Darwin remembers World War II bombing
A commemorative service will be held in Darwin to remember the bombing of the city and other northern towns 77 years ago during World War II.
From February 19, 1942 to November 12, 1943, Darwin, Katherine, Broome, Townsville, Wyndham and Cairns were bombed by Japanese forces.
"The first attacks on 19 February were by far the most destructive, with 242 Japanese aircraft bombing Darwin in two separate attacks, killing more than 240 people," Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Australians should never forget the day the Second World War came to our doorstep, and we should all honour the sacrifices of those who served, and tragically died, in defence of our nation."
On Monday, war veteran Flight Lieutenant Roger Brian Winspear, the last survivor in the 2 and 13 RAAF Hudson Bomber Squadrons based in Darwin at the time, unveiled a plaque at the Cenotaph honouring his comrades.
"The two squadrons were here from 1941 to 1943 and lost 200 aircrew in that time - three-quarters of us were wiped out," Mr Winspear told the NT News.
The 99-year old campaigned for decades to have his friends remembered.
"For 75 years, I have been agitating to get some recognition of the terrible losses we had, so today is important," Mr Winspear said.
Last November Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid a historic visit to the city and laid a wreath to the fallen.
