Print Email Facebook Twitter More Bombing of Darwin: 70 years on

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) ^ | 17th February 2012

[naturalman1975]

On February 19, 1942, shortly before 10:00am, Japanese forces launched air raids on Darwin, the first on Australian soil.

More than 260 enemy planes, including land-based bombers and planes flying off aircraft carriers in the Timor Sea, attacked US and Australian shipping, the town's harbour, military and civil aerodromes and the local hospital.

The attacks, which came in two waves, were part of Japan's efforts to damage Australia's morale, hinder Darwin's use as a military base, and ultimately secure neighbouring Timor.

At least 243 people were killed in the attack, and up to 400 people were injured.

Twenty military aircraft were destroyed and eight ships in the harbour were sunk.

Air attacks continued over a space of almost two years, with about half of Darwin's population ultimately fleeing south.

[naturalman1975]

Two US ships were lost in the attack on Darwin - the destroyer USS Peary (88 killed, 13 wounded), and the Army transport ship USAT Meigs (2 killed), alongside the HMAS Mavie (all crew abandoned ship successfully - I believe she was the smallest 'ship' ever commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy - 19 tonnes with a crew of 4), and a number of merchant vessesls. 11 USAAC aircraft were destroyed (10 P-40's - four in the air, and six on the ground, and a B-24). The only P-40 to survive the aerial engagement shot down two Japanese bombers.

[naturalman1975]

The title on this is wrong - it should just be ‘Bombing of Darwin: 70 years on’

[onyx]

Thank you!

[naturalman1975]

USS Peary Memorial, Darwin.

Lest We Forget.

[naturalman1975]

The doomed yet magnificent reply by the destroyer USS Peary in Darwin harbour as Japanese dive-bombers swarmed around her deserves a place in the legend books of American military history.
- Peter Grose.

Despite being struck by five bombs and ablaze from bow to stern, USS Peary continued firing in reply until the raid was over before sinking.