The Bombing of Darwin

Australia's Pearl Harbour

Mar 5, 2009

The Bombing of Darwin was the largest attack against Australia by a foreign power, and the worst wartime disaster. It became known as Australia's Pearl Harbour.

The Japanese bombed Darwin on 19 February 1942 with 188 fighter planes. It was the largest attack since Pearl Harbour (7 December 1941). Chaos ensured as at least 240 people were killed, including fifteen civilians. Most essential services including water and electricity were badly damaged or destroyed in the blasts. Many servicemen deserted their posts, as approximately 278 were still reported missing three days later.

Darwin—an important Allied base—was not prepared for the inevitable attack by the Japanese. It was a key defensive position in Australia’s north against the ever-growing Japanese threat. The Pacific War was only ten weeks old.

A Catholic priest, Father John McGrath, based on Bathurst Island, alerted the authorities by radio at 9.35am. The AWA Coastal Radio Station’s officer-in-charge, Lou Curnock, received the message and immediately relayed it to RAAF Operations. They failed to act as they did not take McGrath’s warnings seriously.[1]

The Postmaster General’s Department (including the Post Office, Telegraph Office, Cable and the Postmaster’s Residence) were also bombed killing ten people. Telephone lines were cut whilst mail and telegrams were scattered. Four of the five postal vehicles were badly damaged but still usable.

Only eight ships were sunk whilst most were damaged by bombs or machine gun fire. The hospital ship Manunda was severely damaged.

Government House was also targeted as Japanese fighter pilots continually shot its flag until it was riddled with holes. The road to Government House was blocked with debris scattered by bombs.[2]

Patients in Darwin’s only public hospital were ordered to lie under their beds after a nurse raised the alarm. (Bedridden patients had some assistance.) Four wards were machine-gunned whilst six heavy bombs caused extensive damage.

The Larrakeyah Army Barracks, a mere one hundred metres from the hospital, remained unscathed.

The Administrator Charles Abbott evacuated the remaining civilians who stubbornly remained behind, especially women, the wounded and old men. They were in shock and badly frighten, so they were prepared to leave immediately. Some feared a Japanese invasion.

Most women and children had already evacuated after Abbott gave an official order on 16 December 1941. The first group were board the Koolinda whilst troop carriers Zealandia, USS President Grant, Montoro and Koolama carried the rest. Others left by plane, road and train.

RAAF Based Attacked

The second began an hour later and lasted only 25 minutes. Heavy bombers attacked the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base at Parap.

Order was restored within a few days and the military defences were eventually rebuilt and strengthened.

Rumours alleged the Australian Government suppressed information about the bombings to maintain national morale during the war. The actual number of casualties was reduced in reports to the southern states.

The Japanese also launched 33 raids on other northern Australian towns, including Broome, Katherine, Wyndam, Derby and Port Hedland, where military and civilian lives were lost. Darwin was raided a further 63 times. The last occurred on 12 November 1943.

Sources

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[1] Lockwood, D, Australia Under Attack: The Bombing of Darwin-1942, New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd, Sydney, 2005, pp 20-23; 111

The copyright of the article The Bombing of Darwin in Australian History is owned by Carolyn M Cash. Permission to republish The Bombing of Darwin in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.