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| Darwin bombed again By Lt Joseph Ternowetsky Volume 11, No. 61, March 08, 2007 |
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Of course on that day, February 19, it was only a re-enactment commemorating the 65th anniversary of the raid. But the sights and sounds were still enough to send shivers up one’s spine. “It was a pretty eerie feeling when those sirens went off,” said WO2 Lindsay, Battery Guide from 101 Mdm Bty. “You can see how easy it is for somebody to hit Australia.” More than 2000 people attended the re-enactment ceremony that included an F/A-18 fighter flypast, the firing of the massive M2A2 howitzer gun, along with explosions of smoke. The guns were operated by 16 soldiers from 8/12 Mdm Regt. “Our soldiers really enjoyed what they did,” WO2 Lindsay said. “It’s always fun to fire the guns around the general public.” However, the 1942 attack was not so joyous. The Japanese bombing campaign claimed more than 240 lives and devastated a large part of the city. The first 40 minute raid also demolished eight ships including the USS Peary with the loss of 91 seamen and all but one of Darwin’s war planes was destroyed. All-in-all the north suffered 64 air raids until November 1943. But none were as deadly as the first. “It is a part of our history,” WO2 Lindsay said. “We always have to remember what a good job our diggers did.” After the re-enactment a wreath laying ceremony was held and several prominent members of the community addressed the audience. A tri-service catafalque and flag party under the command of Sgt Gavin McGregor also performed an honour guard. The crowd observed one minute’s silence while an Army bugler played the Last Post. |
