‘A huge moment’: Darwin Military Museum director calls for greater recognition of the Bombing of Darwin, in lead-up to anniversary

THE Bombing of Darwin was the first time foreign war reached Australia’s shores – yet it’s an event in our defence history that far too few Australians are even aware of, according to a local historian

THE Bombing of Darwin was the first time foreign war reached Australia’s shores – yet it’s an event in our defence history far too few Australians are even aware of, according to the head of the Darwin Military Museum.

This Friday will mark the 79th anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin – when about 240 Japanese aircraft dropped bombs on the Northern Territory capital in two separate raids, in the largest single attack ever mounted on Australia by a foreign power.

Between 230 and 250 people were killed.

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Darwin Military Museum director Norman Cramp said the bombings had not been part of a Japanese attempt to invade Australia, as many believed, but to stop Darwin – with its significant port and air infrastructure – from being used as a major operations base for the Allies in the Pacific. He said it was a hugely significant event in Australian history that deserved far more attention than it got.

“It was not just a one-off attack – they attacked Darwin for 20 months and there were over 77 raids on Darwin itself,” he said.

Darwin Military Museum director Norman Cramp reflects on the upcoming anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

“Pearl Harbour was just one day; the Bombing of Darwin really went on for 20 months.

“There were hundreds of people killed on the first day.

“The raids also demonstrated that Australia was almost totally unprepared to defend itself, because a lot of our forces were fighting overseas.

“It was a huge moment. Personally I think it’s one of the largest and most important events in Australian history.

To acknowledge the event, the Darwin Military Museum will be showcasing a Bombing of Darwin display in its foyer on Friday, featuring Australian Army, air force and navy uniforms from that era.

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It will also be offering patrons half-price admission all day, with support from the City of Darwin.

Mr Cramp urged people to use the day to learn more about the Bombing of Darwin and pay tribute to the fallen.

“It’s not about glorifying or celebrating war, it’s about commemorating those people who fought and died – because they died for their country, defending their country, and we can’t ever reverse that,” he said. “This is our time to pause and reflect and commemorate those people and say thank you, because if it wasn’t for them, the outcome could have been totally different.”

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Originally published as ‘A huge moment’: Darwin Military Museum director calls for greater recognition of the Bombing of Darwin, in lead-up to anniversary