Author name: CCHA

In the darkest days of World War II, as Japanese forces swept through the Pacific, an unconventional group of Australians found themselves at the heart of a daring and vital operation. Known as Mission X, this little-known fleet of small, civilian vessels was assembled under the US Army Small Ships Section, playing a crucial role

Peter Dunn came across this document from the ‘History of Base Section 3’. It provides interesting insights into the construction of Camp Columbia. Regarding ‘Base Section 3’, during World War II, the U.S. Army’s Services of Supply (USASOS) in the Southwest Pacific Area organised Australia into several base sections for administrative purposes. Base Section 3

This important part of local and Queensland history is now owned by the National Trust. On the river at Wacol, hay- way between Ipswich and Brisbane, it was established in 1852 by Dr Stephen Simpson, Commissioner of Crown Lands in the Moreton Bay colony. During WW 11, part of the property was taken to build

This list is produced by Peter Rasey for the Australian American Ass. Qld. Division with the input and assistance of the late Sir Frank Moore AO, Don Cameron AM, and Rick Jefferies OAM. CCHA has been given permission to publish this on their website and invite people to provide correction, updates or additions. Peter Rasey

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 and operating initially from Australia,

During World War II, Camp Columbia was a major staging ground for US and Dutch forces in the Pacific. Over time, the site underwent significant development and expansion. After the war, it was repurposed as immigration housing and later served as a National Service training facility. Today, few remnants of the WWII-era camp remain, but

On December 22, 1947, Brisbane honored fallen American servicemen with a solemn ceremony. A coffin representing an unknown American soldier was paraded on a gun carriage through King George Square, halting in front of City Hall. Dignitaries, including officers from the Australian Commonwealth Government, Brisbane City Council, various patriotic organisations, and the American Consul, laid

Sailors Boesidien and Samanuddin were members of the Netherlands Merchant Navy during World War II and are interred at Toowong Cemetery in Brisbane. Their service highlights the significant role of Dutch merchant vessels in the Allied efforts in the Pacific. Boesidiwn (1909–1942): Born in Bengkalan, Java, Boesidien served aboard the MV Maetsuycker, a vessel of

During World War II, Brisbane emerged as a pivotal hub for Allied submarine operations in the Pacific theater. The city’s strategic location facilitated the establishment of bases by the United States Navy, the Royal Netherlands Navy, and later the British Royal Navy. United States Navy Submarine Operations In April 1942, the U.S. Navy established a

Brisbane played a pivotal role as a strategic hub for Allied communication networks during World War II, hosting critical radio transmitting and receiving stations that facilitated the exchange of intelligence, operational orders, and coordination across the Pacific theatre. Managed by the United States Army Signal Corps, these facilities were complemented by independent networks operated by

This year, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a momentous milestone in Australia’s history and the conclusion of the war in the Pacific. Brisbane played a pivotal role as a strategic hub for Allied operations, cementing its place in global wartime history. The Camp Columbia Heritage Association, in collaboration