During the Second World War, a network of airfields was constructed across the Northern Territory to defend northern Australia and support Allied operations against Japanese forces in the Netherlands East Indies and New Guinea.
These airfields varied considerably. Some became major operational bases with permanent support facilities, while others served as emergency landing grounds, aircraft dispersal areas or maintenance fields. Runways were frequently constructed under great pressure using gravel, compacted earth and other locally available materials.
The Dutch connection principally arose through No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron RAAF. Formed in Canberra in April 1942, the joint Dutch–Australian squadron operated B-25 Mitchell bombers carrying Netherlands East Indies markings and N5 registration numbers.
Dutch, Indonesian and Australian personnel served together within the squadron. From Northern Territory airfields, they flew bombing, reconnaissance and anti-shipping operations against Japanese forces throughout the eastern Netherlands East Indies.
McDonald Airfield
No. 18 Squadron began moving from Canberra to McDonald Airfield in late 1942. The transfer involved hundreds of personnel, dozens of vehicles and approximately 500 tons of equipment and supplies.
The squadron’s move was considered complete on 18 January 1943. Its first bombing operation from McDonald, against Dili in Japanese-occupied Timor, took place on 31 January.
McDonald was an isolated and incompletely developed base. Its runway was vulnerable to tropical rain, water supplies were inadequate and the airfield was too far south for efficient operations against some of the squadron’s intended targets. Heavily loaded Mitchells sometimes had to stage through Darwin for additional fuel.
Despite these limitations, McDonald marked the transition of No. 18 Squadron from training and coastal patrols to offensive operations.
Read more: No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron moves to McDonald Airfield, 1942–1943
Batchelor Airfield
Between April and May 1943, No. 18 Squadron moved from McDonald to Batchelor Airfield. Batchelor was closer to Darwin and the squadron’s operational routes and offered substantially better facilities.
It became the squadron’s principal operational base in Australia. From Batchelor, the B-25 Mitchells conducted bombing, reconnaissance, patrol and low-level anti-shipping operations over Timor, the Tanimbar, Kai and Aroe islands and other parts of the Netherlands East Indies.
The squadron remained based at Batchelor until its movement through Morotai to Balikpapan in 1945.
Read more: The Dutch at Batchelor Airport in the Northern Territory
Gould Airfield
Gould Airfield formed part of the wider network supporting operations from Batchelor. No. 18 Squadron used its facilities for aircraft servicing and maintenance.
Dispersing maintenance and other activities across nearby airfields reduced congestion at the main operational base and provided some protection against enemy attack.
Read more: WWII Gould Airfield used by the Dutch for maintenance
Pell Airfield
Pell Airfield, southeast of Batchelor near the Stuart Highway and Adelaide River, also provided maintenance and support facilities used by No. 18 Squadron.
On 9 February 1945, one of the squadron’s B-25 Mitchells landed at Pell with its undercarriage only partially lowered. The pilot completed a skilful emergency landing, causing only slight damage to the aircraft and no reported injuries to the crew.
Read more: WWII Pell Airfield, NT—used for maintenance by the Dutch
Other Northern Territory airfields
Dutch aircraft did not operate solely from their designated bases. Aircraft returning from long-distance missions were sometimes diverted because of bad weather, congestion, mechanical difficulties or fuel shortages. Dutch crews also participated in missions with other Allied units and consequently used additional airfields across the Top End.
Pine Creek Airfield was associated with the movement of No. 18 Squadron to McDonald. Darwin and other operational fields were used for staging, refuelling, emergency landings and connections with RAAF and American units.
Together, these airfields formed an interconnected operational system. Batchelor and McDonald were the principal bases directly associated with No. 18 Squadron, while Gould, Pell and other fields provided essential maintenance, dispersal, staging and emergency support.
Remembrance
The Dutch presence in the Northern Territory came at a considerable human cost. Dutch, Indonesian and Australian personnel were killed during combat operations, transport flights and accidents.
Some of the Dutch personnel who died while operating from the Northern Territory were initially buried at Adelaide River War Cemetery. Their remains were later transferred to Dutch war cemeteries in Indonesia or the Netherlands.
Read more: Dutch WWII casualties from air operations from the Northern Territory
Related article
For the wider story of the squadrons, aircraft, airfields and personnel, see the DACC Research Portal—Dutch and Netherlands East Indies Air Forces in Australia during World War II.
