Dear Sir,
On your web site under the heading:
WIST U DAT .....
3.... de regering er bewust voor heeft gekozen - in tegenstelling tot Groot Brittannië - om de Nederlandse bejaarden,
vrouwen en kinderen niet naar veilig gebied (o.a.Australië) te evacueren ? De gevolgen hiervan waren tienduizenden doden
en onnoemelijk veel leed .....
It is my understanding that this is not how it really is. The truth is worse!
The Government in the Dutch East Indies had very strict travel arrangements imposed on the Dutch civilians. It was not
possible to escape because of these regulations even if you wanted to.
Some families managed to send their children to Private Boarding Schools in Australia.
For example at Christ Church Grammar School in Claremont West Australia there were a large number of Dutch refugee boys.
During the Japanese War their school fees were paid for by private donations from other parents. During Assembly in the
morning there was first 'God Save the King' followed by 'Het Wilhelmus'. Australian Old Boys from that ere can still
sing 'Het Wilhelmus' today.
Kind regards,
Bart Benschop - Australia
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