English introduction for the Dutch PDF below
This Dutch-language document, De verkenningsmissie, Party Lion, van Rob Hees (1901–1942), details the story of Rob Hees, a reserve first lieutenant in the KNIL and civil engineer, who escaped from the Netherlands East Indies to Australia in 1942. It describes his recruitment into the Netherlands Forces Intelligence Service (NEFIS-III) and his leadership of “Party Lion,” a three-man special reconnaissance team sent from Darwin to Central Celebes (Sulawesi) to gather intelligence and link up with local guerrilla forces.
The account covers the mission’s planning, the hazardous sea voyage, betrayal by local contacts, capture by the Japanese Kempeitai, and the execution of Hees and his team. It also places Party Lion in the wider context of other NEFIS-III special operations—such as Tiger, Flounder, Walnut, Whiting, Apricot, Goldfish, and Potato—many of which ended in similar tragedies.
The document contains numerous references to people, places, and missions relevant to Dutch-Australian wartime history. These are listed below and can be linked to other articles on the DACC website for further exploration.
For those who wish to read this PDF in English, we recommend using AI-based translation tools or Google Translate.
The following people, places, events and organisations are mentioned in the document.
1. People
- Rob Hees (1901–1942) – Leader of Party Lion, reserve 1st lieutenant KNIL, civil engineer.
- Bernard Belloni – KNIL telegraphist, Party Lion member.
- Hans (J.A.) Brandon – Naval militia member, Party Lion.
- J.A. de Jong – Guerrilla leader in Central Celebes.
- Van Daalen – Guerrilla leader operating with de Jong.
- Adjutant Sakai – Japanese Kempeitai officer involved in execution of Goldfish I personnel.
- J.J. Quéré – Lieutenant at sea, organiser of NEFIS parties.
- O.M. ir. Bakhoven – Public Works official in Makassar, recipient of Hees’ last account.
- J.T.K. Poll – Binnenlands Bestuur (BB) official who provided the boat for escape from Celebes.
- H.J.B.J. Lubbers – Medical officer who spoke to Hees in captivity.
- H.M. Staverman – Sergeant ARO, executed in Whiting mission.
- L.G. Sifflet – Australian sergeant, executed in Whiting mission.
- Raden Wirjomihardjo Iswahjoedi – Sergeant, Tiger II.
- Sadimoen – Sailor 1st class, Tiger II.
- H.P. Nijgh – Lieutenant at sea 2nd class, Flounder.
- Malauw – Sergeant, Flounder.
- Hetharia – Corporal, Flounder.
- Pattiwael – Soldier 1st class, Flounder/Whiting.
- Pangariboen – Soldier 1st class, Flounder.
- Rering – Fusilier, Flounder.
- Laratmasehen – Fusilier, Flounder.
- Matratan – Fusilier, Flounder.
- W. Bergsma – Lieutenant at sea 2nd class, Tiger I.
- J. Tapilatoe – Sailor 1st class, Tiger I.
- Soetarno – Naval telegraphist, Tiger I.
- B. Brocx – Lieutenant at sea 3rd class, Tiger II.
- D. Lapod – Sergeant ARO, Tiger III.
- Raden Mas Soejitno – Corporal, Tiger IV.
- Oentoeng – Sailor 2nd class, Tiger V.
- Sri Nojo Papilaja – Corporal, Tiger VI.
- C.R. Sheldon – Major, Australia, Walnut I.
- N.P. Monsted – Danish reserve 1st lieutenant, Walnut II.
- J.A. Blok – Sergeant, Walnut II.
- Plumridge – Australian telegraphist, Walnut II.
- J.H. Dahlberg – Australian sergeant, Walnut II.
- G.W. Mitchell – British India personnel, Walnut II.
- Clements – Prau crew member, Walnut II.
- Christoffel Tifents – Prau crew, Walnut II.
- Simon Paitkain – Prau crew, Walnut II.
- Achmed Leksailaisa – Prau crew, Walnut II.
- Salmon Farsin – Prau crew, Walnut II.
- Manoppo – Sergeant (KM), Apricot.
- H.J. de Haas – Second lieutenant, Goldfish I.
- Soeprapto – Sergeant, Goldfish I.
- H. Brouwer – Sergeant, Potato.
- J.H.M. Arroo – Sergeant, Potato.
- J.M.R. van der Bijl – Sergeant, Potato.
2. Operations / Missions
- Party Lion (Central Celebes, 1942)
- Tiger I – VI (East Java, various years)
- Flounder (Ceram, South Moluccas)
- Walnut I & II (Aroe Islands)
- Whiting (New Guinea, Hollandia)
- Apricot (North Celebes)
- Goldfish I (Sumbawa)
- Potato (Kemirian)
See: NEFIS III and Dutch special operations from Australia during WWII
3. Ships / Vessels
- Samoa – Prau used in Party Lion.
- KXII – Dutch submarine.
- Searaven – US submarine.
- Urania – Japanese gunboat.
4. Organisations / Units
- NEFIS – Netherlands Forces Intelligence Service.
- NEFIS-III – Section responsible for field parties.
- KNIL – Royal Netherlands East Indies Army.
- Binnenlands Bestuur (BB) – Dutch colonial civil administration.
- Kempeitai – Japanese military police.
- ARO – Possibly “Algemene Regerings Officier” or similar military role in context.
5. Places
- Darwin (Australia)
- Melbourne (Australia)
- Sydney (Australia)
- Fremantle (Australia)
- Wotoe (Central Celebes/Sulawesi)
- Kolonedale (Central Celebes)
- Menado (North Celebes)
- Makassar (South Celebes)
- Ereveld Antjol (Jakarta)
- Sadangwerken (Celebes irrigation works)
- Poso / Posomeer (Central Celebes)
- Ceram (South Moluccas)
- Hollandia (New Guinea)
- Tami (New Guinea)
- Bena Bena (New Guinea)
- Aitape (New Guinea)
- Woma (New Guinea)
- Nemo (New Guinea)
- Djiko Dodapbaai (North Celebes)
- Sumbawa (Lesser Sunda Islands)
- Kemirian (location unclear, in Indonesia)
