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The Australian Government has commemorated the 83rd anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin on February 19.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, detailed in an official statement, called for the community to remember those who lost their lives in the 1942 Bombing of Darwin and honour the service men and women who leapt to action to defend Australia’s north.
More than 250 allied military personnel, merchant mariners and civilians were killed by 240 Japanese aircraft which targeted the town during two separate raids.
"On this day, 83 years ago, Darwin faced a devastating aerial assault by Japanese forces, the first foreign attack on home soil in the Second World War," the statement said.
"These initial attacks were the beginning of a concerted bombing campaign across northern Australia, with nearly 100 air raids hitting Darwin, Broome, Townsville, Katherine, and many more towns.
"As we do every year, we pause to commemorate those who were impacted by the bombings in Darwin and across the north, their lives forever changed in the process, and we acknowledge the service and sacrifice of those who fought to protect Australia with unwavering determination. Lest we forget."
