General News
13 February, 2023
Bombing a day for many to remember
Eighty-one years ago more than 900 Wimmera and Southern Mallee soldiers stationed in Darwin felt the full weight of Japanese enemy air power. The World War Two bombing raid on Darwin in 1942 left 243 dead. On Friday February 17 a Darwin Defenders...
Eighty-one years ago more than 900 Wimmera and Southern Mallee soldiers stationed in Darwin felt the full weight of Japanese enemy air power.
The World War Two bombing raid on Darwin in 1942 left 243 dead.
On Friday February 17 a Darwin Defenders commemoration service in Horsham College's Maroske Hall will remember the raid and its impact on Australia.
The public is invited to attend the 81st anniversary, at 9.45am.
Students from Horsham's three secondary schools will attend, with some partipating in the event.
Some estimate the death toll could have been as many as high as 1100. The first bombs fell on an unsuspecting Darwin on February 19 at 9.58am. Eight of 45 ships in the harbour were sunk and others damaged.
The raid - carried out by 242 enemy aircraft - is the largest single enemy attack by a foreign power on Australia.
Former journalist Keith Lockwood, who had family members stationed at Darwin at the time of the bombing, will be guest speaker for the service, organised by daughters of Darwin survivors Sheryl Bartlett and Lynne Wright, both of Horsham. Natimuk Brass Bank will play.
Mrs Bartlett said the day was one to reflect on the past and to pay tribute to those servicemen and women as well as civilians who selflessly helped others.
At the time governments imposed strict censorship on information about the air raids so most Australians did not know about the bombings, shortages of food or ammunition, or about the dangers and discomfort endured for years by service personal attempting to keep the Japanese out of Australia.
The Darwin Defenders has as its aim that the people of Australia not forget friends and family who were prepared to endure hardships to protect their country.
Also, that everything is done to reinstate the teaching of Australian history in schools, that the membership be extended to include friends and family of veterans, and that an annual memorial service be held each February with schools and the public invited to attend.