RAAF No 6 SFTS - Dutch Pilots at Mallala

**Fast Facts**
Type of organisation:	Government
Also known as:	Netherlands East Indies (NEI) Pilots at Mallala
Street name:	Aerodrome Rd.
Street suffix:	Mallala
Date established:	1942
Ceased operation:	1942
Established by:	RAAF
Business or purpose:	Updating the skills of Dutch Pilots

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Prior to the Japanese invasion, the Dutch had ordered and paid for a squadron (18 aircraft) of US-built B-25 Mitchell medium bombers. The delivery of these aircraft to Australia offered the opportunity to quickly raise a bomber squadron equipped with modern front-line aircraft. This lead to the establishment of the No 18 (NEI) Squadron RAAF.

Dutch airmen who escaped to Australia after the Japanese invasion of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) were brought together to form Dutch squadrons under RAAF command.

In evacuating personnel from the NEI, priority was given to aircrew, and particularly to pilots, the training of whom was both time-consuming and expensive. As a result of this policy, by late March 1942 there were more than 100 Dutch airmen in Australia, few of them with aircraft, but most seeking a means of striking back at the enemy. Those who had some level of training were given refresher courses, while others had to commence training from scratch.

In March 1942, Course 22 commenced elementary flying training at Parafield, comprised of Army and Navy personnel from the Netherlands East Indies. During that month the flying discipline of these personnel was causing concern. In fact, all training of Netherlands East Indies personnel was abruptly terminated at Parafield on 27 March.

Nevertheless the records of the RAAF 6 SFTS at Mallala state that in March and April of 1942 there were 112 Dutch pilots at Mallala, updating their piloting skills.

On 4 April 1942 No 18 Squadron (NEI) was formed at RAAF Station Canberra, under the operational command of No 79 Wing, RAAF and was equipped with B25 Mitchell bombers which had been ordered and paid for by the Dutch, under the Lend lease program, prior to the Japanese invasion.

Course 22 graduated in early April 1942 and many of the pilots were immediately transferred to the newly formed squadron. Others went on to further training in America and joined squadrons that flew in Europe.

On 5 June 1942, 18 Squadron had its first success when planes from the unit sank a Japanese submarine off Sydney. In April 1943 the Squadron was transferred to the Northern Territory and then successively, to Morotai and Borneo, where it was stationed when the war ended in August 1945.

In November 1945 the RAAF started to withdraw its support and In January 1946 the unit was officially passed to Dutch control.