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Allies in adversity, Australia and the Dutch in the Pacific War

Prisoners of the Japanese

Thousands of Dutch servicemen experienced the same harsh conditions, inadequate food and forced labour endured by members of the second AIF in Japanese captivity. They toiled on the Burma–Thailand Railway, and worked in factories in Japan. In contrast to the Australian experience, however, large numbers of Dutch civilians, particularly women and children, were also interned by the Japanese, in exceptionally cruel conditions, for the remainder of the war. More than 13,000 died. After their release, many former internees settled in Australia.

Japanese conquest

  • Prisoners of the Japanese
    • Dutch and Australian servicemen in captivity
    • Jan van Os
    • The personal touch – Corina Levison
    • The Dutch Doll
    • The van Gelder family experience
  • “Comfort women”
  • A seafaring nation
  • The Dutch in Australia
Listen to Max van Gelder as a civilian internee of the Japanese, Netherlands East Indies, 1942-1945, interviewed by Nick Fletcher
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Accession Number: S03719

Internee Max van Gelder expresses the feelings of many of his fellow prisoners and internees.

Last updated: 20 January 2020

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The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue
Campbell ACT 2612
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The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue

Campbell ACT 2612

Australia

 

Opening Hours

10 am to 4 pm daily (except Christmas Day)

 

In preparation for the daily Last Post Ceremony,

galleries are progressively closed from 3:40 pm.

 

Public entrance via Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell ACT 2612

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