BOMBING OF DARWIN 80th ANNIVERSARY – 19th February 2022
On 19 February 1942 Darwin was bombed by enemy forces becoming the largest single attack ever mounted by a foreign power on Australia.
The attack left hundreds of servicemen and civilians dead, and countless others injured.
Each year we come together as a city and a nation, to pay tribute to the men and women who were there.
City of Darwin Image Library
2022 Bombing of Darwin Day Commemorations On the19th of February each year, we commemorate the Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin.
In 2022, it will be 80 years ago that Australia faced an unprecedented foreign attack on home soil.
In 2011, Bombing of Darwin Day joined Anzac Day and Remembrance Day as a National Day of Observance.
The Bombing of Darwin Day is a day to reflect on our past and to pay tribute to those servicemen, servicewomen and civilians who were there – those who courageously defended our country, those who selflessly helped others, those who dealt with the aftermath, and of course, those who lost their lives.
The 19th of February 1942 marked the first of at least 64 air raids on the Top End of Australia, which continued for 18 months, until November 1943. In commemorating this day we are also passing the story on to the next generation.
On Bombing of Darwin Day, we remember and commemorate all those who were part of the war fought over Northern Australia
City of Darwin is pleased to present The Bombing of Darwin Day Commemoration program and invites you to join us at the 80th Anniversary Commemoration 19 February 2022.
Please note further events may be added closer to the date.
Friday 18 February
5.30- 7pm
Arafura Wind Ensemble presents…. 80th anniversary From Engagement to Peace a homage at the
Christ Church Cathedral Civic Park, Smith Street
City of Darwin Free, open to the public
Saturday 19 February
8.15 am – 9 am
USS Peary Memorial Service on The Esplanade
Australian American Association NT Free, open to the public
Saturday 19 February
9.30am – 11am
Bombing of Darwin Day Commemorative Service at The Cenotaph
City of Darwin Free, open to the public
Saturday 19 February
5.30 – 7pm
Arafura Wind Ensemble presents …… 80th anniversary From Engagement to Peace a homage
At the Christ Church Cathedral Civic Park, Smith Street
City of Darwin Free, open to the public
Sunday 20 February
10.00am – 11.00am
Ecumenical Service
Adelaide River War Cemetery
Free, open to the public
Tourism Top End Packages Tourism Top End welcomes all visitors to Darwin during the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin and are here to assist with all accommodation and tourism experiences, please go to the website
City of Darwin Image Library
A defining moment in Australia’s history In the initial attack at 9.58am on 19 February 1942, 188 enemy aircraft dropped more bombs over Darwin than were used in the attack on Pearl Harbour.
The attack was the first of at least 64 air raids on the Top End of Australia, which continued until 12 November 1943.
Despite its severity and impact, the Bombing of Darwin and the war fought over Northern Australia is often overshadowed by subsequent events in our nation’s history.
Remnants of WWII are still visible at many locations across Darwin, Katherine and Adelaide River. These sites offer visitors a chance to pay homage to both the heroes who fought on the frontline and the Territory’s multicultural community affected by the bombing raids. Asian, European and Indigenous people worked alongside the allied servicemen as Darwin was attacked over an 18 month period.
The devastation suffered by Territorian families was profound. The evacuees who returned and the wider community came together to rebuild Darwin after the war, and many stories of tragedy and survival have been shared during these years.
No event in history has highlighted the tenacity, resilience, and spirit of those living in the Territory, quite as profoundly as the Bombing of Darwin.
