Bombing of Darwin anniversary

I acknowledge the Larrakeyah people and pay my respects to their elders; past, present and emerging. Can I acknowledge all the service men and women who wear their nation’s uniform, dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen here today. 

83 years ago, on this day, a distant, growing noise across the harbor grew louder as planes of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service commenced a raid on Darwin. In two waves, the first just before 10am and the second just before midday, aircraft dropped a combined 682 bombs, more than Pearl Harbor on Darwin. 

20 ships were damaged, 8 of which sank. More than 250 people lost their lives, 100s more were injured. This was the day that the war came to Australia. In a short few months from the attack on Pearl Harbor, the significance of Darwin was already visible. There are American ships in the harbor providing support for the defence of the Netherlands East Indies, now Indonesia. Japan attacked Darwin to deny it as a base of support and assistance in their impending invasion of Java.

The bombing of Darwin happened because then, as now, everybody knew that this place mattered. 

And the attack came at the most sensitive time in Australia, just four days after the fall of Singapore, a time unlike any other, where Australia desperately asked the question as to if, and how, it can secure its place in the world. So today is a remembrance of the bravery of the Darwin community. Today is a remembrance of the sacrifice of those who lost their lives, but today is also a commemoration of the moment where the falling character of modern Australia was touched by fire. 

I particularly want to acknowledge the presence today of the Japanese Ambassador. Kazuhiro Suzuki. The Ambassador and I were here in November when I met my Japanese counterpart, the Minister for Defense, Gen Nakatani. His was the first ever visit of a Japanese Minister of Defense to Darwin, the first visit since that day 83 years ago. It was a visit that was poignant, and full of meaning, particularly given that we announced that members of the Japanese Self-Defense Force would come to the Northern Territory to train with American and Australian troops. 

Accordingly, the passage of the last 83 years tells a remarkable story of two nations who, on that day, were the most determined foes, and who now are the most committed friends. Then, as now, Darwin lay deeply embedded in Australia’s strategic heart.

It is why today, Darwin is one of the great garrison cities of our nation, the proud home of the United States Marine Rotation Force Darwin. 

83 years ago, on this day, when the war came to Australia, our nation owed Darwin an enormous debt of gratitude. And today, as we look upon an increasingly troubled world, in the strongest possible terms, that same debt of gratitude remains. 

Lest we forget.

ENDS