The KPM steamship ’s Jacob was the first of three Dutch merchant vessels lost during Operation Lilliput. On 8 March 1943, while carrying troops and supplies from Milne Bay towards Oro Bay, she was attacked by Japanese bombers near Porlock Harbour. Three direct hits and numerous near misses caused serious Read more
Between 21 February and 4 March 1943, the Koninklijke Paketvaart-Maatschappij vessels Bontekoe, Karsik and Van Heemskerk transported approximately 3,200 American troops from Australia to Oro Bay in Papua. The troops belonged to the United States 162nd Infantry Regiment, part of the 41st Infantry Division. Their movement was designated Operation Accountant.[1] Read more
Accounts of the Koninklijke Paketvaart-Maatschappij’s contribution to the Pacific War frequently refer to “Dutch ships.” This is correct in terms of company ownership, registration and command, but it tells only part of the story. KPM vessels were generally commanded by Dutch officers, while much of the everyday work aboard them Read more
The arrival of surviving Koninklijke Paketvaart-Maatschappij (KPM) vessels in Australia during early 1942 gave the Allies access to a shipping capability they urgently needed. It also created a complicated question: who had the authority to control and deploy these Dutch ships? The vessels remained Dutch-owned and Dutch-registered and continued to Read more
The Japanese conquest of the Netherlands East Indies in early 1942 destroyed the commercial and maritime system that the Koninklijke Paketvaart-Maatschappij (KPM) had developed over more than half a century. Ships were sunk, captured or scuttled, port facilities and offices were lost, and thousands of employees and their families were Read more
The Koninklijke Paketvaart-Maatschappij (KPM), or Royal Packet Navigation Company, was established in Amsterdam in 1888 to operate an extensive inter-island shipping network throughout the Netherlands East Indies. Its vessels connected hundreds of islands and ports, carrying passengers, mail, produce, commercial cargo and government supplies. Over time, the KPM also developed Read more
The relationship between Australia, the Netherlands and the Netherlands East Indies during the Second World War developed under extraordinary circumstances. Before the Pacific War, Australia and the Netherlands East Indies were close geographical neighbours but had relatively limited direct political relations. Within a few years, Australia became the principal base Read more
Part 4 of a four-part series examining the rapid growth of relations between Australia and the Netherlands East Indies immediately before the Japanese invasion. In November 1941, a Netherlands East Indies Economic Mission arrived in Australia to negotiate increased trade and establish more effective purchasing arrangements. It was the last Read more
Part 3 of a four-part series examining the rapid growth of relations between Australia and the Netherlands East Indies immediately before the Japanese invasion. On 6 October 1941, members of a Netherlands East Indies Press Delegation were welcomed to Brisbane at a dinner at Lennon’s Hotel in George Street. The Read more
Part 2 of a four-part series examining the growth of relations between Australia and the Netherlands East Indies immediately before the Japanese invasion. The irst article in this seriesirst article in this series described how Australia and the Netherlands East Indies gradually moved beyond their previously limited official relationship. By Read more