The rural block outside Murchison still hosts remnants from its time as a POW camp. Photos: Contributed
A 40.87ha block outside Murchison that hosted prisoners of war during World War II is on the market, with some original features still intact.
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Natalie Kay from Janelle Puppa Real Estate is familiar with the historical sites in the area as she lives locally and said “what’s sitting on the sides of the roads out there would blow your mind”.
Ms Kay’s own family members were housed in internment camps after their escape from Italy during the war.
The site was known as Camp 13 and housed the German sailors who were captured after the sinking of the HMASSydney and scuttling of their own ship the HSKKormoran.
The German officers were sent to Dhurringile Mansion along with their personal servants.
Camp 13 was guarded by the 23rd Garrison Battalion, whose members oversaw around 4000 POWs.
A memorial built to the German sailor’s fallen comrades is still standing on the property alongside remnants of the camp, including the only machine gun house in the area, an original gate and a bridge built by the POWs.
Some Japanese POWs were transferred to the site after the Cowra Breakout, the largest breakout that occurred during World War II.
There were multiple escape attempts while the camp was operational, including an attempt at digging a tunnel under the barbed wire fencing.
The POWs used to build furniture from salvaged materials in a workshop on the south side of the camp.
The site, which has been on the market since December, is protected by a heritage overlay and currently hosts limited sheep stock.
Three shipping containers that have been converted for living and storage spaces are currently on site.
The property is for sale for between $650,000 to $680,000 and offers easy access to Murchison and Waranga Shores.
German prisoners of war made furniture from salvaged materials at the southern workshop.
The guards conducted regular head counts to make sure all prisoners were accounted for.
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