The Bombing of Darwin

An estimated number of around only 20 dead and 15 wounded compared to their scores of shot down zero fighter planes. Their attacks were divided into two parts, the first part lasted for around 40 minutes before we pushed them off and when they came back, we fought them off again. The second attack lasted only 20 minutes before they realized that our courageous Aussie troops were no match for them.

Added to the successful counter, we've also captured a sergeant who crashed his aircraft on to Australian soil. There were also battle ships which were defeated and laid in wreckage from the brutal retaliation of our soldiers.

Our Australian Army has once again proven their worth and show to us that we are well and truly winning this war. With their attacks pushed away so easily while our allies pushing hard forcing them back, the war should soon be over and victory ours.

19th February 1942 Bombing Of Darwin.

The Japanese mounted a devastating aerial attack on Darwin. There were two waves of raids one after the other, beginning 9:15 in the morning. As a result of these bombings 243 civilians were killed and 400 others wounded. Eight ships were sunken in the Harbour: the United States Navy destroyer USS Peary, the large US Army transport ship USAT Meigs, the Australian patrol boat HMAS Mavie and the merchant ships British Motorist, Kelat, Mauna Loa, Neptuna, and Zealandia. Among the ships damaged but not destroyed was a hospital ship, AHS Manunda.

The first of the two attacks on Darwin, contained 188 Japanese bombers, which was sighted by a priest on Mellville island off the coast of Northern Territory. The raid came and our fighters were already deployed and our only opportunity to make preparations had failed. The attacks lasted a whole 45 minutes, and at 10:40 am they had all cleared out.

The second raid came just before midday. This attack was different from the first wave, as it was higher altitude and their primary target being the Darwin RAAF Airfield. This raid concluded just over 20 minutes.

This incident, greatly reflected upon our inability to rapidly set up an effective defence position. In future, there should be lookouts on islands bordering the mainland, to create a warning system, which would enable us to be prepared for such raids. In addition, we should respond faster to such situations, preparing our defences and bringing back all air crafts to ensure the safety of the country.