Bombing of Darwin


December 7, 1941

On 19 February 1942, Darwin, with a population of just 2000, experienced the heaviest single attack mounted by the Imperial Japanese Navy on the Australian mainland.

Four Japanese aircraft carriers (Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu and Soryu) launched a total of 188 Japanese aircraft from a position in the Timor Sea, seeking to destroy Darwin’s airfields before it attacked Timor. The aircraft inflicted heavy damage on Darwin and sank nine ships. Another raid carried out by 54 land-based bombers later the same day resulted in further damage to the town, RAAF Base Darwin and the destruction of 20 Allied aircraft.

236 people were killed in the attacks including Australians and Allied personnel, and 300-400 wounded, the majority of whom were Allied. Four Japanese aircraft were confirmed to have been destroyed.

This attack was followed by additional air raids on northern Australian towns. Moreover, the rapid advance of Japanese forces through Southeast Asia and the Pacific heightened the sense of vulnerability.

When the Japanese attacked Broome on 3 March 1942, 88 people were killed, including many Dutch refugees.

By November 1943(?), more northern Australian towns and locales, including Port Hedland, Derby, Katherine, Horn Island and Townsville, had all been attacked by Japanese forces.

Darwin art Honisett AWM
Darwin, 19 February 1942’ - Ray Honisett, 1984 [oil on canvas 122 x 182.8 cm]. (Source: AWM ART28520)