This memorial pays homage to the Dutch Servicemen and Women who aided Australia during World War II. With the invasion of Japanese and German forces in the Pacific and Europe, the Netherlands lost control of their East Indies colonies making Australia a viable target for the Japanese Army. To maintain a strong defensive position in the region, the Netherlands formed an alliance with Australia to unify their military strength. Through this agreement the Netherlands East Indies Government was also given residence on Australian soil for military cooperation and a place of refuge for fleeing dutch citizens.
Cooperation with the Netherlands saw the establishment of joint units as well as increased military strength around the Australian borders. The Dutch navy provided additional warships and hospital ships whilst their airforce of some 100 Dutch airmen aiding with bombing raids, patrols and anti-shipping attacks off the nothern coast. Broome, in particular, became an intial port of call for Dutch nationals during this time who were escaping the Japanese forces in modern-day Indonesia. When Japanese planes bombed Broome in 1942, 76 Dutch nationals were killed including some women and children who had just arrived from Java and awaiting refuel. While Broome was unprepared for this attack, one Japanese plane was shot down by Dutch pilot Gus Winckel. Winckel was stationed at the local airbase at the time of the bombing, where he impromptly removed a plane’s machine gun to retaliate against the oncoming attacks. While the Dutch only planned on staying in Australia until a sizeable town was liberated back to their rule over the following years of combat no such town was liberated before the end of the war. It was only until September 1945 that the Netherland East Indies (N.E.I) Government-in-exile remained on Australian soil.
The Dutch Servicemen and Women provided much needed aid in protecting the Australian borders during World War II. Their service is therefore memorialised here to recognize their efforts and sacrifice against an oncoming and powerful threat in the Pacific.
The inscription reads:
Dedicated to the Dutch Servicemen and Women, who joined Australian forces in defending Australia in 1942-1945
We remember them.
Royal Netherlands Army, Navy, Air Force, KNIL, and the Merchant NavyDonated by the Dutch Community in South Australia, 2007.
