Darwin bombing raids number ‘much higher’ than history recorded

STARTLING new research has found that the number of air raids on Darwin and the Top End is much higher than history has recorded it

Darwin Harbour and the USS Peary up in smoke after the Japanese army bombed Darwin on February 19, 1942. Picture: News Ltd

STARTLING new research has found that the number of air raids on Darwin and the Top End is much higher than history has recorded it.

Darwin author and war historian Dr Tom Lewis has used Japanese records to prove that previous estimates were well understated.

History says there were 64 air strikes on the Northern Territory but a new book by Dr Lewis — The Empire Strikes South — reveals there were actually 77 raids.

“There were in total 1883 enemy flights over Northern Australia in World War II … this was in 208 sorties and some of which saw more than 50 aircraft attacking the same target,” Dr Lewis said.

“The book uses Japanese records to show the number of raids in the Top End was in fact 77, the second-largest after February 19, 1942 being 72 Betty bombers and Zero fighters in June 1942.

“The first devastating strike on February 19 against Darwin saw 188 aircraft within the strike force: 36 fighters, 81 high-level bombers, and 72 dive-bombers.

“The Japanese forces then settled down to a pattern of raiding regularly over the next two years.

“The numbers of enemy aircraft brought down by the defending allied fighters, anti-aircraft guns, radar and searchlight combination are startling too.

“The Japanese lost 61 aircraft, their remains scattered across the waters and arid bush of the north, with many remaining lost and their crews unburied.”

Dr Lewis, whose previous works included Carrier Attack and Darwin’s Submarine I-124, said he was motivated to write The Empire Strikes South to bring some closure to the families of those aviators brought down into lonely death.

“These were brave men doing their job,” said Dr Lewis, who experienced warfare himself, serving in Baghdad where he led US forces at the height of the Iraq conflict.

“Although the Japanese aircrews were aggressive and often ruthless, as were ours, it seems a sad end to die so many thousands of kilometres from home. I hope as aircraft wrecks are found we treat the wrecks and any remains with respect.”

The last enemy aircraft flight into Northern Territory airspace was in June 1944, and the last plane brought down in July of that year.

The Empire Strikes South, will be launched by the Administrator on Tuesday.

Originally published as Darwin bombing raids number ‘much higher’ than history recorded