Both the Australian people and government showed great hospitality towards the Dutch forces after they arrived in Australia in March 1942. Despite the ‘White Australia’ policy, no distinction was made between whites and non-whites in the Dutch forces.

 

The Dutch troops integrated well into Australian society and made close friendships. When they were on leave they usually spent their time with the local Australian population rather than with other Dutch servicemen. This even resulted in several marriages between Dutch servicemen and Australian women during the war.

 

After the war, many of these Dutchmen brought their brides with them to the Netherlands. But a lack of housing and jobs caused many of them to return to Australia in the early 1950s and settle there permanently. Today, more than 50 years later, their presence and that of their descendants mean that the Netherlands’ military contribution during the war is still evident. The many memorials and Dutch war graves in Australian cities provide further tangible reminders.

 

Although the Dutch servicemen remained on friendly terms with the Australians throughout the war, relations between the Dutch and Australian authorities changed as the war progressed. When it became clear that Japan would lose the war, the Allies started to discuss the post-war administration of the Dutch archipelago. Whereas the Netherlands wanted to restore its rule, the Australian authorities favoured an independent Indonesia. As a result, relations between Australia and the Netherlands came under strain.