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Podcast: SBS Dutch - SBS Nederlands
Episode: “He received a letter from Queen Wilhelmina [...] but he never got any recognition, that I know of, from the Australian government.” - "He received a letter from Queen Wilhelmina [...] but he never got any recognition, that I know of, from the Australian government."
Description: 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...