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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

The Japanese invasion of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) in early 1942 led to the rapid collapse of Dutch military resistance. However, a strategic legal manoeuvre by the Dutch colonial government ensured that its sovereignty was never officially ceded to Japan. This distinction would have profound implications for the Netherlands’ post-war claims in Indonesia and

This year(2025) marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a milestone that resonates deeply in Australia as we reflect on the conclusion of the war in the Pacific. Brisbane, in particular, played a pivotal role as a strategic hub for Allied operations, cementing its place in history. Brisbane’s rise as a

Richard Casey, born in Brisbane in 1890, was a prominent Australian statesman and diplomat. During the early years of World War II, he served as Australia’s first Ambassador to the United States from 1940 to 1942. During his tenure, Casey played a pivotal role in strengthening the Australia–United States alliance. His efforts were instrumental in

As we reported on in August, the Camp Columbia Heritage Association (CCHA) had a great win for the Camp Columbia Heritage Project. We received funding under the Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants program for a Heritage interpretation signage at Pooh Corner Bushland Reserve. Brisbane City Council is funding a new display cabinet on the rear

Brisbane in World War Twoby Dr Jonathan (Jack) Ford Introduction2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, both in Europe and the Far East. From July 1942 to May 1944, Brisbane was the most important city in Australia during the war. It served as the headquarters for US General Douglas MacArthur’s

Military Air Transport in Australia started soon before the fall of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). In the few months before this happened evacuations started to happen, mainly of Dutch civilian personnel including families of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Airline (KNILM). These civil aircrafts became the earliest core of military air transport in Australia.

Morning Reports in the U.S. Army were daily administrative documents used to track and report personnel and unit activities. These reports, maintained operational planning, and record-keeping. They are now considered valuable historical resources for research, including genealogy and military history. Key Features of Morning Reports: Accessing Historical Morning Reports Morning reports from the U.S. Army

With several military hospitals in and around Camp Columbia looking after people wounded in the Pacific War Theatre, obviously a large number died. These soldiers were buried at the USAF Military Cemetery in Ipswich. In all 1206 of them were buried here. In 1947 the bodies were exhumed and brought to the USA. Most burials

The US Sixth Army was a field army of the United States Army that was established on January 20, 1943, during World War II. The Sixth Army was responsible for conducting military operations in the Pacific Theater of Operations, including the campaigns in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Okinawa. In July 1942, General Douglas MacArthur,

With his head office in the CBD of Brisbane and his headquarters in Camp Columbia, Wacol General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander of the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) and his military staff, orchestrated several pivotal WWII battles from here. Allied forces from Australia and the Netherlands also participated in these operations. Here’s a breakdown of

An estimated 300 US soldiers returned to their sweethearts in Australia. 10-12,000 Australian girls married Americans and emigrated to the US – 7000 of them from Queensland. In the USA, the number of war brides was enormous: “During World War II, an estimated one million American soldiers married women from over fifty different countries. In

By November 1943, the Americans had the following Chemical Weapon (CW) inventory at the Darra Ordnance Ammunition Depot:- . By May 1944, Darra was also storing Chemical Weapons for the US Air Force and a small amount for the US Navy.. See: OzatWar World War II Stories from Brisbane’s South West

Camp Columbia in Brisbane’s west is a symbolic location connecting US, Australian and Dutch histories during WWII in the South West Pacific. It is the location where plans were made to re-occupy Indonesia at the end of WWII and to formulate the new relationship between the Netherlands and its former colony. The Dutch operated from this camp

Dated : Kamp Columbia 3-8-45 This digitised copy of the original booklet provides a satirical overview of the people at Camp Columbia. The author most likely uses a fictional name: Prof. Dr. K.F. Pescator. Through descriptions of flora, he portrays the various military and civilian ranks and positions of the personnel. Perhaps it was presented

This is a video made by John. This what he writes about himself and his ‘Off Track Xplorer’ YouTube video channel. “My name is John and I’m a SEQ-based Solo Adventurist. I explore places…. on and especially off track. There’s a whole other world to explore off the beaten track and that’s what keeps my

Patricia (Pat) Metcalfe (born 1929 in Cairns) moved to Brisbane when she was 4 years old and after she finished the St Columba school at Wilson, was employed at Camp Columbia as a typist and secretary, first with the Americans and since 1945 with the Netherlands-East-Indies Government. Here she worked for the Department of Works

ATIS was an integrated unit composed of Australian and American intelligence personnel and staff from the other Allied Forces (the Netherlands and China) Their primary responsibilities were the interrogation of Japanese POWs from Gaythorne POW Camp and the interpretation of captured Japanese documents. Given the low surrender rate of Japanese soldiers, ATIS placed greater emphasis