The Darwin Bombing
Darwin Bombing – Liam Gist Draft
“Australia and New Zealand are now threatened by the might of the Imperial Japanese forces, and both of them should know that any resistance is futile” – Hideki Tojo, General of the Imperial Japanese Army.
World War 2 began in September 1939 and raged on until September 1945. During this period an almost entirely separate war was being waged, the war on the pacific. This war was the first time Australians had ever been attacked on Australian soil. The most devastating of these attacks was the bombing of Darwin. The bombing of Darwin by the Japanese left Australia in a state of unrest, due to fears of an invasion. The Japanese attacked Darwin by air, almost completely levelling Darwin, it took some time to …show more content…
The planes were sighted by a coast watcher on Melville Island about 45 minutes before the attack, but were dismissed as friendly aircraft and no warning was given. The first attack was concentrated on the harbour and communications, including the Post Office, Telegraph Office, Cable Office and the Postmaster's Residence, where postal workers were killed. The second attack was focused on the Royal Australian Air Force Base at Parap. The two raids resulted in at least 243 Australians and allies being killed, almost more 400 wounded, 20 military aircraft destroyed, 8 ships sunk, as well as most civil and military facilities demolished. However one ship narrowly managed to escape the destruction and chaos, the HMAS Manunda a hospital ship that moored in Fremantle eight days later. Due to the heavy loses Australia was unable to mount an effective counter …show more content…
The panic amongst the civilian population was matched by the bafflement at the RAAF base, where troops were being distributed in large numbers to other areas, there was wide spread looting and disorder. However, within a few months, Darwin had rebuilt and prepared a far more credible defence. Which grew to an organised response involving fighters, radar and searchlights. It continued to steadily grow to involve counter strikes by bombers, mainly manned by US forces. By the end of 1942, the tides had begun to turn and Japan started being driven back from the land they had invaded.
World War 2 was a time full of bloodshed and hardships, The Japanese raids on Darwin that left it crippled and fearing an invasion were no exception to this. However Darwin piece by piece pulled itself back together, rebuilt and the invasion never
“Australia and New Zealand are now threatened by the might of the Imperial Japanese forces, and both of them should know that any resistance is futile” – Hideki Tojo, General of the Imperial Japanese Army.
World War 2 began in September 1939 and raged on until September 1945. During this period an almost entirely separate war was being waged, the war on the pacific. This war was the first time Australians had ever been attacked on Australian soil. The most devastating of these attacks was the bombing of Darwin. The bombing of Darwin by the Japanese left Australia in a state of unrest, due to fears of an invasion. The Japanese attacked Darwin by air, almost completely levelling Darwin, it took some time to …show more content…
The planes were sighted by a coast watcher on Melville Island about 45 minutes before the attack, but were dismissed as friendly aircraft and no warning was given. The first attack was concentrated on the harbour and communications, including the Post Office, Telegraph Office, Cable Office and the Postmaster's Residence, where postal workers were killed. The second attack was focused on the Royal Australian Air Force Base at Parap. The two raids resulted in at least 243 Australians and allies being killed, almost more 400 wounded, 20 military aircraft destroyed, 8 ships sunk, as well as most civil and military facilities demolished. However one ship narrowly managed to escape the destruction and chaos, the HMAS Manunda a hospital ship that moored in Fremantle eight days later. Due to the heavy loses Australia was unable to mount an effective counter …show more content…
The panic amongst the civilian population was matched by the bafflement at the RAAF base, where troops were being distributed in large numbers to other areas, there was wide spread looting and disorder. However, within a few months, Darwin had rebuilt and prepared a far more credible defence. Which grew to an organised response involving fighters, radar and searchlights. It continued to steadily grow to involve counter strikes by bombers, mainly manned by US forces. By the end of 1942, the tides had begun to turn and Japan started being driven back from the land they had invaded.
World War 2 was a time full of bloodshed and hardships, The Japanese raids on Darwin that left it crippled and fearing an invasion were no exception to this. However Darwin piece by piece pulled itself back together, rebuilt and the invasion never