Bombing of Darwin: 77th Anniversary

The Bombing of Darwin, on 19th February 1942, was a critical moment in the war against Japan. For the first time Japanese forces, who for two months had been advancing southwards, attacked the Australian mainland.

At 9.58 a.m., on the 19th of February 1942, Darwin's residents were going about their morning business when more than 130 Japanese aircraft - bombers, dive-bombers and fighters - flew across the harbour and began their attack.

Despite the courageous efforts of many like Gunner Hudson, Darwin was devastated that morning. The Japanese mounted two raids. The first concentrated on the harbour and town, where bombs hit the local post office and hospital. At the Post Office a bomb landed in the trench where nine civilians, including the postmaster, First World War veteran Hurtle Bald, and his family were sheltering, killing them all. In the harbour, where 47 ships were anchored or docked, eight were sunk in the harbour along with another two outside Darwin. Ten others were damaged.