Michel Wilhelm Nuboer (1916-1980) left Paramaribo in 1941/42 as an Assistant in the engine’s department of a freight ship bound to Curaçao during the Second World War. The ship may have likely been carrying aluminum aggregates for making fighter planes in the U.S. as cargo. Upon arrival, he probably was a gunner first, but then became a Medical Assistant stationed on Bonaire. During the 1960s - 1974+ he was a First Aid Medical Trainer in the Volunteer Corps Curaçao (VKC). On August 21st , 1969, Michel Wilhelm Nuboer received the Order of Orange-Nassau (no. 122) from Her Majesty the Queen.
Overview of the World War 2 events in
the Dutch Caribbean
When war came to the Dutch Caribbean
During the Second World War, the Caribbean played a more active role than many realize. Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire—normally peaceful and far from the European front—found themselves drawn into global events. Vital oil refineries made the islands strategic targets, while nearby waters became dangerous due to enemy submarine activity.
Across the islands, local communities and Allied forces worked together to protect these important territories. Each island has its own story of wartime challenges, cooperation, and resilience.
Click on the map to explore the key events that unfolded around Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire—and learn how the war left a lasting impact on our shores.
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1
May 10, 1940 — Capture of five German cargo ships (ALEMANIA, FRISIA, HENRY HORN, KARIBIA and PATRICIA) at Fuikbaai. -
2
May 10, 1940 — Capture of two German cargo ships (ESTE and VANCOUVER) at Caracasbaai. -
3
May 10, 1940 — The German ship ANTILLA is sunk at Malmok by her own crew to prevent capture by Netherlands troops. -
4
May 10, 1940 — Arrest and search in homes of appr. 200 German, Austrian and collaborating Dutch persons on Aruba and Curaçao. -
5
May 10, 1940 — The interned Germans (incl. the crews of the eight ships) and Austrians are transported to Bonaire on two ships. There they are housed in schools and guarded, while construction starts on an internee camp. -
6
May 10, 1940 — French troops land on Aruba to protect the Lago refinery against possible sabotage. They will stay until 6 July 1940. -
7
May 12, 1940 — British troops (2nd Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry) arrive on Curaçao. After 6 July they relieve the French on Aruba. -
8
Sep 3, 1940 — New British troops (4th Battalion, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders) arrive on Aruba. The detachement of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry returns to Curaçao. -
9
Sep 14, 1941 — Four internees escape from the camp on Bonaire, steal a boat and try to reach Venezuela. Close to the coast they are captured and returned to Bonaire. -
10
Feb 11, 1942 — American troops arrive on Aruba and Curaçao. The British troops leave for England. -
11
Feb 16, 1942 — Attack of German submarine U-156 on the tankers PEDERNALES (UK)(a), ORANJESTAD (UK)(b) and ARKANSAS (USA)(d) near Aruba. 23 sailors die in the attack. The Oranjestad sinks, but Pedernales en Arkansas are damaged and can be repaired. U-156 attempts to attack the refinery with her deckgun(c), but the gun crew forgets to remove the saltwater plug from the barrel. The gun explodes at the first shot, one man dies and one is severely hurt. The damaged midsection of Pedernales is removed at Palm Beach(e). -
12
Feb 16, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-67 on tanker RAFAELA(a) in front of Willemstad. The tanker is damaged and towed into the Annabaai, but there it breaks in two. Later the ship is repaired. A torpedo of U-67 runs onto the reef near the Riffort and is later blown up. Later that day U-67 is attacked by American bombers(b) and (c). -
13
Feb 16, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-502 on the tankers TIA JUANA (a), MONAGAS (Venezuela)(b), SAN NICOLAS(c) and an unknown lake tanker(d) in the Golf of Venezuela. The Monagas floats around burning until she beaches, the Tia Juana and San Nicolas sink. The unknown lake tanker is missed by one torpedo and escapes. 29 crewmembers are killed. -
14
Feb 17, 1942 — A German torpedo of U-156 misses Arkansas on 16 February and runs onto Eagle Beach. When a Navy salvage team tries to dismantle it the next day, the torpedo explodes. 4 men die, 2 are injured. -
15
Feb 17, 1942 — Another German submarine, U-502, hits the reef in front of Oranjestad and has to surface. Many astonished witnesses see the U-boat struggle for minutes to free herself from the reef. Then she is free and dives, attacked shortly afterwards by several bombers. But U-502 escapes. -
16
Feb 17, 1942 — Attempt by U-67 to attack Bullenbaai, but patrol vessels drive the submarine away(a). Later that day U-67 is attacked by another bomber(b). -
17
Feb 18, 1942 — Another attempt by U-67 to attack Bullenbaai, again prevented by patrol vessels. -
18
Feb 19, 1942 — U-67 is located by a passing airliner. Soon afterwards the submarine is attacked by a bomber. -
19
Feb 20, 1942 — Another attack on U-67 by a bomber. -
20
Feb 21, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-67 on tanker KONGSGAARD (Norway). The ship sinks close to Curaçao, 38 of her crew are killed. -
21
Feb 23, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-502 on the tankers THALIA (Panama)(a) and SUN (USA)(b). Thalia is sunk, but the damaged Sun manages to reach Aruba. One man dies in the attack. -
22
Feb 25, 1942 — U-502 detects a modern, fast merchant vessel 120 miles northwest of Curaçao, enroute to Willemstad. Hours later she comes into an attack position, 80 miles north of Curaçao. She opens fire with her 105mm deck gun, but the unknown merchant ship fires back. Both ships fire several shots without causing damage, then the merchant ship escapes. -
23
Mar 6, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-67 on the troop tranportship BRASTAGI (Netherlands). Two torpedos miss the ship and she escapes. -
24
Apr 19, 1942 — Nightly attack by German submarine U-130 with her 10,5 cm deck gun on the oiltanks at Bullenbaai. The Netherlands 12cm battery “T” at Bullenbaai responds and fires back, forcing U-130 to break off and dive. -
25
Apr 20, 1942 — An attempt by the authorities to separate Chinese sailors on strike in the CPIM camp on Suffisant ends in a drama as the Chinese attack the Police troops. 15 Chinese sailors die, many are wounded on both sides. -
26
Apr 26, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-66 on the freighter ALCOA PARTNER (USA). The ship is lost, 10 are dead. The survivors land on Bonaire after two days. -
27
May 12, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-69 on the tanker LISE (Norway). The tanker sinks, 12 men do not survive the attack. -
28
May 12, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-69 on the freighter NORLANTIC (USA). The ship is lost, 7 of her crew die. -
29
May 18, 1942 — Attack by (probably) German submarine U-502 on patrol vessel HNLMS JAN VAN BRAKEL. The torpedo is heard approaching on the detection gear, but barely misses the ship. -
30
Jun 6, 1942 — Battery “T” at Bullenbaai detects a periscope. The American 15,5 cm battery “F” at Blauwbaai and the Netherlands battery “T” fire resp. 5 and 2 grenades on the target. The submarine is driven away. -
31
Jun 17, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-161 on the schooners NUEVA ALTAGRACIA and COMERCIO (both Dominican Republic). First ship is sunk and crew is captured by U-161. Later the COMERCIO is stopped, the cargo destroyed and the captured crew is put on board. -
32
Jun 17, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-159 op the freighter FLORA (KNSM). The ship sinks and the crew lands on the coast of Colombia. One man dies of his wounds. -
33
Jun 19, 1942 — American seaman Archie Gibbs is torpedoed twice in a short time and is picked up by the attacking submarine U-126. He remains on board for four days and is then transferred to a passing Venezuelan ship. He reaches Willemstad shortly afterwards. Later he writes a book about his adventures and Hollywood makes a movie about it. In the meantime U-126 is discovered and attacked by US bombers from the USAAF 59th Bombardment Squadron. Later British and Netherlands warships join the attack, but the U-126 manages to escape. -
34
Jun 19, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-159 on the freighter ANTE MATKOVIC (Yugoslavia). Het schip is lost and 6 crewmembers lose their lives. -
35
Jun 23, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-68 on tanker ARRIAGA (Panama). The tanker sinks, one man dies. -
36
Jul 6, 1942 — A Douglas A-20A bommenwerper (USAAF 59th Bombardment Squadron) from Aruba detects the German submarine U-153 and attacks her with four depth bombs. De submarine is damaged, but able to continue her mission. A day earlier U-153 has been attacked also by planes from Aruba, but there was no damage to the submarine then. A week later U-153 is sunk. -
37
Aug 18, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-217 on tanker ESSO CONCORD when it is entering Annabaai. Three torpedoes miss the ship and explode on the reef at Riffort. -
38
Aug 19, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-217 on the schooner SEA GULL D (UK) with grenades. The ship remains afloat for a while, but sinks later. 3 men die. -
39
Sep 6, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-164 on the freighter JOHN A. HOLLOWAY (Canada), resulting in the loss of the ship and one dead seaman. -
40
Nov 5, 1942 — Nightly attack by German submarine U-129 on convoy TAG-18. She torpedoes the tankers METON (USA)(a) and ASTRELL (Norway)(b). The intense fire on the Astrell is visible on Aruba and Curaçao. Two men die. -
41
Nov 12, 1942 — Attack by German submarine U-163 on convoy TAG-20 in front of Willemstad. Gunboat USS ERIE is torpedoed, heavily damaged and beached by her own crew near Piscaderabaai, west of Willemstad. 6 crewmembers die, 8 are severely injured (of which one dies the next day). Ship is refloated and brought into the Schottegat, but capsizes later. -
42
Nov 13, 1942 — The German submarine U-163 shadows convoy TAG-20 when she is detected at sunrise by a USAAF Douglas B-18B Bolo bomber (USAAF 59th Bombardment Squadron). The plane attacks with depth bombs, and they fall very close to the submarine. U-163 dives and a large oil stain is left. But U-163 manages to survive the attack. -
43
Jan 3, 1943 — During a patrol a Douglas B-18B bomber (USAAF 12th Bombardment Squadron) detects the German submarine U-214 at sunrise. The plane attacks twice, after which the submarine dives and manages to evade. -
44
Jan 3, 1943 — A OS2N-1 Kingfisher patrol aircraft detects U-214 and attacks with two depth bombs. The submarine escapes. -
45
Feb 23, 1943 — A USAAF A-20A Havoc light bomber (USAAF 59th Bombardment Squadron) crashes into the sea, just after take off from Hato. 3 crewmembers die. -
46
Mar 12, 1943 — Attack by German submarine U-68 on convoy GAT-49. She torpedoes the tanker CITIES SERVICE MISSOURI (USA)(a) and the freighter CERES (KNSM)(b). On the two ships 4 men die. -
47
Jul 18, 1943 — A USAAF Bell P-39 Airacobra fighter (USAAF 32nd Fighter Squadron) crashes in Paardenbaai during a close combat exercise with another P-39. The pilot is killed. -
48
Jul 21, 1943 — A USAAF Bell P-39 Airacobra fighter (USAAF 32nd Fighter Squadron) crashes during the start from Hato due to engine failure. The pilot dies. -
49
Jul 27, 1943 — Attack by German submarine U-615 on the tanker ROSALIA (CSM). 23 crewmembers die. The submarine manages to evade the Allied ships and aircraft at first, but is sunk a few days later after continuous attacks by patrol aircraft. -
50
Nov 8, 1943 — Enroute from Puerto Rico to Curaçao a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura patrol aircraft (USN Bombardment Squadron VB-133) detects the German submarine U-516 on the surface. The plane attacks with six depth bombs, but the submarine fights back. Her machinegun damages the plane, which has to break off the attack and return to Curaçao. -
51
Dec 16, 1943 — Attack by German submarine U-516 on the tanker McDOWELL (USA). The ship sinks and 3 men lose their lives. -
52
Dec 21, 1943 — A P-39 Airacobra fighter (USAAF 32nd Fighter Squadron) crashes into the sea during an interception exercise. The pilot is killed. -
53
Dec 22, 1943 — A USN Lockheed PV-1 Ventura patrol aircraft (USN Bombardment Squadron VB-141) departs for a nightly anti-submarine patrol. The aircraft is seen to crash into the sea north of Hato. 6 crewmembers are killed. -
54
Jan 11, 1944 — The Venezuelan schooner PORVENIR sinks in bad weather, two crewmembers remain missing. -
55
Jan 16, 1944 — The British schooner ANNIE EUDORA is sailing from Barbados to Curaçao, as she founders on the coast of Bonaire. Little is known about this accident, but at least 7 passengers die. -
56
Feb 25, 1944 — Tanker ROSAURA (CSM) and sailing vessel IRENE collide near Caracasbaai. The Irene is damaged and 3 people drown. Both ships remain afloat. -
57
Jun 11, 1944 — Attack by German submarine U-539 on the tanker CASANDRA (CSM) with torpedoes and grenades, but the ship fights back and manages to escape with minor damage. -
58
Jun 11, 1944 — U-539 detects a convoy, but is attacked by several patrol vessels and driven away. -
59
Jun 12, 1944 — A USN Martin Mariner patrol aircraft (unknown squadron) detects U-539 on the surface 15 miles north of Aruba and attacks with depth bombs. The submarine escapes. -
60
Jul 6, 1944 — Attack by German submarine U-516 on tanker ESSO HARRISBURG (USA). The ship is lost and 8 men die. -
61
Sep 18, 1944 — Collision between the tankers PUNTA GORDA (Lago) and AMPETCO II (Belgium). Both ship catch fire and Punta Gorda beaches in shallow water near the coast of Paraguana (Venezuela). The Ampetco II remains floating and is towed to Aruba, but is declared a total loss. 52 crewmembers on both ships lose their lives. -
62
Sep 20, 1944 — A Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless dive bomber (USN Scouting Squadron VS-37) crashes into the sea northeast of Hato during a training flight. 2 crewmembers are killed. -
63
Sep 23, 1944 — Collission between the tankers JUSTINA (CSM) and YAMHILL (USA). The Justina sinks and one crewmember dies.
