Lord mayor Kon Vatskalis calls for Bombing of Darwin to be recognised as a public holiday

Lord mayor Kon Vatskalis says the Bombing of Darwin should be recognised as a national holiday. SEE ARCHIVE PICTURES

EIGHTY years ago, swarms of Japanese bomber aircraft attacked Darwin in what remains the most significant act of military aggression on Australian soil in history.

Now, City of Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis is calling for the day to be recognised as a national holiday and to be taught in schools.

At the time, the Bombing of Darwin was largely concealed to keep the public down south calm during the war years.

It remains an event largely untold anywhere else in the country, and even less so worldwide, Mr Vatskalis believes.

“The Bombing of Darwin is the most significant event in the history of Australia,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“I believe it is so important that it should be a public holiday and it should be taught in the history curriculum throughout Australia and even worldwide.

“More Australians know about what happened at Pearl Harbor than what happened here, on Australian soil, in the dark days of World War II.

“Learning these important details of our national story starts in schools and it is not something that should simply be glossed over.

“The detail of what happened here in Darwin, and across Northern Australia, during the second World War is important.”

Officially, Darwin was attacked 64 times between February 1942 and November 1943.

However, nothing was more devastating than on that first day.

Damage to Darwin was widespread, as seen here along Cavenagh St. Picture: Northern Territory Library.

Darwin was attacked twice that day, resulting in the deaths of 236 people while 300-400 people were injured.

The first wave of attackers included 71 Val dive bombers, which mainly targeted ships at Darwin Harbour while 81 “Kate” bombers hit oil tanks near Stokes Hill Wharf.

Two hours later, the RAAF Base was targeted by high-altitude bombers that dropped about 500 bombs, destroying the base and more than 30 aircraft.

Other key targets included Government House, Darwin’s oldest residence; Parliament House, the former site of the Darwin Post Office and telegraph station; and Doctor’s Gully, which was originally Qantas’ Empire flying boat maintenance base.

“This is the only time ever that Australia has been attacked in such a way,” Mr Vatskalis said. “It was unexpected, we were ill-prepared, and we didn’t think it would happen because we’re an island, but it did because the technology had changed.

“They managed to get here undetected.

“It was total destruction; war is war.

“It affected so many people and it still affects people now as their grandparents were involved.”

Heritage consultant and historian Mike Owen called it a significant day for the Territory and for Australia as a whole.

“The situation at the time was absolutely desperate,” Mr Owen said.

“The loss of Darwin at that time would have been absolutely catastrophic.

“The size of the raid was similar to Pearl Harbor, with more bombs dropped though with perhaps less weight.”

Darwin Council will host a commemoration event for the all-important anniversary, which will draw the eye of many visitors.

“This year is very special as the 80th anniversary since the bombing itself,” Mr Vatskalis said. “The important message that we will send out is that Darwin is here, it’s alive and well, alive and kicking.

“Yes, we went through cyclones and bombings but we are part of Australia.

“Darwin is the greatest war grave in Australia; these people died so we can actually enjoy the lifestyle we have.

“Remember what happened to Darwin so that we never repeat the same mistake again.

“The north of Australia is the most important part of Australia and that needs to be remembered.”

The Bombing of Darwin service will be livestreamed for the first time

FOR the first time all of Australia will be able to join in the Bombing of Darwin commemorations as the City of Darwin commits to livestreaming the memorial service.

The Darwin community will gather to pay their respects to the men and women who fought during the Darwin air raids for the 80th anniversary.

Just before 10am on February 19, 1942 a formation of 188 Japanese aircraft bombed the Darwin, the first and so far only major attack to impact Australian soil.

The impact of the attack is still felt 80 years on with those who fell and those who survived remembered still.

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the event was one of national significance and one every Australian needed to know about.

“We are commemorating the 80th anniversary of an event of national significance. It is a part of our history all Australians should be aware of,” he said.

One of the last surviving veterans 101-year-old Brian Winspear will attend the service and still vividly remembers the day war came to Australia.

“We were in a trench, about fifty yards from the aerodrome and you could see the Japanese in their cockpits,” Mr Winspear said.

“I looked up and the sun glinted on the bombs as they were falling, and it was just like confetti.”

Other descendants of the fallen, military, civilian survivors and evacuees will also attend the service at the Darwin Cenotaph, 9.30am to 11am ASCT (11am to 12.30pm AEST).

The link to the live-stream is available at www.darwin.nt.gov.au/BODD

SEADARWIN OFFER BOMBING OF DARWIN CRUISES

EIGHTY years ago war came to Australian soil for the first and only time and this weekend that all-important anniversary will be commemorated across Darwin.

In 1942 the Bombing of Darwin was the greatest act of military aggression to impact Australian soil and it remains as much to this day.

This week the City of Darwin Council, led by Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis, is activating several events to commemorate the anniversary and remember those lost in the attack.

“I believe the Bombing of Darwin is the most significant event in the history of Australia,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“This is the only time ever an Australia territory has been directly attacked by an outside force.”

SeaDarwin, owned by Jim Smith, offers a unique guided cruise around Stokes Hill and Fort Hill Wharf and over the wrecks of the SS Neptuna and USS Peary.

The hour-long tour takes its participants on a journey remembering the events that happened on that fateful day while “floating on top of the biggest war grave in Australia.”

On Saturday commemorations will include the USS Peary Memorial Service from 8.15am, prior to the Bombing of Darwin Commemorative Service from 9.30am.