Bombing Of Darwin Essay

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The Bombing of Darwin: 1942- WWII Introduction: The bombing of Darwin, the largest attack on Australian soil mounted by a foreign country, occurred on the 19 February, 1942 during the Second World War. Japan invaded Australia because they wanted to invade Timor and were wary that Australia might send aid to Timor through Darwin. 188 Japanese planes were launched against Darwin, led by the same person who led the Attack on Pearl Harbour, just 10 weeks prior to the event, Mitsuo Fuchida. They succeeded. The bombs killed 252 allied soldiers in place protecting Australian soil from such attacks along with civilians living in the city at the time. Some Australians like Captain Roy Cecil Hodgkinson, who was at the scene of the bombings painting and …show more content…

Before leading the attack on Darwin, he also led the attack on Pearl Harbour, just 10 weeks before. Fuchida led the first two waves on Darwin and had major successes in the crucial raids. He had no part in the minor skirmishes. He tactically targeted the warships and merchant vessels in the harbour. His aim was to cut off supplies and communication in and out of Darwin. Huchida succeeded and pinned down the Allied forces for a while, but not enough. Allied forces sold their lives dearly to protect their country and neighbour, …show more content…

After he finished his learning he went to Melbourne, then Europe, making his way painting and photographing. At the start of the war, Hodgkinson returned to Australia to do his bit for his country. He enlisted as a trooper in the Armored Division and was then was made an official war artist in February 1942. He toured New Guinea, India, Ceylon, Burma and Northern Australia where he happened to be when the Darwin Bombings occurred. After the bombings had finished, Hodgkinson painted this artwork depicting the post office and post master’s house completely destroyed. The postmaster died, with his daughter as well as other employees in the ensuing

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