Remembering our defence of Darwin

Published:
Monday, 21 February 2022 at 5:07 am
Three soldiers in a trench aiming a firearm

It’s 80 years since the raid on Darwin by Imperial Japan – the first ever attack by an enemy on Australian soil. 

On 19 February 1942 an estimated 900 people were killed, many hundreds injured, eight ships in the harbour were sunk, 15 were damaged and 23 aircraft were destroyed in the devastating attack by 242 Japanese aircraft. 

In the following months, a further 64 bombing raids rocked Darwin, targeting airfields, rail yards and navy yards, but also hitting civilian targets such as banks, shops and hotels. 

On Saturday 19 February 2022 the Darwin Defenders Association commemorated the 200,000 Australians who served in the defence of Darwin during the Second World War, and those who lost their lives, with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance. 

The Victorian Veterans Council provided $5,793 through the Victoria Remembers Grant program to support the delivery of this commemoration.  

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