Historical information

Darwin was bombed by Japanese fighter bombers from Feb 1942 until Nov 1943.
On 19 February 1942 Darwin itself was bombed. Japanese fighters and bombers attacked the port and shipping in the harbour twice during the day, killing 252 Allied service personnel and civilians. On 3 March Broome, in Western Australia, was strafed. In succeeding months air attacks were made on many towns in northern Australia including Wyndham, Port Hedland and Derby in Western Australia, Darwin and Katherine in the Northern Territory, Townsville and Mossman in Queensland, and Horn Island in the Torres Strait. Despite popular fears these raids were not the precursor to an invasion but they did serve to interrupt the use of Darwin's port facilities. The raids also tied up anti aircraft defences and air force units that would have otherwise been sent to more forward areas. The Bombing of Darwin www.awm.gov.au

Physical description

Folded metal to cover a match box top and bottom and one side.
Would leave one side of the box exposed to strike a match.
Lettering on top and bottom created by letter punch

Inscriptions & markings

Front:
Zero Mitsubishi Fighter
Shot down over Darwin
19/2/1942
Back:
From Frank to Dad.