Historical information

Image depicting the explosion of a ship, filled with TNT and ammunition, hit during the first Japanese air raid on Australia's mainland, at Darwin on 19 February 1942. In the foreground is HMAS Deloraine which survived unscathed. On that day, 236 people were killed when 242 Japanese aircraft, in two separate raids, attacked the town, ships in Darwin's harbour and the town's two airfields in an attempt to prevent the Allies from using them as bases to contest the invasion of Timor and Java during World War II.
MV Neptuna was a 5,952 ton cargo motor vessel. and was 1 of 11 sunk during the Japanese air raid on Darwin on 19 February 1942. In January 1942 HMAS Deloraine evaded an attack by the Japanese submarine I-124 north-west of Darwin and was jointly credited with the submarines' sinking after she inflicted the initial damage.

Significance

The Bombing of Darwin, also known as the Battle of Darwin, on 19 February 1942 was the largest single attack ever mounted by a foreign power on Australia.

Physical description

Brown timber frame containing blue black and white print of ships being bombed.

Inscriptions & markings

February 19th 1942, Darwin Harbour
In the foreground the corvette HMAS Deloraine. Smoke billowing in the background is from burning oil tanks on shore, the mushroom cloud is from the explosionof the ammunition ship Neptuna.
Watercolour by Tom Offord