Darwin, 22nd June, 2022

THE DAY THE WAR CAME TO AUSTRALIA

19th February, 1942. 

Japanese Plan of Attack.

The Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbour and Darwin have often been compared and in forms of their impact on each nation. There is no doubt that there are similarities. Neither the United States nor Australia believed that they would be attacked and the resulting nationwide shock brought home the truth of the Japanese threat in the Pacific. The Japanese raids continued across the Top End of the Northern Territory for a further 20 months. There was further infrastructure damage and loss of life during these months, but it was nothing like that of 19th February. In this date more than 188 Japanese aircraft bombed Darwin’s harbour and airfields in two separate raids. This was the first and largest attacks on Australian soil.

This shows the ships in the Darwin harbour on the day the Japanese brought the War to Australian soils on 19th February, 1942

Subsequent Air Raids.

While much of damage occurred during the first raids on Darwin,  a number of buildings and other infrastructure damage on the 19th February were actually damaged or destroyed  over the following 20months. Darwin was not the only Northern Territory location that was targeted. Raids were recorded over Katherine, Adelaide River, Milingimbi and Batchelor. Many of those places we went to. Also they went as far as Broome and Derby in Western Australia.

I loved this little story about Gunner.

Gunner was a male Kelpie dog who became famous for his reliability to alert allied airmen that the Japanese aircraft were approaching Darwin during this time. His action undoubtedly saved lives.

This morning got a Uber out to the Darwin Military Museum - Defence of Darwin Experience out at East Point.

Darwin Military Museum is an interactive experience that will tell the story of the day the War came to Darwin.

Note the tree that has grown up through the old truck.

9.2” Gun Emplacement.

 

East Point Peninsular is a historic Military  Base which includes over 40 Military structures used to protect the entrance to the Darwin Harbour.

Above and below I’m down under the above Gun Emplacement. All very interesting to see the space they had down there.

We even went down another level.

Naval Searchlight.

Searchlights of this type were used to spot the enemy ships so they could be targeted by the above shore gun. Note how it reflects PT and myself as been upside down.!!

There were rooms, sheds etc displaying so much military equipment. 

1939 Chevrolet  Blitz General Service Truck.

                                                                                    

Official - Japan Surrenders.

Emperor to give Cease - Fire

Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies.

           

 

We have now walked out on the coast at East Point. Quite exposed after the sheltered downtown harbour.

Beautiful colour of the sea. Especially after all the muddy coloured rivers we have seen over our trip.

East Point with some different military structures still intact.

Another Gun Emplacement looking straight out to sea over the above bay.

A close up of the above. Very interesting morning reading up Information and watching a large screen film showing the day the Japanese arrived to destroy Darwin.

Called another Ubur to take us to a place called Cullen Bay. What a great area, large boat marina and many restaurants. Had a wander around this area before taking the 40min walk back to our apartment. Above is one of the car parks to the area.

From the car pack walking over this grass area looking out of Cullen bay. Beautiful colour water.

The main street through town.

Looking down the road the other way.

Now for a stroll around the marina.

Leaving this very upmarket area walking about 2.8kms back to our apartment.  It felt like it was becoming a very long morning. Energy levels were getting low. In fact we covered 5.8kms for the morning.

This road we started our walk back to the city is called Marine Boulevard. Pretty flash places lots of high rise apartments looking over the marina on the other side.

Finally arrived back to our digs about 1.00pm after leaving at 8.00am. Spending just short of two hours walking around the Military Museum, then our walk back to the city from Cullen Bay we had lunch then straight up to the pool for a nice cool swim. Very enjoyable.