For Those Of You That Didn't Know.

[Digger]

Australia had it's own "Pearl Harbour" in May 1943 when Japanese carrier based aircraft attacked targets in northern Australia, especially our northern city of Darwin.

 

There were some 84 attacks in total resulting in loss of life, widespread damage and many ships sunk.

 

One event that sticks in my mind was the sinking of the USS Peary, a destroyer, with the loss of 88 American servicemen. Apparently as the Peary was sinking a lone crewman stayed at his AA gun on the stern and was still firing at the Japanese aircraft as the stern slipped below the waves! That brings tears to my eyes.

 

Lots of Americans and Australians died during those raids and thousands of young American boys died fighting in our region, possibly helping stop us from invasion at that time.

 

When my turn came up for the Vietnam war I actually signed on for extra time and volunteered as I felt so strongly about the debt we owed those boys from so far away. Aussies back up their mates!

 

So for those of you interested enough to read more here's some Wiki about the "Battle of Darwin".

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Darwin

[Aster1]

Thanks for passing that along. We owe a debt of gratitude to oh so many that fought, and didn't come home,who fought and didn't come home right anymore (injured physically or mentally), and who fought and had chanced it all. All three can never be repaid in my book esp. in WWII. Not to diminish any service/sacrifice ANYONE has made to keep EVIL or Wrong from being done. I only say that because the stakes COULD NOT have been higher in WWII for the free world.

 

Thanks to all that served or served because of those like you Dig that followed! I truly think of this & am grateful most every week. That's why I get so angry when we are so quick/willing to give freedom and the way of life so many lost it all to preserve.

 

Aster

[Digger]

Thanks for passing that along. We owe a debt of gratitude to oh so many that fought, and didn't come home,who fought and didn't come home right anymore (injured physically or mentally), and who fought and had chanced it all. All three can never be repaid in my book esp. in WWII. Not to diminish any service/sacrifice ANYONE has made to keep EVIL or Wrong from being done. I only say that because the stakes COULD NOT have been higher in WWII for the free world.

 

Thanks to all that served or served because of those like you Dig that followed! I truly think of this & am grateful most every week. That's why I get so angry when we are so quick/willing to give freedom and the way of life so many lost it all to preserve.

 

Aster

 

 

Thanks "A", I didn't think this would be a well known part of history and given there were so many Americans lost defending Aussie soil I too wanted to give thanks.

 

Forever in their debt!

[OldCowboy]

I appreciate hearing about this and being reminded that people still care. A bass player friend of mine served in Australia during WWII, and the experience stayed with him all his life. Like most of us he wasn't inclined to say too much, but there it was.

[kelly campbell]

As a veteran of the US Navy I can appreciate those who fought from both countries they were in my mind the greatest generation. Thanks for your service.

[pappy]

My father fought in the pacific as a navy corpsman. He never did talk very much about it, just some light hearted stuff about the life aboard ship.He loved the ocean and this week my brother and I went to Myrtle Beach where he had a winter home and we honored his passing by renting a boat and spreading his ashes in the ocean. It was a fitting way to send him off and honor him. So to all the veterans I want to thank you all for your sacrifice and service no matter what country or branch,, or theater of conflict you participated in.

THANK YOU!!!

[Retired]

Thanks Rob, did not know that. I'm proud of all you served. I had two Uncles, who are both gone that served in the Korean War. One Uncle through marriage of my Aunt who retired in the Airforce. He's still alive. Both Dave and Alford who were my favorites told me a few stories when I was younger. I have a favorite Cousin that taught me how to play guitar serve in Vietnaum. He has dementia now. And our son served 6 years in the Navy. He's told me a few stories about his 2 years in the Persian Gulf that are very interesting. Of course it was two different stays over there. Thanks to all who have served, or lost there lives in service. One thing I love about going to a home football game in Nebraska is that they will fly military aircraft of some sort over the stadium at the beginning of the game. Then at half time, after the band plays, they will bring those pilots to the field that flew over and the entire sold out stadium applauds them and gets loud.

[stein]

Still reading on the link, and the links that go from that link.

 

That's good stuff.

 

I am sort of a history buff, and learning about wars, to me is a very fascinating subject. From technology, politics, bravery, sacrifice, it has everything.

 

The world as we know it, the map, politically and economically, is a direct result of WWII. And it's a better place for it. And from that, the other wars and "police actions" the allies participated in, though not always perfect, are not only as important, but have had an impact as well, and for the good.

 

For that, we ABSOLUTELY owe those who did the deed, gratitude and thanks for what has been done. And also, we do that by remembering the actual wars themselves.

 

What I'm getting from this link is that OZ was an important base for the allies in the Pacific, and these particular bases in OZ had to fight. Did not know that. It's a little more than the refuge for McCarther that is most known.

[Retired]

We were in Chicago once, and our daughter in law's parents have two houses. One in Illinois, and the other a lake house in Michigan. Her dad took me to this fancy museum they had in Chicago off a golf course. Can't remember the name, but it was the best I've seen covering all the wars. Starting with the Civil War, World War1, World War 2, Korean, Vietnam, Desset Storm. Incredible! The displays are fabulous. Worth going to. They have actuall figures and battle scenes all laid out like your right there in battle. Each room you walk into is a different war. You can spend all day there.

[merciful-evans]

Digger,

 

I'm embarrassed and angry that I didn't know about this. I certainly should have done.

 

I've been reading the wiki link and will continue. Thank you for wising me up.

 

I'm still learning about the nature & psychology of war & warriors at the ripe old age of 62. I never had any direct experience of a war, though we all feel the effects in myriad ways of course.

 

evans

[badbluesplayer]

Wow. I didn't know about that attack. WW2 was kind of a long time ago now. When I was a kid everything was still all about WW2.

 

Thanks for your service in Vietnam. I was a couple of years too young to serve but a lot of my buddies served with you. Some are gone too early.

[Digger]

As a veteran of the US Navy I can appreciate those who fought from both countries they were in my mind the greatest generation. Thanks for your service.

And to you.

[Digger]

My father fought in the pacific as a navy corpsman. He never did talk very much about it, just some light hearted stuff about the life aboard ship.He loved the ocean and this week my brother and I went to Myrtle Beach where he had a winter home and we honored his passing by renting a boat and spreading his ashes in the ocean. It was a fitting way to send him off and honor him. So to all the veterans I want to thank you all for your sacrifice and service no matter what country or branch,, or theater of conflict you participated in.

THANK YOU!!!

Those medics were brave, brave men Pappy.

 

That's where my ashes will go too mate.

[Digger]

We were in Chicago once, and our daughter in law's parents have two houses. One in Illinois, and the other a lake house in Michigan. Her dad took me to this fancy museum they had in Chicago off a golf course. Can't remember the name, but it was the best I've seen covering all the wars. Starting with the Civil War, World War1, World War 2, Korean, Vietnam, Desset Storm. Incredible! The displays are fabulous. Worth going to. They have actuall figures and battle scenes all laid out like your right there in battle. Each room you walk into is a different war. You can spend all day there.

 

 

Our war museum in Canberra has some fantastic displays inc. dioramas like you have described Rtd. They had just done up the Vietnam exhibit when we were there a few years ago and it includes a simulation of an opposed helicopter insertion with blokes jumping off, lights flashing and real audio from a similar situation. Explosions automatic weapon fire....all very real.

 

Too real for me as I got very emotional and got Gael to get me out of there! She had to help me.

[Digger]

Still reading on the link, and the links that go from that link.

 

That's good stuff.

 

I am sort of a history buff, and learning about wars, to me is a very fascinating subject. From technology, politics, bravery, sacrifice, it has everything.

 

The world as we know it, the map, politically and economically, is a direct result of WWII. And it's a better place for it. And from that, the other wars and "police actions" the allies participated in, though not always perfect, are not only as important, but have had an impact as well, and for the good.

 

For that, we ABSOLUTELY owe those who did the deed, gratitude and thanks for what has been done. And also, we do that by remembering the actual wars themselves.

 

What I'm getting from this link is that OZ was an important base for the allies in the Pacific, and these particular bases in OZ had to fight. Did not know that. It's a little more than the refuge for McCarther that is most known.

 

 

Glad you liked it Steiny. There were attacks on both sides of the country in those times with a Japanese sub shelling a NSW town one night and then there was the mini sub attack in Sydney Harbour itself. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Sydney_Harbour

Shipping was sunk off our coast and we flew coastal patrols all around the country, and there was a squadron of Beaufighters based in our town, Bairnsdale carrying out patrols of the southern coast too.Then there was the fight between a German raider and the HMAS Sydney just off the coast from Geraldton in WA.

 

You might like to read about that one too? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_between_HMAS_Sydney_and_German_auxiliary_cruiser_Kormoran

 

So there was a bit of action around Oz in those times.

 

General Mc Arthur was based in Brisbane a long way from the top end and the potential action. His plan was to cede al of northern Australia to the Japanese above Brisbane should an invasion occur.

 

Historians disagree about Japanese intentions to invade but apparently some Japanese troops were caught carrying Australian currency and New Guinea is a few miles off out coast, so I reckon if we hadn't beaten them, they would have ended up here.

[Digger]

Digger,

 

I'm embarrassed and angry that I didn't know about this. I certainly should have done.

 

I've been reading the wiki link and will continue. Thank you for wising me up.

 

I'm still learning about the nature & psychology of war & warriors at the ripe old age of 62. I never had any direct experience of a war, though we all feel the effects in myriad ways of course.

 

evans

 

 

Britain felt enormous effects of the wars ME, more so than most.

 

No need to be annoyed with yourself, a lot of younger Aussies wouldn't be aware of these things I've mentioned!

 

There are some other links there that might interest you in a previous post.

[Retired]

1457291979[/url]' post='1748627']

Our war museum in Canberra has some fantastic displays inc. dioramas like you have described Rtd. They had just done up the Vietnam exhibit when we were there a few years ago and it includes a simulation of an opposed helicopter insertion with blokes jumping off, lights flashing and real audio from a similar situation. Explosions automatic weapon fire....all very real.

 

Too real for me as I got very emotional and got Gael to get me out of there! She had to help me.

 

That's very understandable Rob. My son told me once when they were in the Persian Gulf that a Pirate ship was attacking their mine sweeping ship. They were returning fire and called a nearby destroyer of the location of the Pirates. My son said, he heard this missile come straight over their mine sweeper and that small pirate ship disappeared! I laughed and thought, what a bunch of idiots trying to attack a Naval ship! Where theirs one, there's more! They got what they deserved. One less pirate ship.

[stein]

Digger,

 

I'm embarrassed and angry that I didn't know about this. I certainly should have done.

 

I've been reading the wiki link and will continue. Thank you for wising me up.

 

I'm still learning about the nature & psychology of war & warriors at the ripe old age of 62. I never had any direct experience of a war, though we all feel the effects in myriad ways of course.

 

evans

 

 

Britain felt enormous effects of the wars ME, more so than most.

 

No need to be annoyed with yourself, a lot of younger Aussies wouldn't be aware of these things I've mentioned!

 

There are some other links there that might interest you in a previous post.

Indeed, no reason to feel embarrassed. You likely should be commended for knowing anything at all.

 

The European theater, while involving the same countries, was almost a completely different war, and ALSO, there were SO many important battles on both fronts, it's a lot to know.

 

You ain't exactly a kid, and WE would do well just to make the younger generation at least interested enough and get the main points: who was fighting, what they wanted, the results, and how many sacrificed to make sure it came out the way it did.

[Digger]

Yes it doesn't take long to slip out of collective memories.....if we let it!

[glp2012]

I'd like to quote the bottom of the Wikipedia article...

 

"The Japanese raid was unlike the attack on Pearl Harbor in that it was launched against a nation that had already declared war on Japan (on 8 December 1941). It was similar in that it was a successful aerial surprise attack on a naval target that came as a great shock to the attacked nation. While the number of bombs dropped on Darwin (681 bombs weighing 114,100 kilograms (251,500 lb) by 205 bombers) exceeded those dropped on Pearl Harbor (457 bombs (including 40 torpedoes) weighing 133,560 kilograms (294,450 lb) by 273),[109][110] loss of life was much greater at Pearl Harbor (more than 2,400 people) than Darwin (236 people) due to the presence of capital ships and the catastrophic loss of a single battleship, the USS Arizona, and its 1,177 men.[2][111][112]"

[Digger]

I'd like to quote the bottom of the Wikipedia article...

 

"The Japanese raid was unlike the attack on Pearl Harbor in that it was launched against a nation that had already declared war on Japan (on 8 December 1941). It was similar in that it was a successful aerial surprise attack on a naval target that came as a great shock to the attacked nation. While the number of bombs dropped on Darwin (681 bombs weighing 114,100 kilograms (251,500 lb) by 205 bombers) exceeded those dropped on Pearl Harbor (457 bombs (including 40 torpedoes) weighing 133,560 kilograms (294,450 lb) by 273),[109][110] loss of life was much greater at Pearl Harbor (more than 2,400 people) than Darwin (236 people) due to the presence of capital ships and the catastrophic loss of a single battleship, the USS Arizona, and its 1,177 men.[2][111][112]"

You don't think there's a similarity?

 

Proportionately there is a relationship in deaths as your population is 10X ours. Yes we were at war but these were still surprise attacks and we suffered 10's of attacks over a period of time carried out by the same carrier group that hit Pearl Harbour. I just thought others might be interested in hearing about it.

['Scales]

Guitars rock!

Particularly Gibsons.

[stein]

I'd like to quote the bottom of the Wikipedia article...

 

"The Japanese raid was unlike the attack on Pearl Harbor in that it was launched against a nation that had already declared war on Japan (on 8 December 1941). It was similar in that it was a successful aerial surprise attack on a naval target that came as a great shock to the attacked nation. While the number of bombs dropped on Darwin (681 bombs weighing 114,100 kilograms (251,500 lb) by 205 bombers) exceeded those dropped on Pearl Harbor (457 bombs (including 40 torpedoes) weighing 133,560 kilograms (294,450 lb) by 273),[109][110] loss of life was much greater at Pearl Harbor (more than 2,400 people) than Darwin (236 people) due to the presence of capital ships and the catastrophic loss of a single battleship, the USS Arizona, and its 1,177 men.[2][111][112]"

 

 

You don't think there's a similarity?

 

Proportionately there is a relationship in deaths as your population is 10X ours. Yes we were at war but these were still surprise attacks and we suffered 10's of attacks over a period of time carried out by the same carrier group that hit Pearl Harbour. I just thought others might be interested in hearing about it.

It completely depends on the context.

 

Pearl Harbor attack had many context and implications, bringing America into the war was the MAIN thing history will, and should remember. But what history often forgets, is it was ALSO what changed the minds of the American public, who were before then againsnt entering.

 

As a "wake up call", they would likely be very similar, as are a lot of comparisons when referring to the Pearl Harbor attack.

 

I would not compare loss of life, though, as war is more than just attacks killing each other. The RESULT of the attack on an important supply base very likely caused more loss of life somewhere else. But on the other hand, the fact OZ was able to endure a level of pounding without having to arm-up with resources to "win" such attacks would also be a loss of resources for the Japanese.

 

DEFINITE similarities would be they both caught us with our pants down, and both were successful, and both resulted in a short period of impotence for each base. The objective of the enemy being reached.

 

What I'd like to know, was Australia pissed of about it like the Americans from Pearl Harbor? I missed that in the article.

[Digger]

It completely depends on the context.

 

Pearl Harbor attack had many context and implications, bringing America into the war was the MAIN thing history will, and should remember. But what history often forgets, is it was ALSO what changed the minds of the American public, who were before then againsnt entering.

 

As a "wake up call", they would likely be very similar, as are a lot of comparisons when referring to the Pearl Harbor attack.

 

I would not compare loss of life, though, as war is more than just attacks killing each other. The RESULT of the attack on an important supply base very likely caused more loss of life somewhere else. But on the other hand, the fact OZ was able to endure a level of pounding without having to arm-up with resources to "win" such attacks would also be a loss of resources for the Japanese.

 

DEFINITE similarities would be they both caught us with our pants down, and both were successful, and both resulted in a short period of impotence for each base. The objective of the enemy being reached.

 

What I'd like to know, was Australia pissed of about it like the Americans from Pearl Harbor? I missed that in the article.

 

 

I suspect that much of the population was unaware of what was happening up north, but I may be wrong.

 

Darwin was so remote in those days and we were so vulnerable, that they may not have been informed until later?

[Doug the Old Geezer]

Digger,

 

I have so much respect for all you folks that served your country and the world. I never served, but because of my Dad, I am the Commander of Squadron 454 of the Sons of the American Legion at Post 454 in Kiester, MN. We exist to honor our grandfathers, fathers, brothers and friends that served their country and proudly fought for freedom around the world. My Dad is 91 years old and is my hero, he can no longer walk 5 feet by himself, but he walked across Europe when he was 20 years old, fought in the Battle of the Bulge and in 1945 his Company liberated the death camp at Dachau, Germany. I believe that because of their bravery, those guys saved so many Jewish families' lives and I think of the generations since that are still thriving because of their actions.

 

With Much Gratitude thank you Digger,

 

Doug