The American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDACOM) was the short-lived Allied supreme command for the South-East Asian theatre in the opening months of the Pacific War. Formed at Bandung, Java, on 10 January 1942 and led by British General Sir Archibald Wavell, it became operational only days after Japan entered the war. Its Read more
Hendrik Johan de Haas was born in Batavia (now Jakarta) on 28 November 1904, the son of Jozef Hendrik de Haas and Johanna Frederika Susanna Jostein. He married Hendrina Maria van der Meer Mohr in Batoeroesa on 2 January 1911. The couple had two children: Robert Johan (born 28 December Read more
By Dr Nonja Peters This paper examines the complex experiences of Dutch, Eurasian, and Indonesian evacuees who fled the Japanese occupation of the Netherlands East Indies during the Pacific War and found temporary refuge in Australia. Drawing on archival sources and eyewitness accounts, it explores their reception, living conditions, and Read more
When the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) collapsed under Japanese attack in early 1942, hundreds of Dutch airmen, sailors, and soldiers found themselves in Australia. Among the many military units reconstituted there was the 18 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), a unique Dutch–Australian squadron flying Read more
The Japanese advance through Southeast Asia in early 1942 brought the Allies to the brink of disaster. Ambon, a strategic island in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), was garrisoned by Dutch and Australian troops under the Gull Force detachment. When Japan invaded in late January 1942, the Allied defence quickly Read more
Netherlands Forces Intelligence Service (NEFIS): Dutch intelligence in exile in Australia The Netherlands Forces Intelligence Service (NEFIS) was the wartime intelligence arm of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) government-in-exile. It emerged after the collapse of the NEI in early 1942, when Dutch civil and military authorities relocated to Australia. NEFIS Read more
Brief biography Gerrit Bernardus (G. B.) Salm held the rank Kapitein-luitenant ter zee (equivalent to naval commander) in the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNN). He arrived in Australia in early 1942 following the fall of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), and became the principal liaison between Dutch naval forces and Allied command Read more
Conrad Emil Lambert Helfrich (1886–1962) was a senior officer in the Royal Netherlands Navy and one of the Netherlands’ most prominent military leaders during the Second World War. Born in Semarang, Java, he spent much of his career in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), becoming known for his strong leadership Read more
In the remote coastal town of Broome, Western Australia, a remarkable story of quiet heroism unfolded during one of the darkest moments of World War II. Lieutenant David Llewellyn “Bo” Davis, a retired pearler turned naval officer, played a vital role in saving lives and coordinating aid during the Japanese Read more
In the wake of the Japanese occupation of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) in early 1942, Australia became a crucial sanctuary and staging ground for Dutch military forces regrouping in exile. Among the lesser-known but strategically important locations was Darley Camp, situated in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, just west of Melbourne. Read more