Saturday 31 October 2015

Darwin Nothern Territory and the WAR.

Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. (The Top End)
It's situated on the Timor Sea and is the largest city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, with a population of about 136,400.
Darwin was originally a pioneer outpost.

The Dutch visited Australia's northern coastline in the 1600s and created the first European maps of the area.

The Bombing of Darwin, also known as the Battle of Darwin on February 19, 1942 was both the first and the largest single attack ever mounted by a foreign power on Australia.  On this day, 242 Japanese aircraft attacked ships in Darwin's harbour and the town's two airfields in an attenpt to prevent the Allies from using them as bases to contest the invasions of Timor and Java.
The town was only lightly defended and the Japanese inflicted heavy losses upon the Allied forces at little cost to themselves.  The urban areas of Darwin also suffered some damage from the raids and there were a number of civilian casualties.
The raids were the first and largest of almost 100 air raids against Australia during 1942 - 43.


More on the Bombing of Darwin [ Here ]



Australian Naval Ship - Darwin.


 Beagle Gulf


The back of the War Memorial which faces the sea.
Below the front of.



27 comments:

  1. War is awful for all of us, no matter what country, nationality, etc. Interesting why this place was chosen. Who would know?

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    1. Dreadful is War.
      The reason:
      It wasn't us (Australia) the Japanese wanted to invade - it was Timor. However, they reasoned that Darwin would send aid to Timor when such an event took place, so the Japanese decided it was best to take the Northern Territory's capital out of the equation. They felt a number of air raids would do just that, as well as demoralise the Australians. (I found this answer on the internet)

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  2. War is cruel and inhuman , the world must live in peace.

    Kisses

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  3. Yes far more aircraft in the initial bombing attack on Darwin than were used on Pearl Harbour
    and far more bombs dropped. I believe that after this the Brisbane Line theory was drawn up.
    Fear swept the whole continent of Australia. Thus PM John Curtin's "bring back the boys from
    Europe call" and the start of the Australian / US Alliance.
    I think this period was the start of the realisation that Australia was not a European
    country but an Asian country with a predominantly European population which of course
    now is a fact of life. Thus our major diplomatic posts are in the Asia/Pacific area - Djarkarta,
    Tokyo, Beijing and Wastington, DC.
    You certainly were in Darwin in the dry season - the seas are so tranquil.
    Great report on the history of Darwin - well done.
    Cheers
    Colin
    PS; At last here looks like the miserable rainy (drizzle) weather has gone! Clean sunny skies.

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    Replies
    1. Thank Colin. Yes, sea was very calm, would like to see it in the wet.

      Delete
  4. interesting place and monument I didn't know that your country suffered duiring the war. too.

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    1. Oh yes Gosia War is was, Sydney was attacked, the link below is you have time and wish to read.
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Sydney_Harbour

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  5. I don't think war has any winners.
    Thanks for the reminder, and the lesson.
    I hope that Darwin remains peaceful forever more.

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    Replies
    1. No never a winner in War.
      You are welcome. I didn't have any idea about the bombing of Darwin until I visited the city the first time, then I became intrigued.
      Let's hope Darwin does remain as peaceful as it has been for years, it's so close to other countries though.

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  6. A couple or so months ago I was invited to have drinks with friends as their son was visiting for a few days. The son lives in China...teaches English there. He's 30 years old. Nice enough young man but a bit of a "know-all", if you know what I mean. (It's genetic...his Dad is similar!) :)

    I've known the young man since he was 16. I can't remember how or why the subject was raised, but I know my ire was raised to a dangerous level when the young pup told me that during the Second World War Japan wasn't interested in Australia!!!!!

    I raised my glass to my lips...gulped...bit my tongue...and ventured no further into the subject. I couldn't believe my ears, and it was safer that I didn't respond. Instead, when I regained my equilibrium I changed the subject, for his sake and my own!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I do know, "know it all's", most of us know a few of those. (at times I am probably one myself, regarding computers to people my own age).

      Well you friend didn't know at all the workings of the War back then...
      Interesting story you told, I think I would have had to say something, depends on the situation though.

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  7. Hello Margaret,
    Wonderful pictures.
    Great to see that navy ship.

    Greetings, Marco

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    Replies
    1. Thank you.
      There was also a cruise ship on port but couldn't get a photo of that as all was blocked off to foot traffic and vehicles.

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  8. A very interesting post Margaret. Have just been catching up on your recent posts and have really enjoyed seeing all the photos you took while in the Territory. Brings back lots of nice memories as I worked at Uluru for 7 months when I was a young'un. You really take great photos! I also loved seeing the fields of tulips in Tassie. I hadn't known they were grown en masse over there. Keep the great photos coming!

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    1. Oh really!, how wonderful that you worked there at Uluru, an experience not to be forgotten, I bet..
      Thank you regarding my photos.

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  9. It is true that the government recently moved the naval base from Sydney to Darwin? I recall some incredible firework display over Sydney and I think it was related to honouring the armed services but also as a mark to the move?

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    1. No I don't think that has happened as yet.
      The Link, can read the article about it..
      http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-13/us-considering-permanent-naval-base-darwin-china-not-happy/6090884

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  10. No it hasn't happened yet with the Navy but the Indian Ocean side - Fremantle has become a major naval
    base which is far more important than Sydney.
    Army and Air Force bases have been really made bigger in the north now - outside Darwin.
    Colin

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  11. Lovely photos. It all looks so peaceful, hard to believe there was ever a war going on there.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks. Yes very hard to believe..let's hope it remains as is now :)

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  12. Beautiful photos, Margaret, and so nice that it is peaceful now!

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  13. Beautiful photos, Margaret, and so nice that it is peaceful now!

    ReplyDelete

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