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Darwin: World War II arrived in Australia for the first time on February 19, 1942, when more than 240 Japanese aircraft bombed Darwin in two separate attacks that killed more than 240 people.
Seventy-six years later, Veterans' Affairs Minister Michael McCormack says Australians should not only pause to remember those who died during the attack, but also remember those who defended the city.
The Bank of New South Wales in Darwin after a Japanese attack in 1942.
Photo: Fairfax Media"Australia should remember with pride the many people involved in Darwin's defence on this day 76 years ago," Mr McCormack said.
"The bombing of Darwin was believed by many at the time to be the prelude to a Japanese invasion. In reality, it was aimed at eliminating the threat of an allied counter-attack against the Japanese invasion of Timor which took place the following day."
At least 14 Japanese fighters and bombers were shot out of action when 49 enemy planes raided Darwin on March 15. In this photo, Pte. F. Conlin, Driver J. Hankin and Sergeant Babb hold parts of Japanese bombs dropped during the raid.
Photo: Photographer Unknown