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In the aftermath of the devastating Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941, Rear Admiral Chester W. Nimitz swiftly rose to prominence. Appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt just ten days later, Nimitz became the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT). The symbolic change of command took place on the submarine Grayling, an […]

Camp Freeman, part of the larger American WWII military Camp Columbia complex World War II, played a significant role in the context of racial segregation and the presence of African American troops. The camp’s history is closely tied to the broader dynamics of the time, as well as its physical location. This integrated account aims

JIM GRINDLE’s home near Wacol Station was one. It became a Communications Centre for the United States Army, and the family moved in with the Grindles at Wolston House. WILLIAM DYNE purchased 100 acres on the southern side of Ipswich Road at Wacol and settled there with his wife and family in 1917. The property

Camp Cable was like Camp Columbia a similar large size military complex however, this one was situated in the bush, 50 kms south of Brisbane near Logan Village. The Camp and its units didn’t directly fall under the Southwest Pacific Area Command of General Douglas MacArthur, in charge of the war in the South Pacific.

Sultan Muhammad Jabir Syah (4 March 1902 – 4 July 1975) was the 47th ruler of Ternate from 1929 to 1975 and the last Ternatan Sultan with executive powers. In 1944, during World War II, the Western Allies began liberating parts of eastern Netherlands East indies. They contacted Sultan Jabir, who had moved to the

Admiral William D. Leahy, often referred to as “Bill” Leahy, was a prominent figure in the United States Navy during World War II. He served as the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) from 1937 to 1939 and later held the position of Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the United States Army

Pauleen Lillian Badke was born at Booval in Ipswich in 1925. Her father’s name was ‘Wilhelm’ but he was known to everyone as ‘Bill’ – her mother’s name was Lillian. She had one brother, Keith. Bill was well known in Ipswich and surrounds as a building contractor, and for his love of harness racing –

Earlier this month, I had the honour of addressing the Richlands, Inala and Suburbs History Group at the Inala Library. I was tasked with introducing the Camp Columbia Heritage Association (CCHA) to the history group and sharing insights into the Australian, American, and Dutch history of Camp Columbia. Additionally, I explored its connection to the

State Library of Queensland  – Audio cassette tapes containing interviews with migrant women at Wacol Migrant Camp. Christine (Christa) Braun, nee Klein Five cassette tapes, two typed interview logs, one document containing personal background, details and interview summaries, four black and white photographs. Christa is German. She migrated to Australia in the 1950s with her

Camp Seabee in Brisbane, Australia, also known as U.S. Naval Construction Battalion Detachment (NCBD) Brisbane, was an important facility during World War II. It was occupied by the U.S. Navy from March 23, 1943, to August 7, 1945, and served as a base for the Seabees, the United States Naval Construction Battalions. Here is some

In the immediate post-War World years, refugees from war-torn Europe were resettled in different places across Australia. By 1949, it is estimated that one-tenth of the American/Dutch/Australian Army’s Camp Columbia area became the Wacol East Displaced Persons Holding Camp. In the early 1950s the camp was developed to become the Wacol Migrant Centre, the biggest

During World War II, the Australian military commander in Brisbane was General Sir Thomas Albert Blamey. Blamey was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Military Forces in 1939 and held that position throughout the war. After leading the Australian Forces in Europe and the Middle East he came back to Australia in 1942. Here

Our secretary Jorien van Beukering had organised with her history colleague from the National Trust Dr. Anna Temby to conduct a meeting at Wolston House. Camp Columbia bordered on this historic property when it was built in 1942. We recognise the property in our information on our website in relation to the broader context of

Willem Frans Boot. Born 26 November 1906, Zuid-Beijerland. Died: 18 Januari 1987, Den Haag. He joined the Royal Netherlands Navy in 1934. Even before the capitulation from Netherlands East Indies (NEI), staff of the Military Aviation Department of the KNIL(ML-KNIL) were sent to Australia. Most of the department of Captain Willem Frans Boot went Brisbane

The American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Command, or ABDACOM, was a short-lived, supreme command for all Allied forces in Southeast Asia, the area also included the supply port of Darwin, in the Northern Territory, Australia.  ABDA had been established  at Bandung, Java on 10 January 1942 and became operational following the declaration of war by Japan on 12 January

Lieutenant General Richard Kerens Sutherland played a significant role during World War II, particularly as the Chief of Staff to General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Allied Commander in the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA). In this article we concentrate on his time in Australia during the war. In early 1942, after the fall of the Philippines,

The United States 7th Fleet is responsible for operations in the Western Pacific Ocean. It was formed on March 15, 1943, in Brisbane, Australia, during World War II. The fleet was initially commanded by Vice Admiral Arthur S. Carpender, and it consisted of the cruisers USS Minneapolis and USS New Orleans, and four destroyers. During

During World War II, Archerfield Airport in Brisbane, Australia played a crucial role as a major air base for the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Serving as a strategic hub, it facilitated operations, logistics, and support for American air units in the Pacific theater. The USAAF’s Arrival Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in

Lieutenant Admiral Conrad Emil Lambert Helfrich was a Dutch naval officer who played a significant role in the defense of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) during World War II. He was born in Soerabaja, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) in 1886, and he joined the Royal Netherlands Navy in 1903. He rose through the ranks,

Columbia, often referred to as Lady Columbia, is a powerful symbol and female national personification of the United States. Representing the ideals and aspirations of the nation, Columbia has played a significant role in American iconography and cultural imagery throughout history. The origins of Columbia can be traced back to the late 18th century, during