Story: Nearshore islands

Prisoners of war on Somes Island

These ‘enemy aliens’ sunbathing on Matiu (Somes Island) in Wellington Harbour during the Second World War may seem to be enjoying themselves. But as Charles Klingenstein, a German national, explains in this interview, conditions in the early years of the war were much less pleasant. Boredom was a constant problem.

Sound file from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero (Charles Klingenstein interview/Reference number T4974)

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney, 'Nearshore islands - Quarantine centres and prisons', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/speech/13033/prisoners-of-war-on-somes-island (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, published 24 Sep 2007