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 »
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
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 »
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 »
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 »
Thanks to the support of the Brisbane City Council’s Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants program—which funded the display cabinet—and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE)—which supported the design and printing of the interpretive panels—we now have a high-quality heritage display installed at the entrance to the walking tracks in the Pooh Corner Bushland
New heritage display at Pooh Corner Bushland Reserve Read More »
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 »
In 1944, the United States War Department published a small but detailed booklet titled Pocket Guide to the Netherlands East Indies. Produced as part of a broader series of cultural guides for American troops deployed overseas, this 80 pages booklet was designed to familiarise servicemen with the geography, people, customs, and political structure of the
The 1944 US Military Pocket Guide to the Netherlands East Indies Read More »
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 »
During the Second World War, Camp Meeandah played a crucial but often overlooked role in Brisbane’s contribution to the Allied war effort in the Pacific. Located near Pinkenba, on the northern banks of the Brisbane River, it was developed as part of the United States Army’s Service of Supply (USASOS) network, which supported General Douglas
Camp Meeandah – a key American logistics hub in Brisbane Read More »
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 »
Among the many functions of the Netherlands East government-in-exile based at Camp Columbia in Brisbane during World War II, one of the most strategically significant—and least remembered—was the work of NIGIS, the Netherlands Indies Government Information Service. Operating in close cooperation with Allied information and propaganda units, NIGIS served as the Dutch government’s voice to
NIGIS: the Dutch wartime voice from Brisbane Read More »
During the Second World War, Brisbane served as a major Allied base in the Southwest Pacific Area, hosting General Douglas MacArthur’s General Headquarters (GHQ) and becoming the centre of a vast network of land, air, and naval operations. For the United States Navy, Brisbane was not just a staging point—it was the command and logistical
US Navy activities in Brisbane during the Second World War Read More »
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 »
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 »
