What was the damage caused by the Darwin Bombing?
The air raids caused chaos in Darwin, with most essential services including water and electricity being badly damaged or destroyed. Fears of an imminent invasion spread and there was a wave of refugees, as half of the town’s civilian population fled. Eight ships were sunk in Darwin Harbour. The USAAF lost ten P-40s, one B-24 bomber, and three C-45 transport planes. The US Navy lost three PBY Catalina flying boats and moorers outside the harbour. The RAAF lost six Lockheed Hudsons. The number of people killed during the 19 February raids is disputed. The Lowe Commission, which investigated them in March 1942, identified 243 victims but assuming a few were unidentified concluded “the number is approximately 250”. By contrast, there is less dispute over the number of injured during the attacks. The Lowe Commission estimated “between 300 and 400” people were wounded. After the massive 19 February 1942 Japanese raid, the Northern Territory and parts of Western Australia’s north were bombed
