Literature
Aboriginals and Shipwrecks – The arrival of Australia’s first immigrants
Republished with permission. Chapter 2 of the book: A Touch of Dutch. For the full pdf of the book click here. Introduction chapters of the book: Touch of Dutch
Military and Political History
The Netherlands Indies Civil Administration (NICA) WWII – Established in Brisbane
During World War II, as the Japanese occupation swept through the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia), the Netherlands government-in-exile faced a daunting challenge: how to maintain control and provide administrative continuity in the occupied territory. Out of this necessity, the Netherlands Indies Civil Administration (NICA) was born. Established in 1944 Read more…
Netherlands East Indies - Australia History
Inventaris Digitale collectie Project ‘Afscheid van Indië’
Inventory Digital Collection Project ‘Farewell to the Indies’
Aviation and Shipping
The Lost Dutch Diamonds on Carnot Beach, Western Australia. New: video ABC 7:30 Report 12-11-2024
On the eve of the Netherlands East Indies’ capitulation, a series of evacuation flights brought Dutch citizens to the safety of Australia, with Broome emerging as a key evacuation hub. Among the heroic pilots, Dutch-Russian Captain Iwan Smirnoff stood out for his multiple successful evacuation missions, regarding it as a Read more…
Dutch Tasmanian Connection
Timeline Abel Tasman 1642
The Dutch seafarer, Abel Tasman, is recognised as the first European to land, in December 1642, on the island that now bears his name. In the last 50 to 60 years, thousands of Dutch settlers and their descendants have been making a rich contribution to Tasmanian society. Dutch heritage in Read more…
Military and Political History
Abraham Crijnssen – Dutch minesweeper in the service of the Australian Navy (WWII)
The ship was built during the 1930s, she was based in the Netherlands East Indies when Japan attacked at the end of 1941. After the Japanese invasion the ship left for Australia. For its escape the ship was painted in camouflage colours and the ship was disguised as a tropical island with the help of nets, branches, and other greenery. It arrived in Geraldton. Here the ship served as a patrol vessel until 16 August 1942. After that the ship was in service with the Australian Navy.
Archive
Cornelis Bijvoet, shipping engineer & architect of Dutch emigration ships
This article was created with the permission of, and with information made available by, Mr. Bijvoet’s grandchildren, Dr. Shanti Wong and Mr. Mark Wardle. Cornelis Bijvoet (1890–1964) was a Dutch shipping engineer who served his country with distinction as a ship designer, a World War II naval officer, and a Read more…
Aviation and Shipping
ML-KNIL Dakota crashed in Moreton Bay – 1947
On 26 February, a ML-KNIL Douglas Dakota caught fire and crashed into the ocean about 23 minutes into a test flight from Archerfield, killing all six people – three Dutch servicemen and three Australian crew members – onboard. ML-KNIL = Militaire Luchtvaart van het Koninklijk Nederlands-Indisch Leger – Royal Netherlands Read more…
Military and Political History
Toni de Wolfe evacuated from NEI and became a driver for General MacArthur in Brisbane
The following story was told by Les Bryant and recorded in World War II Stories from Brisbane’s South West My aunt was one of MacArthur’s drivers in Brisbane, but her story started overseas. She actually arrived back in Australia about the same time as Macarthur, as an evacuee from the Read more…
Maritime History
Frederik de Houtman and the Naming of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands
Frederik de Houtman Frederik de Houtman, a Dutch navigator and explorer, played a pivotal role in the early European exploration of Australia. Known for his contributions to the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and his skilled navigation of the treacherous waters of the Indian Ocean, one of his lasting legacies Read more…