Australian POWs : the untold stories of WWI

Resource Information

The work Australian POWs : the untold stories of WWI represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in City of Stirling Library Services. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

Australian POWs : the untold stories of WWI

Title remainder

the untold stories of WWI

Statement of responsibility

David Coombes

Title variation

• Untold stories of WWI
• Australian prisoners of war

Creator

• Coombes, David, 1950-

Author

• Coombes, David, 1950-

Subject

• Large type books
• Prisoners of war -- Australia -- Biography
• Prisoners of war -- Germany
• World War, 1914-1918 -- Australia
• World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, Australian
• Australia -- History -- 1914-1918
• World War, 1914-1918 -- Social aspects
• World War, 1914-1918 -- Prisoners and prisons, Australian
• Australia, Army | Infantry Brigade, 4th

Genre

• Personal narratives, Australian
• Large type books
• Biography

Language

eng

Summary

The experiences of Australian prisoners of war (POWs) or Kriegsgefangeners held captive in Germany has been largely forgotten or ignored -- overshadowed by the horrid stories of Australians imprisoned by the Japanese during World War Two. Yet the stories not only provide an account of what those young Australian soldiers experienced and the spirit they showed in responding to captivity, but also for the insight they provide into Germany in the last eighteen months of the war. Coombes draws upon previous inaccessible records -- including the interviews conducted many years before by Chalk -- as well as private papers and unpublished manuscripts. He paints a vivid picture of young soldiers who survived the trauma of battle, only to find themselves facing an unknown fate at the hands of an often vindictive and cruel enemy. These 'comrades in distress', many wounded and traumatised by trench warfare, quickly discovered the bond of brotherhood, often the key to survival in a harsh environment with little food, poor medical treatment, back-breaking work and the anguish of confinement. What emerges in the pages of this amazingly detailed account is the typical Australian sense of humour and the sheer will to live that marked these men. Above all, it was their determination to be free and to return once more to their families that ensured their survival; often against overwhelming odds. Australian POWs is a fitting tribute to the World War One soldiers and POWs. David Coombes highlights the ordeals these men went through, their stoicism in enduring their mistreatment, and the fearlessness of a few in launching ingenious attempts to escape. He proves beyond doubt that their stories are by no means less compelling than those of their World War II brothers

Biography type

contains biographical information

Illustrations

• illustrations
• maps
• portraits

Index

index present

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

bibliography

Target audience

adult