On 19 February 1942 Japanese forces began a bombing campaign of Darwin that claimed more than 240 lives and devastated a large part of the city.
The bombing tragically marked the arrival of the WWII front line on our shores. Each year Darwin remembers that time and honours the men and women, military and civilian, who came to her defence. Darwin City Council considers the Bombing of Darwin Commemoration Ceremony to be one of the most important events in the Territory and national calendar.
More than 250 veterans and survivors, many in their late eighties and nineties, from around Australia, met in Darwin this year to attend the 65th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin. In addition to the veterans and survivors, nearly 3,000 people attended the ceremony held at the Cenotaph. This included wreath laying by dignitaries including the Administrator of the NT, Chief Minister NT, the Minister of Veteran Affairs, and the American Ambassador to Australia.
There are many sites to visit around both in the city of Darwin and nearby that illustrate its important strategic defence role during WWII. This includes various camp sites, airstrips, ammunitions storage facilities and gun emplacements.
