Broome’s WWII hero remembered

An heroic World War II Dutch pilot, famous for shooting down a Japanese Zero fighter plane as it launched a devastating attack on Broome in 1942, massacring dozens of Dutch refugees, has died aged 100.

Lieutenant Gus Winckel passed away on August 17, more than 70 years after the fateful morning of March 3 when war came to paradise.

The chilling event went on to become one of the most harrowing World War II attacks in Australian history.

Lt Winckel was transporting Dutch refugees fleeing the fall of Java in the Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).

After landing in Broome to refuel, Lt Winckel’s plane was one of 22 ambushed by nine swooping Japanese Zero fighters.

In a frenzied attack lasting a few minutes, dozens of refugees, mainly women and children were killed.

In these moments, Lt. Winckel removed one of the mounted machine guns from the aircraft and aimed swift and hard, hitting one of the enemy planes.

His heroic actions saved the lives of his passengers.

After reaching the milestone age of 100, Lt Winckel died from complications following a broken hip from a fall six weeks ago.

During his funeral last week, his son Mykeljon vividly captured his father’s extraordinary life in his eulogy.

In a poignant account, Mr Winckel said his father lived a “most remarkable” life that could only be imagined through reading action novels or scripts.

“People who knew him in his military life saw a brave, strategic hero, a natural pilot who lived on his instincts and carried out his duties without question.

“Yet to us, he was our hero… he was simply the best father you could ever have.”

Years later, after Indonesia gained independence from the Dutch, Lt Winckel immigrated to New Zealand with his family.

Last year, Lt Winckel’s sons travelled to Broome to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the strafing of Broome to represent their father and share his message to “give peace a chance.”

Local WWII historian Dion Marinis described said Lt Winckel as an “exceptional” man and said his passing was the “end of an era.”

“Gus was a hero to the town of Broome,” he said.

“So much, he has two roads in his namesake and will live in our memories, a legacy that will not be forgotten.”

Broome Historical Museum has created a WWII information display in honour of Lt Winckel.