Invitation to WWII presentations and tour of the Archerfield Airport Heritage Room

Organised by Dutchlink Brisbane on 22 July from 2pm till 4pm

Archerfield Airport has recently opened a Heritage Room in their historic Art Nouveau Arrival Hall. It provides a great pictorial overview of its rich history.

Archerfield Aerodrome was Brisbane’s commercial airport from 1931 until 1949. It is linked to a number of historic flights by aviation pioneers such as Charles Kingsford Smith and Lores Bonney. During World War II, it became a major airbase for the famous US Sixth Army, staged at Camp Columbia (Wacol) which operated under General MacArthur. Archerfield also operated and repaired aircraft from the RAAF, the Royal Navy and units of the Netherlands East Indies forces.

The Dutch relation with Archerfield started soon after the opening of the airport in 1931 when mail and passenger flights started to operate. There was enormous enthusiasm from the people of Brisbane when in 1934 the Dutch airplane De Uiver landed here after the London to Melbourne air race.

The Netherlands East Indies (NEI) – now Indonesia – was invaded by the Japanese in 1942. Brisbane consequently became the home of the NEI Government-in-Exile. Archerfield became the major airport for the Dutch war effort. It provided employment for hundreds of Dutchies and Brisbanites alike, allowing many Dutch-Australian friendship and businesses contacts to be developed. The picture made at the farewell of the Dutch Transport Squadron in 1947 shows this deep relationship.

The American, Australian, British and Dutch WWII history of the aerodrome has largely been forgotten. With the opening of the Heritage Room, the airport is ensuring that this will not happen. Please join us for presentations and a tour along the exhibits.

• Peter Dunn OAM will provide an overview of the WWII history of the airport.
• Paul Budde from the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre will present its Dutch history.

The number of people in the Heritage Room  is strictly limited to 30, so please book early. We kindly ask you to provide a donation for Dutchlink Brisbane, the organiser of the event. Early birds $10 after 30 June $15 (+ small Eventbrite charge).

Please click here for bookings.