The bombing of Darwin was on the 19th of February 1942. The bombings occurred when four Japanese aircraft carriers (Akagi, Kaga, Hiryū and Sōryū) launched a total of 188 aircraft from a position in the Timor Sea.
The Japanese were preparing to invade Timor, and anticipated that an air attack would disturb Darwin's potential as a base from which the Allies could launch a counter-offensive, and at the same time would damage Australian morale.
Japan was trying to take over Timor and get all asian power. They found out the Darwin was helping Timor and though that Darwin would Counterstike against them. The Japanese bombed Darwin to get their attention to stop helping everyone in Timor and allow them to stop and take over.
The first raid by 188 aircraft caused massive damage to the town. They managed to sink 8 of the 45 ships in Darwin's harbour at the time.
While it was confirmed that only 4 Japanese planes were shot down by defenders of Darwin, 230-251 people were killed and around 350- 400 were wounded.
Japanese leaders then took on bombing areas like Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base area which was hidden in Darwin.
Although Darwin was bombed around 64 times by the Japanese forces it didn't stop them from attacking the north of Australia with raids on Katherine, Adelaide River, Batchelor Airfield, Broome, Wyndham, Townsville, Derby, Port Hedland and other smaller bases and town. This ended in 12th November 1943.
The attack in Broome occurred on the 3rd of March in 1942. A6M3 zero fighters attacked the town of Broome, in northern Western Australia. Broome was a small town but was very significant as it had multiple air bases and routes of escape for refugees and retreating military personnel following from an invasion of Java by Japan. At least 88 Allied civilians and military personnel were killed and 24 aircraft were lost. Broome was then again hit by the bombing on the 20th of march, the same day that Derby suffered its only raid.
Whilst Broome was being bombed, Wyndham was being attacked. eight Japanese fighters hit Wyndham and destroyed everything. People were left stranded and homeless. People were not allowed to return back to their homes until later years
The Japanese were preparing to invade Timor, and anticipated that an air attack would disturb Darwin's potential as a base from which the Allies could launch a counter-offensive, and at the same time would damage Australian morale.
Japan was trying to take over Timor and get all asian power. They found out the Darwin was helping Timor and though that Darwin would Counterstike against them. The Japanese bombed Darwin to get their attention to stop helping everyone in Timor and allow them to stop and take over.
The first raid by 188 aircraft caused massive damage to the town. They managed to sink 8 of the 45 ships in Darwin's harbour at the time.
While it was confirmed that only 4 Japanese planes were shot down by defenders of Darwin, 230-251 people were killed and around 350- 400 were wounded.
Japanese leaders then took on bombing areas like Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base area which was hidden in Darwin.
Although Darwin was bombed around 64 times by the Japanese forces it didn't stop them from attacking the north of Australia with raids on Katherine, Adelaide River, Batchelor Airfield, Broome, Wyndham, Townsville, Derby, Port Hedland and other smaller bases and town. This ended in 12th November 1943.
The attack in Broome occurred on the 3rd of March in 1942. A6M3 zero fighters attacked the town of Broome, in northern Western Australia. Broome was a small town but was very significant as it had multiple air bases and routes of escape for refugees and retreating military personnel following from an invasion of Java by Japan. At least 88 Allied civilians and military personnel were killed and 24 aircraft were lost. Broome was then again hit by the bombing on the 20th of march, the same day that Derby suffered its only raid.
Whilst Broome was being bombed, Wyndham was being attacked. eight Japanese fighters hit Wyndham and destroyed everything. People were left stranded and homeless. People were not allowed to return back to their homes until later years
This picture shows Japanese fighter planes ready to attack.