There were many significant events leading up to the Bombing in Darwin in 1942.
- 7th December 1941: Aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy conduct a surprise attack against the US Navy base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii
- 10th December 1941: British Warships, Prince of Wales and Repulse ( Second World War Naval ships) are attacked and destroyed off Malaya near Kuantan Pahang, Singapore
- 16th December 1941: Evacuation of non- essential civilian women and children from Darwin were ordered. to move. By the 18th more than 2,000 people were evacuated. During this year there population was around 5,000
- 15th February 1942: British military stronghold of Singapore falls due to the Japanese forces. Japanese prepare to invade Timor. Allied ships leave Darwin to reinforce Timor. Japanese naval task forces being sailing between Darwin and Timor and plan air attacks to neutralise Darwin.
- 16th February 1942: Heavy air attacks forced the allied ships to turn back and return to Darwin.
- 18th February 1942: The allied ships arrive back in Darwin.
- 19th February 1942 8:00 am: Japanese aircraft which included 36 zero fighters, 71 dive bombers and 81 level bomber commence their mission in bombing Darwin.
- 9:15 am: Japanese aircraft's are seen over Melville and Bathurst Islands. Warnings are sent by wireless but are misinterpreted and ignored. Some were not recieved. Allied aircraft's are attacked and Bathurst islands airstrip is attacked.
- 9:58 am: Japanese aircraft drop the first bombs and commence their attack on Darwin's Harbour and all surroundings.
- 12 Noon: The second wave of the Japanese bombings. 54 bombers attack the Darwin Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base area.
- 3rd March 1942: nine Japanese A6M3 zero fighters attacked the town of Broome, in northern Western Australia.
From Then on until November, attacks were still held. Not only in Darwin but more places all around the Top of Australia.
-12 November 1943: The attacks on Darwin and many other places stopped.
- 7th December 1941: Aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy conduct a surprise attack against the US Navy base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii
- 10th December 1941: British Warships, Prince of Wales and Repulse ( Second World War Naval ships) are attacked and destroyed off Malaya near Kuantan Pahang, Singapore
- 16th December 1941: Evacuation of non- essential civilian women and children from Darwin were ordered. to move. By the 18th more than 2,000 people were evacuated. During this year there population was around 5,000
- 15th February 1942: British military stronghold of Singapore falls due to the Japanese forces. Japanese prepare to invade Timor. Allied ships leave Darwin to reinforce Timor. Japanese naval task forces being sailing between Darwin and Timor and plan air attacks to neutralise Darwin.
- 16th February 1942: Heavy air attacks forced the allied ships to turn back and return to Darwin.
- 18th February 1942: The allied ships arrive back in Darwin.
- 19th February 1942 8:00 am: Japanese aircraft which included 36 zero fighters, 71 dive bombers and 81 level bomber commence their mission in bombing Darwin.
- 9:15 am: Japanese aircraft's are seen over Melville and Bathurst Islands. Warnings are sent by wireless but are misinterpreted and ignored. Some were not recieved. Allied aircraft's are attacked and Bathurst islands airstrip is attacked.
- 9:58 am: Japanese aircraft drop the first bombs and commence their attack on Darwin's Harbour and all surroundings.
- 12 Noon: The second wave of the Japanese bombings. 54 bombers attack the Darwin Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base area.
- 3rd March 1942: nine Japanese A6M3 zero fighters attacked the town of Broome, in northern Western Australia.
From Then on until November, attacks were still held. Not only in Darwin but more places all around the Top of Australia.
-12 November 1943: The attacks on Darwin and many other places stopped.
Here is a painting on the bombings.