Showing 254 items matching "german soldiers"
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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Photograph
Remains of the German bomb stops where Lieut McCarthy gained the VC (the barricade has been altered somewhat by the weather when the photo was taken) looking N and showing the hole scooped by British soldiers under the block. Digital copy of photograph from a personal album of Lieutenant General JJT Hobbs.talbot hobbs; mccarthy vc; -
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Photograph
Provides conformation of policy that German POWs so employed retained their helmets and respirators,Western Front 1918. Boche prisoner assisting wounded British soldiers. Digital copy of photograph from a personal album of Lieutenant General JJT Hobbs.talbot hobbs, world war 1, pow, wounded -
Wangaratta High School
2nd/24th Batallion Shield, 1945
In July 1940 the 2/24th Battalion was formed. They set off from Caulfield for the still-being-built Bonegilla camp, stopping off at Wangaratta where they camped at the showgrounds. They were welcomed with open arms by the local community as they rapidly built up their numbers. The people of Wangaratta adopted the Battalion and they became known as ‘Wangaratta’s Own’. Presented with a 14 foot pennant the Battalion marched through the streets of Wangaratta on 27 September 1940 on the way to Bonegilla. Training continued in Bonegilla until the soldiers sailed on HMT Strathmore for the Middle East on 16 November. The Battalion was eventually attached to the 9th Australian Division, one of the most famous army fighting formations in World War 2. They served in Tobruk (1941) Tel el Eisa (1942), El Alemain (1942), New Guinea (1943) and Tarakan (1945).During the Tobruk siege the 9th Division was called the ‘The Rats of Tobruk’ by William Joyce, the German propagandist. The 2/24th Battalion suffered more casualties than any other 2nd AIF Battalion – 360 killed and 900 wounded. Brown lacquered wood shield with a silver metal 2/24 symbol on it.2/24 AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATALLION TOBRUK . THE SALIENT . TEL EL EISA . EL ALAMEIN . LAE . NADZAB . WAREO . TARAKAN I HOLD FAST -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Document (Item) - Personal Photograph and Negatives Collection of Kevin Kerle
Collection includes a large number of large-format unidentified negatives, as well as photos of paratroopers jumping from RAAF aircraft and a variety of civilian and military aircraft from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. There is also a photo of Australian soldiers posing around a shot down German aircraft during the First World War.Many of these photos appear to be very rare, and feature good captions which help to identify the aircraft, units and even crewmen being photographed. -
Kyneton RSL Sub Branch
WW1 Medals
Pte Simmons was born in Kyneton. Died at the battle of Fromelles, July 1916.Fromelles. The battle of Fromelles on 19 July 1916 was a bloody initiation for Australian soldiers to warfare on the Western Front. Soldiers of the newly arrived 5th Australian Division, together with the British 61st Division, were ordered to attack strongly fortified German front line positions near the Aubers Ridge in French Flanders. The attack was intended as a feint to hold German reserves from moving south to the Somme where a large Allied offensive had begun on 1 July. The feint was a disastrous failure. Australian and British soldiers assaulted over open ground in broad daylight and under direct observation and heavy fire from the German lines. Over 5,500 Australians became casualties. Almost 2,000 of them were killed in action or died of wounds and some 400 were captured. This is believed to be the greatest loss by a single division in 24 hours during the entire First World War. Some consider Fromelles the most tragic event in Australia’s history. www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/fromelles Two WW1 War service medals with ribbons in a white presentation case. With black clothe lining. On the rim of each medal is: 4899Pte N T Simmons 59 Bn AIF The medals are labelled British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal 1914- 1918. On the inside of the lid is card inscribed: Posthumus award to 4899 Pte N T Simmons 59 Bn AIF. ww1 medals, british war medal, allied victory medal 1914- 1918, n t simmons, fromelles -
Kyneton RSL Sub Branch
Binoculars
... possibly been taken from either a German POW or deceased soldier ...These WW1 binoculars were made in France. The Jockey Club is a famous gentlemen’s Club still in existence in Paris. These binoculars are believed to have been commandeered by the German army. These binoculars are believed to have possibly been taken from either a German POW or deceased soldier, and brought back to Australia at the end of WW1 as a war-souvenir.Small binoculars silver rim around eye pieces and larger end of lenses.There is a brown leather hand grip on the body of the lenses. Adjustable focus wheel in centre.Le Jockey Club Paris on rim of both eye pieces.binoculars, ww1 souvenir -
Australian Multicultural Community Services
driving licence, Driver - License for Marian Dabrowski born on 22/12/1904 in Drozdowo Kr Lomrza domiciled in Bed Reichenhall Legitimations number DPG 09703260, 40s
this document belonged to deceased Marian Dabrowski, ex-soldier, migrant from Poland who came to Australia as a refugee after II World War; It was issued on 8 August 1946 in Bad Reichenhall (Germany)one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present daysgreen papercover - stamp of town hall, No: DPG 09703260 inside - photo of holder Marian Dabrowski and his signature; stamp of town hall and signature of authorised representativedriving licence, germany, migrant -
Australian Multicultural Community Services
certificate, certificate of Polish Veterans Association - Ex-Soldiers Mutual Aid, No 545
certificate of Polish Veterans Association - Ex-soldiers Mutual Aid was issued on 1/05/1948 by Branch 601 - Ingolstadt (American Zone of Germany); this document belonged to deceased Marian Dabrowski, ex-soldier, Polish migrant who came to Australia as a refugee after II World War and settled down in Melbourneone of a few items of this kind which has survived to present daysbrownish papercertificate number 545 cover: red stamp of Polish Veterans Association, Branch 601 inside: photo of holder and his signature, 2 green stamps of Polish Veterans Association, American Zone of Germany, signature of Chairman and signature of Branch Directorcertificate, migrant, polish veterans association, ex-soldiers mutual aid -
Australian Multicultural Community Services
internationaler führerschein (international license)
international license (internationaler führerschein) was issued on 16 June 1947 in Ingolstadt. It was issued according to international agreement from 24 April 1926; this document belonged to deceased Marian Dabrowski, ex-soldier, migrant from Poland who came to Australia as a refugee after II World Warone of a few items of this kind which has survived to present daysbrownish paper, 42 pages, back cover blank, page 37&38 folded page 2 contains list of countries where this license could be used page 4 - front cover: stamp and signature of authorised person page 3: stamp, photo of holder Marian Dabrowski and handwritten info about holder of license page 38; 2 stamps which identify the category of license (A&B), handwritten info about holderinternational license, migration, germany, document -
Bayside Gallery - Bayside City Council Art & Heritage Collection
Sculpture, Margaret Baskerville, Edith Cavell, c. 1926
Edith Cavell was an English nurse based in Belgium who had been killed by German officers for conspiring to help in the escape of allied soldiers. This work is a plaster maquette of a large memorial marble bust by Margaret Baskerville that is located at Kings Domain on Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne. Although commissioned in 1917, the memorial was not completed until 1926 due to both the difficulty of obtaining Carrara marble from Italy after the war and the increasing number of Baskerville’s other commissions.Margaret Baskerville, Edith Cavell c. 1926, plaster, 82 x 49 x 28 cm. Bayside Art and Heritage Collection. Donated by Charles Douglas Richardson, 1931.plasteredith cavell, bust, sculpture, nurse, world war i, margaret baskerville, melbourne, berkendael medical institute, red cross, brussels, plaster -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Diary, Diary 1916, 1916-1917
Private Harry Nutman Derrick, a native of Tallangatta Valley in NE Victoria served with the 37th Australian Infantry Battalion 10th Brigade, 3rd Division AIF. He was wounded on three occasions. On the third occasion he was captured near the village of Clery on 30 August 1918. He died in a German military hospital on 12 November 1918 the day following the Armistice. A transcribed copy of the diary is held in the Local History Section of the Albury LibraryMuseum.This diary documents the day-to-day activities of a private soldier of the AIF during almost two years at war including two occasions on which he was wounded and evacuated to England. Its significance is enhanced by the presence of his death medallion in the 8/13 VMR Collection.Black cloth soft covered diary kept by 854 Pte Harry Derrick 37th Battalion AIF for the period 16 February 1916, the day he left Tallangatta Valley, to 31 December 1917. To fit two years into a one year diary, Derrick made use of every spare space in the small book.diary, derrick, tallangatta, wwi -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Weapon - Gun sight, 1916 circa
This gun sight was brought home from WWI (1914-1918) by members of the 13th Battery 5th Field Artillery Brigade (Albury Battery) as a souvenir of its action in the first battle of Bullecourt April 1917. On one occasion during the battle the Battery was surrounded by a German counter attack. They dragged their guns out of the gun pits and continued firing to the flanks and rear and supported the Australian counter penetration attack which restored the situation. After the war a recreational reserve in Albury NSW was named Noreuil Park after the French village near where the action occurred.A rare object with significant connection to Albury NSW and its citizen soldiers who served with the AIF in WWI (1914-1918). The engraving gives it close association with the recreational park in Albury named after the French village of Noreuil and honouring the soldiers who fought there with great courage. Range drum portion of the sighting mechanism from an 18 Pounder field gun made of brass and other metals. The object is engraved with the word NOREUIL and the date 2.4.17.Serial No 5459; and NOREUIL 2.4.17gun sight, noreuil, albury, 13th battery -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Functional object - German gas mask, 1916 circa
German gas mask brought back from Western Front as a souvenir by a member of 13th Battery AFA (Albury Battery) and included in a collection of memorabilia donated to the 8/13th VMR as the local citizen soldier force.Representative of a souvenir of the Great War brought home by a soldier from the Albury area. It is complete and in very good condition.Cylindrical metal canister with hinged lid and light fabric carry strap containing Gas Mask type GM15. Inside hinged lid are printed instructions for use of mask.gas, albury battery, german -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph - 13th ALH WWI, 1918
The 13th Light Horse was the Corps Cavalry of the Australian Corps. One role of the Corps Cavalry was the escort of prisoners-of-war from the front line to POW compounds in the rear area. Lieutenant Leslie Deegan was a 36 year-old Company secretary of Melbourne with service in the Boer War when he enrolled in the 13th Light Horse AIF. He embarked as Squadron sergeant-major of C Squadron of the regiment and was later commissioned as a lieutenant.Rare photograph of Australian Light Horse escorting prisoners-of-war in large numbers in France during WWI. Officer named has connection to other items in collection.Framed black and white photograph showing long column of German prisoners-of-war led by mounted Australian officer and flanked by mounted Australian soldiers passing along a village road. Several onlookers, one on bicycle. light wooden frame painted black.German prisoners captured by 13th Light Horse at Hamel being marched to Prisoner of War cage at Poulainville in France, 4th July 1918. Lieut. L Deegan 13th Light Horse leading.13th light horse, hamel, deegan leslie lieutenant, prisoner-of-war -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Equipment - holster, 1917
This object was donated to the collection by a Trooper Russell Wells 8/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. It was brought home by his father who was serving in the BEF. He later migrated to Australia.Leather Luger pistol holster with strap securing flap was manufactured by Leder-ZweeisungsAmt-Abteilung (LZA), or leather supply office to the German war department at a factory in Cologne. It was brought to Australia as a souvenir by a British soldier who migrated after the war."LZA J Coln" inscribed on back of holster; "1917" stamped om inside of flap.lza, holster -
Clayton RSL Sub Branch
soft cover non-fiction book, Arcturus Publishing, Normandy to Berlin, 2005
... and german soldiers and civilians - whose bravery and endurance made ...60th Anniversary Special Edition from Normandy to BerlinBook introduces men and women from both sides - British, American and german soldiers and civilians - whose bravery and endurance made the final push through Europe, the defining drama of WW2.soft cover book with 144 pages -
Magnet Galleries Melbourne Inc
soldiers with captured German plane, robertson thomas099.tif
... soldiers with captured German plane... photo robertson thomas099.tif soldiers with captured German ...photoa.i.f, aif, ww1, world war 1, german, plane, aeroplane -
Magnet Galleries Melbourne Inc
German plane being towed / Soldier's grave, mountjoy029.tif
... .tif German plane being towed / Soldier's grave ...Two photographs on a page from an albumSinai desert Damaged plane being towed in Grave of Lt. ....world war i, ww1, australian imperial forces., aeroplane, plane, world war 1, horse, horsemen, biplane, german, grave, sinai desert, tow -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph - Madjeric, Woolford, Williams
Lou Madjeric had WW11 service in German Navy, Bill Woolford in British Royal Marines. Postwar they both migrated to Australia and joined 8/13 VMR. Alan Williams began his long service with 8/13 VMR as a cadet in 1948.Colour photograph of Lou Madjeric, Bill Woolford and Allan Williams all former 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles soldiers at Buna Barracks 25 May 1991.dinner, vmr, madjeric, woolford, williams -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Badge - WW2 fundraising badge, Tin hat badge, 1940s
Tin Hat Day was established in 1922 after the end of WWI. It raised funds to benefit returned soldiers who had fallen on hard times after the war and during the Great Depression. It continued on during WW2 and into the 1950s. This badge is c1940. The tin hat badge was modelled on the British steel combat helmet known as the Brodie helmet, designed and patented in London in 1915 by John Leopold Brodie. Colloquially, it had many names including the shrapnel helmet, battle bowler, Tommy helmet, tin hat, dishpan hat, tin pan hat, washbasin, and in the United States the doughboy helmet. The German Army called it the Salatschüssel (salad bowl).Tin Hat Day was a significant annual event over several decades. Badges such as are not rare; they were sold in large numbers but as ephemeral items relatively few of those sold were retained.A round metal badge with a domed centre, mimicking a stylised tin hat. Red with black inscription. It has a tab on the upper centre edge. This would have enabled it to be pinned through a buttonhole or similar.Centre: MY / TRIBUTE / TO THE/ FIGHTING / FORCES Around the rim: TIN HAT APPEAL / RSL WAR SERVICE FUNDworld war 2, fundraising, commemorative badge, badge, tin hat badge -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Alfred Hein, In the hell of Verdun, 1930
... A gripping novel of World War I as seen by a German soldier. p.372 ...A gripping novel of World War I as seen by a German soldier.p.372.non-fictionA gripping novel of World War I as seen by a German soldier.world war 1914-1918 - fiction, world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - france -
Royal District Nursing Service (now known as Bolton Clarke)
Photograph - Document/Letter, 1900
A letter dated 8th May 1973 details how the letter from Florence Nightingale was forwarded to Mrs E.G. (Janet) Wilson in 1955 by Gwendolen, Florence Nightingale's niece. The explanatory letter was forwarded by Elsa Halenstein and given to Royal District Nursing Service and remains in its Archives. From 1948 Mrs. Wilson served on the Committee of Management of Melbourne District Nursing Society (later Service), serving as President from October 1964-1967. In 1949 Mrs. Hallenstein served on the MDNS Committee of Management, becoming President of the now Royal District Nursing Service from 1967-1974. Florence Nightingale was the founder of modern nursing. Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) only employed Trained nurses from its inception in 1885. They followed Florence Nightingale's basic rules of good hygiene, cleanliness, good nutrition and fresh air, which they learned during their Nursing Training at a Hospital, and taught to their patients by instruction and demonstration. In those days Trained nurses were called 'Nurse'. In 1892 MDNS employed Lucy Smith who, through the Nightingale Fund, did her nursing training at the Nightingale Training School at St. Thomas's Hospital in London. She was the first nurse from this school to work at MDNS. Florence Nightingale, born on the 12th of May 1820, was named after the place of her birth in Italy. Born into a wealthy family she was schooled at home where she excelled in her studies; spoke several languages fluently, and was taught home management. She believed she was ‘called’ to reduce human suffering and tended to ill members of her family and tenants on the family estate. She worked as a nurse at Salisbury Infirmary where she learned about nursing sanitation and hospital practice. Florence then enrolled at the Institution of Protestant Deaconesses at Kaiserswerth, Germany where she learned basic nursing skills, the importance of patient observation, and hospital organization. In 1853 she became Superintendent of the Institution for Sick Gentlewomen in Distressed Circumstances in London, where she reformed health care, working conditions, and hospital efficiency. The Crimean War broke out in late 1853 and a newspaper reported the injured and sick soldiers were being cared for by an “incompetent and ineffective medical establishment and that most basic supplies were not available for care”. After an outcry from the public, Florence was asked to lead a group of 38 nurses, whom she had trained, to Scutari where the wounded soldiers were sent. After arriving at the Barrack Hospital in October 1854, she found the soldiers were being cared for in overcrowded and filthy conditions; contaminated water, faeces on the floors and rats running freely. There were few supplies and equipment. Florence bought supplies and equipment and found help to assist in the laundry. The wards were scrubbed from floor to ceiling. Florence set a high standard of care with fresh air, hygiene, clean clothing, sufficient food and regular dressing of wounds being carried out. She realized the importance of psychological needs, and soldiers were assisted to write letters to relatives, and took part in education and recreational activities. Of a night Florence walked through the wards, carrying a lamp to light her way, to check on ill and wounded soldiers and became known as “The Lady with the Lamp”. She gained the respect of the soldiers and the establishment, and later, the public through the soldier’s letters and reports in the newspaper. After visiting Crimea she contracted ‘Crimean Fever’ from which she never really recovered. When she returned to London she was regarded a heroine. The public had given freely to buy her a gift but Florence preferred this money be used to establish a fund, which became known as the Nightingale Fund. Florence had kept excellent records on the running of the Barrack Hospital, medical and nursing staff efficiency, and the causes of illness and death. Many nurses from the training school became Matrons in many countries throughout the world. Florence pushed the Government for legislation to improve drainage and sanitation in homes and in the building of hospitals with fresh air a priority. She wrote the book ‘Notes on Nursing’ and many writings on health reform. She died, aged 90 years, in her home at 10 South Street, Park Lane on the 13th of August 1910. A handwritten letter, written in lead pencil, by Florence Nightingale. It is written to her niece Gwendolen.. The letter is on buff coloured paper and has the date 'Oct 17 1900'/ written in the top right hand corner; below this is, in capital letters, the two line black printed address - '10, South Street,/ Park Lane, W'/ is stamped. The bulk of the letter reads over eight lines: "Dearest Gwendolen",/ "Thanks for your / dear note,/ I shall gladly look / forward to seeing you, / on Friday at 5 ,/ ever your loving, / Aunt Florence./ . rdns, royal district nursing service, miss florence nightingale, mrs e.g. (janet) wilson, mrs d. (elsa) hallenstein -
Mont De Lancey
Book, W.f. Morris, Bretherton: Khaki or Field-Grey?, 1929 - (reprint 1935)
... English and German soldiers. It is an espionage thriller ...A tale of mystery and identity, first published in 1929 is an account of the brutal conditions at the battlefront in WW1 between English and German soldiers. It is an espionage thriller with a twisting and unusual plot with the English soldier G Bretherton as the main character.Green hardcover book for boys, with the title Bretherton Khaki or Field-Grey? by W.F. Morris as well as the publisher Geoffrey Bles printed in black lettering with the symbol of a bird. 319p. 319p.fictionA tale of mystery and identity, first published in 1929 is an account of the brutal conditions at the battlefront in WW1 between English and German soldiers. It is an espionage thriller with a twisting and unusual plot with the English soldier G Bretherton as the main character.war fiction, romance fiction, spies fiction -
The 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment Historical Collection
Magazine - Framed Magazine Cover, Anzac Bulletin No.76 London June 21 1918, June 21 1918
Issued to the members of the Australian Military and Navel Forces in Great Britain, France and elsewhere, and to Australain Munition Workers in Great Britain: by the Authority of the High Commissioner of AustraliaFramed copy of the front cover of the " Anzac Bulletin" issue No. 76. London June 21, 1918. On this cover is a sketch of an Australian soldier in a slouch hat with side up turned holding a SMLE with bayonet affixed leaning on a circular picture of a " Youthful type of German reinforcement". At the base of the page is an ad for Kiwi shoe polish.ww1, wark vc club, anzac bulletin, print media -
The 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment Historical Collection
Souvenir - Trench Art, Belt with badges, 1918
Method of keeping badges collected from other allied soldiers.Tan webbing belt with German "Gott Mit Uns" belt buckle and 36 buttons and badges on it. There is some white staining on the belt from where someone has previously attempted to polish badges with brasso. Badges and buttons are fixed to the belt with split pins, safety pins and wire.regimental property, ww1, souvineer, heraldry, wark vc club -
The 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment Historical Collection
Souvenir - Photographs and Post Cards, 1916-1918
cameras were not common during the first world war. as such post cards of portraits and the damage of the battlefield were common.Collection of black and white post cards and photographs. 20 post cards are of the township of Villers Brettoneux after the German shelling. 2 are of Australian Soldiers. One of the photos is written on, otherwise the post cards are unmarked and in good condition." Stanley and I taken in London August 1916.ww1, souvineer, post card, wark vc club -
The 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment Historical Collection
Equipment - Field Equipment, German WW1 Gas mask in tin, 1918
... This item was worn by German soldiers to protect them against ...Late WW1 gas maskThis item was worn by German soldiers to protect them against chemical weapons during WW1Late first world war gas mask complete with field grey carry tin and replacement lenses in original paper Tin has a short, tan cotton strap for wearing over the wearers shoulder. replacement lenses are packed in celephane with "klarscheiben vor feuchtigkeit schutzen nicht wischen, nur am rande anfassen so einlegen" which translates to "Do not wipe clear discs from moisture protection, just touch at the edge so insert " 27.Mal1918 on base of tin "klarscheiben vor feuchtigkeit schutzen nicht wischen, nur am rande anfassen so einlegen" on replacemet lenses ww1, german, gas mask, wark vc club -
The 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment Historical Collection
Equipment - Field Equipment - German WWI Gas Mask Tin, WW1 German Gas Mask Tin, 1918
... tin This item was used by German soldiers to house and carry ...Late WWI German gas mask tinThis item was used by German soldiers to house and carry gas masks to protect them against chemical weapons during WW1Late First World War German field grey carry tin for gas mask. One tan cotton strap for wearing over the wearers shoulder. Shorter tan cotton strap with button hole to attach to wearers belt. Inside tin lid has piece of paper with German inscriptions.Inside tin lid has piece of paper with German inscriptions. Inscription 'SS' overlapping on tin lid lip.ww1, gas mask, tin, german, wark vc club -
Royal Brighton Yacht Club
Life Ring, Vega Trophy (Mounted Wooden Life Ring)
Vega Trophy (Mounted Wooden Life Ring) Donor: Graham Noel During World War II when the Germans occupied the Channel Islands the local people went through very severe food rationing and were on the verge of starvation. Near the end of the war, the Swedish ship Vega was allowed by the Germans to deliver several shipments of food to the civilian population, easing the critical shortages of food on the islands. Further background detail can be found below. Graham Noel was born on the Islands and lived there during this harsh period. The trophy is awarded to the winner of the Combined Division AMS Aggregate Series. First Winner: Under Capricorn, P. Bedlington 2005/06 Vega – Further historical background Early in the Second World War Jersey was declared “unarmed” and the German military took over, taking quite a few lives in the process, through strafing the main harbour and a few other places which they needlessly considered threatening. A considerable number of locals evacuated to England before the Germans arrived, but more than 60% of the population remained and endured 5 years of very strict and difficult conditions. Not only was the population unable to contact relatives in the UK or elsewhere, but very quickly they found themselves subject to harsh curfews, strictly rationed foodstuffs, no fuel for vehicles, radios confiscated, and homes and hotels commandeered by the military. The military demanded first pick of all foodstuffs and kept meticulous records of all livestock forcing farmers even to show newborn calves and piglets to them, then claiming the new arrivals for their dinner tables. However there are many stories of farmers outwitting their masters when twin calves or suchlike arrived! Lawbreakers were quickly dealt with, mostly with lengthy prison terms in Jersey, but the more serious crimes were punished by being sent to some horrible French prisons, or even some of the notorious German concentration camps. All local Jews were dispatched to concentration camps, and even English born families were similarly shipped through France and on to Germany. Sadly, a considerable number of those deported did not make it back safely to Jersey. In June 1944 the locals were delighted to hear that the Allies had invaded Normandy and very soon they could hear the battles as the Allies worked their way along the French coast. Little did they know they would still have to wait another 11 months for freedom, having to put up with a very demanding German occupation force which was still determined to obey Hitler’s order to “Defend the Channel Islands to the death”. Now that France was in Allied Hands the local military commanders were unable to supplement their food supplies from France and even harsher demands were made on the local population to ensure that all branches of their still very substantial military force were reasonably well fed. As well as the military, Jersey farmers had to provide food for the Allied POWs and the many “forced labourers”, mainly of Russian, Polish and Italian backgrounds who had been directed to the island to build all the concrete bunkers. This included an underground hospital, all this complying with Hitler’s orders to ensure that the Channel Islands would never again be part of Britain. Many requests by the Jersey authorities for Red Cross assistance were rejected, but finally in December 1944 they agreed and on 30th December the Red Cross vessel “Vega” (Swedish Registry) arrived and delivered parcels to the civilian population. These parcels contained a variety of foodstuffs supplied mainly by Canadian authorities, desperately needed medical supplies, flour, oils and soaps, as well as tobacco from New Zealand. Vega made a further 3 or 4 trips and most certainly eased the desperate situation being faced by the locals. In fact, it resulted in the locals having slightly better food supplies than the military and many local farmers tell stories of having to protect their stock from marauding soldiers. Understandably Churchill was reluctant to send in an invading force to retake the Channel Islands, but by May 1945 it was clear that the Third Reich was finished and on May 9th the German Military surrendered, without a fight, to a large British landing force. On a slightly lighter note … in January 1945 Jersey stonemasons were seen in the main town square repairing flagstones … the Germans had never noticed that the name “Vega” had been formed in those flagstones! As a side note Vega is the name of the brightest star in the universe. Furthermore, throughout the occupation, despite German law that demanded confiscation of all radio sets, punishable by long prison terms or deportation to Germany, there were still many sets being listened to. The locals had a well refined news system for the dissemination of news of what was happening in the outside world. vega, graham noel, ams, combined division, aggregate -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Booklet - Haeusler Collection Christmas War songs c. 1914, The Petersen Printing Company PTY. LTD, "A Soldier's Greeting: A Happy Christmas"
The Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection provides invaluable insight into life in late nineteenth and early twentieth century north east Victoria. The collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history, social history, and military history. A booklet of war songs printed during the Great War (c.1914) titled "A Soldier's Greeting: A Happy Christmas". The cover features an illustration of a soldier on a horse. He is blowing into a brass instrument. ww1, world war one, the great war, military history