Australia Archives - Camp Columbia

Camp Columbia – a wartime crossroads on Brisbane’s doorstep

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 »

KNIL soldier Anne Beetstra: A Dutch-Canadian woman at Camp Columbia, 1944–46

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 »

Brisbane’s overlooked wartime legacy: the forgotten Allied capital of Australia

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 »

Vale Dr Jonathan (Jack) Ford

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 »

WWII Symposium Allied co-operation in Brisbane moved to UQ St Lucia

The University of Queensland is a supporter of the Camp Columbia Heritage Association. They have conducted archeologic research at the site of the former camp. The St Lucia Campus was during WII the HQ of the South-West Pacific Area (SWPA) Advanced Land Headquarters led by Australian General Thomas Blamey, who was Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Military Forces

WWII Symposium Allied co-operation in Brisbane moved to UQ St Lucia Read More »

The untold Dutch chapter of Brisbane’s wartime history

While Brisbane’s role in World War II is often remembered in connection with the large American presence and the headquarters of General Douglas MacArthur, few people today are aware of the significant Dutch wartime presence in the city—or the extraordinary fact that a foreign government operated from Australian soil during the final years of the

The untold Dutch chapter of Brisbane’s wartime history Read More »

Historical snapshot: Wacol

Historical snapshot: Wacol Read More »

Camp Columbia Army Huts ended up at Merthyr Bowls Club, at New Farm

At its peak the US Navy had almost 6500 personnel stationed in Brisbane during 1944. Of these 685 were commissioned officers. Brisbane offered few entertainment venues for visiting or stationed officers, and a decision was made by the Commander Service Force, Seventh Fleet to construct an Officers Mess. Through the Australian Army Hiring Service, the

Camp Columbia Army Huts ended up at Merthyr Bowls Club, at New Farm Read More »

The Battle of Brisbane: Two sides of the same riot

The Battle of Brisbane, a violent two-night clash between Australian and American servicemen in November 1942, remains one of the most extraordinary and yet under-discussed episodes of Allied wartime friction. In Australia—particularly in Brisbane—it has entered popular memory as a moment of explosive resentment toward the dominant American presence. In the United States, however, it

The Battle of Brisbane: Two sides of the same riot Read More »

Forgotten allies: how Brisbane’s WWII history has faded from Dutch memory

Even in Brisbane, the global importance of the city’s role during World War II is largely unknown. While many locals are aware of the large American presence, few know that the Dutch also operated from here during the Pacific War. Even fewer in the Netherlands would be aware of the role their country played in

Forgotten allies: how Brisbane’s WWII history has faded from Dutch memory Read More »

Overlooked outpost: Brisbane and Camp Columbia in American WWII literature

Even in Brisbane, the global importance of the city’s role during World War II is largely unknown. Yes, most people are aware that large numbers of American troops were stationed here, and many will recall the so-called “Battle of Brisbane”—but for most, that’s the extent of their knowledge of Brisbane’s wartime significance. As I delved

Overlooked outpost: Brisbane and Camp Columbia in American WWII literature Read More »

UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) Blast Witness-Inala 1954

My family moved into a Housing Commission house in the new Inala in the early 1950s. We boys soon found that there was lots of small arms ammo round the area, remnants of the US Ammunition Dump. Finding it and extracting the cordite was a favourite pastime for the local boys, who spent hours combing

UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) Blast Witness-Inala 1954 Read More »

Brisbane City Streets of Remembrance – Community Input Invited

The Camp Columbia Heritage Association (CCHA) supports the Brisbane City Council’s initiative to extend its Streets of Remembrance project. As part of this program, selected new signage of existing streets across the city will have Australian Defence Force, or Australian Navy, or Australian Air Force logos added on to the Street sign to honour significant Veterans, places,

Brisbane City Streets of Remembrance – Community Input Invited Read More »

The Orliks of Boy Swallows Universe and the real migrant story of Camp Columbia

In Trent Dalton’s critically acclaimed novel Boy Swallows Universe, the reader briefly meets the Orlik family—refugees from war-torn Europe who found shelter at Camp Columbia. Though fictional, their story resonates deeply with the real experiences of thousands of families who passed through this significant site in Brisbane’s history. A place of transition and new beginnings

The Orliks of Boy Swallows Universe and the real migrant story of Camp Columbia Read More »

SIGSALY: Brisbane’s role in top-secret wartime communications

During the Second World War, Brisbane played a vital role in one of the most extraordinary technological achievements of the 20th century: secure global voice communication. At the heart of this breakthrough was a system known as SIGSALY—a top-secret project developed by the United States to ensure that conversations between Allied leaders could not be

SIGSALY: Brisbane’s role in top-secret wartime communications Read More »

Mission X: Australia’s Forgotten Fleet in the Pacific War – Exhibition at Bongaree

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

Mission X: Australia’s Forgotten Fleet in the Pacific War – Exhibition at Bongaree Read More »

Construction costs Camp Columbia £250,000

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

Construction costs Camp Columbia £250,000 Read More »

Wolston House – Wacol

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

Wolston House – Wacol Read More »

WWII Sites in Brisbane

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

WWII Sites in Brisbane Read More »

Sinking of the Centaur

The Centaur, 2/3rd Australian Hospital Ship, was a motor passenger ship converted in early 1943 for use as a hospital ship. In November 1941 it had rescued survivors of the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran after it had sunk and been sunk by HMAS Sydney. On 12, May 1943 the Centaur sailed unescorted from Sydney at

Sinking of the Centaur Read More »