The Camp Nachrichten published by the prisoners of war in Malta in 1914-1916

Abstract

On 28 June 1913, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir to the Austrian throne, and his wife were murdered in the Bosnian town of Sarajevo. Within the space of just over a month, Austria-Hungary and Germany were at war with England and France, joined by Italy on 24 May 1915. Turkey was on the side of the Central Powers, but when Italy declared war on Germany on 24 May 1915 Malta instantly became outside the theatre of war although it was a British Crown Colony. Consequently, it served peacefully as a vital base of support in the Middle Sea for the British and French fleets. In virtue of legislation passed locally after the outbreak of war, Germans and Austrians aged between 17 and 42 were arrested as prisoners of war. They were later joined by the crews of German and Austrian ships either in port or captured near Malta. At first, the prisoners of war were interned at Casemate Barracks, Floriana. These were too small to accommodate the increasing number of war prisoners brought over to Malta from time to time from various localities. Larger camps were established in late 1914 in the area of the Three Cities on the east side of the Grand Harbour at Verdala Barracks and St. Clements' Parade Ground. The move from Floriana took place on 3 November 1914. [excerpt]