Railways and Tramways of Australia

Outback battle

 

A picnic train was attacked after departing from the New South Wales outback town of Broken Hill on 1 January 1915.

 

The picnic train was heading for Silverton, 25 km away. Around 1200 passengers were on board the train, which consisted of locomotive Y12, 40 four-wheel ore wagons and two brake vans. Wooden benches were placed inside the wagons to provide seating.

 

When the train was leaving the outskirts of Broken Hill it came under attack. Two men with rifles began shooting at the train. Shots continued as the train passed, with a total of 20 to 30 being fired. Two passengers on the train were killed; another six were wounded. A man riding a bicycle next to the railway line was also killed.

 

The train continued a short distance and then stopped at a reservoir. Here the assistant guard made a telephone call for urgent help. A relief train was sent from town, and first aid was provided to the wounded. Meanwhile, the two attackers had fled and went to a rocky outcrop. Police and military men exchanged gunfire with them. A stray bullet killed a man chopping wood at his home nearby. Eventually there was a rush towards the outcrop, and the two attackers were found with numerous gunshot wounds. One was dead; the other was taken to hospital and died later.

 

The two men who attacked the train were Muslims of Afghani origin. When they staged their attack, they were flying a Turkish flag. With First World War in progress, the men had started their own battle. They had written notes stating that they must kill and die for their faith. Sadly, their beliefs were lived out with tragic consequences in Broken Hill.

 

An outback battle: not a happy new year.

 

Read more

www.railtram.com.au/the-battle-of-broken-hill

 

Bibliography

D Matheson, ‘The battle of Broken Hill’, Australian Railway History, no. 927, January 2015, pp 4–11.

‘New Year’s Day tragedy’, Barrier Miner, 7 January 1915, p 2.

‘On the footplate’, Barrier Miner, 8 January 1915, p 3.

C Stevens, Tin mosques and Ghantowns: a history of Afghan cameldrivers in Australia, Paul Fitzsimons, Alice Springs, 2002.

‘War in Broken Hill’, Barrier Miner, 1 January 1915, p 2.