A Cage in the Bush

A Cage in the Bush, by Ernie Polis, is the colloquial name given by a German POW to the No 16 Prisoner of War Camp near Dwellingup built in July 1943 to detain Germans and Italians captured in North Africa by the Australian forces.

A Cage in the Bush is the colloquial name given by a German POW to the No 16 Prisoner of War Camp near Dwellingup built in July 1943 to detain Germans and Italians captured in North Africa by the Australian forces.

No 16 POW Camp in Marrinup (not far from Dwellingup) was built in July 1943 to initially detain 200 Germans and 900 Italians captured in North Africa by the Australian forces. Later expanded to accommodate 300 Germans and 1,200 Italians.

Ernie’s account of life in WA’s only POW camp during WWII, has been many years in the making. The book includes photos of the camp, its staff and prisoners including those taken by a prisoner with a hidden camera. There are stories of escapes from the foolish to the bizarre, and detailed accounts of daily life in the camp. Having met some of the prisoners and Australian army officers who were at the camp during its operation, Ernie brings to life a little known history of WA’s role in WWII.

Those of you who have done the tour of the POW camp with Ernie (through our Ramble and Paddle event) will recall his passion for telling this story.