On 19 February, 1942 Japanese forces launched air raids on Darwin, the first on Australian soil.

Shortly before 10am, 242 Japanese aircraft attacked ships in Darwin’s harbour and the town’s two airfields, with the aim of preventing the use of Darwin as a military base and thereby secure Timor and Java.

It is estimated that between 250 – 300 people died during the raids and essential services such as water and electricity were badly damaged.