Royal Australian Artillery, Air Force, and Navy simulate Bombing of Darwin
Top End regiments of the Australian Defence Force are set to simulate a ‘sombre’ attack on the city during the 81st Bombing of Darwin commemoration. Watch the dress rehearsal here.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Thousands of Territorians will gather at The Cenotaph to commemorate the 81st Bombing of Darwin on Sunday
Royal Australian Artillery 8th/12th Regiment Gunner Mia Johns said it would be “an honour” to take part in the day’s military demonstration.
Gunner Johns said she had been posted in Darwin for just over a year and it would be her first time being involved in the display.
“It’s definitely an absolute honour to be able to do this, especially being so young as well,” she said.
“I am a gun member, so I will be firing on the day.”
Gunner Johns said the first time she fired an M2A2 Howitz – the ceremonial guns used in the demonstration – was amazing.
“It was so loud,” she said.
“Sometimes you can get more charges, so you can actually feel the vibrations through your body, so it’s kind of cool.”
Commanding Officer of the 8th/12th Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Sam Colclough said the gunners would be part of a “simulation of what the attack on the city would have been like”.
Mr Colclough said the guns used were “purely ceremonial” but some of them had once seen active duty in Vietnam.
“They’re not the ones we use when we deploy operationally.” he said.
“They fire a blank cartridge, so you’ll get the full noise and the smoke and the experience with none of the danger or nasty side effects.”
Lt Colclough said the gunners would be joined by Joint Strike Fighters from the Royal Australian Air Force and a Navy patrol boat to show “at least part of what it would have been like on the day, all those years ago”.
Lt Colclough said it would be a “very sombre day”.
“It’s hard not to get emotional about it when you think about the suffering people have gone through,” he said.
“But it always ends on a positive note because all the bad things this country goes through.
“It binds together, Australians dig deep and give freely, and we always come out of it stronger.”
Join the conversation
‘See some records broken’: First medals given out as ‘Games with Heart’ kicks off
One of the biggest weeks on the Red Centre sporting calendar is underway in full force, drawing thousands of competitors – some of whom have already taken out the top prize. SEE THE PICTURES.
Read more
Fire fears as heritage-listed mural sits forgotten after $3m acquisition
A fire danger period being declared hasn’t spurred the government into action over a site it acquired for more than $3 million – leading to fears an important piece of NT heritage could be reduced to ash.
Read more