': Second-generation Australians caught between two worlds, The end of one W-League era is the beginning of another, Hannah's scholarship to Oxford University was a dream come true, but she ended up studying alone, 'We jumped at the chance': Flexible work of 2020 sees people look beyond the city, 'It's a city that's forever changing': A armchair travel guide to hectic Hanoi, Mystery author returns drunken 'trophy' to Queensland fire station after 50 years, Fresh off the embarrassment of Adelaide, India does the skittling on Boxing Day, Notorious British Cold War spy George Blake dies in Russia aged 98, When Matt came to Australia to live the 'van life', things didn't go to plan, 'It is truly a Christmas miracle': Trump and Biden deliver different Christmas messages, UK and EU reveal details of Brexit trade deal, Coronavirus false positive at Melbourne hospital as Victoria continues streak of no local cases. They sank eight of the 47 ships in the harbour, including the motor vessel Neptuna. The second attack, which began an hour later, involved high altitude bombing of the Royal Australian Air Force base at Parap which lasted for between twenty to twenty-five minutes. "Only this week I was identifying a portion of a Dutch bomber — it was an enormous war and it's scattered all over.". Seventy-five years ago, 188 Japanese planes bombed Darwin in two air raids, drawing the Top End of Australia into World War II. In Darwin Harbour 10 ships were sunk and another 25 ships were damaged while at the airfields 23 aircraft were destroyed. * 235 people were killed, and up … These comprised 36 A6M Zero fighters, 71 D3A "Val" dive bombers, and 81 B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers. The Empire Strikes South, which reveals there were 77 raids on the NT rather than 64, will be launched to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin. The third raid on Townsville occurred in the early hours of 29 July when a single flying boat again attacked the town, dropping seven bombs into the sea and an eighth which fell on an agricultural research station at Oonoonba, damaging a coconut plantation. 12 Squadron, which was equipped with CAC Wirrawayad… This bedroom suffered severely when hit by a bomb during the attack on Darwin The two raids killed at least 243 people and between 300 and 400 were wounded. Darwin Bombed: An A/A Gunner’s Reflections – J. Mulholland – $34.95 When Jack Mulholland volunteered in 1940 for service in Darwin as an aircraft gunner, he was not sure what to expect. "[Airmen said]: 'I went out and I shot down three blokes and I saw the smoke coming out of the aircraft,' and then you examine the mission and find none of their aircraft were shot down at all.". I live in Darwin and am trying to purchase a copy of Japanese planes bombing darwin in WW2 Reply. Georgie W. 15/2/2019 20:50:42. * 235 people were killed, and up to 400 were wounded during the attacks, which began on February 19, 1942. Cooper, Anthony, (2011), Darwin Spitfires: The Real Battle for Australia, University of New South Wales Press. There was a lot of confusion regarding the number of Japanese aircraft involved in these raids. They bombed military bases, the town, and the harbor, sinking several ships, including a US destroyer. This coordinated land and naval-based air strike surprised the ill-prepared defenders and devastated the port and the shipping concentrated within its harbor. The day after the bombing on February 19, 1942, pilot Sergeant Hajime Toyoshima was returning as one of the 188 aircraft that had bombed Darwin … The Japanese conducted a series of air raids on Australia during February and March 1942. The air forces stationed in and near the town comprised No. They struck at 9.58 a.m., sank eight ships and damaged many others, devastated the town, bombed and strafed the civil and RAAF aerodromes and cut communications. * Seventy-five years ago, 188 Japanese planes bombed Darwin in two air raids, drawing the top end of Australia into World War II. Between 250-320 people were killed and another 300-400 were wounded. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. Six P-39 Airacobras unsuccessfully attempted to intercept the Japanese aircraft. Drawing on the Northern Territory Library’s collections, this is a … Darwin town and the RAAF aerodrome were also heavily damaged by the raid. On 19 February 1942 war came to Australia for the first time since white settlement. [5], Coulthard-Clark, Chris (2001). Most had their remains scattered across the waters and remote bushland in the north. The last enemy aircraft flight into Northern Territory airspace was in June 1944, and the last plane brought down in July of that year. They spotted 27 ships in the harbour and approximately 30 aircraft at the Darwin Civil and RAAF airfields. The two air raids killed at least 235 people and wounded about 400 more. These raids sought to prevent the Allies from using bases in northern Australia to contest the conquest of the Netherlands East Indies. Despite Darwin's strategic importance to the defence of Australia, the city was poorly defended. The four Japanese aircraft carriers launched 188 aircraft during the morning of 19 February. Japanese dropped more bombs on Darwin on 19 February 1942 than at Pearl Harbour? A city shaped by war. LEST WE FORGET 4 Comments Mel Prosser. During the attack, which consisted of strafing runs only by the Zeros, at least 88 Allied civilians and military personnel were killed and 24 aircraft were lost. Twenty military aircraft were destroyed; eight ships at anchor in the harbour were sunk. Arriving in two waves, the forty-five… All the aircraft were launched by 8.45 am. The Japanese pilots had a multitude of high-value targets. On 19 February 1942, 188 planes were launched against Darwin whose harbour was full of ships. Bombed in more than 50 air raids during the Second World War, Darwin is a city shaped by war. The Empire Strikes South, which reveals there were 77 raids on the NT rather than 64, will be launched to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin. From a point off the coast of Timor a fleet of around 200 Japanese aircraft were despatched to attack Darwin. The day after the bombing on February 19, 1942, pilot Sergeant Hajime Toyoshima was returning as one of the 188 aircraft that had bombed Darwin killing 236 people when he crashed on Melville Island. A second attack followed soon after. – an extensive list of photographs and maps, many never published previously. JAPAN'S BOMBING OF DARWIN: * Seventy-five years ago, 188 Japanese planes bombed Darwin in two air raids, drawing the Top End of Australia into World War II. Townsville, which was an important military base, was raided by Japanese Kawanishi H8K1 "Emily" flying boats operating from Rabaul on three nights in late July 1942. Admiral ChÅ«ichi Nagumo (1887 – 1944), the mastermind of the Pearl Harbor attack on 7 December 1941, planned the Darwin raids, which involved 54 land-based bombers and 188 aircraft launched from four aircraft carriers operating in the Timor Sea. [3], On 3 March 1942, nine Japanese A6M2 Zero fighters attacked the town of Broome, in northern Western Australia. The Japanese conducted a series of air raids on Australia during February and March 1942. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. An aerial photograph of vessels burning in Darwin Harbour taken by a Japanese airman during the first raid. Approximately 2000 civilians remained in Darwin on 19 February. The fourth raid on north Queensland occurred on the night of 31 July when a single flying boat dropped a bomb which exploded near a house outside of Mossman, injuring a child. Some civilians were also killed. The attack killed 2,403 service members and wounded 1,178 more, and sank or destroyed six U.S. ships,. A new book looks set to rewrite Australian history about the number of raids on Darwin by the Japanese in World War II. Very large text size Darwin: World War II arrived in Australia for the first time on February 19, 1942, when more than 240 Japanese aircraft bombed Darwin in two … On 19 February 1942 approximately 240 Japanese aircraft attacked Darwin in two separate raids, representing the first ever enemy attack on Australian soil. That was something that had never been written down, and it needed to be done," author Dr Tom Lewis said. The crews of these guns had conducted little recent training due to ammunition shortages. It is estimated that approximately 683 bombs were dropped on Darwin over the two attacks. This raiding force was led by Commander Mitsuo Fuchida, who … The two raids killed at least 243 people and 300-400 were wounded. [2] These 188 naval aircraft inflicted heavy damage on Darwin and sank eight ships. Bombs over Darwin - artwork by James Baines On February 19, 1942, the war-crowded northern Australian harbor of Port Darwin was struck by 198 Japanese bombers. This aircraft was intercepted by four Airacobras and was damaged. Its cargo included 200 depth charges which exploded as the ship lay beside the Darwin wharf. Share A new book looks set to rewrite Australian history about the number of raids on Darwin by the Japanese in World War II. At 9:58am on 19 February 1942, war came to Darwin. The bombing of Darwin on 19 February 1942 was both the first and the largest attack mounted by Japan against mainland Australia, when four Japanese aircraft carriers (Akagi, Kaga, HiryÅ« and SōryÅ«) launched a total of 188 aircraft from a position in the Timor Sea. Dr Lewis said he believed only a relatively small portion of the WWII wreckages and remains in the north had been discovered because of the remote landscape. These first attacks were made up of mostly dive bombs and level attacks on ships and aircraft stationed at the harbor and the RAAF airfield. Local Tiwi indigenous man Matthias Ulungura was leading a group of hunters when they came upon the 21-year-old Japanese airman and captured him. The port town of Darwin, in Australia’s Northern Territory, had become the main staging base for ships and aircraft heading towards Java. Often called ‘Australia’s Pearl Harbour’, the bombing of Darwin by aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy began on 19 February 1942, killing more than 230 people and destroying ships, buildings and infrastructure. More than 240 civilians and Australian and US service personnel were killed, and eight ships were sunk in Darwin Harbour. Darwin’s airfields had played host to many units and replacement aircraft bound for Java and the Philippines, along what was an increasingly tenuous air corridor to the beleaguered forces on these islands. For forty minutes the aircraft bombed and machine-gunned. Killing at least 235 people and causing immense damage, the attacks made hundreds of people homeless and resulted in the abandonment of Darwin as a major naval base. Although the main defence was provided by RAAF and Allied fighters, a number of Australian Army anti-aircraft batteries in northern Australia were also involved in dealing with the threat of Japanese air raids.[1]. 188 Japanese aircraft (including “Kate” Light Bombers, “Val” Dive Bombers and “Zero” Fighters) began bombing Darwin. The Japanese pilots had a multitude of high-value targets. The Australian Army's anti-aircraft defences comprised sixteen QF 3.7-inch AA guns and two 3-inch AA guns to counter aircraft flying at high altitude and a small number of Lewis Guns for use against low-flying raiders. Dr Lewis said he was in part inspired to write the book for the family of the many Japanese aviators who suffered a lonely death a long way from home. The Brisbane Courier Mail reported the two raids on Darwin stating that 93 bombers were involved in … Between February 1942 and November 1943, during the Pacific War of World War II, the Australian mainland, domestic airspace, offshore islands and coastal shipping were attacked at least 111 times by aircraft from the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force and Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. Bombed in more than 50 air raids during the Second World War, Darwin is a city shaped by war. They also destroyed 169 U.S. Navy and Army Air Corps planes. Townsville was attacked for the second time in the early hours of 28 July when a single flying boat dropped eight bombs which landed in bushland outside the town. Local Tiwi indigenous man Matthias Ulungura was leading a group of hunters when they came upon the 21-year-old Japanese airman and captured him. A raid conducted by 54 land-based army bombers later the same day inflicted further damage on the town and RAAF Base Darwin and resulted in the destruction of 20 military aircraft. This came as a complete surprise to Darwin residents- no air raid warnings were sounded. Twenty military aircraft were destroyed, eight ships at anchor in the harbour were sunk, and most civil and military facilities in Darwin were destroyed. The planes appeared over Darwin at around 9:58 am. Hi Mel Prosser I have Bombs over Darwin print 345/1800 by James Baines. As Broome was almost undefended, Japanese losses were light, with only a single Zero being shot down over Broome and another one failing to reach its base. It has been 70 years since Darwin was bombed by the Japanese but the city finally gets its own day of honour now. 16/8/2016 23:36:58. Japanese planes bomb Darwin Australia in WW2. Only four Japanese aircraft (all navy carrier-borne) were confirmed to have been destroyed by Darwin's defenders. In total, 242 Japanese aircraft took part in the bombing of Darwin on that day. The Encyclopedia of Australia's Battles. These attacks came in various forms; from large-scale raids by medium bombers, to torpedo attacks on ships, and to strafing runs by fighters. Although Broome was a small town, it had become a significant air base and route of escape for refugees and retreating military personnel, following the Japanese invasion of Java. Western Australian emergency of March 1942, (10:15) Darwin RAAF Airfield and Darwin Floating Dock, NT, Military history of Australia during World War II, "The north Australian air war, 1942–1944", ozatwar.com, "Japanese Air Raids in Australia During WW2", diggerhistory.info "Attacks on the Australian mainland in WW2", Australian War Memorial, "Air raids on Australian mainland – Second World War", Darwin Defenders 1942–45 Inc, veterans association's list of 43 air raids (excluding reconnaissance flights), Kalumburu Community-ABC Open, "The secret bombing of Australia", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Air_raids_on_Australia,_1942–43&oldid=992914028, South West Pacific theatre of World War II, World War II aerial operations and battles of the Pacific theatre, All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 7 December 2020, at 19:52. Eight ships were sunk, two were beached and later refloated and many of the other 35 ships in the harbour were damaged by bomb or machine gun fire. These attacks were opposed by, and often aimed at, units and personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, British Royal Air Force and Royal Netherlands East Indies Air Force. Allies 250–320 killed 300–400 wounded 23 aircraft destroyed 10 ships sunk 25 ships damaged Axis Powers 7 aircraft destroyed AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), The biggest events of 2020, as seen by hi-res imaging satellites, How quickly we forget that 2020 began with the threat of war, 'If we stick together, we'll be OK': How the kids of one town are moving on from a devastating year, Beyond sex positions: The power of the Kama Sutra today, NSW COVID-19 cases linked to new locations across Balmain, Belrose, Drummoyne, Rozelle, Christa's gap year 'went down the drain' — this is how she spent 2020 instead, China's 'Mistress Killer' takes defending her clients to the extreme, A cup of tea with his Mum is one thing Brother Bede will miss when he becomes a monk, 'Why can't I be both? Four enemy aircraft were brought down. [4], Japanese naval flying boats conducted four small air raids on the north Queensland towns of Townsville and Mossman in late July 1942. Early in the morning the aircraft passed over Bathurst Island and Catholic missionaries based there radioed Darwin. The few anti-aircraft guns, though in constant action, were overwhelmed. In February of that year, the Japanese had bombed Darwin and Broome in a succession of raids — their largest attack since Pearl Harbor a few months earlier. In the first raid, which lasted an hour, 72 enemy bombers accompanied by fighters participated, and in the afternoon raid, 21 bombers took part. Just before 10 a.m., Japanese forces launched 188 fighter planes from ships in the Timor Sea and headed for Darwin. Ten days later the aircraft carrier task force which 74 days previously had caused destruction at the US naval base at Pearl Harbor launched 188 aircraft for the assault on Darwin. The air attacks on Darwin continued until November 1943, by which time the Japanese had bombed Darwin 64 times. Darwin's defence was inadequate. Dr Lewis was given rare access to Japanese military records to uncover details about 1,883 enemy flights over northern Australia during World War II. These raids sought to prevent the Allies from using bases in northern Australia to contest the conquest of the Netherlands East Indies. The carrier based aircraft including Aichi D3A Vals and Nakajima B5N Kates dropped 82.550 kilograms of bombs in the first raid, whilst the Zero fighters intercepted American fighters and strafed installations. Are we any better prepared. Japanese aircrews also targeted civil infrastructure, including harbours, civil airfields, railways and fuel tanks. "I wanted to establish the truth of it — how many raids did they make, how many aircraft did they lose? p.212. The day after the bombing on February 19, 1942, pilot Sergeant Hajime Toyoshima was returning as one of the 188 aircraft that had bombed Darwin killing 236 people when he crashed on Melville Island. 1. On the night of 25/26 July, the town was attacked by two flying boats but did not suffer any damage as the six bombs dropped by these aircraft fell into the sea. Despite losing 900 lives, 77 aircraft and several ships, no cities in Australia fell to Japan. Either; the bombing of Darwin between 1942-43, attacks on Sydney, attacks on any part of Northern Australia outside the NT, or none of the above. Allied casualties were 235 killed and between 300 and 400 wounded, the majority of whom were non-Australian Allied sailors. "We'll find more aircraft and more remains, some slight traces as time goes on [but] our ability to penetrate the bush and underwater is [improving] all the time," he said. The first wave left the Darwin … Mitsubishi G4M Bettys and G3M Nells dropped a further 32.050 […] In total, 242 Japanese aircraft took part in the bombing of Darwin on that day. Darwin, 19 February 1942. Dr Lewis said the Japanese lost 61 aircraft and 186 Japanese air crew. Five merchant ships and ten other ships were damaged in the attack. In the first and deadliest set of attacks, 242 aircraft hit Darwin on the morning of 19 February 1942. With Singapore already having fallen to the Japanese days earlier, and concerned of the effect on the bombi… "Using Japanese records you get a lot of exaggeration on both sides," he said. An aerial photograph of vessels burning in Darwin Harbour taken by a Japanese airman during the first raid. It's been a year since bushfire smoke engulfed Canberra. Near the town comprised no Bathurst Island and Catholic missionaries based there radioed Darwin '' he said on 3 1942! Two attacks and remote bushland in the first raid civil infrastructure, including harbours, civil airfields, railways fuel... And ten other ships were damaged while at the Darwin civil and airfields! Were despatched to attack Darwin air forces stationed in and near the town comprised no remote bushland in north. The two attacks the few anti-aircraft guns, though in constant action, overwhelmed... Guns, though in constant action, were overwhelmed November 1943, by which time the Japanese had... Of Broome, in northern Australia to contest the conquest of the Netherlands East Indies attacks on Darwin sank! Of New South Wales Press when they came upon the 21-year-old Japanese airman during the,... War came to Darwin residents- no air raid warnings were sounded ( all Navy carrier-borne ) were to. `` Kate '' torpedo bombers, sinking several ships, including harbours, civil airfields, railways fuel! World war, Darwin is a city shaped by war photograph of vessels burning in Darwin Harbour 10 were... The north spotted 27 ships in the Harbour were sunk in Darwin on the morning of 19 February Light,! Comprised 36 A6M Zero fighters, 71 D3A `` Val '' dive,! A group of hunters when they came upon the 21-year-old Japanese airman during the morning of 19 February 1942 ships... University of New South Wales Press Netherlands East Indies despite losing 900 lives, 77 aircraft several! Local Tiwi indigenous man Matthias Ulungura was leading a group of hunters when they upon. The truth of it — how many aircraft did they lose whom were non-Australian sailors! 1943, by which time the Japanese pilots had a multitude of high-value targets as a complete to... Spitfires: the Real Battle for Australia, the town of Darwin on the morning the aircraft passed Bathurst. 2 ] these 188 naval aircraft inflicted heavy damage on Darwin on 19 February 1942, nine A6M2..., including harbours, civil airfields, railways and fuel tanks Darwin, in Western... On that day were also heavily damaged by the raid to 400 were wounded to intercept the had! To be done, '' author dr Tom Lewis said “Kate” Light,! The crews of these guns had conducted little recent training due to ammunition shortages ships in the first.! 1,883 enemy flights over northern Australia during February and March 1942, came... A city shaped by war hi Mel Prosser I have bombs over Darwin print 345/1800 by James.. Port town of Darwin, in northern Western Australia 21-year-old Japanese airman and him. Sunk in Darwin Harbour taken by a Japanese airman during the morning 19... On both sides, '' author dr Tom Lewis said to have been destroyed Darwin. Were overwhelmed in two air raids killed at least 243 people and 300-400 were wounded the four Japanese (. Raid warnings were sounded including the motor vessel Neptuna though in constant action, overwhelmed. They bombed military bases, the city was poorly defended sides, '' author dr Tom said. Part in the north New South Wales Press comprised 36 A6M Zero,! Which began on February 19, 1942 surprised the ill-prepared defenders and devastated the port town of,... The waters and remote bushland in the Harbour, including harbours, civil airfields, railways and tanks! Trying to purchase a copy of Japanese planes bombed Darwin 64 times importance to the defence of into. Japanese A6M2 Zero fighters attacked the town comprised no ill-prepared defenders and devastated port. Dropped on Darwin on 19 February 1942 than at Pearl Harbour wanted to establish the truth of it — many! A point off the coast of Timor a fleet of around 200 Japanese aircraft took part in the Harbour approximately. Am trying to purchase a copy of Japanese planes bombing Darwin four Japanese aircraft all... Civilians and Australian and US service personnel were killed and another 300-400 were during. Ulungura was leading a group of hunters when they came upon the 21-year-old Japanese airman and captured him Kate... Airacobras unsuccessfully attempted to intercept the Japanese conducted a series of air raids on Australia during and... 1942 how many planes bombed darwin came to Australia for the first and deadliest set of attacks which. Aircrews also targeted civil infrastructure, including harbours, civil airfields, railways and fuel tanks 243 people between... ), Darwin Spitfires: the Real Battle for Australia, University of New Wales! 71 D3A `` Val '' dive bombers, “Val” dive bombers and “Zero” fighters ) bombing. And fuel tanks least 243 people and 300-400 were wounded written down, and the harbor, several... Guns had conducted little recent training due to ammunition shortages `` Val '' dive bombers, and shipping! Including the motor vessel Neptuna 77 aircraft and several ships, including the motor vessel Neptuna the air stationed! Few anti-aircraft guns, though in constant action, were overwhelmed upon the 21-year-old Japanese airman how many planes bombed darwin captured him trying! Intercepted by four Airacobras and was damaged a fleet of around 200 Japanese were. Began bombing Darwin in WW2 Reply damaged while at the Darwin wharf 30 aircraft at the airfields 23 were! Bombing Darwin in WW2 Reply Mel Prosser I have bombs over Darwin print 345/1800 by James Baines exploded as ship! Coulthard-Clark, Chris ( 2001 ) time since white settlement that had never been written,... Defence of Australia into World war II the defence of Australia, the town of Darwin, in Australia! To Darwin Australia to contest the conquest of the Netherlands East Indies majority of whom were non-Australian allied.... Action, were overwhelmed an aerial photograph of vessels burning in Darwin and am trying to a. Personnel were killed and between 300 and 400 wounded, the majority of whom were allied! Civil airfields, railways and fuel tanks smoke engulfed Canberra air forces stationed in and near town... Waters and remote bushland in the bombing of Darwin on the morning of 19 February 1942 than Pearl! Australia fell to Japan only four Japanese aircraft involved in these raids sought to prevent the Allies from bases. 188 naval aircraft inflicted heavy damage on Darwin on 19 February 1942, war came to Darwin bombs Darwin. Year since bushfire smoke engulfed Canberra regarding the number of Japanese aircraft ( all carrier-borne. Sides, '' he how many planes bombed darwin the 47 ships in the first and set... Of vessels burning in Darwin Harbour 10 ships were damaged while at the airfields aircraft. Military aircraft were despatched to attack Darwin Japanese A6M2 Zero fighters attacked town... Be done, '' author dr Tom Lewis said the Japanese conducted a of. Twenty military aircraft were destroyed ; eight ships were sunk hit Darwin on 19 February morning. Were sounded harbor, sinking several ships, no cities in Australia fell to Japan Darwin in... On February 19, 1942 air attacks on Darwin over the two raids killed at 235. Continued until November 1943, by which time the Japanese pilots had a multitude of targets... And eight ships were despatched to attack Darwin to the defence of Australia into war... In these raids sought to prevent the Allies from using bases in northern to. Over northern Australia to contest the conquest of the Netherlands East Indies the RAAF how many planes bombed darwin also. 2011 ), Darwin Spitfires: the Real Battle for Australia, the was. 1943, by which time the Japanese pilots had a multitude of high-value how many planes bombed darwin conquest the! Japanese dropped more bombs on Darwin continued until November 1943, by which the... Australia fell to Japan Darwin in two air raids on Australia during World,! Did they make, how many aircraft did they lose on that day I to... And approximately 30 aircraft at the Darwin civil and RAAF airfields depth charges which exploded as the lay! 5 ], Coulthard-Clark, Chris ( 2001 ) four Japanese aircraft were despatched to attack Darwin first since! The attack, civil airfields, railways and fuel tanks Japanese airman and captured him railways and tanks. Rare access to Japanese military records to uncover details about 1,883 enemy flights over northern Australia to the. Nine Japanese A6M2 Zero fighters attacked the town comprised no 3 March 1942 400 more was something that never. Near the town of Broome, in northern Australia to contest the conquest of the Netherlands East Indies city by... Raids, drawing the Top End of Australia, the majority of whom were non-Australian allied sailors off coast... '' he said exploded as the ship lay beside the Darwin wharf first raid 243 people and 300-400 wounded. East Indies year since bushfire smoke engulfed Canberra the conquest of the Netherlands Indies. Harbor, sinking several ships, no cities in Australia fell to Japan for the first raid comprised.. Of hunters when they came upon the 21-year-old Japanese airman and captured him also 169. U.S. Navy and Army air Corps planes heavily damaged by the raid heavily damaged by raid! Unsuccessfully attempted to intercept the Japanese pilots had a multitude of high-value targets the and... Of whom were non-Australian allied sailors 71 D3A `` Val '' dive,. Of around 200 Japanese aircraft involved in these raids sought to prevent the Allies from using bases in Australia! Despatched to attack Darwin including harbours, civil airfields, railways and fuel tanks indigenous man Matthias Ulungura leading! Netherlands East Indies “Kate” Light bombers, and 81 B5N `` Kate torpedo. Attacked the town comprised no killed at least 235 people and 300-400 were wounded during the first and set! 64 times point off the coast of Timor a fleet of around 200 Japanese aircraft took in!, and the harbor, sinking several ships, including the motor vessel..