The largest single attack ever mounted on Australia occurred on 19 February 1942, when Darwin was bombed by Japan. Often called ‘Australia’s Pearl Harbor’, the bombing of the Northern Territory capital by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft killed more than 230 people and destroyed ships, buildings and infrastructure. Japanese air raids continued until 12 November 1943

Main image: The burning ship Neptuna on the day of the Japanese attack. Photograph: Northern Territory Library/Peter Spillett Collection

  • Darwin Post Office was located on the site where Parliament House and the Northern Territory Library are today. As the first raid began, staff ran to a trench at the rear of their building. Tragically, it received a direct hit, killing all 10 employees taking refuge there.

    The bombed Darwin Post Office

  • The ship Zealandia was attacked by Japanese aircraft as it lay at anchor in Darwin Harbour.

    The ship ship Zealandia was attacked by Japanese aircraft in Darwin Harbour

  • A Mitsubishi Zero B11-1 aircraft from the Japanese Imperial Navy aircraft carrier Hiryū flown by Sgt Hajime Toyoshima on 27 February 1942. Japan lost four aircraft in the first raid – two Val dive bombers and two Zeke fighters. One of the fighters crash-landed on Melville Island, north of Darwin. Its pilot became Australia’s first prisoner of war when he was captured by Tiwi man Matthias Ulungura.

    A crashed Mitsubishi Zero B11-1 aircraft from the Japanese Imperial Navy aircraft carrier Hiryū

  • Japanese forces bombed the wharf and ships moored in Darwin Harbour. Six large vessels were sunk and another 14 ships were damaged. The MV Neptuna exploded at the wharf causing massive damage. The greatest loss of life occurred when the destroyer USS Peary (pictured) sank killing 88 people.

    The destroyer USS Peary sinks

  • Mitchell Street looking away from the Port of Darwin, showing bomb damage to the Post Office.

    Mitchell Street looking away from the Port of Darwin, showing bomb damage to the Post Office

  • The Bank of New South Wales after an air raid. The two air raids on 19 February 1942 resulted in 237 deaths and caused extensive damage to essential services, shipping and defence installations. Japanese air raids continued until 12 November 1943.

    The Bank of New South Wales after an air raid

  • Post master general’s staff common grave near Darwin Hospital.

    Post master generals staff common grave near Darwin Hospital

  • Ships burning in the distance.

    Ships burning in the distance

  • Crater and damage at Darwin Hospital.

    Crater and damage at Darwin Hospital

  • Over 2,000 women and children were evacuated from the region by air, road and sea. The final evacuation aircraft left Darwin just one day before the first Japanese air raid.

    Women and children are evacuated from the region

  • As the first bombs began to fall, troops ran to the anti-aircraft guns sited at various locations around Darwin and engaged the attacking aircraft. Soldiers also shot at low-flying planes with their rifles and light machine guns.

    Australian troops respond to the attacking aircraft

  • Leading Aircraftman Percy Leslie Westcott with kelpie puppy Gunner. After breaking his leg in the first air raid, Gunner could anticipate Japanese air attacks long before his human counterparts. Rescued by Westcott, Gunner would grow agitated when he heard Japanese aircraft approaching, which warned those around him to head for their slit trenches.