Sbs Dutch - Sbs Dutch

On March 3, 1942, Japanese fighter planes attacked Roebuck Bay in Broome (WA). At that time, there were 15 flying boats at the bay, most of them carrying evacuees from the former Dutch East Indies. Broome was the place where flying boats were refuelled and resupplied, before continuing their journey South. The air strike killed 88 people. 20-year-old Aboriginal man Charles D'Antoine was working as a tank attendant at the time of the attack, and saved the lives of three Dutch citizens; a mother with her child, and a young six year old girl. For his heroic act, Charlie received several medals of honor from the government in the Netherlands. Edie Wright, Charlie's niece, wrote a children's book about this event: Charlie's Swim. We interviewed Edie about her time in education, her passion for writing and, of course, her uncle's life saving act. - Op 3 maart 1942 vielen Japanse jachtvliegtuigen Roebuck Bay in Broome (WA) aan. In de baai lagen op dat moment 15 vliegboten met evacuees uit toenmalige Nederlands-Indië