The motor ship Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, widely remembered as the JVO, was one of the most important vessels in the history of post-war Dutch migration to Australia. Originally built as a prestigious passenger liner for the Netherlands–East Indies service, she subsequently served as an Allied troopship before being converted to Read more
On February 28, 1942, Japanese troops rapidly advanced through northern Java, quickly occupying airfields and towns. Within hours, they were only 50km from Andir Airport (Bandung) in West Java, where five civilian Royal Netherlands Indies Airways (KNILM) planes were based. Only the next day did the Dutch Government in Exile Read more
The KPM steamship Bantam was one of the Dutch merchant vessels that escaped the Japanese conquest of the Netherlands East Indies and subsequently operated from Australia. During 1942 and 1943 she carried troops and supplies to New Guinea, where Allied forces depended heavily upon ships of the Koninklijke Paketvaart-Maatschappij. Bantam Read more
The Waterman was one of the three former American Victory ships acquired by the Dutch Government after the Second World War. Together with the Groote Beer and Zuiderkruis, she became part of the Kleine Drie—the “Little Three”—that carried Dutch emigrants to Australia and other destinations during the main period of Read more
By: Jan Tent Studies of proper names have revealed naming patterns which may provide insights into the attitudes and values of the contemporaneous name bestowers. This essay analyses the names conferred upon thevessels of the United East India Company or Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), in order to ascertain whether there Read more
A basic Australian history questionnaire Noel Jackling The term ‘Australia’ is used in a broad sense to include its earlier names. 1. Who was the first known European skipper to reach Australia? What was the name of his ship and which part of Australia did he touch upon? In what Read more
Dirk Bodemeijer was a Dutch aviation engineer whose career connected KLM, the Military Aviation service of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army, the Netherlands Purchasing Commission in the United States, No. 120 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron RAAF and the postwar reconstruction of aviation facilities in Indonesia and Dutch New Guinea. Read more
Iwan Wasiliwitsj Smirnoff lived one of the most remarkable lives in early aviation. Born in the Russian Empire, he became a decorated First World War fighter pilot, fled the Russian Revolution and eventually made a new career in the Netherlands. As a KLM captain, he pioneered long-distance air services between Read more
The Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) played a significant role in the exploration and early history of Australia. The relationship between the VOC and Australia can be understood through several key points: Exploration and Mapping: Dutch explorers were among the first Europeans to contact the Australian continent. In, Willem Janszoon, sailing Read more
Presentation on Australian-Dutch WWII events at ANZAC Square & Memorial Galleries Camp Columbia Heritage Association invites you to a presentation by Dutch historian Bas Kreuger on Dutch Australian WWII events on 17 November 2023 at the ANZAC Square & Memorial Galleries. Reservations are limited to 60 persons. Register for free Read more