NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES FORCES INTELLIGENCE SECTION, DIVISION III (NEFIS III)
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WW2

Netherlands East Indies Forces Intelligence Section NEFIS comprised three sections:-

Section I - General Intelligence

Section II - Security

Section III - Special Intelligence and Special Operations

The unit did not officially adopt the term NEFIS until 1 April 1943. The origins of NEFIS were from Marine en Leger Inlichtingen Dienst (MLID) (Navy and Army Intelligence Service) that had been established as a Dutch intelligence organisation in Australia from March 1942).

When sufficient Dutch personnel became available, the Netherlands East Indies Forces Intelligence Section, Division III (NEFIS III) was established as a separate section of AIB. 

The first Commanding Officer was Lieutenant-Commander J.J. Quere under the supervision of Commander Salm. The Dutch provided a few old submarines and injected money in the operations. NEFIS III worked closely with Secret Intelligence Australia (SIA) which was Section B of the Allied Intelligence Bureau.

NEFIS III had its headquarters at 225 Domain Road, South Yarra.

NEFIS III concentrated on economic and political information for use after the war had ended. Some Dutch guerrillas were known to have worked in the Vogelkop Peninsula in New Guinea for a period of time.

The Netherlands East Indies Forces Intelligence Section  NEFIS in Brisbane relocated to Camp Columbia from their leased office in the New Zealand Insurance building at 334-338 Queen Street, Brisbane.

Netherlands East Indies Forces &
Support Organisations in Australia during WWII

Netherlands East Indies Government
in Exile in Australia during WWII

BOOK REFERENCES

"The Intrigue Master, Commander Long and Naval Intelligence in Australia, 1913-1945"
by Barbara Winter

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 30 November 2002

This page last updated 26 May 2024