Australia's Pearl Harbor: The Bombing of Darwin
World War Two • 17m
In February 1942, the Second World War came to Australia. The same Japanese fleet that had attacked Pearl Harbor only ten weeks before had set its sights on a new target. The harbour town of Darwin. In two separate attacks on February 19 1942, nearly 250 Japanese aircraft wreaked havoc on the lightly-defended town.
By the time the smoke had cleared, 11 ships lay at the bottom of the harbour. Dozens of buildings had been destroyed and more than 300 people had been killed. It was the largest attack ever mounted on Australia. Historian Mat Mclachlan visits this now bustling tropical city, to explore the places that tell the story of Darwin’s wartime past. Featuring Norm Cramp, Rob Marchant and Steve McIver.
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