Speeches from the VIPs at the Symposium
A taste of great things to come as some of the lesser known WWII background is explored
Speeches from the VIPs at the Symposium Read More »
A taste of great things to come as some of the lesser known WWII background is explored
Speeches from the VIPs at the Symposium Read More »
At the upcoming “Allied Co-operation in Brisbane during WWII” International Symposium, to be held on 30–31 August 2025 at the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus, visitors will have a unique opportunity to view a remarkable historical artefact: a 19th-century ceremonial sword from the Netherlands East Indies. This will be the first time the sword
On Friday 15 August 2025, the Chair of the Camp Columbia Heritage Association (CCHA) attended the official 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific (VP Day) commemoration in Brisbane at the invitation of Cr Sarah Hutton, who represented Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner at the event. The event was hosted by the Board of the General
VP Day 2025 commemoration in Brisbane 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 1932, died 15 November 1937)
Hendrik Johan de Haas – Dutch officer at NEFIS Camp Columbia Read More »
During World War II, Brisbane was home to the Advanced Land Headquarters (Adv LHQ) of the South West Pacific Area, established at the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus in August 1942. The headquarters operated from the unfinished Forgan Smith and Chemistry buildings, which were repurposed for military planning and operations. Adv LHQ was led
The Australian military HQ in Brisbane Read More »
In 1944, after the departure of U.S. forces, Camp Columbia took on a new identity—as the seat of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) Government-in-Exile. This was the only time a foreign government operated on Australian soil. The Dutch presence was deeply significant: it included both civil and military elements, with over 2,000 people based at
The Dutch in Brisbane Read More »
Between 1942 and 1944, Brisbane hosted one of the most significant concentrations of U.S. military personnel in the Pacific Theatre. Central to this presence was Camp Columbia at Wacol—home to 5,000 troops and headquarters for the U.S. Sixth Army under Lt. Gen. Walter Krueger. From here, key campaigns across New Guinea and the Philippines were
The Americans in Brisbane Read More »
When Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 expanded the war into the Pacific, Brisbane was thrust into the frontline of Allied operations. By 1942, after the bombing of Darwin and growing fears of Japanese invasion, Brisbane became a critical military hub in the South West Pacific. The city transformed rapidly—civilians were evacuated from
We are proud to announce that the Lord Mayor of Brisbane will host an official civic reception in honour of the Camp Columbia Heritage Association on the eve of our international WWII symposium. This prestigious event will take place at Brisbane City Hall, in the Balmoral Room, on Friday 29 August 2025 from 5.30pm to
Lord Mayor to host civic reception in honour of Camp Columbia Heritage Association Read More »
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 became the centre of Dutch intelligence, propaganda, and special operations in the South West Pacific Area
In several of the personal stories on our website we come across issues regarding the rationing of goods. The following information is an abstract from July 2025 bulletin from the Royal Historical Society of Queensland. During the Second World War (1939 – 1945), Australia, in common with other Allied nations, rationed important commodities, including food,
Food and goods rationing in Brisbane during WWII Read More »
Symposium: Allied co-operation in Brisbane during WWII – Book Here In Australia, the global significance of Brisbane’s role during World War II is still not widely understood. Most Australians know that American forces were based here, and some may recall the so-called “Battle of Brisbane.” But few realise that Brisbane served as the most important
Brisbane’s overlooked wartime legacy: the forgotten Allied capital of Australia Read More »
Explore Brisbane’s hidden WWII history on a full-day guided tour through key military and cultural sites across the city — from inner-city command centres to outer suburban camps like Camp Columbia. This unique event forms part of the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Pacific commemorations, including the International Symposium on Allied Cooperation in Brisbane
WWII Heritage Bus Tour: Brisbane’s Forgotten Frontline Read More »
In October 2024, Dutch journalist and copywriter Jorien Wallast published a groundbreaking work titled Saluut Batavia: Het verhaal van de vrouwelijke KNIL-soldaten (Salute Batavia: The story of the female KNIL soldiers), offering a rare window into a little-known facet of Dutch post-war military history. This non-fiction book explores the experience of young women who joined
Saluut Batavia – Uncovering the untold story of female KNIL soldiers in Indonesia Read More »
We are pleased to share a feature article , now available on the website of our researcher Ingeborg van Teeseling: Australia Explained. This comprehensive piece brings together historical insights and personal recollections to highlight the unique international role of Camp Columbia during and after World War II. From American and Dutch military operations to the
Camp Columbia – a wartime crossroads on Brisbane’s doorstep Read More »
This compelling first-person account, written by her daughter Claire Smith-Burns, traces the remarkable wartime journey of Anna Wiebrigje Beetstra, a Dutch-Canadian woman who served in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) during the final years of World War II. Born in Friesland in 1923 and raised in British Columbia, Anne was inspired to join
KNIL soldier Anne Beetstra: A Dutch-Canadian woman at Camp Columbia, 1944–46 Read More »
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr Jonathan (Jack) Ford on 29 June 2025, at his home in Brisbane. Jack had recently returned from hospital following heart treatment and, when we last spoke two days before his untimely death, he told me that the new medication had given him a
Vale Dr Jonathan (Jack) Ford Read More »
During most of World War II, the port of Brisbane was dominated by the United States Navy. The British Royal Navy (RN) only established a significant operational presence in Brisbane in 1945, as part of the British Pacific Fleet’s activities toward the end of the war. HMAS Moreton was commissioned behind today’s QUT on 1
British Naval Presence in Brisbane During WWII Read More »
YouTubes of Speeches from the VIPs are available as they become available during the event. Speakers, delegates and guests will be invited by the Lord Mayor for a civil reception on Friday evening 29 August! Rare ceremonial sword from the Netherlands East Indies to be displayed for the first time 2025 marks 80 years since
Brisbane 16 August 1945. Approximately 10,000 men and women of the fighting services of five nations took part in a victory march through the city streets. The salute was taken by the Governor of Queensland, Sir Leslie Wilson. Shown, the Netherlands East Indies Army contingent passing the saluting base. Brisbane’s Victory March: 16 August 1945
NEI Army at Victory Parade in Brisbane – 16 August 1945 Read More »