Bombing @ 80

Today is the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin. Last year* we attended the commemoration ceremony at the Cenotaph but this year we decided to enjoy the commemoration air show on our regular Saturday cycle along the coast.

Need a quick reminder? Just before 10am on 19 February 1942, 242 Japanese aircraft bombed Darwin in two separate raids. The aim was to prevent the Allies from using Darwin as a base to contest the invasion of Timor and Java during WWII. At least 235 people were killed, more than 400 were wounded, 30 aircraft were destroyed, 11 ships were sunk, and many civilian and military facilities were damaged. It doesn't sound like massive carnage to our modern ears but this was (still is) a small town. It's also the only time that Australia has been bombed by another country.

Last year's commemoration included a supersonic fly-past by a F-18 Hornet fighter; this year there were a number of aircraft that flew by and over Darwin. Today I realised that taking pics of aircraft is even more challenging than bird photography (particularly from a bicycle), so be prepared to use your imagination.

First a Dakota DC-3 circled the city. Okay, so I borrowed the pic of the plane at Darwin airport. If you're wondering why I filmed the Dakota from behind the pillar, so am I.

But we were in a great position to watch three Air Force helicopters circle the bay. Here they are coming across the bay, towards East Point, and then turning in formation to go back towards the city. These include the most close-up pics that I have, which is extraordinary given that these machines were almost directly overhead a number of times. As I said, aircraft photos are more difficult than you think. The noise was wonderful, although I did feel the absence of the Ride of the Valkyries.

At least this video has the sound of the hellies, as well as the squawks of indignant masked lapwings at having their airspace invaded.

The grand finale, and this is where you will have to use your imagination a lot, was the fly-past of two F-35A Lightning II aircraft. The Air Force said that 'the aircraft will conduct a pass over the Cenotaph at approximately 80 metres above the ground, and up to 850 kilometres per hour'. Well, we saw them, but I missed the photo opportunity. Here's an earlier attempt to record the noise when they took off from Darwin airport.

I can assure you that behind these trees below, there are two F-35s that had just roared over us. ROARED. I have also borrowed a photo from the Air Force to show what we saw. Saw briefly, because 850 km per hour is quite fast.

This is a time of the year when there are high-profile visits from Japanese dignitaries, announcements of new Japanese investment in Darwin, and visits from Aussie politicians seeking to bolster their national election chances in a few months' time. The latter are met with scorn and derision.

Here's a selection of local news, including the feature on (very senior) veteran Brian Winspear who, at 101, is still driving a car. He's quoted as saying, 'The gods have been kind to me, my driver's licence says I'm okay until 2025 and with a bit of luck I might come back for the 85th commemoration.' (Fortunately for NT road users he's living in Tasmania. Not that I'm prejudiced against 101-year-old drivers or anything.) Good for you, Brian.

* More bombs away, 20 February 2021