Ottoman Subjects Interned as POWs in Australia 1914-1918

Ottoman Subjects Interned as POWs in Australia 1914-1918

By Stavros T. Stavridis
Historical Researcher, National Centre for Hellenic Studies and Research,
Latrobe University, Melbourne, Australia

This brief information has been extracted from MP16/1 Y1920/77 file, Australian Archives, Melbourne office, showing four Turkish subjects landing in early January 1915 who were interned as POWS at Langwarrin. Australia was at war with the central powers (Germany, Austro-Hungary, Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria) during the period 1914-18. Turkish subjects found onboard foreign ships, e.g “Wynadotte” and “Niewara,” visiting Australian ports were considered enemy aliens and therefore subject to internment. [see Documents 1-3]

It is interesting that the Ottoman Greeks--Valassapulos, Papadopoulos and Cadopoulos--were paroled within 4 days whereas Hussein Mustafa was interned for almost three months. Australian authorities would have considered the Ottoman Greeks as friendly aliens. [see Documents 4-5]

Quick Links to Article Documents
Document 1
Document 2
Document 3
Document 4
Document 5

Table 1

MP16/1 Y1920/77 Prisoners of War Interned at Langwarrin (Victoria) since the outbreak of war up to 27th February 1918- 20ff

Australian Imperial Force 3rd Military District Langwarrin Camp 22/2/1918

SO Intelligence 3rd MD…Herewith complete nominal Roll of all Prisoners of war who have been interned in this camp from the outbreak of war up to the 27th February 1918

No.	Name	Nationality	Date Interned	Reason	Transferred to	Date
367	Hussein Mustafa	Turk	2/1/1915	"Wynadotte"	paroled	29/3/1915
368	Valassopoulos M.	Turk	3/1/1915	"Niewara"	paroled	7/1/1915
369	Papadopoulos Gerasimo	Turk	3/1/1915	"Niewara"	paroled	7/1/1915
370	Cadopoulos Fordanis	Turk	3/1/1915	"Niewara"	paroled	7/1/1915

from Page 10.

The remainder of the internees’ names on this roll comprised German and Austrian names.

There are some further documents and newspaper articles reproduced below which support the infornation shown in table 1.

Document 1

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Document 2

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Document 3

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Document 4

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Document 5

Stavros T.Stavridis, Historian/Researcher, National Center for Hellenic Studies and Research, Latrobe University, Bundoora, Australia

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(Posting date 22 August 2006)

About the Author

Stavros Terry Stavridis was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1949 of Greek parents. He migrated to Australia with his parents in September 1952. Stavros has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Political Science/Economic History and B.A (Hons) in European History from Deakin University and M.A in Greek/Australian History from RMIT University. His MA thesis is titled "The Greek-Turkish War 1919-23: an Australian Press Perspective."

Stavros has nearly 20 years of teaching experience, lecturing at University and TAFE (Technical and Further Education, the equivalent of Community College in the US) levels. He has presented papers at international conferences in Australia and USA and has also given public lectures both in Australia and on the West Coast of the US. Many of his articles have appeared in the Greek-American press. He currently works as a historical researcher at the National Center for Hellenic Studies and Research, Latrobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.

Stavros' research interests are the Asia Minor campaign and disaster, Middle Eastern history, the Assyrian and Armenian genocides, Greece in the Balkan Wars 1912-13 and the First World War and history in general.

HCS maintains a large selection of fine pieces written by Mr. Stavridis which viewers are invited to view at the URL http://www.helleniccomserve.com/stavridisone.html

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