THE BOMBING OF DARWIN -1942
fears of invasion:
Before the bombings of Darwin there had been already been many concerns and fears about the agressive actions of Japan since the outbreak of World War II. The fears of a Japaenese invasion of Australia intensified when Pearl Harbour was bombed in Decemeber 1941 and again when Singapore was surrendered to the Japanese. The majority of women and children were evacuated under government orders during December 1941 and January 1942. Australia was almost certain that they would be attacked next. They were right. Just four days after the fall of Singapore, Darwin was hit by two devastating air raids. The bombings were not a isolated event, nor were they a once-only occurrence. Between February 1942 and November 1943 Darwin, and many cities around it (in northern Western Australia, the Northern Territory and northern Queensland), were victims of these attacks. A total of 64 air raids were made on Darwin and 33 on other targets in the Northern Territory.
what went down: day one
On 19 February 1942, the first two attacks on Darwin were made. The attacks were the largest Japanese attack since Pearl Harbour and was planned by Mitsuo Fuchida, the same Japanese commander responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbour.
The first attack occurred in the morning, lasted approximately forty minutes and was carried out by aeroplanes which had been launched from Japanese aircraft carriers in the Timor Sea. The Japanese targeted land areas such as the Post Office, Telegraph office, Cable Office and the Postmaster's residence where postal workers were killed.
The second attack occurred two hours after the start of the first. In this second attack, heavy bombers struck the Royal Australian Air Force Base at Parap. This second attack was shorter and lasted only about twenty-five minutes.
Approximately 188 planes were launched from Japanese land bases and aircraft carriers in the Timor sea on the first day. In Darwin, the ships in the harbour, the military and civilian aerodromes and the hospital were attacked by dive bombers who had been escorted by fighter planes as protection from Australian and allied planes. Of the 10 allied fighter planes which engaged the Japanese planes as the only air defences, only one allied fighter survived the first attack.
In these first two raids, at least 243 Australians and allies were killed with almost 400 wounded. The Japanese had destroyed twenty military aircrafts and eight ships in the harbour were sunk while most others were damaged by bombs or machine gunfire. Only about 2-4 Japanese aircrafts were shot down during these air raids. On top of that, most civil and military facilities in Darwin were strategically destroyed.
The first attack occurred in the morning, lasted approximately forty minutes and was carried out by aeroplanes which had been launched from Japanese aircraft carriers in the Timor Sea. The Japanese targeted land areas such as the Post Office, Telegraph office, Cable Office and the Postmaster's residence where postal workers were killed.
The second attack occurred two hours after the start of the first. In this second attack, heavy bombers struck the Royal Australian Air Force Base at Parap. This second attack was shorter and lasted only about twenty-five minutes.
Approximately 188 planes were launched from Japanese land bases and aircraft carriers in the Timor sea on the first day. In Darwin, the ships in the harbour, the military and civilian aerodromes and the hospital were attacked by dive bombers who had been escorted by fighter planes as protection from Australian and allied planes. Of the 10 allied fighter planes which engaged the Japanese planes as the only air defences, only one allied fighter survived the first attack.
In these first two raids, at least 243 Australians and allies were killed with almost 400 wounded. The Japanese had destroyed twenty military aircrafts and eight ships in the harbour were sunk while most others were damaged by bombs or machine gunfire. Only about 2-4 Japanese aircrafts were shot down during these air raids. On top of that, most civil and military facilities in Darwin were strategically destroyed.
effects of the first attacks:
The first two raids in Darwin had created a major impact on the psychology of Australians and many had great fears of a successful invasion by the enemy. The raids on 19 February had left much of the town destroyed and hundreds killed and wounded. A number of civilians and servicemen had fled during the air raids and with the widespread panic, many of the remaining civilian population fled Darwin after the raids. Remaining servicemen also left their posts and fled in confusion and panic. Three days on from the attack, there were still 278 servicemen missing. Looting and disorder occurred as a result of the raids, leading the government to hurriedly appoint a Commission of Inquiry led by Mr Justice Lowe which issued two reports, on on 27 March and the other on 9 April 1942.
Eventually, after a few days, order was restored in Darwin and the military defences were rebuilt and strengthened.
Eventually, after a few days, order was restored in Darwin and the military defences were rebuilt and strengthened.
Other raids on and near darwin:
The first two raids on 19 February were the largest raids suffered by Australia, however over the next 20 months the Japanese continued to undertake more raids on Darwin and other northern Australian towns. The second-worst raid suffered by Australia was two week after the first raids in Darwin and occurred in Broome, Western Australia. Seventy people were killed in this raid and another forty injured. Twenty-four aircrafts were also damaged and destroyed.
Japanese planes also flew several reconnaissance missions over Australia until 1944.
Airport bases such as Townsville, Katherine, Wyndham, Derby and Port Hedland were also targeted, with loss of both military and civilian lives. During late 1942, three raids were made against Townsville and Millingimbi, four on the Exmouth Gulf and nine on Horn Island.
The final of the 64 Japanese raids on Darwin occurred on 12 November 1943. Fortunately, Australia suffered no casualties and only minor damage was caused to the town.
Japanese planes also flew several reconnaissance missions over Australia until 1944.
Airport bases such as Townsville, Katherine, Wyndham, Derby and Port Hedland were also targeted, with loss of both military and civilian lives. During late 1942, three raids were made against Townsville and Millingimbi, four on the Exmouth Gulf and nine on Horn Island.
The final of the 64 Japanese raids on Darwin occurred on 12 November 1943. Fortunately, Australia suffered no casualties and only minor damage was caused to the town.
Below is an ABC News report describing the Bombing of Darwin.