Alfred Tattersall ’ s positioning for this photograph reflects both his instincts as a news photographer and his tact . The deportation occasion was clearly an event of historical significance that he knew he must record , but to do so in full view of the unfortunate deportees and those bidding them farewell would have been insensitive and undignified . He has chosen the vantage point of a second floor balcony or window , possibly on the Concordia Club building ( later Morris Hedstrom ), or at Syddall ’ s store obliquely opposite .
Kultur-und Heimatbund Harzgerode Collection ex-Franz & Marlies Pfeil , photographer Alfred Tattersall
This photo , taken by Alfred Tattersall , comes from the Franz Pfeil Collection , in Quedlinburg , Germany , and has been hand annotated with the words , “ Die Ausweisung der Deutschen . 1920 ” ( translation : “ The expulsion of the Germans . 1920 ”). It shows a large crowd who have come to the Customs House , in Apia , to farewell those being repatriated . There is some uncertainty about whether this photo shows the “ Main ” deportations of 1920 or a deportation of German residents to internment in New Zealand in 1914 . The same photo is in the Alexander Turnbull Collection , in Wellington , and has a hand written note on the back , “ Customs — Deportation of Germans in 1914 .” Apia was swarming with New Zealand troops in 1914 and as none are visible in this image it seems quite possible that it shows the day of the Main departure in 1920 when Samoa was only lightly garrisoned .
Franz Pfeil , a teacher at the German School , in Apia , had been returned to Germany from internment in Auckland in 1919 and most likely received this photograph from his Apia friend ( and later wife ), Clementine Hufnagel . Clementine is likely to have been present at the Main departure . As this photograph was probably captioned during Franz and Clementine ’ s lifetime the dating to 1920 carries some credibility .
| To Walk Under Palm Trees - The Germans in Samoa : Snapshots from Albums | Tony Brunt
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