Darwin marks 66 years since bombing - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Airraid sirens were sounded, canons were fired and two FA18 hornets flew overhead at 9.58am as Darwin marked the 66th anniversary of the bombing by Japanese forces. The bombing was the first enemy attack on Australian soil, and the first of 64 that were to happen to Darwin over the next 18 months. More than 240 people were killed on that day, with another 400 injured. Today, around a thousand people braved torrential rain to attend a ceremony marking the occassion at the Cenotaph on the city's Esplanade. Wayne Southern, the vice-president of the Patriots motorcycle gang - whose members are all current or former servicemen - says the day means a lot to him. "Whether it be Anzac Day or Rememberance Day ... a simple memorial anywhere in the country is very emotional." The ceremony was preceeded by a commemoration of the role the United States played in defending Darwin in 1942, in particular the role played by the USS Peary. Ninety-one crew lost their lives when the ship was sunk in the harbour, the largest single loss of life during the attacks.
Military museum commemorates Darwin bombing - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) This week's commemoration of the bombing of Darwin during World War II has kicked off at East Point military museum. Hundreds of people have gathered at East Point to remember the largest attack on Australian soil in the country's military history. An estimated 240 people died on February 19, 1942, when Japanese warplanes bombed the Territory capital. Today activities included a formal ceremony, talks by local historians and performances and displays by the army and local Indigenous groups. The official anniversary of the bombing is on Tuesday.
Looking forward to heading up there in May and taking my youngest daughter with me. A trip to Adelaide River is planned for war grave and memorial photographs.(of course) There are 197 RAAF graves at the cemetery and 164 on the Northern Territory memorial. I will never get them all done in one day however I will give it a good try.
