View source for Bombing of Darwin

{{Short description|1942 Japanese attack on Australia in WWII}}
{{About|the first and largest air raid on 19 February 1942|the major raid of May 1943|Raid on Darwin (2 May 1943)|other air raids on Darwin|Air raids on Australia, 1942–43}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = Bombing of Darwin
| partof            = the [[Pacific War]]
| image             = Darwin 42.jpg
| image_size        = 300px
| caption           = The explosion of {{MV|Neptuna}}, filled with TNT and ammunition, hit during the first Japanese air raid on Australia's mainland, at Darwin on 19 February 1942. In the foreground is {{HMAS|Deloraine}}, which escaped damage.
| date              = {{start date and age|1942|02|19|df=yes}}
| place             = [[Darwin, Northern Territory]], Australia
| map_type          = Northern Territory#Australia#Pacific Ocean
| map_relief        = 1
| map_size          = 300
| result            = Japanese victory
| combatant1        = {{flag|Australia}}<br />{{flag|United States|1912}}
| combatant2        = {{flagcountry|Empire of Japan}}
| commander1        = {{nowrap|{{flagicon|Australia}} [[David Blake (general)|David V. J. Blake]]}}<br />{{nowrap|{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Frederick Scherger]]}}
| commander2        = {{flagicon|Empire of Japan}} [[Chūichi Nagumo|Chuichi Nagumo]]<br /> {{flagicon|Empire of Japan}} [[Mitsuo Fuchida]]
| strength1         = 31 aircraft<br />18 antiaircraft guns<br />1 destroyer<br />1 seaplane tender<br />2 sloops<br />4 minesweepers/corvettes<br />4 boom defence vessels<br />9 merchant ships/transports<br />1 hospital ship<br />23 auxiliary vessels<br />12 pearling luggers
| strength2         = 242 aircraft (188 carrier-based aircraft; 54 land-based medium bomber aircraft)<br />4 aircraft carriers<br />2 heavy cruisers<br />1 light cruiser<br />7 destroyers<br />3 submarines
| casualties1       = 236 killed<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Summary of Roll of Honour |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |date=19 February 1942 |access-date=26 September 2013 |archive-date=20 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220134644/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod |url-status=dead }}</ref><br />300–400 wounded<br />30 aircraft destroyed<ref name="ReferenceA"/><br />11 vessels sunk<br />3 vessels grounded<br />25 ships damaged
| casualties2       = Four carrier aircraft lost<br />2 killed<ref name="ReferenceB">Takezo Uchikado and Katsuyoshi Tsuru were killed when their Val dive bomber crashed near Darwin. Hajime Toyoshima was taken prisoner when his Zero crashed on Bathurst Island. The Zero of Yoshio Egawa and the Val dive bomber of Takeshi Yamada and Kinji Funazaki, ditched upon returning to the carriers.</ref><br />[[Hajime Toyoshima|1 POW]]<br />34 carrier aircraft damaged<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
| coordinates       = {{Coord|12|28|30|S|130|51|00|E|type:event|display=inline,title}}
| campaignbox       = {{Axis naval attacks on Australia}}
{{Campaignbox South West Pacific}}
}}

The '''Bombing of Darwin''', also known as the '''Battle of Darwin''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-17/bombing-of-darwin-anniversary-special-coverage/3834410 |title=Bombing of Darwin: 70 years on – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |publisher=Abc.net.au |date=8 February 2016}}</ref> on 19 February 1942 was the largest single attack ever mounted by a foreign power on Australia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/community/things-to-do/community-celebrations/bombing-of-darwin |title=Bombing of Darwin |date=2023 |website=City of Darwin |access-date=17 February 2023}}</ref> On that day, 242 [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] aircraft, in two separate raids, attacked the town, ships in [[Darwin Harbour]] and the town's two airfields in an attempt to prevent the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] from using them as bases to contest the [[Battle of Timor|invasion of Timor]] and [[Battle of Java (1942)|Java]] during [[World War II]].

[[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] was lightly defended relative to the size of the attack, and the Japanese inflicted heavy losses upon Allied forces at little cost to themselves. The urban areas of Darwin also suffered some damage from the raids and there were a number of civilian casualties. More than half of Darwin's civilian population left the area permanently, before or immediately after the attack.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs195.aspx |title=The bombing of Darwin – Fact sheet 195 – National Archives of Australia |publisher=Naa.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426095549/http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs195.aspx |archive-date=26 April 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Grose_2"/>

The two Japanese air raids were the first, and largest, of more than 100 [[Air raids on Australia, 1942–1943|air raids against Australia during 1942–1943]]. The event happened just four days after the [[Fall of Singapore]], when a combined Commonwealth force surrendered to the Japanese, the largest surrender in British history.

{{TOC limit|2}}

==Background==
{{Main|Military history of Australia during World War II|Military history of Japan#Shōwa era and World War II (1926–1945)|l2=Military history of Japan during World War II}}

In 1942, Darwin—the capital of the [[Northern Territory]]—was a small town with limited civil and military infrastructure. Due to its strategic position in northern Australia, the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN) and [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF) had constructed bases near the town in the 1930s and the early years of [[World War II]].<ref name="AWM_Bombing of Darwin">{{cite web|title=Bombing of Darwin|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/event_59.asp|work=War history|publisher=Australian War Memorial|access-date=22 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Forster|first=Pat|title=Fixed Naval Defences in Darwin Harbour 1939–1945|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/Fixed_Naval_Defences_in_Darwin_Harbour_1939_-_1945|publisher=Royal Australian Navy|access-date=22 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107024319/http://www.navy.gov.au/Fixed_Naval_Defences_in_Darwin_Harbour_1939_-_1945|archive-date=7 January 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Darwin's pre-war population was 5,800.<ref name="Grose_2">Grose (2009), p. 2</ref>

As early as August 1941, Darwin had been a key in the [[South Pacific air ferry route in World War II|South Pacific air ferry route]] designed to avoid routes through the [[South Pacific Mandate|Japanese mandate]] in the central Pacific for bomber reinforcement of the Philippines. The first flight to use the route occurred when nine [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress|B-17D]] bombers of the [[14th Bombardment Squadron|14th Bombardment Squadron (H)]] left Hawaii on 5 September and passed through Darwin 10–12 September. By October 1941, plans were underway to position fuel and supplies with two ships, including {{USAT|Don Esteban}}, being chartered and actively engaged in that purpose when war came. By November 1941 Australia had agreed to allow the establishment of training bases, maintenance facilities, munitions storage, communications, and improvement of airfields, including at Darwin, to meet the needs of the B-17 bombers in Australia.{{sfn|Matloff|Snell|1999|pp=70–71}}{{sfn|Craven|Leagate|1983|pp=178–179}}

Following the outbreak of the [[Pacific War]] in early December 1941, Darwin's defences were strengthened. In line with plans developed before the war, several [[Australian Army]] and RAAF units stationed in the town were sent to the [[Netherlands East Indies]] (Dutch East Indies; NEI) to strengthen the defences of the islands of [[Ambon Island|Ambon]] and [[Timor]].<ref name="AWM_Bombing of Darwin" /><ref>Grose (2009), pp. 52–53</ref> An improvised plan for support of the Philippines and the Dutch East Indies was completed in Washington on 20 December 1941 by the U.S. Army General Staff. It envisioned Darwin as the hub of transshipment efforts to supply those forces by landing supplies at Brisbane, shipping overland to Darwin, and onward by air and [[blockade runner|blockade-running]] ships.{{sfn|Leighton|Coakley|1995|pp=166–167}} In reality, transport to Darwin by sea was necessary. Supplies and shipping intended both to build the Darwin base and to support the Java and Philippine forces were gathered in Darwin and the vicinity.{{sfn|Leighton|Coakley|1995|pp=168, 170}} In the two months before the air raids, all but 2,000 civilians were evacuated from the town.<ref name="Grose_2" /> Japanese submarines [[I-121 class submarine|''I-121'' and ''I-123'']] laid mines off Darwin in January 1942.<ref name="Hiromi"/>

By mid-February 1942, Darwin had become an important Allied base for the defence of the NEI.<ref name=Stanley_2002>{{cite web|last=Stanley|first=Peter|title=The bombing of Darwin, 19 February 1942|year=2002|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/remembering1942/darwin/transcript.asp|work=Remembering 1942|publisher=Australian War Memorial|access-date=22 January 2012}}</ref> The Japanese had captured Ambon, [[Borneo]], and [[Sulawesi|Celebes]] between December 1941 and early-February 1942. Landings on Timor were scheduled for 20 February, and an invasion of [[Java]] was planned to take place shortly afterwards. In order to protect these landings from Allied interference, the Japanese military command decided to conduct a major air raid on Darwin.<ref name="Coulthard-Clark_204">Coulthard-Clark (2001), p. 204</ref><ref name="Grose_71">Grose (2009), p. 71</ref> On 10 February a Japanese reconnaissance aircraft overflew the town, and identified an [[aircraft carrier]] (actually the seaplane tender {{USS|Langley|CV-1|6}}), five [[destroyer]]s, and 21 merchant ships in Darwin Harbour, as well as 30 aircraft at the town's two airfields.<ref name="Grose_72">Grose (2009), p. 72</ref>

Among the ships in harbour were those returned the morning before the attack from the [[USS Houston (CA-30)#Timor Convoy|convoy]] escorted by {{USS|Houston|CA-30|6}} involved in the failed effort to reinforce Timor.{{sfn|Office of Naval Intelligence|1943|pp=36–37}} ''Houston'' had departed for Java but left ''Mauna Loa'' and the ''Meigs'' which had attempted to transport Australian troops to Timor and the U.S. Army transports ''Portmar'' and ''Tulagi'' which had embarked a U.S. infantry regiment at Darwin.{{sfn|Office of Naval Intelligence|1943|pp=36–37}}{{sfn|Masterson|1949|p=26}}

==Prelude==

===Opposing forces===

Despite Darwin's strategic importance to the defence of Australia, the city was poorly defended. The Australian Army's anti-aircraft defences comprised sixteen [[QF 3.7-inch AA gun]]s and two 3-inch AA guns to counter aircraft flying at high altitude and a small number of [[Lewis Gun]]s for use against low-flying raiders. The crews of these guns had conducted little recent training due to ammunition shortages.<ref>Grose (2009), pp. 49–50</ref> The air forces stationed in and near the town comprised [[No. 12 Squadron RAAF|No. 12 Squadron]], which was equipped with [[CAC Wirraway]] advanced trainers (which had been pressed into service as fighters), and [[No. 13 Squadron RAAF|No. 13 Squadron]] which operated [[Lockheed Hudson]] light bombers.<ref>Grose (2009), p. 51</ref> Six Hudsons, 3 from [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF|No. 2 Squadron]] and 3 from [[No. 13 Squadron RAAF|No. 13 Squadron]], also arrived at Darwin on 19 February after having been evacuated from Timor. None of the six Wirraways at Darwin on the day of the raid were serviceable.<ref name=Coulthard-Clark_204 /> At the time of the event, there was no functional [[radar]] to provide early warning of air raids, and the town's civil defences were dysfunctional.<ref name="Grose_81">Grose (2009), p. 81</ref> The Lowe Commission, led by Victorian judge [[Charles Lowe (judge)|Charles Lowe]] and appointed to investigate the raids shortly after they occurred, was informed that the Australian military estimated that Darwin would have needed 36 heavy anti-aircraft guns and 250 [[fighter aircraft]] to defend it against a raid of the scale which occurred on 19 February.<ref>Grose (2009), pp. 47–48</ref> In addition to the Australian forces, ten [[United States Army Air Forces]] (USAAF) [[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk]]s were passing through Darwin en route to Java on the day of the attack.<ref name=Coulthard-Clark_204 /> The P-40 pilots were largely inexperienced in combat.<ref>Lewis and Ingman (2013), ch. 7</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="float:;"
|-
|+'''Warships & merchant vessels in Darwin harbour on 19 February 1942'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/22982358?q&versionId=27873619 |title=War diary, Darwin Naval Base. – Version details – Trove |publisher=Trove.nla.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014}} Table based on AWM78: 400/2 Darwin Naval Base (HMAS MELVILLE): Reports of Proceedings [war diary] Lewis and Ingman cite several other vessels, including the ''Karalee'', a naval tanker.</ref>
!!! Tons !! Ship name !! Comment !! Deaths
|-
|1 || 9155 || [[Manunda|HMAHS ''Manunda'']] || [[Hospital ship]] || 12
|-
|2 || 7358 || {{USAT|Meigs}} || [[List of ships of the United States Army#Transport ships|Freight transport]], sunk || 1
|-
|3 || 6891 || {{MV|British Motorist|1924|6}} || [[Oil tanker|Tanker]], sunk || 2
|-
|4 || 6683 || {{SS|Zealandia|1910|6}} || [[Troopship]], sunk || 2
|-
|5 || 5952 || {{MV|Neptuna}} || Freight transport, sunk || 36
|-
|6 || 5551 || {{SS|Portmar|1919|6}} || Freight transport, beached, refloated 6 April || 1
|-
|7 || 5436 || [[SS Mauna Loa|USAT ''Mauna Loa'']] || Freight transport, sunk || 
|-
|8 || 4265 || {{SS|Barossa}}|| Freight transport, beached, refloated 17 April || 
|-
|9 || 3476 || {{HMAS|Platypus|1917|6}} || [[Depot ship]] || 
|-
|10 || 3289 || {{SS|Admiral Halstead||6}} || Freight transport, 14,000 drums aviation gasoline, damaged<ref>{{cite book |last1=Office Of Naval Intelligence |year=1943 |title=The Java Sea Campaign |series=Combat Narratives |location=Washington, DC |publisher= United States Navy |lccn=2009397493 |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/j/java-sea-campaign.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626114817/http://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/j/java-sea-campaign.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 June 2015 |access-date=2 May 2020}}</ref> || 
|-
|11 || 2281 || {{MV|Tulagi}} || Freight transport, beached, refloated 20 February || 
|-
|12 || 1849 || [[Kelat (1881)|''Kelat'']] || [[Hulk (ship type)#Hulks used for storage|Coal hulk]], sunk 24 February || 
|-
|13 || 1308 || {{USS|William B. Preston|DD-344|6}} || [[Seaplane tender]], damaged || 14
|-
|14 || 1190 || {{USS|Peary|DD-226|6}}  || [[Destroyer]], sunk || 88
|-
|15 || 1060 || {{HMAS|Swan|U74|6}} || [[Sloop-of-war|Sloop]] || 3
|-
|16 || 1060 || {{HMAS|Warrego|U73|6}} || Sloop || 
|-
|17 || 1000 || [[1000-ton Floating Dock|''Floating Dock (AD 1001)'']] || [[Dry dock#Floating|Floating dock]] || 
|-
|18 || 815 || {{HMAS|Deloraine}} || [[Minesweeper]] || 
|-
|19 || 815 || {{HMAS|Katoomba}} || Minesweeper || 
|-
|20 || 815 || {{HMAS|Townsville|J205|6}} || Minesweeper || 
|-
|21 || 815 || {{HMAS|Warrnambool|J202|6}} || Minesweeper || 
|-
|22 || 768 || {{HMAS|Kangaroo}} || [[Boom (navigational barrier)|Boom Defence Vessel]] || 1
|-
|23 || 768 || {{HMAS|Karangi}} || Boom Defence Vessel || 
|-
|24 || 768 || {{HMAS|Koala}} || Boom Defence Vessel || 
|-
|25 || 553 || {{HMAS|Kookaburra}} || Boom Defence Vessel || 
|-
|26 || 550 || [[500-ton Oil Fuel Lighter|''Oil Fuel Lighter No 1'']] || [[Lighter (barge)|Lighter]] || 
|-
|27 || 525 || {{HMAS|Kara Kara}} || Boom Gate Vessel || 2
|-
|28 || 480 || {{HMAS|Gunbar}} || [[Coastal trading vessel|Coaster]] || 1
|-
|29 || 448 || {{HMAS|Koompartoo}} || Boom Defence Vessel|| 
|-
|30 || 420 || {{HMAS|Terka}} || Minesweeper || 
|-
|31 || 418 || {{HMAS|Tolga}} || Minesweeper || 
|-
|32 || 298 || {{HMAS|Southern Cross}} || [[Examination vessel]] || 
|-
|33 || 292 || {{HMAS|Wato}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-wato|title=HMAS Wato &#124; Royal Australian Navy|publisher=Navy.gov.au|access-date=19 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328232727/http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Wato|archive-date=28 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>|| [[Tugboat|Tug]] || 
|-
|34 || 118 || HMAS ''Kalaroo'' || Lighter || 
|-
|35 || 117 || ''Karalee'' || Lighter, sank 5 March|| 
|-
|36 || 106 || {{HMAS|Vigilant}} || [[Patrol boat]] || 
|-
|37 || 68 || HMAS ''Mako'' || Patrol boat || 
|-
|38 || 60 || HMAS ''Chinampa'' || [[Ketch]] || 
|-
|39 || 57 || HMAS ''Malanda'' || [[Lugger]] || 
|-
|40 || 55 || {{HMAS|Kuru}} || Patrol boat || 
|-
|41 || 45 || HMAS ''Winbah'' || Patrol boat  || 
|-
|42 || 45 || ''[[Yampi Lass]]'' || Lighter || 
|-
|43 || 35 || {{HMAS|Nereus}} || Patrol boat || 
|-
|44 || 34 || HMAS ''Coongoola'' || Patrol boat || 
|-
|45 || 21 || HMAS ''Arthur Rose'' || Lugger || 
|-
|46 || 21 || HMAS ''Griffioen'' || Lugger || 
|-
|47 || 21 || HMAS ''Ibis'' || Lugger || 
|-
|48 || 21 || ''Mars'' || Lugger || 
|-
|49 || 21 || HMAS ''Medic'' || Lugger || 
|-
|50 || 21 || ''Plover'' || Lugger || 
|-
|51 || 21 || HMAS ''Red Bill''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/version/44720512|title=Redbill : from pearls to peace – the life and times of a remarkable lugger / Kate Lance. – Version details – Trove |publisher=Trove.nla.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014}}</ref> || Lugger || 
|-
|52 || 21 || HMAS ''St.Francis'' || Lugger || 
|-
|53 || 20 || HMAS ''Moruya'' || Lugger || 
|-
|54 || 19 || {{HMAS|Mavie}} || Lugger, Sunk || 
|-
|55 || 15 ||  HMAS ''Kiara'' || Patrol boat || 
|-
|56 || 15 || HMAS ''Sulituan'' || Ketch || 
|-
|57 || 12 || HMAS ''Larrakia'' || Examination vessel || 
|}

A total of 65<ref name="Lewis and Ingman 2013, p. 275">Lewis and Ingman (2013), p. 275</ref> Allied warships and merchant vessels were in Darwin harbour at the time of the raids. The warships included the [[United States Navy]] (USN) destroyer {{USS|Peary|DD-226|2}} and seaplane tender {{USS|William B. Preston|DD-344|2}}. The RAN ships in port were the sloops {{HMAS|Swan|U74|2}} and {{HMAS|Warrego|U73|2}}, corvettes {{HMAS|Deloraine||2}} and {{HMAS|Katoomba||2}}, auxiliary minesweepers {{HMAS|Gunbar||2}} and {{HMAS|Tolga||2}}, patrol boat ''Coongoola'', depot ship {{HMAS|Platypus|1917|2}}, examination vessel {{HMAS|Southern Cross||2}}, lugger {{HMAS|Mavie||2}}, and four boom-net ships. Several USN and Australian troopships were in the harbour along with a number of merchant vessels of varying sizes.<ref name="Lewis and Ingman 2013, p. 275"/> Most of the ships in the harbour were anchored near each other, making them an easy target for air attack.<ref name=Grose_81 /> Moreover, no plans had been prepared for how the ships should respond to an air raid.<ref>Grose (2009), p. 104</ref>

In addition to the vessels in port, the American Army supply ships {{ship||Don Isidro|1939|2}} and ''Florence D.'', former Philippine vessels acquired as part of the [[South West Pacific Area (command)|South West Pacific Area command's]] permanent Army fleet earlier in February,{{sfn|Masterson|1949|p=320}} were near [[Bathurst Island (Northern Territory)|Bathurst Island]] bound for the Philippines with arms and supplies on the morning of the raid.<ref name="Grose_78">Grose (2009), p. 78</ref>

Darwin was attacked by aircraft flying from [[aircraft carriers]] and land bases in the NEI. The main force involved in the raid was the [[1st Air Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|1st Carrier Air Fleet]] which was commanded by Vice-Admiral [[Chūichi Nagumo]].<ref name=Coulthard-Clark_204 /> This force comprised the aircraft carriers {{warship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Akagi||2}}, {{warship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Kaga||2}}, {{warship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Hiryū||2}}, and {{warship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Sōryū||2}} and a powerful force of escorting surface ships. All four carriers had participated in the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] at the start of the Pacific War.<ref name=Grose_71 /> In addition to the carrier-based aircraft, 54 land-based bombers also struck Darwin in a high-level bombing raid nearly two hours after the first one struck at 0956. These comprised 27 [[Mitsubishi G3M|G3M "Nell"]] bombers flying from Ambon and another 27 [[Mitsubishi G4M|G4M "Betty"]] bombers operating from [[Kendari]] in Celebes.<ref name="Grose_132">Grose (2009), p. 132</ref>

==Air raids==

===First raid===

The four Japanese aircraft carriers launched 188 aircraft on the morning of 19 February. The main objective of their crews was attacking ships and port facilities in Darwin Harbour.<ref name=Hiromi /> Their aircraft comprised 81 [[Nakajima B5N]] ("Kate") light bombers, 71 [[Aichi D3A]] ("Val") dive bombers, and an escort of 36 [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero|Mitsubishi A6M]] ("Zero") fighters. While the B5N was a purpose-built torpedo bomber, it could instead carry up to {{convert|800|kg|lb}} of bombs and there is no evidence of torpedoes being used on this occasion; the D3A could carry up to {{convert|514|kg|lb}} of bombs. All of these aircraft were launched by 8.45&nbsp;am.<ref name=Grose_81 /> This wave was led by [[Commander (rank)|Commander]] [[Mitsuo Fuchida]], who had also commanded the first wave of attackers during the raid on Pearl Harbor.<ref name="Hiromi">Hiromi (1997)</ref>

On their way to Darwin, Zeros shot down a US Navy [[Consolidated PBY Catalina|PBY Catalina]] and strafed a USAAF [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|C-47 Skytrain]] on the ground, near [[Melville Island, Northern Territory|Melville Island]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Darwin's air war, 1942–1945: an illustrated history|author=Bob Alford|publisher=Aviation History Society of the Northern Territory|page=14|year=1991|isbn=0-646-04102-9}}</ref> At 9.35&nbsp;am Father McGrath of the Sacred Heart mission on [[Bathurst Island (Northern Territory)|Bathurst Island]], who was also an Australian [[coastwatcher]], sent a message using a [[Human power#Pedal-powered transmitter|pedal radio]] to the Amalgamated Wireless Postal Radio Station at Darwin that a large number of aircraft were flying overhead and proceeding southward. The message was then relayed to the Royal Australian Air Force Operations at 9.37 am.<ref name="Pg 9">{{cite web|url=http://www.territorystories.nt.gov.au/bitstream/handle/10070/83913/Lowe_Report.pdf?sequence=1|title=''Commission of Inquiry Concerning the Circumstances Connected with the Attack Made by Japanese Aircraft at Darwin on 19th February, 1942'' (Lowe Commission report)|page=9|access-date=19 February 2014|archive-date=15 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515081650/http://www.territorystories.nt.gov.au/bitstream/handle/10070/83913/Lowe_Report.pdf?sequence=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> No general alarm was given until about 10 am as the RAAF officers there wrongly judged that the aircraft which had been sighted were the ten USAAF P-40s, which were returning to Darwin at the time after reports of bad weather forced them to abort a flight to Java via Kupang, West Timor. As a result, the air raid sirens at Darwin were not sounded before the raid.<ref>Grose (2009), pp. 84–87</ref>

Flying escort in a Zero fighter, [[Petty Officer]] [[Yoshikazu Nagahama]] was separated from his squadron while he was attacking the PBY flying boat and arrived over the city alone ahead of the strike force, which was making a turn to attack from the south. He engaged five [[US Army Air Force]] [[P-40 Warhawk]] fighters and single-handedly shot down four of them.{{sfn|Tagaya|2011|}}{{sfn|Hata|Izawa|Shores|2011|}}

The Japanese raiders began to arrive over Darwin at 9:58&nbsp;am. HMAS ''Gunbar'' was the first ship to be attacked, being strafed by several Zero fighters. At about this time, the town's air raid sirens were belatedly sounded. The Japanese bombers then conducted dive bombing and level bombing attacks on the ships in Darwin Harbour.<ref name="Coulthard-Clark_205">Coulthard-Clark (2001), p. 205</ref> These attacks lasted for 30 minutes, and resulted in the sinking of three warships and six merchant vessels, and damage to another ten ships.<ref name=Stanley_2002 /><ref name=Coulthard-Clark_205 /> The ships sunk were the USS ''Peary'', HMAS ''Mavie'', {{USAT|Meigs}}, {{MV|Neptuna}} (which exploded while docked at Darwin's main wharf), {{SS|Zealandia|1910|2}}, {{SS|Mauna Loa}}, {{MV|British Motorist|1924|6}}. The oil tanker ''Karalee'' and the coal storage hulk ''[[Kelat (1881)|Kelat]]''<ref name="Gill_595">Gill (1957), p. 595</ref> sank later. At least 21 labourers working on the wharf were killed when it was bombed.<ref name=Stanley_2002 />

[[File:Darwin raid (AWM 044603).jpg|thumb|left|An aerial photograph of vessels burning in Darwin Harbour taken by a Japanese airman during the first raid.]]

[[File:P-40E shot down Darwin 19 Feb 1942.jpg|thumb|left|A downed USAAF P-40E]]

[[File:Neptuna explosion 19 February 1942.jpg|thumb|left|[[MV Neptuna|MV ''Neptuna'']] explodes at Stokes Hill Wharf. In front of the explosion is {{HMAS|Vigilant}} which is undertaking rescue work. In the centre background is the floating dry dock holding the corvette {{HMAS|Katoomba}}. In the foreground is the damaged {{SS|Zealandia|1910|6}}.]]

[[File:USS Peary (DD-226) burning at Darwin 1942.jpg|thumb|left|{{USS|Peary|DD-226|6}} sinking.]]

[[File:Darwin Harbour (AWM 027334).jpg|thumb|left|A sunken ship ([[MV Neptuna|MV ''Neptuna'']]) and burnt-out wharf in Darwin Harbour following the attack (AWM 027334)]]

All but one of the P-40s of Major Floyd Pell's 33rd Pursuit Squadron, was shot down or destroyed on the ground at RAAF Darwin by the Japanese.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Weston|first=Brian|date=29 September 2021|title=The USAAF 49th Fighter Group over Darwin: a forgotten campaign|url=https://historyguild.org/the-usaaf-49th-fighter-group-over-darwin-a-forgotten-campaign/|website=History Guild}}</ref> Japanese aircraft bombed and [[strafe]]d the base and civil airfield, as well as the town's army barracks and oil store. All of these facilities were seriously damaged.<ref>Grose (2009), pp. 102–103</ref>

The bombers began to leave the Darwin area at about 10:10.{{sfn|Lewis|Ingman|2013}} On their way back to the carriers, their crews noted two Philippine-registered freighters lying just outside the port: ''Florence D.''<ref>[http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?171504 Wrecksite website].</ref> and ''Don Isidro''.<ref>[http://wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?177522 Wrecksite website].</ref> This information contributed to planning for the second raid that afternoon (which sank both vessels).

Japanese losses may have been as few as five aircraft and three crew.<ref name="Alford2017">Bob Alford, 2017, ''Darwin 1942: The Japanese attack on Australia'', Oxford/New York, Osprey, pp. 78–9.</ref> Another 34 Japanese aircraft landed safely with battle damage.<ref>Tom Womack, 2015, ''The Allied Defense of the Malay Barrier, 1941–1942'', Jefferson, N. Carolina; McFarland & Company, p. 162.</ref> Warrant Officer Katsuyoshi Tsuru and First Petty Officer (1st class) Takezo Uchikado were killed when their Aichi dive bomber (bu. no. ''3304''; tail no. AII-254) crashed near RAAF Darwin.<ref name="Alford2017"/> Petty Officer [[Hajime Toyoshima]] (a.k.a. Tadao Minami) was taken prisoner after crash-landing his damaged Zero (bu. no. b. n.''5349''; tail no. BII-124) on Melville Island.<ref name="Alford2017"/> Those who ditched near the Japanese fleet and were rescued included [[Leading Seaman|Flyer 1st class]] Yoshio Egawa and the Aichi crew of Flyer 1st class Takeshi Yamada and Flyer 1st class Kinji Funazaki.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Citation | author1=Lewis, Tom | author2=Ingman, Peter | title=Carrier attack Darwin 1942 : the complete guide to Australia's own Pearl Harbor | date=2013 | publisher=Kent Town, South Australia Avonmore Books | isbn=978-0-9871519-3-3 }}</ref> In 2013, a reference was discovered in Japanese records to a Nakajima torpedo bomber suffering wheel damage from a "gunshot" and both crew (names unknown) being rescued after ditching (by the destroyer {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Tanikaze|1940|2}}).<ref name="Alford2017"/>

Allied ground fire was relatively intense and may have claimed all but two of the Japanese aircraft lost. Only one of the USAAF P-40 pilots remained airborne throughout the first attack, 1st Lieutenant Robert Oestreicher, who has also been credited by US and Japanese sources with one Aichi shot down and one damaged.{{sfn|Tagaya|2011|}}<ref name="Bartsch412">William H. Bartsch, 2010, ''Every Day a Nightmare: American Pursuit Pilots in the Defense of Java, 1941– 1942'', College Station, TX; Texas A&M Press, p. 412.</ref> Toyoshima's Zero is considered to have been brought down by small arms fire from [[Sapper#Commonwealth of Nations|Sappers]] Tom Lamb and Len O'Shea of the [[19th Battalion (Australia)|19th Battalion]].<ref name="Alford2017"/> Most aviation historians believe Tsuru and Uchikado's Aichi was brought down by ground fire,<ref name="Alford2017a">Alford, ''Darwin 1942: The Japanese attack on Australia'', p. 53.</ref> possibly from a major Australian Army camp at [[Winnellie, Northern Territory|Winnellie]].<ref name="Bartsch412"/> Egawa reported that the damage to his Zero came from hitting a tree at Darwin.<ref name="Alford2017"/>

===Second raid===

The second wave, made up of 54 land-based medium bombers (27 [[Mitsubishi G3M]] and 27 [[Mitsubishi G4M]]) arrived over Darwin just before midday. The town's air raid sirens were sounded at 11:58&nbsp;am when the bombers were sighted. The Japanese force separated into two groups flying at {{convert|18000|ft|m}}. One of these formations attacked [[RAAF Base Darwin]] from the south-west while the other approached from the north-east. The two formations arrived over the base at the same time, and dropped their bombs simultaneously. The Japanese bombers then turned, and made a second attack on the base. Due to defective fuses, the Australian heavy anti-aircraft flak gunners were unable to shoot down or damage any of the high-flying Japanese aircraft.<ref>Grose (2009), pp. 132–134</ref> The bombers left the Darwin area at about 12:20&nbsp;pm.<ref name=Coulthard-Clark_205 />

This raid inflicted extensive damage on the RAAF base, though casualties were light. Of the RAAF aircraft at the base, six Hudson light bombers were destroyed and another Hudson and a Wirraway were badly damaged. Two American P-40s and a [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator|B-24 Liberator]] bomber were also destroyed. Six RAAF personnel were killed.<ref name=Coulthard-Clark_205 /><ref name="Grose_137">Grose (2009), p. 137</ref> Lewis and Ingman list 30 aircraft destroyed.

The Japanese carrier force launched a small number of D3A dive bombers during the afternoon of 19 February to attack the ''[http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?171504 Florence D.]'' and ''Don Isidro''. ''Don Isidro'' was the first of these two ships to be attacked, and was rapidly sunk {{convert|40|km|mi}} north of Melville Island. Eleven of her 84-strong crew were killed. The dive bombers also attacked ''Florence D.'' and sank her off [[Bathurst Island (Northern Territory)|Bathurst Island]] with the loss of four crewmen.<ref name="Grose_134">Grose (2009), p. 134</ref> All of the survivors from ''Don Isidro'' were rescued by the corvette {{HMAS|Warrnambool|J202|6}} on 20 February. Some of ''Florence D.''{{'}}s survivors landed on Bathurst and Melville Islands while the remainder were rescued by ''Warrnambool'' on 23 February.<ref name="Gill_594">Gill (1957), p. 594</ref> Among the survivors of ''Florence D.'' were the rescued crew of a U.S. Navy [[Consolidated PBY Catalina|PBY]] piloted by then Lt [[Thomas H. Moorer]] (later to become [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff]]).{{sfn|Gibson|Gibson|2008|p=171, fn 7}}

''Admiral Halstead'', strafed and with plates damaged by near misses, was brought to the pier where U.S. Army volunteers along with survivors of the U.S. and Philippine vessels helped unload her 14,000 drums of aviation gasoline.{{sfn|Office of Naval Intelligence|1943|p=39}}

==Aftermath==
===Consequences===
Of major military consequence was the loss of most of the cargo shipping available to support efforts in Java and the Philippines with Java being effectively sealed off from further surface shipments from Australia.{{sfn|Leighton|Coakley|1995|p=171}}

The air raids caused chaos in Darwin, with most essential services including water and electricity being badly damaged or destroyed.<ref>Lockwood, p. 143.</ref> Fears of an imminent invasion spread and there was a wave of refugees, as some of the town's civilian population fled inland. There were reports of looting, with [[provost marshal]]s being among the accused.<ref>Lockwood, p. 159.</ref> According to official figures, 278 personnel belonging to RAAF [[North-Western Area Command (RAAF)|North-Western Area Command]] (NWA) were considered to have [[desertion|deserted]] as a result of the raids, although it has been argued that the "desertions" were mostly the result of ambiguous orders given to RAAF ground staff after the attacks.<ref>Lockwood, pp. 143–146.</ref> In the words of journalist [[Douglas Lockwood]], after the second Japanese air raid, the commander of RAAF Darwin, [[Wing Commander (rank)|Wing Commander]] [[Sturt de Burgh Griffith]]:
<blockquote> summoned his senior administrative officer, [[Squadron Leader]] Swan, and gave a verbal order that all airmen were to move half a mile down the main road and then half a mile inland. At this vague rendezvous point [...] arrangements would be made to feed them. The order led to utter chaos. In being passed by word of mouth from one section to another, sometimes with officers present and sometimes not, it became garbled to the extent it was unrecognisable against the original. In its ultimate form it was interpreted, especially by those desiring such an interpretation, of an impending order for immediate and general evacuation of the area. Highly exaggerated rumours of an impending Japanese invasion had already reached the base from the town and spread quickly among those wanting to believe them. In the absence of restraint, men gathered their belongings and abandoned their stations.<ref>Lockwood, pp. 143–144.</ref></blockquote>
While the NWA staff could see what was happening and issued countermanding orders "the damage was done and hundreds of men were already beyond recall".<ref>Lockwood, p. 144.</ref>

The Australian Army also faced difficulty controlling some of its own troops from looting private property, including "furniture, refrigerators, stoves, pianos, clothes[,] [and] even children's toys" due to the breakdown of law and order after the bombing and the ensuing chaos.<ref>Lockwood, p. 169.</ref> Many civilian refugees never returned, or did not return for many years, and in the post-war years some land they owned in Darwin had been expropriated by government bodies in their absence, made legal by the ''Darwin Lands Acquisition Act 1945''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ling |first1=Ted |title=Planning for the post-war redevelopment of the north |url=http://guides.naa.gov.au/records-about-northern-territory/part1/chapter4/4.5.aspx |website=naa.gov.au |publisher=National Archives of Australia |access-date=9 June 2020 |archive-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326015022/http://guides.naa.gov.au/records-about-northern-territory/part1/chapter4/4.5.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The bombing of Darwin resulted in the destruction of 7 of the 11 above ground storage tanks, located on Stokes Hill, in raids on 19 February 16 March and 16 June 1942. This led to the construction of [[Darwin oil storage tunnels|underground oil storage tunnels]] in Darwin in 1943.

==Casualties and damage==

{| style="float:right; width:70%; border: 1px solid black; border-spacing: 1; margin: 1em auto;"
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|+'''Casualties in Darwin on 19 February 1942'''<ref>''Lowe Commission'', p. 9: "Mr. Alderman concluded that the following were, as nearly as he could ascertain the correct particulars of the deaths."</ref>
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! Vessel/service/location !! Alderman's estimates !! Documented deaths !! Notes
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|''Neptuna'' || 45 || 36||<small> Five of the missing seamen were located in Alice Springs in March,<ref>Fung Pak, Leung Kan (Loung R.N.), Tang Yui (Tong Yan), Wong Hing (Waneng W.), Ip Bui (Zip Pui) [http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=334209 National Archives of Australia NAA: F1, 1942/364 Darwin Raids – Casualty Lists and Enquiries]</ref> and four others were evacuated on HMAHS Manunda.<ref>John Hyde, John Knight, Man Loy (Moullay), Ip Yau (Yip You) [http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=423823 NAA:D1976 SB1942/163 Nominal roll hospital ship 2/1 'Manunda']</ref> The Australian War memorial records the names of all 36 killed,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/people/roll-search/commemorative_roll/?preferred_name=&service_number=&unit=neptuna&conflict=0&op=Search |title=Search the Commemorative Roll &#124; Australian War Memorial |publisher=Awm.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014}}</ref> and the Hong Kong Memorial records the names of the 25 Chinese seamen.<ref>[http://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/Cemeteries/Hong_Kong_Memorial/roll_1939-1945.htm Hong Kong Memorial Roll of Honour 1939–1945]</ref> Brendan de Burca,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://territorystories.nt.gov.au/handle/10070/238731 |title=Darwin, 19th February, 1942 |publisher=Territorystories.nt.gov.au |date=19 February 1942 |access-date=26 September 2013 |archive-date=19 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219052807/http://territorystories.nt.gov.au/handle/10070/238731 |url-status=dead }}</ref> senior surviving Officer and George Boniface,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://territorystories.nt.gov.au/handle/10070/238733 |title=Personal recollections of the bombing of Darwin – 1942 |publisher=Territorystories.nt.gov.au |date=4 May 2012 |access-date=26 September 2013 |archive-date=19 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219050239/http://territorystories.nt.gov.au/handle/10070/238733 |url-status=dead }}</ref> senior surviving Engineer, both record 36 Neptuna crewmen died on 19 February.</small>
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|''Zealandia'' || 3 || 2||<small>Only Masson<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/masson |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : MASSON, James |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=27 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327052857/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/masson |url-status=dead }}</ref> and O'Connell<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/oconnell |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : O'CONNELL, Patrick Vincent |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927144923/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/oconnell |url-status=dead }}</ref> died of their wounds. The ship's log also records the names of two other crew who died in later, unrelated incidents: Reginald Forster, who died on 4 March when a truck he was travelling in overturned, and Keith Davern, who died on 19 March as a result of a subsequent air raid.<ref>[http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=1509323 NAA: SP290/2, 1941/ZEALANDIA/4 ZEALANDIA official log book 29 October 1941 – 19 February1942 (Box 26)]</ref></small>
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|''British&nbsp;Motorist'' || 2 || 2|| <small>Bates<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/bates |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : BATES, Gilbert Chase |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=25 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325235619/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/bates |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Webster<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/webster |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : WEBSTER, James Henry |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=27 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327053710/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/webster |url-status=dead }}</ref> See the Manunda log for the disposal of the bodies. NAA:SP290/2 1941/MANUNDA/4<ref name="recordsearch.naa.gov.au">[http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=730925 NAA:SP290/2 1941/MANUNDA/4]</ref></small>
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|Manunda || 12 || 12||<small>The Manunda log records the deaths of 12 crew members and 24 patients NAA:SP290/2 1941/MANUNDA/4.<ref name="recordsearch.naa.gov.au"/> Those who died include: 9 crewmen, 3 AIF Hospital staff on board, 9 from the USS ''Peary'', 2 from HMAS ''Kara Kara'', Jack Dee from 2/14 Field Arty, 3 from HMAS ''Swan'', 2 from British Motorist, 1 from HMAS ''Gunbar'', 2 from ''Zealandia'', Rowling from the Post Office and Bauer from the US 148 Field Arty, plus Hynes and Byers from the Wharf.</small>
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|HMAS ''Swan'' || 4 || 3|| <small>Breen,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/breen |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : BREEN, Alwyn John |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=25 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325235759/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/breen |url-status=dead }}</ref> Purdon<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/purdon |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : PURDON, Albert Samuel |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927144810/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/purdon |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Sault.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/sault |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : SAULT, John |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=27 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327053330/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/sault |url-status=dead }}</ref> The bodies of these three were delivered to the Manunda and are counted in those buried on 20 February</small>
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|HMAS ''Kara Kara'' || 5 || 2||<small>(''Kara Kara'' is frequently misspelt  ''Karakara''.) Emms<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/emms |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : EMMS, Francis Basett |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=26 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326000301/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/emms |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Moore<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/moore |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : MOORE, Frank |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=27 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327053015/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/moore |url-status=dead }}</ref></small>
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|HMAS ''Gunbar'' || 1 || 1||<small>(''Gunbar'' is frequently misspelt "''Gunbower''".) "Jack" Shepherd<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/shepherd |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : SHEPHERD, Herbert John (Jack) |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222131538/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/shepherd |url-status=dead }}</ref></small>
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|USS ''Peary'' || 80 || 88||<small>Eight of the crew died aboard the Manunda, and Roy Carlson died in Perth on 1 March.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/carlson |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : CARLSON, Roy Gunnar |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=14 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014064448/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/carlson |url-status=dead }}</ref> Northern Territory Library Roll of Honour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/location#United |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : Browse Location |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=21 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321070757/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/location#United |url-status=dead }}</ref> Errors on the memorial Plaques in Darwin are noted in Wikipedia<ref>[[:File:USS Peary DD226 - Roll of Honour.jpg]]</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Wilde|editor-first=E. Andrew Jr.|url=http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/226peary_wilde.pdf|title=The U.S.S. Peary (DD-226) in World War II, Manila to Darwin, 12/10/41–2/19/42: Documents and Photographs|location=Needham, Massachusetts|year=2007}}</ref></small>
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|USAT ''Meigs'' || 2 || 1|| <small>Cleborne<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/cleborne |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : CLEBORNE, John H |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=25 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325235954/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/cleborne |url-status=dead }}</ref></small>
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|''Port Mar'' || 1 || 1|| <small>Tyrell<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/tyrell |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : TYRELL, Tom |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=27 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327053633/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/tyrell |url-status=dead }}</ref></small>
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|''Mauna Loa'' || 5 || 0||<small>Enright and Stindt record that there were no deaths on Mauna Loa except for Manuel da Silva, who died before the attack. see Enright, Francis James. 1990. To leave this port. Orick, Calif: Enright Pub. Co.<ref>{{cite book|title=To leave this port (Book, 1990) |publisher=[WorldCat.org] |oclc = 21969558}}</ref> Stindt, Fred A. 1982. ''Matson's century of ships''. Kelseyville, California (3382 Riviera West Dr., Kelseyville 95451): F.A. Stindt.<ref>{{cite book|title=Matson's century of ships (Book, 1982) |publisher=[WorldCat.org] |oclc = 8714888}}</ref> Tex Tickner, from 2/4 Pioneer Battalion on board, was injured during aerial bombing at sea on 16 February 1942 he was on the Mauna Loa and "got a piece of a bomb fragment in the belly and passed away 25 February 1942 aged 22". Manuel da Silva, a crewman of Mauna Loa was also wounded in the attack. Da Silva died aboard the USS Houston, and was buried in Gardens Road cemetery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://territorystories.nt.gov.au/handle/10070/243579 |title=Tex Tickner |publisher=Territorystories.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=9 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109202525/http://territorystories.nt.gov.au/handle/10070/243579 |url-status=dead }}</ref></small>
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|Australian Army || 2 || 2||<small> Jack Dee, who died of illness aboard the Manunda<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/dee |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : DEE, Jack |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=26 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326000228/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/dee |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Roy Gardiner who was the unnamed soldier who was shot at the Berrimah Hospital<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/gardiner |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : GARDINER, Roy Stewart |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=26 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326000422/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/gardiner |url-status=dead }}</ref></small>
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|RAAF || 6 || 7||<small>Albert Shultz was the "unidentified" seventh body at the RAAF base<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/schulz |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : SCHULZ, Albert Victor Leske |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=27 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327053357/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/schulz |url-status=dead }}</ref></small>
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|US Army (including US Army Air Force) || 7 || 9||<small> Corporal Floyd Bauer (39152969) 148th Field Artillery, died of wounds aboard the Manunda on 23 February 1942 and was buried at sea.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/bauerf |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : BAUER, Floyd A |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=25 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325235642/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/bauerf |url-status=dead }}</ref> S/Sgt. Hugh McTavish (6549162), 11th Squadron, 7th Bombardment Group, died when his Liberator bomber was destroyed on the ground<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=OffcIutYJeIC&q=hugh+mctavish+darwin+1942&pg=PA250 |title=7th Bombardment Group/Wing, 1918–1995|access-date=5 December 2015|isbn=9781563112782|last1=Dorr|first1=Robert F.|year=1997|publisher=Turner Publishing Company }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/mctavish|title=Northern Territory Library Roll of Honour|access-date=5 June 2016|archive-date=30 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630030704/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/mctavish|url-status=dead}}</ref></small>
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|Civilians in the town || 14 || 16||<small> Northern Territory Library Roll of Honour<ref name="ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au">{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/location#Civilians |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : Browse Location |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=21 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321070757/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/location#Civilians |url-status=dead }}</ref></small>
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|Civilians on the wharf || 39 || 23||<small> Northern Territory Library Roll of Honour.<ref name="ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au"/> George Michaels is the often uncounted 23rd Warfie<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/michaels |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : MICHAELS, George |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=27 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327052943/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/michaels |url-status=dead }}</ref></small>
|-
|''Don Isidro''; ''Florence D''; PBY&nbsp;Catalina flying boat (US&nbsp;Navy)  || 15 || 16||<small>Lt. Joseph Kane of 453rd Ordnance Company, stationed on the Don Isidro, died of gangrene on 26 February 1942<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/kanej |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : KANE, Joseph F |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=26 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326000812/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/kanej |url-status=dead }}</ref></small>
|-
|||||||<small>Omitted from Alderman's estimates</small>
|-
|USS&nbsp;''William&nbsp;B.&nbsp;Preston'' ||  || 14||<small>The "fifteenth" crew member was probably Joseph Shuler, Aviation Metalsmith 2nd Class (356-12-85), who died on Moorer's Catalina from Patwing 10/22. The Preston was a seaplane tender for the Patrol Wing 10, which had been reinforced with aircraft from Patwing 22<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/shuler |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : SHULER, Joseph Clifton |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |date=13 May 1939 |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=27 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327053427/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/shuler |url-status=dead }}</ref> United States Naval historical Research Centre, Washington Navy Yard. USS ''William B. Preston. Ship's Log in Lewis, Tom'' (1986–1993), Tom Lewis Manuscript Collection, in possession of Northern Territory Library, Darwin</small>
|-
|HMAS&nbsp;''Kangaroo'' ||  || 1||<small>Norman Richard Moore (S3584)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/mooren |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : MOORE, Norman Richard |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=27 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327053021/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/mooren |url-status=dead }}</ref></small>
|-
|Total || 243 || 236||<small>(Most of the authors cited elsewhere in this article do not cite the primary source documents used to annotate this table.)</small>
|}

The number of people killed during 19 February raids is disputed. The Lowe Commission, which investigated them in March 1942, estimated 243 victims but, assuming a few were unidentified, concluded "I am satisfied that the number is approximately 250 and I doubt whether any further investigation will result in ascertaining a more precise figure."

Some researchers and government officials, including John Bradford (author of ''In the Highest Traditions – RAN Heroism Darwin 19 February 1942''),<ref name="home.st.net.au">{{cite web|url=http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/darwin02.htm |title=Two Japanese Air Raids at Darwin, NT on 19 February 1942 |publisher=Home.st.net.au |access-date=19 February 2014}}</ref> Dr. Peter Stanley (the Australian War Memorial's Principal Historian and author of several books about Australian military history),<ref name="http">{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/remembering1942/darwin/transcript.asp |title=Remembering 1942: The bombing of Darwin &#124; Australian War Memorial |publisher=Awm.gov.au |date=19 February 2002 |access-date=19 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/events/talks/oration2006.asp |title=Events &#124; Australian War Memorial |publisher=Awm.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014}}</ref> Tom Womack (author of ''The Dutch Naval Air Force against Japan''),<ref name="netherlandsnavy.nl">{{cite web|url=http://www.netherlandsnavy.nl/Special_darwin.htm |title=Australia's Pearl Harbor: The Japanese air raid on Darwin |publisher=Netherlandsnavy.nl |access-date=19 February 2014}}</ref> Paul Rosenzweig (author of ''Darwin 1942: a reassessment of the first raid casualties''),<ref name="awm.gov.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/firstopac/bin/cgi-jsp.exe/shelf1.jsp?recno=100017388&userId=cat&catTable= |title=Australian War Memorial – Catalogue Shelf List |publisher=Awm.gov.au |date=19 February 1942 |access-date=19 February 2014}}</ref> and Rear Admiral [[Kevin Scarce]] (governor of South Australia)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.governor.sa.gov.au/index.php?m=selected-speeches&itemID=497 |title=Homepage &#124; Government House South Australia |publisher=Governor.sa.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014}}</ref> have said there were 250–262 fatalities.

However, a plaque unveiled in Darwin in 2001 gave the total as 292.<ref>{{cite book|first=Peter|last=Grose|title=An awkward truth: the bombing of Darwin, February 1942|location=Crows Nest, NSW|publisher=Allen & Unwin|year=2009|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5DNwgDOh-eYC&pg=PA192|page=192|isbn=978-1-74176-473-4}}</ref> The plaque indicated 10 sailors had been killed aboard the {{USS|William B. Preston}} but the [[US Navy]] said there were 13 fatalities<ref>"...the ship took stock of her damage. Eleven men were killed, two missing, and three wounded by the bomb hit aft."[https://web.archive.org/web/20050213162243/http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/w8/william_b_preston.htm]</ref> and Peter Grose, author of ''An Awkward Truth'', said fifteen – he wrote: "With the William B. Preston total corrected to 15, a figure of 297 known dead is the best count anyone is likely to achieve...the full death toll is likely to be a little over 300, perhaps as many as 310 or 320."<ref>Grose, p. 193</ref> Lewis and Ingman have revised that to 14 in their 2013 book ''Carrier Attack''.

In 2000, Darwin historian Peter Forrest, who spoke to survivors and researched the attacks for an unpublished book, said (as paraphrased by a journalist), "the first Japanese air raids on Darwin probably killed more than double the official figure of 243", but by 2002 had lowered his estimate to "anything up to double that 243".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-38718802.html |access-date=5 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106071238/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-38718802.html |archive-date=6 November 2012 |title=NT Historian doubles Darwin air raid death toll }}</ref><ref name="abc.net.au">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2002/s485505.htm |title=7.30 Report – 19/02/2002: Darwin marks bombing anniversary |publisher=Abc.net.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113050001/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2002/s485505.htm |archive-date=13 November 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Other estimates put the toll far higher: one soldier who was there claimed to have seen barges filled with bodies towed out to sea, a member of one of the burial teams recounted seeing uncounted bodies "shoved in a large hole dug by a bulldozer" (paraphrased), according to some sources, former Darwin Mayor (1921–1922) Jack Burton<ref>The same diary also records 13 ships were sunk on the 19th and that three Japanese submarines were sunk in Darwin Harbour in June and August. This simply did not occur. see "Extract of diary – Darwin 19 February 1942" signed by J.F. Burton 176 McMinn Street, Darwin, extract lists the 64 bombing raids on Darwin by the Japanese in John Andrews Manuscript Collection, in possession of Northern Territory Library, Darwin. NTAS 2924 J.F. Burton "diary extract relating to bombing raids during Second World War 1942"
Burton had been Mayor of Darwin in 1921–22. There was no Mayor of Darwin after 1930.</ref> estimated 900 people were killed; Harry Macredie, who helped rescue survivors and recover bodies in the harbour said, "we definitely estimate over 1,000",<ref name="abc.net.au"/> Rex Ruwoldt, one of the soldiers attacked that day, says that a few days after the raid he was told over the field telephone that Army Intelligence estimated 1,100 were killed.<ref name="home.st.net.au"/> According to an AP article about the 50th anniversary of the attacks "some estimates say as many as 1,000 died".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19920219/1476547/australian-pearl-harbor-recalled----darwin-notes-anniversary-of-air-attack | work=The Seattle Times | first=Paul | last=Alexander | title=Australian 'Pearl Harbor' Recalled – Darwin Notes Anniversary of Air Attack | date=19 February 1992}}</ref> Bradford<ref name="home.st.net.au"/> and Forrest<ref name="abc.net.au"/> said they spoke to survivors who estimated as many as 1,500 people died.

Stanley, Grose, Rosenzweig,<ref name="awm.gov.au"/> and Tom Lewis<ref>{{cite book|first=Tom|last=Lewis|title=A War at Home : A Comprehensive Guide to the First Japanese Attacks on Darwin|location=Darwin|publisher=Tall Stories|year=1999|oclc=46634368}}</ref> rejected such numbers. The former said "it was certainly not the 1,024 claimed recently in unsubstantiated reports"<ref name="http"/> and Grose wrote "numbers such as 1,100 are fancifully high".<ref name=Grose191>Grose (2009), p. 191</ref>

By contrast, there is less dispute over the number of injured during the attacks. The Lowe Commission estimated "between 300 and 400" people were wounded.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.territorystories.nt.gov.au/bitstream/handle/10070/83913/Lowe_Report.pdf?sequence=1 |title=Pg 9 |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=15 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515081650/http://www.territorystories.nt.gov.au/bitstream/handle/10070/83913/Lowe_Report.pdf?sequence=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Lewis said the number was over 400, about 200 of which were seriously injured.<ref name=Lewis>Lewis (2003), pp. 63–71</ref> Womack wrote that 311 were wounded.<ref name="netherlandsnavy.nl"/> Australian military historian Chris Coulthard-Clark put the total between 250 and 320.<ref name="Coulthard-Clark_205"/> Grose wrote: "if 900 or 1100 died, why were the numbers of injured so low? The count of the injured is more accurate, because they were treated in hospital or shipped out aboard the ''Manunda'' [a hospital ship]. The hospitals and ''Manunda'' noted names and numbers of those they treated."<ref name=Grose191/>

===Myths and inaccuracies===
The Japanese raid was unlike the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] in that it was launched against a nation that had already [[declaration of war|declared war]] on Japan (on 8 December 1941). It was similar in that it was a successful aerial surprise attack on a naval target that came as a great shock to the attacked nation. While the number of bombs dropped on Darwin (681 bombs weighing {{convert|114100|kg|lb}} by 205 bombers) exceeded those dropped on Pearl Harbor (457 bombs [including 40 torpedoes]) weighing {{convert|133560|kg|lb}} by 273),<ref>{{cite book|title=Rough guide to Australia|author=Margo Daly|page=616|publisher=Rough Guides|year=2003|isbn=1-84353-090-2}}</ref> loss of life was much greater at Pearl Harbor (more than 2,400 people) than Darwin (236 people) due to the presence of capital ships and the catastrophic loss of a single battleship, the {{USS|Arizona|BB-39|6}}, and its 1,177 men.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{Citation | author1=Rayner, Robert J. | title=The army and the defence of Darwin fortress : exploding the myths of the critical phase, ʻtil September 1942 | date=1995 | publisher=Rudder Press | isbn=978-0-646-25058-8 }}</ref><ref>Bullard, Steven. [http://www.awm.gov.au/wartime/59/ "Briefing: Were more bombs dropped on Darwin than on Pearl Harbor?"] Wartime: Official magazine of the Australian War Memorial. Issue 59 Winter 2012: 4–5.</ref>

A frequently repeated myth is that the Australian government downplayed the damage from the bombing raids on Darwin, in a "cover-up".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/media |title=Northern Territory Library &#124; Roll of Honour : Media Coverage of the Bombing of Darwin |publisher=Ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=24 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324113225/http://www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au/exhibits/show/bod/roh/media |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mhhv.org.au/?p=4278 |title=The Myth of Government Cover-up in the first Darwin Raids |publisher=Military History and Heritage Victoria|access-date=30 April 2015}}</ref> The newspapers of the day disprove this claim. On the day of the attack the prime minister is quoted on the front pages of most newspapers:
"Damage to property was considerable", he said, "but reports so far to hand do not give precise particulars about the loss of life." "The Government regards the attacks as most grave, and makes it quite clear that a severe blow has been struck on Australian soil."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8233704 |title=DARWIN HEAVILY BOMBED IN 2 RAIDS. |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)|The Argus]] |location=Melbourne |date=20 February 1942 |access-date=4 October 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

==Further Japanese raids==

{{Further|Air raids on Australia, 1942–43}}

After the 19 February 1942 Japanese raid, the Northern Territory and parts of [[Western Australia]]'s north were bombed approximately 100 times between 4 March 1942 and 12 November 1943.<ref name=Lewis/> One of the heaviest attacks took place on 16 June 1942 when a Japanese force set fire to the oil fuel tanks around the harbour and inflicted severe damage to the vacant banks, stores and railway yards. The [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] navies largely abandoned the naval base at Darwin after the initial 19 February attack, dispersing most of their forces to [[Brisbane]], [[Fremantle, Western Australia|Fremantle]], and other, smaller, seaports. Conversely, Allied air commanders launched a build-up in the Darwin area, building more airfields and deploying many squadrons.

The four IJN aircraft carriers (''Akagi'', ''Kaga'', ''Hiryū'', and ''Sōryū'') that participated in the Bombing of Darwin were later sunk during the [[Battle of Midway]] in June 1942.

==Commemoration and depictions in popular culture==

A memorial ceremony has been held every year since at least 2009. On 19 February at the [[Cenotaph]] in Darwin, at 9:58&nbsp;am, a World War II air-raid siren sounds to mark the precise time of the first attack.<ref>[http://chiefminister.nt.gov.au/events/?filterDate=1&page=3 Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110422160556/http://chiefminister.nt.gov.au/events/?filterDate=1&page=3 |date=22 April 2011 }} — NT Chief Minister Website. Retrieved 2 May 2012.</ref>

A fictionalised version of the raid features prominently in the 2008 film ''[[Australia (2008 film)|Australia]]''.

==See also==

{{Portal bar|Australia|Japan}}
* [[Axis naval activity in Australian waters]]
* [[Battle for Australia]]
* [[Christmas Island Invasion]]
* [[Shelling of Newcastle]]
* [[Darwin Military Museum]]
* [[Gunner (dog)]]
* [[Hajime Toyoshima]]
* [[List of shipwrecks in February 1942]]
* [[Proposed Japanese invasion of Australia during World War II]]
* [[Fujita salvage operation]]
* [[Naval Base Darwin]]

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{Refbegin|40em}}
* {{cite journal |last=Clayton |first=Mark |title=The north Australian air war, 1942–1944 |journal=Journal of the Australian War Memorial |publisher=Australian War Memorial |location=Canberra, ACT |number=8 |date=April 1986 |pages=33–45 |url=https://www.academia.edu/37991892 |issn=0729-6274 }}
* {{cite book |last=Coulthard-Clark |first=Chris |title=The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles |year=2001 |publisher=Allen & Unwin |location=Sydney, NSW |isbn=1-86508-634-7 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Craven |first1=Wesley Frank |last2=Leagate |first2=James |year=1983 |title=Plans And Early Operations January 1939 To August 1942 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=Office of Air Force History |series=The Army Air Forces in World War II |volume=1 |edition=New Imprint by the Office of Air Force History Washington, D.C., 1983 |isbn=0-912799-03-X |url=http://www.afhso.af.mil/topics/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=17871 |access-date=3 June 2013 |archive-date=21 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621100628/http://www.afhso.af.mil/topics/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=17871 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |last1=Fuchida|first1=Mitsuo|last2=Okumiya|first2=Masatake|author2-link=Masatake Okumiya |title=Midway: The Battle that Doomed Japan: The Japanese Navy's story |publisher=Hutchinson |location=London, England |year=1957 |orig-year=1951|oclc=729935982}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Gibson |first1=Charles Dana |last2=Gibson |first2=E. Kay |title=Attempts to Supply The Philippines by Sea: 1942 |journal=The Northern Mariner |volume=XVIII |issue=3/4 |date=July 2008 |url=http://www.cnrs-scrn.org/northern_mariner/vol18/tnm_18_3-4_163-172.pdf }}
* {{cite book |last=Gill |first=G. Hermon |title=Royal Australian Navy, 1939–1942 |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070207/ |series=[[Australia in the War of 1939–1945|Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 2&nbsp;– Navy]] |volume=I |year=1968 |publisher=Australian War Memorial |location=Canberra |oclc=848228 }}
*{{cite book |last=Grose |first=Peter |title=An Awkward Truth: The Bombing of Darwin, February 1942 |year=2009 |publisher=Allen & Unwin |location=Sydney |isbn=978-1-74237-607-3 |edition=paperback}}
*{{cite book|last=Hall|first=Timothy|title=Darwin 1942, Australia Darkest Hour|publisher=Methuen Australia|year=1980|location=Sydney|isbn=9780454002522}}
*{{cite journal |last=Hiromi |first=Tanaka |title=The Japanese Navy's operations against Australia in the Second World War, with a commentary on Japanese sources |journal=Journal of the Australian War Memorial |year=1997 |volume=30 |url=http://www.awm.gov.au/journal/j30/tanaka.asp }}
*{{cite book |last1=Leighton |first1=Richard M. |last2=Coakley |first2=Robert W. |year=1995 |title=Global Logistics And Strategy 1940–1943 |publisher=[[United States Army Center of Military History]] |series=United States Army in World War II—The War Department |location=Washington, D.C. |url=http://www.history.army.mil/html/books/001/1-5/CMH_Pub_1-5.pdf |access-date=28 April 2013 |oclc=63151391 |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120081807/https://history.army.mil/html/books/001/1-5/CMH_Pub_1-5.pdf |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite book |last=Lewis |first=Tom |title=A War at Home: A comprehensive guide to the first Japanese attacks on Darwin |year=2003 |publisher=Tall Stories |location=Darwin |isbn=978-0-9577351-0-1 |author-link=Tom Lewis (author)}}
*{{cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=Tom |last2=Ingman |first2=Peter |year=2013 |title=Carrier Attack. Darwin 1942 : the complete guide to Australia's own Pearl Harbor |publisher=Avonmore Books |location=Avonmore Books |url=http://avonmorebooks.com.au/?page=3&id=64 |access-date=2 October 2013 |author-link=Tom Lewis (author) |isbn=978-0-9871519-3-3 |archive-date=2 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302202732/https://avonmorebooks.com.au/?page=3&id=64 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |last=Lockwood |first=Douglas |title=Australia's Pearl Harbor. Darwin 1942 |publisher=Penguin Books |year=1992 |edition=Revised |location=Melbourne |isbn=0-14-016820-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Masterson |first=Dr. James R. |year=1949 |url=http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll11/id/903 |title=U.S. Army Transportation In The Southwest Pacific Area 1941–1947 |location=Washington |publisher=Transportation Unit, Historical Division, Special Staff, U. S. Army |access-date=26 April 2013 |archive-date=30 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140930021237/http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll11/id/903 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite book |last1=Matloff |first1=Maurice |last2=Snell |first2=Edwin M. |year=1999 |title=The War Department: Strategic Planning For Coalition Warfare 1941–1942 |series=United States Army in World War II |location=Washington, DC |publisher=Center of Military History, United States Army |lccn=53-61477 }}
* {{cite book |author=Office of Naval Intelligence |year=1943 |title=The Java Sea Campaign |series=Combat Narratives |location=Washington, DC |publisher=United States Navy |lccn=2009397493 |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/javasea_campaign.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720194724/http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/javasea_campaign.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 July 2012 }}
* {{cite journal |last=Powell |first=Alan |title=The Darwin 'panic', 1942 |journal=Journal of the Australian War Memorial |issue=3, October 1983 |pages=3–9 |year=1983 |issn=0729-6274}}
* {{cite book |last=Powell |first=Alan |title=The Shadow's Edge. Australia's Northern War |publisher=Melbourne University Press |location=Melbourne, Victoria |year=1988 |isbn=0-522-84371-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Powell |first=Alan |chapter=The air raids on Darwin, 19 February 1942: Image and reality |editor-last=Dean |editor-first=Peter |title=Australia 1942: In the Shadow of War |pages=140–155 |year=2013 |isbn=9781107032279 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D_d99cLahz8C&q=Wartime%20Magazine%20Issue%2059%20-%20July%202012%20darwin%20pearl%20harbour%20AWm&pg=PA140 }}
{{Refend}}
*{{cite book |last1 = Hata |first1 = Ikuhiko |last2 = Izawa |first2 = Yasuho |last3 = Shores |first3 = Christopher |year = 2011 |title = Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units and their aces, 1932–1945. |publisher = Grub Street |location = London, UK |isbn = 9781906502843}}
*{{cite book | last = Tagaya | first = Osamu | year = 2011 | title = Aichi 99 Kanbaku 'Val' Units | publisher = Osprey Publishing | series = Combat Aircraft #63 | isbn = 978-1841769127}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Darwin bombings}}
{{Library resources box
 |onlinebooks=no
 |by=no
 |lcheading=Bombing, Aerial—Northern Territory—Darwin
  }}
* [https://ntl.nt.gov.au/story/bombing-darwin Bombing of Darwin, Northern Territory Library online feature] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726022658/https://ntl.nt.gov.au/story/bombing-darwin |date=26 July 2019 }}
* [http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2012/02/10/3428056.htm?site=darwin?site=darwin&ref=front-page-slider-darwin-regional-landing ABC Bombing of Darwin audio tour]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110823032835/http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/council/educational-resources/bombing-darwin City of Darwin educational resources on Bombing of Darwin]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110328095221/http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/sites/default/files/Bombing-Darwin-FEDFrontline.pdf Federation Frontline: A secondary school education resource on the bombing of Darwin]
* [https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20110310132400/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/77782/20110311-0024/www.ntl.nt.gov.au/online_resources/australias_northern_territory_wwii.html Northern Territory World War II Exhibition]{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

{{World War II city bombing}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bombing of Darwin}}
[[Category:Bombing of Darwin| ]]
[[Category:1942 in Australia]]
[[Category:Airstrikes conducted by Japan]]
[[Category:Military attacks against Australia|Darwin]]
[[Category:Aerial operations and battles of World War II involving Australia|Darwin]]
[[Category:Aerial operations and battles of World War II involving Japan|Darwin]]
[[Category:South West Pacific theatre of World War II]]
[[Category:World War II aerial operations and battles of the Pacific theatre|Darwin]]

[[Category:February 1942 in Australia|Darwin]]
[[Category:Attacks on hospitals during World War II]]
[[Category:Building bombings in Australia]]