HMAS Maitland Joins Commemoration of 71st Anniversary of Bombing of Darwin, Australia

Supporting the 71st Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin commemorations, Australian Defence members helped recount the events of 19 February 1942 with a Royal Australian Air Force fast jet flypast and ceremonial gunfire by the Army’s 8th/12th Regiment RAA.

The commemoration also included embarking on a maritime border security patrol. The crew of Assail Four (Lieutenant Commander Paul Ukhoff) embarked on HMAS Maitland, their departure from Darwin on Tuesday, 19 February honoured a special occasion in the nation’s history.

A last-minute request from Headquarters Northern Command saw the boat divert to the waters adjacent the Darwin Cenotaph to participate in the 71st Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin commemorations.

En route to patrolling Australia’s northern waters, the boat created a dynamic backdrop as a crowd of more than 3000 veterans, dignitaries and the general public, viewed a flyover from four FA/18 Hornet aircraft from 75 Squadron, RAAF Base Tindal.

To commemorate those who defended Darwin 71 years earlier, the Army’s 8th/12th Regiment RAA then fired four 105mm M2A2 Howitzers from the Cenotaph in response at 9:58am, the same time the air raid sirens sounded in 1942.

Lieutenant Commander Ukhoff said it was an honour to be involved in such an important commemoration.

 “We were preparing for a routine departure for border security operations when circumstances allowed Maitland to form the backdrop to the commemoration.

“It was a privilege for the crew to represent Navy on the occasion that marked the courage and sacrifice of those who defended Darwin 71 years earlier,” he said.

At the ceremony’s conclusion, Maitland set sail to conduct patrols as part of Joint Task Force 639, the military contribution to Australia’s Whole of Government maritime border security effort Operation RESOLUTE.

Navy ships present in the harbour at the time of the raids in 1942 were the sloop HMAS Swan, corvettes Deloraine and Katoomba, auxiliary minesweepers Gunbar and Tolga, patrol boat Coongoola, depot ship Platypus, examination vessel Southern Cross, lugger Mavie and four boom-net ships.

Personnel from patrol boat base HMAS Coonawarra also supported the USS Peary memorial service with a Navy flag raising party and the commemorative service at the Darwin Cenotaph.

The Bombing of Darwin was the first of more than 90 Japanese air raids across the Top End of Australia from February 1942 until November 1943.

The first wave of 188 aircraft attacked Darwin at 9:58am on Thursday, 19 February 1942 from four Japanese Navy carriers steaming approximately 450km to the north-west. All four ships had participated in the attack on Pearl Harbour two months prior.

About 243 people were confirmed dead and between 320 and 500 injured. Eight ships (naval and civilian) were sunk in the harbour including USS Peary, in which more than 80 American sailors perished.

On 7 December 2011, the Governor-General proclaimed February 19 a National Day of Observance, to be known as “Bombing of Darwin Day” in honour of those who fell during the attack.

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Naval Today Staff, February 22, 2013; Image: Australian MoD