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Bombing of Darwin Commemoration 1998

19 February 1998

Chief Minister Shane Stone addressing those present in the main Hall of the Legislative Assembly Darwin. The Bombing of Darwin commenced 19 February 1942. 188 Japanese planes were launched against Darwin, whose harbour was full of Allied ships. It was the largest Japanese attack since Pearl Harbour and followed a reconnaissance flight by the Japanese on 10 February 1942. On that day there were 27 Allied ships in the harbour and approximately 30 aircraft at the Darwin Civil and RAAF airfields. During the Second World War, the Japanese flew 64 raids on Darwin and 33 raids on other targets in Northern Australia. From the first raid on 19 February 1942 until the last on 12 November 1943, Australia and its allies lost about 900 people, 77 aircraft and several ships. Many military and civilian facilities were destroyed. The Japanese lost about 131 aircraft in total during the attacks. Local sources estimated that between 900 and 1100 people were killed. For many years, government censorship limited coverage of the event to protect public morale in the southern states of Australia. The CLP Government of Chief Minister Marshall Perron determined to publicly and officially acknowledge what had occurred and the first commemorations were held 1992 to mark the Battle of Darwin 50 years on.

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