Darwin: The Forgotten Battle

Published on February 19, 2012 by The Editor · No Comments

The Wowster looks at ‘Pearl Harbour’ of the forgotten battle

The attack on Pearl Harbour as was forecast at the time has gone down as a date that will live in infamy.

Yet a similar, cowardly attack on Darwin by Japanese bombers 70 years ago has become the forgotten battle despite a similar, disastrous outcome.

It happened in February 1942, only 10 weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbour by the same Japanese force yet it only merits two pages in the official history of the Australian Army in World War 2.

Hundreds died and many allied ships were sunk but as it happened only thee months after Pearl Harbour it was overshadowed. Also communications were very slow.

Still it was as relatively lethal as Pearl Harbour as the Japanese bombs left eight ships and 22 aircraft destroyed with around 250 people killed.

One of the reasons for the low key memory may have been the behaviour of Northern Territories Administrator who joined in the looting after the bombing. Alongside that was the awkward questions about defences and there was an attempt to hush it up.

Still the assault also had its heroes, especially the Australian gunners who died facing tremendous odds. If for no other reason, the battle deserves a more honourable remembrance.

Colour films of the battle itself

The Wowster is the pen name of Nathan Goldberg, wowdewow publisher and founder.

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