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You are here: Home / Article topics / Publications / Naval Historical Review / The Attack on Darwin – A Pictorial Record

The Attack on Darwin – A Pictorial Record

Weaver, Trevor · Apr 26, 1992 · Print This Page

Author
Weaver, Trevor
Subjects
History - WW2
Tags
SS Baraossa, SS Portmar, SS Meigs, USS William B Preston, SS Admiral Halstead, SS British Motorist, USS Peary, SS Tulagi, SS Mauna Loa, SS Zealandia, SS Neptuna, Japanese raid on Darwin, Darwin
RAN Ships
HMAS Kara Kara, HMAS Terka, HMAS Kangaroo, HMAS Tolga, HMAS Swan I, HMAS Warrego I, HMAS Kookaburra, HMAS Gunbar, HMAS Karangi, HMAS Katoomba, HMAS Deloraine, HMAS Koala, HMAS Platypus
Publication
April 1992 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)

On 19 February, 1942 a massed air raid on Darwin, Australia’s northern gateway was made by Japanese aircraft, the first major attack on Australian soil.

The American Destroyer USS PEARY in Darwin Harbour shortly before the Japanese raid.
The American Destroyer USS PEARY in Darwin Harbour shortly before the Japanese raid.

This first attack was made by 81 carrier-borne aircraft, composing of an equal mixture of high level bombers, dive bombers and fighter aircraft.

The twisted remains of the main wharf at Darwin after the Japanese air raid on 19 February, 1942.
The twisted remains of the main wharf at Darwin after the Japanese air raid on 19 February, 1942.

Darwin at this time was a busy war time port and the Australian Navy was well represented there at the time. Some of the Australian ships present were SWAN, WARREGO, PLATYPUS, KATOOMBA, DELORAINE, KANGAROO, KOALA, KARANGI, KARA KARA, KOOKABURRA, GUNBAR, TOLGA and TERKA. Two of the American ships in harbour were the USS PEARY and USS WILLIAM B PRESTON, the latter being a seaplane tender. There were four American transports and merchant ships – MEIGS, MAUNA LOA, PORTMAR and ADMIRAL HALSTEAD. Alongside the main wharf were the Australian merchant ships NEPTUNA and BAROSSA. NEPTUNA’s cargo included 200 tons of depth charges. Other merchant ships in harbour included the BRITISH MOTORIST, TULAGI and ZEALANDIA.

The Australian cargo ship NEPTUNA sunk alongside the main wharf at Darwin.
The Australian cargo ship NEPTUNA sunk alongside the main wharf at Darwin.

At approximately 0945 the first of the Japanese aircraft attacked 10 American Kittyhawk fighters that were returning to Darwin. These American fighters had earlier left Darwin at 0915 for Koepang but were returning to Darwin due to adverse weather. Four of these aircraft were shot down whilst a fifth was damaged and was able to return safely to Darwin with the other five Kittyhawks. All five were later destroyed as they attempted to take off when the Japanese arrived over Darwin.

HMAS DELORAINE during the Japanese raid on Darwin, with oil tanks of fire in tbe background
HMAS DELORAINE during the Japanese raid on Darwin, with oil tanks of fire in tbe background

The Japanese fighters apparently opened the attack on Darwin as GUNBAR was attacked by fighter aircraft as it was passing through the boom gate at 0957. Nine fighters attacked GUNBAR and the ship was attacked 18 separate times. The first attack hit the ship’s Lewis gun rendering the ship defenceless and it was amazing that it survived. These attacks ceased at 1010.

USS PEARY blown up after being bombed by Japanese aircraft in Darwin 19/2/42
USS PEARY blown up after being bombed by Japanese aircraft in Darwin 19/2/42

Only a minute or so after GUNBAR was attacked, the bombers dropped their first bombs from a height of 14,000 feet at targets in the harbour area. At 0958 bombs hit the wharf near the shore end, blowing a railway engine and trucks over the side. NEPTUNA and BAROSSA were soon on fire from direct hits and oil fires were soon billowing over the scene of destruction.

United States Transport MEIGS sunk in Darwin Harbour 19 February, 1942.
United States Transport MEIGS sunk in Darwin Harbour 19 February, 1942.

SWAN, WARREGO, PEARY and WILLIAM B PRESTON were soon underway and they were singled out for attention, these ships fought back with vigour. PEARY was soon hit by enemy bombs and was fatally wounded. SWAN was heavily damaged by a near miss and, in the harbour a number of the merchant ships were on fire including the ZEALANDIA, BRITISH MOTORIST, MAUNA LOA and MEIGS, all these merchant ships eventually sank as a result of their damage.

HMAS KATOOMBA high and dry in the floating dock with ship on fire in the baclaground
HMAS KATOOMBA high and dry in the floating dock with ship on fire in the baclaground
Ships that received damage and casualties included PLATYPUS, SWAN, GUNBAR, KARA KARA, KOOKABURRA, COONGOOLA, the merchant ship ADMIRAL HALSTEAD, the hospital ship MANUNDA and USS WILLIAM B PRESTON.

Pages: Page 1 Page 2

Naval Historical Review, History - WW2 SS Baraossa, SS Portmar, SS Meigs, USS William B Preston, SS Admiral Halstead, SS British Motorist, USS Peary, SS Tulagi, SS Mauna Loa, SS Zealandia, SS Neptuna, Japanese raid on Darwin, Darwin

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