Darwin Bombing
Australia had been concerned about the aggressive actions of Japan since the outbreak of World War II in Europe. In December 1941, when the Japanese bombed the American naval fleet at Pearly Harbor, the fear of a Japanese invasion of Australia seemed all the more real. In January and February 1942, the Japanese seized the Malay Peninsula with unprecedented speed. When Singapore fell, Australia held her breath and waited, certain that she would be next on Japan's 'to-do' list. Four days after Singapore submitted to Japan in February, Darwin was hit by two devastating air raids. In an operation with disturbing similarities to the attack on Pearl Harbor, around 90 Japanese bombers and fighters attacked the city in the Northern Territory, causing extensive damage to the city and the harbour and taking 243 lives. The bombing of Darwin was not an isolated event. Between 1942 and 1943 many cities in northern Western Australia, the Norther Territory, and norther Queensland fell victim to attacks (see the map below to examine which cities were attacked).
Japan had no intention of launching an invasion of Australia and was more concerned about Australia's role as a port for American vessels. The Japanese attacks highlighted Australia's lack of preparation for a possible invasion and the defence of Australia. See below for a map depicting the cities that Japan controlled by 1942.
Japan had no intention of launching an invasion of Australia and was more concerned about Australia's role as a port for American vessels. The Japanese attacks highlighted Australia's lack of preparation for a possible invasion and the defence of Australia. See below for a map depicting the cities that Japan controlled by 1942.
Sydney Harbour
On 31 May 1942, large Japanese submarines, sitting about 13 kilometers out to sea from Sydney Harbour, launched three two-person midget submarines into the harbour, with the hope of bombing warships anchored there, including the US ship USS Chicago. The submarines were spotted one by one, and hunted for several hours during the evening and night. The search was difficult because vision was limited and other boats on the harbour, including ferries, continued to sail.
One of the Japanese submarines fired a torpedo aimed at the USS Chicago, but it missed and hit the HMAS Kattabul, sinking that ship and killing 19 Australians and two British soldiers. During the hunt, the crew of one of the midget submarines realised they were trapped, and blew up themselves and their vessel. The crew of the second midget submarine shot themselves and the third disappeared but didn't make it back to the large submarine. The wreck of that midget submarine was found in 2006 off Sydney's northern beaches.
One of the Japanese submarines fired a torpedo aimed at the USS Chicago, but it missed and hit the HMAS Kattabul, sinking that ship and killing 19 Australians and two British soldiers. During the hunt, the crew of one of the midget submarines realised they were trapped, and blew up themselves and their vessel. The crew of the second midget submarine shot themselves and the third disappeared but didn't make it back to the large submarine. The wreck of that midget submarine was found in 2006 off Sydney's northern beaches.
Create your own newspaper article!
You are to choose between either the bombing of Darwin or the submarines in Sydney Harbour and are to create and write a one page newspaper article on the event to hand in next lesson.
How to create a newspaper article
Include:
How to create a newspaper article
Include:
- Creative heading
- Subheading
- Persuasive language
- Photo of the event
- Key details
- e.g. who, what, when, where, why, importance
- e.g. who, what, when, where, why, importance
- Name!
- Make it creative
REMEMBER TO PRINT THE ARTICLE! I will be collecting these next lesson.