Primary Sources

Allegations by Daily Mail correspondent that Indonesians smuggled arms on board Esperance Bay.

Esperance Bay docks at Timor as Mountbatten is unable to ensure safe conduct in Java for 40 activist Indonesians on board despite assurances from Australian government.

Calwell denies that the Indonesians protest on the Esperance Bay was a mutiny - no lives were in danger.

K. Plumb, government minister who travelled on Esperance Bay, denies that a mutiny took place at Timor.

Lieutenant-General Northcott said the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan would have significant responsibilities, including supervising the disposal of Japanese war materials and directing Japanese labour. He praised the high standard of Australian troops and said details of the force's duties would soon be announced, with its responsibilities to be determined under General MacArthur's command.

Two Labor members returning from NEI see that the black ban on Dutch shipping is harming Indonesian natives and Dutch civilians.

Indonesian nationalists disembarked at Koepang, Timor from SS  Esperance Bay

Lieutenant-General Northcott reported that the British Commonwealth Occupation Force had made significant progress during its first two months in Japan. Its work included restoring essential services, repairing ports and airfields, employing thousands of Japanese labourers, recovering military stores, improving communications, and locating munitions for destruction, while demonstrating the effectiveness of Commonwealth cooperation.

A Sydney company director petitioned for divorce, alleging that his wife had committed adultery with an Italian prisoner of war employed on his family's farm near Oberon. The wife denied the allegation, while the prisoner admitted to acts of familiarity but denied adultery. Evidence was heard from the farm manager and the case was adjourned for further hearing.

This newspaper article recounts the Banka Island Massacre through the eyewitness testimony of survivors Wally Cake, Ernest Lloyd, Richard Wilding, Robert Seddon and Sister Vivien Bullwinkel. It describes the sinking of the Vyner Brooke, the execution of Australian Army nurses, soldiers and civilians by Japanese troops on 17 February 1942, the discovery of the victims, and the evidence that led to two Japanese officers being charged with the crime.

Fourteen Australians, including former prisoners of war and military personnel, were selected to travel to Tokyo to give evidence before the International War Crimes Tribunal. Witnesses included Sister Vivian Bullwinkel, survivor of the Banka Island massacre, and survivors of the Thailand–Burma Railway and the Sandakan–Ranau death march, who would testify about Japanese wartime atrocities.

Indonesian premier will not ask Australian unions to lift ban on Dutch shipping until the Netherlands stops the economic blockade of Indonesia

A temporary ban on two Dutch ships imposed in Brisbane and Adelaide.

Third Congress of Indonesian Railway Labourers request Australian black ban on Dutch shipping to continue.

Dutch minister to Australia boycotted reception celebrating third anniversary of founding of Indonesian Republic.

Mass meeting of Seamen's Union in Melbourne vote to continue black ban of Dutch shipping.

This newspaper article profiles Sutan Sjahrir, the Indonesian nationalist leader and former Prime Minister, following President Sukarno's return to Jogjakarta in July 1949. It examines Sjahrir's role in the Indonesian independence movement, his years of Dutch and Japanese internment, his political philosophy, and his concerns about the negotiations leading to the transfer of sovereignty from the Netherlands to Indonesia.

Riverina Express Daylight in 1949

A report from Bandung announces that former Dutch commando officer Captain Raymond Westerling had taken command of the APRA militia, despite lingering controversy over allegations that troops under his command had killed thousands in South Celebes.

Australian journalist Denis Warner profiles Raymond Westerling as a feared and enigmatic former Dutch commando whose private army posed a serious threat to the newly independent Indonesian government. The article explores his reputation, alleged military strength and the growing fears that he could trigger renewed conflict in West Java.

This report describes Raymond Westerling's demand that the newly formed United States of Indonesia recognise his 20,000-strong APRA militia as Pasundan's official army. It highlights the political tensions surrounding his challenge to the Republican government and fears that his force could spark renewed conflict in West Java.

The newspaper article reports the departure of Raymond "Turko" Westerling from Singapore for England after Indonesia's attempt to extradite him failed. The article explains that the Singapore Supreme Court ruled the Anglo-Netherlands Extradition Treaty did not apply to the newly independent Republic of Indonesia, leading to his release and deportation. It also notes that Westerling had received lucrative offers for his life story and film rights, highlighting the international publicity surrounding his controversial career.

The TIME magazine article recounts the dramatic capture of Captain Raymond "Turk" Westerling at a country house near Amsterdam after Dutch police discovered him hiding beneath the floorboards. It outlines his role in leading an anti-Indonesian guerrilla force following Dutch recognition of Indonesian independence, his years as a fugitive, and the surprising decision of a Dutch magistrate to release him despite government efforts to keep him in custody.

This silent footage takes us back to 1964 and shows 3803 doing what it was designed to do best – travel at speed. It's hauling one of the premier passenger trains of the day, the Riverina Express.