Remembering Darwin's defenders

Today, 84 years on from the bombing of Darwin, we honour those who bravely defended Australian soil and remember those who lost their lives.

On 19 February 1942, the skies above Darwin were darkened as more than 240 Japanese fighters and bombers attacked the town and its harbour in two air raids, overwhelming Darwin’s defences.

The Australian mainland had been attacked by Japanese forces for the very first time; a moment that changed our nation.

In 1942, Darwin was being used as a military base and transit point for forces being sent into the Pacific Theatre, including American military personnel, aircraft, and ships.

More than 250 people lost their lives, including members of each of Australia’s three armed services and merchant navy, some Australian civilians, and many American and Allied personnel and merchant seamen.

There were many stories of tremendous courage that day. Service personnel and civilians rescued survivors from sunken and burning ships, while doctors and nurses rushed to treat the wounded.

Two anti-aircraft gunners, Signalman Frederick Wombey and Gunner Wilbert Thomas Hudson, were each awarded the Military Medal for engaging Japanese aircraft at great personal risk. They were the first Australians to be awarded military decorations for actions in battle on Australian soil.

Darwin endured a further 62 Japanese air raids, with the last in November 1943, but it was the first two raids on 19 February 1942 that were most devastating. Other towns and areas were also targeted, with a total of 97 air raids across northern Australia during the Second World War.

The bombing of Darwin was the first in a series of attacks on Australian land and sea.

Today’s commemoration is a reminder of the deep impact on Australians when war comes to our shores.

I encourage all Australians to take a moment today to reflect on the bravery of those who defended Darwin and northern Australia during the Second World War and remember those whose lives were lost.

Lest we forget.

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