The Netherlands East Indies Aircraft and Personnel Pool was established to receive, train and assign Dutch aviation personnel arriving in Australia, while also holding replacement aircraft and equipment for the operational squadrons.
Initially based at RAAF Station Canberra, the organisation supported o. No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron RAAF and the developing No. 120 Squadron. It later moved to Bundaberg, Queensland, where it continued training and support activities during the transition from war to postwar operations.
The unit underwent two name changes:
- Netherlands East Indies Aircraft and Personnel Pool—NEI APP, from 1 September 1943; and
- Netherlands East Indies Personnel and Equipment Pool—NEI PEP, from 1 April 1944.
It is generally referred to in this article as the PEP.
This article concentrates on the Aircraft and Personnel Pool and its bases at Canberra and Bundaberg. The squadrons, aircraft, training organisations, transport services and individuals mentioned here are covered in greater detail in the Dutch and Netherlands East Indies Air Forces in Australia during World War II—Research Portal.
The need for a personnel and aircraft pool
No. 18 Squadron had been formed at Canberra in April 1942 and commenced operations from northern Australia in January 1943. Its aircrew eventually needed to be rested or replaced after completing operational tours.
Replacement personnel came principally from the Royal Netherlands Military Flying School at Jackson, Mississippi. By mid-1943, trained crews were beginning to return from the United States. Two groups arrived in October 1943, followed by further personnel in November and subsequent months. The last large squadron-sized group arrived during 1944.
Australia therefore required an organisation that could:
- receive personnel arriving from the United States;
- provide refresher and operational training;
- hold aircrew awaiting assignment;
- accommodate personnel resting after operational tours;
- manage replacement aircraft and equipment;
- train personnel for Nos. 18 and 120 Squadrons; and
- coordinate Dutch and RAAF technical and administrative support.
The NEI Aircraft and Personnel Pool was formally established at Canberra on 1 September 1943.
Personnel at Canberra
On 28 December 1943, the NEI APP reportedly comprised:
- Netherlands East Indies personnel: 74 officers and 189 non-commissioned officers, corporals and other ranks; and
- RAAF personnel: 74 officers and 45 non-commissioned officers, corporals and other ranks.
The RAAF component formed part of the organisation of RAAF Station Canberra.
The arrival of personnel from the United States, the formation of No. 120 Squadron and the return of relieved No. 18 Squadron crews created serious accommodation problems. By 15 February 1944, the pool contained 111 officers, with the number expected to rise to approximately 160.
Around 50 Royal Netherlands Naval Air Service officers also arrived in Canberra between 12 and 14 February 1944. Until additional accommodation could be arranged—including the use of the Hotel Queanbeyan—some personnel had to be housed elsewhere.
During this period, Australian wireless operator–air gunners were also allocated between the pool and the operational squadrons. Eighteen were transferred from the RAAF Canberra organisation and eight from the NEI APP, while another twenty were assigned to No. 18 Squadron at Batchelor.
Aircraft and training
From 1 April 1944, the organisation became known as the Netherlands East Indies Personnel and Equipment Pool.
Its authorised aircraft establishment consisted of:
- nine B-25 Mitchell bombers;
- nine P-40 Kittyhawk fighters; and
- later, a two-seat Wirraway training aircraft.
Actual aircraft numbers could vary as machines were transferred, repaired, assigned to operational units or replaced.
The PEP provided technical and training support for two distinct operational forces:
- the B-25 Mitchell crews of No. 18 Squadron; and
- the P-40 Kittyhawk pilots of No. 120 Squadron.
Its activities included refresher flying, operational conversion, weapons training, exercises and the management of reserve aircraft and equipment.
By 1945, it had developed into a substantial organisation supporting both operational squadrons.
Proposed training of personnel from the Netherlands
Following the liberation of the Netherlands, approximately 250 Dutch volunteers assembled in Britain for possible aviation training.
Plans were developed for the RAAF to train pilots, navigators and wireless operators in Australia, while air gunners would receive instruction through the PEP at Canberra. In return, the PEP was expected to assist with operational training for Australian crews.
Japan’s surrender on 15 August 1945 and the subsequent demobilisation of the RAAF meant that these arrangements were not fully implemented. The RAAF formally ended further Dutch training during its postwar demobilisation.
Canberra reaches capacity
By 1945, further expansion at Canberra was becoming impractical. The airfield was supporting Australian and Dutch organisations, while the PEP required space for aircraft, technical facilities, accommodation and operational training.
The advancing Allied front and preparations for a return to the Netherlands East Indies also increased the demand for a larger Dutch aviation base.
During an Air Board meeting in April 1945, three Queensland airfields were considered:
- Charters Towers;
- Evans Head; and
- Bundaberg.
Lieutenant Colonels B.J. Fiedeldij and D.L. Asjes inspected and evaluated the available facilities. Bundaberg was selected as the most suitable location.
Why Bundaberg was selected
RAAF Station Bundaberg had been used for advanced flying training and offered facilities suitable for the operational and technical work of the PEP.
Its facilities included:
- a triangular landing area capable of further development for heavier aircraft;
- airfield lighting suitable for night flying;
- radio and navigation equipment;
- an operations room;
- workshops and eight hangars;
- Link Trainer facilities;
- firing ranges and two firing tunnels;
- ammunition and fuel stores;
- kitchens, messes and barracks;
- accommodation for approximately 120 officers, 120 non-commissioned officers, 810 other ranks and 250 members of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force;
- a hospital, nurses’ quarters and dental facilities;
- a gymnasium, cinema and tennis courts; and
- space for further expansion.
Bundaberg’s climate, proximity to the coast and relatively low incidence of disease were also considered advantageous.
Preparing the move
On 17 May 1945, the KNIL commander sought approval from Lieutenant Governor-General Hubertus van Mook for £13,000 to improve the airfield for medium bombers and transport aircraft.
The request was approved by Government Secretary J.G. Kist. Approximately three weeks later, the estimate was increased to £22,000 and was again approved, although General Ludolph van Oyen was advised that future estimates should be prepared and checked more carefully.
On 16 June 1945, the Australian Department of Air formally approved the use of RAAF Station Bundaberg by the ML-KNIL. An order issued seven days later directed that the transfer of the PEP from Canberra should be completed during the first half of September.
An advance party led by Captain F.J.W. den Ouden began preparations on 25 June. Flight Lieutenant A.W. McGee served as the RAAF liaison officer, while Cornet D.P. Titaley performed administrative duties.
The PEP at Bundaberg
The transfer continued despite Japan’s surrender in August 1945. After the move was completed, the commander of the PEP assumed responsibility for the Dutch organisation at Bundaberg.
No. 88 Operational Base Unit RAAF remained responsible for the Australian component and for supporting the operation of the airfield.
KNIL headquarters also considered moving the newly organised No. 19 (Netherlands East Indies) Transport Squadron from Archerfield to Bundaberg. The proposal was abandoned following the end of hostilities, and the transport squadron remained at Archerfield until its eventual departure for the Netherlands East Indies.
On 11 August 1945—four days before Japan announced its acceptance of the Allied surrender terms—General van Oyen asked whether the Dutch could continue using Bundaberg after the war.
The Australian Department of Air advised on 29 August that it had no objection to the Netherlands East Indies forces continuing to occupy Bundaberg for a reasonable period.
This decision became particularly useful when military aviation personnel liberated from Japanese prisoner-of-war camps were sent to Australia for recuperation, assessment and possible return to duty.
Historical significance
The PEP rarely receives the same attention as the operational squadrons because it did not exist primarily to conduct combat missions. Nevertheless, it was essential to the continuing operation of Dutch military aviation from Australia.
It connected several stages of the Dutch wartime aviation system:
- training at the Royal Netherlands Military Flying School in the United States;
- arrival and reassignment in Australia;
- operational service with Nos. 18 and 120 Squadrons;
- technical support and reserve aircraft management;
- rest and replacement of operational crews; and
- postwar recuperation and preparation for returning to the Netherlands East Indies.
Canberra provided the organisational centre during the operational war, while Bundaberg became an important transition base as Dutch aviation prepared for postwar operations.
Archival documents concerning the move to Bundaberg
The National Archives of Australia document below contains War Cabinet and departmental records concerning the proposed Dutch aviation organisations, the use of Bundaberg and plans to establish an air transport squadron and repair and servicing unit.
It provides primary evidence of the negotiations between the Netherlands East Indies and Australian authorities. The records also show that the PEP held reserve aircraft and equipment at Canberra and conducted operational and other training.
The document was researched for the DACC by Ruby Todorovski of the University of Queensland.
Related DACC articles
- Dutch and Netherlands East Indies Air Forces in Australia during World War II—Research Portal
- From Java to Australia and the United States: the evacuation of the Netherlands East Indies flying schools in 1942
- No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron RAAF
- No. 120 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron RAAF
- Netherlands military air transport services in Australia
Documents in relation to the move of NEI/Dutch air squadron from Canberra to Bundaberg.
Researched by Ruby Todorovski, University of Queensland
The following website also offers information on the Air Force of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army. Key in: Netherlands East Indies for an overview of available files.
