Why did they attack Australia? |
There is two reasons why the Japanese attacked Darwin, One of the reasons that people think is that the Japanese wanted to invade Australia. But Many professionals now think that Australia is not the country they wanted to invade it was Timor and they thought but attacking Darwin it would send aid to Timor when something like this event took place.
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Who was in charge? |
In charge of Australia at the time was John Curtin. John Curtin was not heavily involved in the bombing of Darwin. John Curtin did comment on the issue and did say:
"A severe blow has been struck in this first battle on Australian soil. It will be a source of pride to the public to know that the armed forces and civilians conducted themselves with the gallantry that was traditional in people of British stock. "We must face with fortitude the first onslaught and remember that whatever the future holds in store for us we are Australians and will fight grimly and victoriously...Darwin has been bombed, but it has not been conquered. In charge of the bombing/ Japanese was a guy called Chuichi Nahgumo. Chuichi was appointed commander in chief of the first air fleet. One of his successes included The Bombing of Darwin. |
Key events leading up to this event |
The significant events that led up to the bombing of Darwin was that the Japanese was in control of Indochina and large parts of china. Then in 1941 December, japan bombed the Americans at Pearl Harbor and entered the second war. In about 10 weeks japan had control of Hong Kong, Malay, Singapore and the Australian territory of New Britain (Rabaul). At the time many Australians believed that Japanese was planning to invade Australia. On the 16th of December 1941-15th of February in 1942 was the official evacuation. Then on the 19th of February 1942 was the first attacks.
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Aftermath of The Bombing of Darwin |
There was many killed or injured during the bombing of Darwin:
Many ships/ aircrafts destroyed:
Darwin as a town was destroyed. The Bombing of Darwin meant that the war was brought on home soil and we would have to fight harder and protect our home our soil and our country.
The Bombing of Darwin changed Australia at the time because Australia where not prepared and where not expecting that the war to come on home front and it did. |