects of enemy origin could be subject to the same orders as ‘enemy aliens Any respect and acceptance Italians had earned through 50 years in North Queensland was ignored .
Source: Bonutto, Osvaldo, (1984) “A Migrant’s Story: The Struggle and Success of an Italian-Australian, 1920s-1960s,” UQP
Civilian Alien Corps
The Civil’ Aliens Corps was established on 3 May 1943 .War Cabinet had approved this step as a means of giving relief to Australia’s worsening manpower shortage as the War progressed. Under the regulations any male refugee alien or enemy alien between the ages of 18 and 60 could be directed to serve in the Civil Aliens Corps.
Aliens, who were required to register with authorities following the outbreak of war, were classified according to their nationality in the following categories: Allied, Neutral, Indeterminate and Enemy. Many:of those who joined the Civil Aliens Corps were internees who were released from internment camps and sent back to their home states to await call up to the Corps. Out of some 15 601 registered aliens 1 671 were accepted into the Corps.
Members of the Civil Aliens Corps were required to work on projects of a non-combatant nature managed by the Allied Works Councils. These included projects such as road construction, or the forestry industries.
The Corps was disbanded in May 1945.
Source: http://www.diggerhistory.infolpages-conflicts-periods/ww2icivil-cc.hon
World War II Stories from Brisbane’s South West
