70th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin

[TarJak]

On this day, 70 years ago, 242 Japanese aircraft attacked ships in Darwin's harbour and the town's two airfields in an attempt to prevent the Allies from using them as bases to contest the invasions of Timor and Java.

This was the first time during WWII that Australian and US forces fought together and the first time that the war came to Australian soil.

to all who fought and lost their lives.

[Torplexed]

Yeah, geographically Darwin was in a bit of a tough spot during the war. It's rail link to the more populous regions of the Australian continent was not completed until decades after the war. The only tenuous land link was a dirt highway to the railhead at Alice Springs deep in the continental interior. Its vast hinterland is very sparsely settled and produces only a small quantity of agricultural items making local supply difficult. Had the Japanese followed up the raid with an invasion it would have been a tough place to reinforce by land or sea. As it was, the harbor was smashed and several ships sunk, rendering the harbor useless as a rear base for the defense of Java.

Salute to all who fell.

[Oberon]

Ah yes, I heard this mentioned on the radio yesterday morning, meant to write something about it or mention it to Geno-Mariner but with this whole night shift thing my conscious has been scrambled.

Salute to the fallen

[STEED]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17073472

Another bad day for the Allies.

[nikimcbee]

I forget, was that the same time they had the midget sub attack?

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

I forget, was that the same time they had the midget sub attack?

The midget sub attack on Sydney was on May 31, 1942. Probably meant to confuse and spread Allied defenses prior to the Midway operation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Sydney_Harbour

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by Torplexed

The midget sub attack on Sydney was on May 31, 1942. Probably meant to confuse and spread Allied defenses prior to the Midway operation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Sydney_Harbour

you're right. I'm embarressed I didn't remember that as I'm into Jap sub operations.

[Torplexed]

Today is also the 70th anniversary of the day the Germans took Winnipeg in Canada.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_Day

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by Torplexed

Today is also the 70th anniversary of the day the Germans took Winnipeg in Canada.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_Day

A smaller-scale invasion was staged in Vancouver,

The Porland scum invasion.

[Jimbuna]

I knew a little about it and always questionned the military decisions/actions taken soon after the attack.

It must have been pretty gloomy being separated from the mainstream and fearing an invasion would soon follow.

Would have to be there to fully appreciate the situation I suppose.

[TarJak]

I've heard but not seen that there were plans to follow up the bombing with an invasion, but the army decided that the value in that venture was low compared to other operations. The bombing was largely to prevent Allied interference in the Japanese invasion s on Timor and Papua.

[Jimbuna]

I always thought it was down to the Japanese preference for rice as opposed to kangaroo meat