Ethnic struggles

GERMAN ANZACS AND THE FIRST WORLD WAR
by John F. Williams
Reviewed by Paul Harrison

UNSW Press 2003. 320 page soft cover book with illustrations. RRP $59.95

A Fascinating authorative history of the contribution made by German naturalised citizens of Australia to the AIF during WWI.

At the outbreak of WWI most German immigrants to Australia had been integrated into their local communities for many years. However, because of their Germanic origins many were refused enlistment into the Armed Forces, or they were subjected to abuse and “distrust” during their military service.

This book sets about to record for history the many heroic and gallant contributions made by these German descendants in the conflicts of the Middle East and France.

Extremely well written A must for students of military history trying to understand the strong ethnic ties of the times.