Why Is Darwin Important In Australia

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The Bombing of Darwin
Considering that Darwin was an important base for Australia, it was not properly prepared for the Japanese air raids. The Japanese had been invading areas of the Asia-Pacific and Darwin was going to be one of its targets. The bombing of Darwin was one of Australia's most devastating fights on land, and resulted in severe losses. The aftermath is considered an embarrassment as looting became an issue, alongside more bombing attacks which occurred throughout Northern Australia. Throughout these events, Darwin was considered to be unprepared for the Japanese attack.

Darwin played a significant role in the war prior to the bombing and was considered a vital Australian defence base, (Australian War Memorial). As an important town in Northern Australia, it was isolated from other major cities, so heavily relied on sea transport. In the 1930s when the war was beginning to develop, Australia began to build Darwin up as a military base, using it to send forces to help defend the Dutch East Indies. The port and airfield were improved, along with coastal defences on the beaches. As it was in such a strategic position, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) built bases near the town. They also established maintenance facilities, munitions storage and improved communications. Within the two months before the bombing, especially when Singapore fell, the civilians of Darwin were evacuated including women, children, the sick and elderly. …show more content…

Fuchida, & M. Okumiya, 1957). Considering that Darwin was an important base for Australia, the preparations made were not enough for the

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