The first modern Mulim terroritst attack on the West - Broken Hill, Australia, 1915

Islam | Battle of Broken Hill 1915 | Muslim Brotherhood in Australia |

Sam Byrne, First World War: Turks fire on picnic train, Broken Hill, Jan. 1st. 1915, oil on canvas, c.1965, National Gallery of Victoria.

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The first Islamic terrorist attack in the West was the so-called Battle of Broken Hill [Australia] where two [Afghan] Muslims answered the call of Jihad in 1915 to obey the Calif of the Ottoman Empire and randomly began shooting Australians while they were having a picnic on the 1st of January 1915. So this is not new..... (The Podcast of the Lotus Eaters, 16 December 2025)

On 29 October 1914 the Ottoman Empire entered the First World War as an ally of Germany. On 11 November, the Sultan of the Ottoman Caliphate declared Jihad, calling for Muslims in British-controlled countries to fight against all enemies of the Ottoman Empire. A halal butcher and an ice-cream seller in Broken Hill decided to take up arms in response to the Sultan’s decree. It didn’t go well. (Blunders Down Under, 13 April 2025).

This was not an ideological attack, but a tragic example of what can happen when people pushed to the fringes of society react with anger and violence (Dunn 2025)

..... I must kill your men and give my life for my faith by order of the Sultan.(Gool 1 January 1915)

Abdullah's suicide note contained a resolution to die for his faith (Dash 2011)

Broken Hill's 1915 Picnic Train attack was not terrorism, historians say (ABC 2024)

......the fact that the act of the attack goes against Islamic rules of war .... (Dr Abu Bakr Sirajuddin Cook 2024)

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Abstract: On Friday, 1 January 1915, two Muslim men from Afghanistan - Mullah Abdullah (c.1855-1915) and Gool Badsha Mahomed (c.1875-1915) - attacked with rifles approximately 1200 innocent Australians travelling on an open picnic train at Broken Hill. They killed four people aged from 17 to 69 and injure another seven. A subsequent gun battle between local police, militia and rifle club members saw both men killed and a number of locals wounded. This was an Islamic jihad initiated action, spurred on by personal animosities and the then state of war between Australia and Turkey. Both gunmen wrote suicide notes stating that they were dying for their Islamic faith, and therefore carrying out the massacre in the name of Allah. The similarities between the killings at Broken Hill on 1 January 1915 and that at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025 are striking. It is for this reason that the Broken Hill attack is internationally cited as the first Muslim jihadist terrorist attack on the West in the modern era. Recent Australian revisionist historians have sought to ignore or downplay the Islamic elements, and simply put the killings down to personal animosities on the part of the Afghans, ignoring the content of the suicide two notes. This appeasement of Islam in order to defer accusations of Islamophobia has been identified as an element of Australian political cultural since the 2010s.

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Contents

1. Battle of Broken Hill
2. Contemporary accounts
3. References

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1. The Battle of Broken Hill

The Battle of Broken Hill is a little known event in Australian history, though the tragic Bondi Beach massacre of 14 December 2025 has brought it to the attention of the public as it represents not only the first known Muslim jihad attack on Australian soil, but the first in the West during the modern era. The numerous video links below summarise the events, whilst the reference list contains article and book chapter accounts which go deeper into its contemporary context and significance.

The perpetrators were:

* Mullah Abdullah (c.1855-1915) - arrived in Broken Hill around 1899 and worked as a Halal butcher and Imam. He was apparently a fiery individual (Stevens 2005).

* Gool Badsha Mahomed (c.1875-1915) - arrived in Broken Hill around 1912 after serving in the Turkish army. He working in the local mine, and after being retrenched as an ice cream vendor. He was also said to be argumentative and opposed to Australians going to war against Turkey.

Mullah Abdullah suicide note 1915.

They both smoked marijuana as they planned their attack. They both left behind suicide notes outlining the reasons for their actions.

I hold the Sultan’s order, duly signed and sealed by him. It is in my waist belt now, and if it is not destroyed by cannon shot or rifle bullets, you will find it on me. I must kill your men and give my life for my faith by order of the Sultan I have no enmity against anyone, nor have I consulted with anyone, nor informed anyone (Gool 1 January 2015).

On the morning of Friday, 1 January 1915 they headed out of town and took up a firing position on Cable Hill, next to the train line.

The pair fired approximately 100 bullets from their shotguns into the train and its open passenger carriages, after having spent a number of weeks practicing and refining their sniper abilities.

On the morning of 1 January 1915 the two men raised the Turkish flag on the ice-cream cart and, using the cart to carry their weapons, set out on a terrorist-suicide mission: an attack on a train carrying holiday-makers to Silverton for the annual Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows picnic. Gool (fighting for the Turks against the British allies) and Abdullah (avenging his malice against the sanitary inspector and his honour) opened fire on the moving, open carriages. Four citizens were killed and seven others severely wounded (Stevens 2005). These are mentioned below.

* Alma Cowie, 17, whilst on the train was shot through the head, dying instantly.

* William Shaw, 46, was also mortally wounded on the train when he was shot in the head.

* Shaw's daughter Lucy, sitting next to him on the train, was also shot and injured.

* Six other passengers suffered injuries, with serious bullet wounds to the face and body.

The train conductor returned fire and the perpetrators fled the scene, towards White Rocks.

* Alan Millard, 31, was riding a motorcycle nearby. He was shot in the head by the perpetrators and died instantly.

A responding police officer - Sergeant Diamond - was shot and wounded.

The pair took cover on the hill at White Rocks.

A local contingent of police, locals and military, numbering some 50 rifles, headed out of town to confront the shooters. A gun battle ensued.

B. HILL RIFLEMEN RETURNING TO TOWN AFTER WIPING THE TURK/S OUT.

* James Craig, 69, was killed by a stray bullet as he attempted to cut wood nearby.

The battle ended around 1pm. Abdullah was dead and Ghoul later passed as a result of 16 bullet wounds.

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2. Contemporary accounts

The following are various newspaper reports on the Broken Hill attack. A great deal of fine detail can be found within this items, though there are also obvious discrepancies and some errors are all the information is not yet available.

* The Sun, Sydney, Friday, 1 January 1915.

PICNIC TRAIN FIRED ON. THREE PERSONS KILLED. ONE ASSAILANT SHOT DEAD.  BROKEN HILL. 

Friday. As a picnic train for Silverton was leaving the precincts of Railway Town, two Mahometans [Muslims] fired at the train. Three persons were killed and eight wounded. Those killed were: —

WILLIAM SHAW, foreman, municipal sanitary department, shot through theo head. 

Miss L. McCOWIE, Petersburg (S.A.), shot through the forehead.

Mr MILLARD, shot through the head. 

Amongst the wounded are: — 

Mary Cavanagh, West Broken Hill, bullet wound left eye.

Mrs. Crocker, Petersburg, wounded in the mouth. 

C. O'Brien, whose Injuries are not known. 

Others were wounded, but their names are not known. 

The train left Broken Hill crowded. When It was near the sale yards, three miles from Broken Hill, just after leaving Railway Town the passengers were startled by the sound of shots. A cart flying a red flag with a star and crescent was practically entrenched near the line, and in it were two turbaned individuals firing, rifles. The train pulled up after the safety zone had been reached, and the crowd raced back to where the shots had come from, but the murderers had escaped, and taken to rocky hills in the vicinity. The flag and cart were seized. 

ENCOUNTER WITH THE POLICE! 

When news of the outrage reached Broken Hill, a number of the local infantry and rifle-men turned out fully armed and scoured the hills. Under the charge of Sub-inspector Mille and Lieutenant R. N. J. Resch, the party spread over the rocky country. The rattle of rifle fire followed when the fugitives were observed, and after several volleys one of the Turks dropped dead. The other bolted for fresh cover, but was wounded during the flight, and ultimately surrendered. Another Turk who put in an appearance to help his friends was taken prisoner. There was a great demonstration by hundreds, who called "Bring him out! We will lynch him!" The police who took an effective part in the capture were cheered when they brought the prisoners to the station. 

A CONSTABLE WOUNDED. 

During the encounter, Mounted-constable Mills was shot in the thigh and the lower part of the leg. Other members of the attacking party received abrasions. The wounded on the train are progressing satisfactorily. Constable Mills and the wounded Turk are in the hospital.

* Warialda Standard, 4 January 1915'

Turks Attack Picnic Train. NEAR BROKEN HILL.

On Friday morning, when a few miles out from Broken Hill, a picnic train, en route for Silverton, conveying the Manchester Unity Oddfellows and their friends, was attacked by a number of entrenched Turks, flying the Turkish flag. Three of the occupants of one car were killed and five wounded by rifle fire. Another person was killed while passing on a motor cycle. Shortly after the occurrence the Broken Hill police arrived on the scene, and with the assistance of some of the military, attacked the Turks in rocky ground. One Turk was shot dead and another fatally wounded. Sergeant Diamond, of the Broken Hill police force, was also wounded.

That night several thousand men walked to the German Club in Delmore Street and set fire to the building, which in a brief time became entirely consumed. The crowd sang patriotic airs and hurrahed lustily. A large number were arrested in connection with the club fire. The military with fixed bayonets and loaded rifles appeared while the fire was in progress, but were too late to do anything.

Five of the wounded are on the mend. Two are still in a dangerous condition. The funerals of the victims yesterday (Sunday) were largely attended.

Mulla Abdulla, one of the attackers who has been at 16 years at Broken Hill engaged in camel-driving, was of a reserved disposition.

* Gundagai Times, 5 January 1915:

TURKS ATTACK TRAIN. BROKEN HILL SENSATION.

A party of Turks attacked a train near Broken Hill. Four persons were killed in the fight which followed, and many were injured. The Inspector-General of Police has received the following telegram from Broken Hill :-

Two colored men, Turks or Afghans, armed with rifles, fired on a picnic train laded with men, women, and children, enroute to Silverton, killing and wounding several. The police were informed, and set out in pursuit. The Turks had taken refuge behind some rocks on the hill, and fired on the police, wounding Mounted-constables Mills. The two Turks were finally shot down.

* Armidale Chronicle, 6 January 1915.

Turks Attack Train. OCCURRENCE AT BROKEN HILL.

Broken Hill is always sensational, but on New Year's Day it excelled itself. A couple of men, described as Turks, entrenched themselves a couple of miles outside Broken Hill on the road to Silverton, and fired on a picnic train going to Silverton for the annual Manchester Unity Oddfellows' picnic sports. As a result, four civilians were killed, seven other folk, including police, wounded, and two of the attacking party were killed. Following is the first official report of the police:—

"Two coloured-men, Afghans or Turks, armed with rifles, fired on a picnic train laden with men, women, and children, just outside the city en route to Silverton, and killed and wounded several. The police, when informed, went in pursuit of the offenders, who took refuge on a rocky hill, fired on the police, and wounded Constable Mills. The two men were finally shot down — one dead and the other injured. One wounded offender is in hospital, and the second man died in hospital with nine bullet wounds in him. Crowded picnic trains left Broken Hill about 10 o'clock, and carried those who set out with light hearts to attend the annual picnic at Silverton. The train consisted of two brake vans, and 40 ore trucks of the usual sort used for Barrier picnics, with some 1200 picnickers on board. When the train was about two miles on the way to Silverton, near the cattle yards, an ice cream cart, with a Turkish flag flying on it, was noticed on the northern side of the line, close to the railway fence. The flag was red, about 18 inches square, with a white crescent and white star, the flag of Turkey. Two men, who were also seen crouching behind the bank of earth which marks the line of the water main from Umberumberka to Broken Hill, attracted the attention of Mr. M. Kenny, who was a passenger on the train. Mr. Kenny, who is engaged on the water supply works in the capacity of electrician, thought, at first that there must be something wrong with the main, and that these men were attending to the damage. He then saw that they had rifles in their hands pointed at the train, and almost simultaneously he saw and heard the rifles fired. The firing continued during the whole time the train was passing the two men, 20 or 30 shots being fired in all. The men were so close to the train that they could be plainly seen to be either Turks or Afghans. As they were flying the Turkish flag, it was assumed that they were Turks, of whom there are several in Broken Hill. A. E. Millard was riding along the track beside the railway line as the train was fired on, and he became the target for one shot, which killed him on the spot. The bullet pierced his head. The train with its saddened freight of men, women, and children, then returned to Broken Hill. The police were communicated with, and they attacked the assailants in their fastnesses, and ultimately succeeded in destroying their resistance, but not before two of the Turks had been killed and some of the police were shot and injured more or less seriously.

The identity of the Turks who were shot has been established by the police. Mulla Abdulla, who was killed outright, was a butcher. Some-days ago he was convicted and fined for slaughtering sheep on premises not licensed for slaughtering. He had previously been before the Court on a similar charge. He was an elderly man by appearance, about 60. Gool Mahomed died on the way to the hospital. He is believed to have been an ice-cream vendor. Abdulla carried a Snider rifle and an apparently home-made bandolier. The latter had pockets for 48 cartridges, and 26 of the pockets were empty. He also had in his possession a revolver and cartridges and a new knife and sheath. The other man's rifle was a Martini-Henry.

Walshama Assou, a Punjab from Peshawar, when one of the police was shot, carried water to him. This he did at no little risk to himself, for he was at times a target for the Turks. Another man who contributed largely to the defeat was Khan Bahader, camel owner and driver, his residence is near the Cable Hotel and it was used by the police as cover to shoot from through the windows. Bahader stated to the police that he saw the Turks walking at a little distance past his place. He was at the door feeding a goat, when one of the Turks fired at him, and said, "Don't follow me, or I will shoot you." He fired again at about 50 yards range, and the bullet passed over his shoulder, very close to his ear. Bahader said to the Turk, "If you shoot at me again I will get my rifle and shoot you."

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3. References

Adam Smith, Patsy, Folklore of the Australian Railwaymen, Macmillan of Australia, Sydney, 1969.

Atta, Grace and Oliver Brown, Broken Hill's 1915 Picnic Train attack was not terrorism, historians say, ABC News, 1 January 2025.

Australasian, Sydney, 16 January 1915

Australia got attacked - Battle of Broken Hill, January 1915, Razz Australian History, 24 January 2020, YouTube, duration: 2.50 minutes. Digital animation.

Barrier Miner,Broken Hill, 1, 2, 4, 5, 12 January 1915.

Battle of Broken Hill, Australian Crime Stories, 21 July 2025, YouTube, duration: 22.13 minutes.

Battle of Broken Hill, FAIR, 10 August 2012, YouTube, duration: 9.26 minutes.

Battle of Broken Hill - The Great War Comes to Australia, Blunders Down Under, 13 April 2025, YouTube, duration: 7.59 minutes.

Battle of Broken Hill, Handsome Young Strangers, YouTube, duration: 4.23 minutes. Music video.

Battle of Broken Hill - The two-man war on Australia, The Knight Watchman, 20 February 2023, YouTube, duration: 7.02 minutes.

Carlton, B., correspondence, 30 September 1979, Broken Hill Library archives.

Clarence & Richmond Examiner, 5 January 1915.

Cook, Abu Bakr Sirajuddin, Mullah Abdullah, A Mullah?: A Reassessment of the Assertions and the Evidence, Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs 42(4), March 2023, 500-11.

Dash, Mike, The Battle of Broken Hill, Smithsonian Magazine, Washington, 20 October 2011.

Dunn, Morgan W.R., World War I in Broken Hill: a Turkish-inspired attack on Australia's home soil, History Guild, 27 August 2025.

Ilhan, Mehmet, Broken Hill Attack 1915 Revisited: A Battle fought for Gallipolli on Australian soil, Australian National University, Canberra, in Mehmet Mehdi Ilhan, Mehmet Bulut and Ibrahim G. Yumusak (editors), Gallipoli Campaign 1915: History, Economy, Literature and Art, Sabahattin Zaim University, Istanbul, 2017, 125-162.

Northern Territory Times and Gazette, Darwin, 7 January 1915.

Rajkowski, P., In the Tracks of the Camel-Men, Sydney, 1987.

Stevens, Christine, Tin Mosques and Ghantowns: A History of Afghan Camel Drivers in Australia, Oxford University Press, Sydney, 1989.

-----, Mullah Abdullah (c.1855-1915), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, Canberra, 2005.

The Attack at Broken Hill, The Incredible Journey, 11 March 2022, YouTube, duration: 34.01 minutes.

The Bondi Beach Bloodbath, The Podcast of the Lotus Eaters #1317, 16 December 2025, YouTube, duration: 50.15 minutes.

The picnic train attack, ABC Broken Hill, 24 February 2011.

The Register, Adelaide, January 8+13, 1915.

Two Turks declare war on Australia, History Uncovered, 17 December 2024, YouTube, duration: 0.49 minutes.

War in Broken Hill, Collections Australia, accessed 17 September 2011.

Wikipedia, Battle of Broken Hill, Wikipedia, accessed 17 December 2025.

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Michael Organ, Australia

17 December 2025