Paynesville RSL is holding a National Peacekeepers Day and Merchant Navy Day commemoration this Saturday at 10.30am.
This combined service is a chance to honour those who have served our nation, both as peacekeepers in global conflicts and as members of the Merchant Navy who risked their lives on the open seas.
Following the service, a morning tea gathering will be held. All are welcome to attend.
At the end of World War II, conflict arose in the Netherlands East Indies. The Netherlands colonial government and its military forces on one hand and the Indonesian republicans on the other.
On 20 July 1947, the Netherlands launched Operatie Product. This strong offensive aimed to remove Republican troops from parts of Sumatra and East and West Java.
Many countries, including Australia, reacted negatively to the Netherlands government’s invasion of Republican territory. On August 1, the United Nations (UN) called for a cease-fire between Netherlands and Republican forces to allow for mediation.
A consular commission recommended on August 4 that its governments send personnel to observe the cease-fire order. It’s been described as the start of UN peacekeeping. In response, Australia sent four observers from each branch of defence, who arrived in Java on September 13.
On September 14, Australians became the world’s first peacekeepers to be deployed into the field. Other nations participating in the mission included Belgium, Britain, China, France and the United States. The mission helped Indonesia to gain independence from the Netherlands and marked the start of UN peacekeeping.
