Symposium Allied Co-operation in Brisbane during WWII: Australia, USA, Netherlands, UK The symposium Allied Co-operation in Brisbane during WWII: Australia, USA, Netherlands, UK (University of Queensland, 30–31 August 2025) drew a full house of delegates, historians, community representatives, and descendants to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Read more
Charleville, in western Queensland, is often remembered for its role as a major American base during the Second World War. Less well known is the town’s connection to the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) through the Dutch airline KNILM (Koninklijke Nederlandsch-Indische Luchtvaart Maatschappij). For a brief but critical period before and Read more
During the Second World War, Dutch and Australian servicemen fought side by side across the Netherlands East Indies. The swift Japanese advance in early 1942 saw the fall of Ambon, the Moluccas, and later Java, resulting in the capture of tens of thousands of Allied troops. Many of them were Read more
A Dutch–Indonesian childhood shaped by war Peter Van de Graaff was born into a Dutch family in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), today’s Indonesia. His father served as a captain in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger, KNIL). When Japan invaded the archipelago in 1942, the Read more
We are proud to inform you that the Lord Mayor of Brisbane hosted an official civic reception in honour of the Camp Columbia Heritage Association on the eve of our international WWII symposium at the University of Queensland. This prestigious event took place at Brisbane City Hall, in the Balmoral Read more
Dutch origins and migration The Otterspoor family came from Utrecht in the Netherlands. Twins Servanus (John) and Arnoldus (Harry) were born there on 19 November 1892, and their younger brother Franciscus Jacobus (Frank) followed on 15 November 1894. Their parents, Servanus Otterspoor and Hendrika Johanna van Kesteren, raised the family Read more
Summary of Dutch A.D. N.I.B.T.A. Bulletin, 3 September 1945 On 2 September 1945, the formal surrender of Japan was signed on board the battleship Missouri, marking the official end of the Second World War. The ceremony was led by General Douglas MacArthur on behalf of the Allies, with representatives of Read more
The Tribunal and Its Origins The International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE)—better known as the Tokyo Trials—was convened on 29 April 1946 by Supreme Allied Commander General Douglas MacArthur to prosecute Japanese wartime leaders. It was modelled directly on the Nuremberg Trials in Europe, adopting the same three Read more
Going North is a fine example of a classic Allied propaganda film from the Second World War. It tells the story of the massive force moving from the southern Pacific towards Japan — heading north. With imposing images, pompous music and a sharp commentary voice, the film leaves no doubt Read more
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 Read more