Talk:Air raids on Australia, 1942–1943

This is little more than a list of data. Needs major prose expansion. Could be more like Bombing of Darwin, February 19, 1942 or Belfast Blitz. LordAmeth 09:37, 12 October 2006 (UTC)

Should this article include the overflights of Australian east coast cities by Japanese submarine-based float planes during 1942 and 1943? Dates and references for these overflights are easily available in the Axis naval activity in Australian waters article. --Nick Dowling 06:07, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

My feeling is that since they were reconnaissance flights rather than offensive operations (i.e. "raids") they are better dealt with in the naval activity article. Grant | Talk 06:27, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

OK, that sounds good to me. Do we know whether this article excludes reconnaissance flights over northern Australia? --Nick Dowling 06:39, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

I'm not 100%, but I doubt there are any. I mean I'm aware of some other purely reconnaissance flights that aren't listed here, such as the one over Broome before the first air raid there. I think we should weed them out if we find them. Grant | Talk 06:54, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

Agreed. --Nick Dowling 07:07, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

I've removed the reference to Cairns being attacks as this isn't supported on the AWM website or in the RAAF official histories. While it is referenced at the Oz@War website, this site has limited quality control and I don't think that it should be considered a reliable source by itself. --Nick Dowling 10:22, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

I've just removed the following text from Military history of Australia during World War II‎. It might one day be suitable for inclusion in this article, or a related article. --Nick Dowling 07:01, 20 October 2007 (UTC)

Following the bombing of Darwin on 19 February 1942, an initial response was to create dispersed airstrips down the main road. In order southward were the airfields known as:

• Sattler
• Strauss
• Hughes
• Livingstone

Just north of Adelaide River were:

• Coomalie
• Pell
• Batchelor
• Gould

with Adelaide River being a headquarters, communications, stores, hospital, ammunition and war graves centre. South of it were airfields:

• Fenton
• Long
• McDonald

and the Brocks Creek Bulk Issue Petrol and Oil Depot (BIPOD).

Katherine had a major hospital and was a railway headquarters. In addition to the "old airport" (located near the hospital towards the town center; target of at least one bombing raid), Katherine had satellite airfields to its south:

• Tindal (bomber base)
• Munbulloo (also a major military abattoir)
• Venn

A good suggestion. Each of these strips would be worthy of articles, I think, especially given the historical significance. Grant | Talk 12:48, 20 October 2007 (UTC)

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There are 113 raids (or attacks) on the list; 83 NT, 18 WA, 12 Qld. Some of the 113 are 2+ locations.

There are 53 for Darwin (incl 1 Parap, 1 Vesteys).

Not counted in the 53; from Darwin (by air); Fenton Airfield (Long) 140km, Batchelor Airfield 70km, Coomalie Creek Airfield 70km, Pell Airfield 80km, Hughes 40km, Livingstone 40km.

MBG02 (talk) 16:15, 5 October 2018 (UTC)

Knowing next to nothing about Australia but somewhat acquainted with Pacific War, the following questions that crossed my mind: (1) What was the greatest "penetration" (e.g. southernmost point attacked)? (2) Were the raids launched from Rabaul, or from Lae? Bombers from Rabaul & fighter cover from Lae & Salamaua? Coming from Lae, how much flying time did they have (left in their gas tanks) over Australia? (3) What units did the Japanese raiders belong to? (4) During this period, were there any changes in Australian command structure that resulted in a different response to the attacks? It would be nice if a brief statement about (1) were included in the lede or, possibly, to have a "Scope of attacks" section, maybe even the first section after the lede. I remember reading Saburō Sakai's book, in which he talks of the many raids on Port Moresby; but I can't remember if he ever overflew Australia. For the interest of readers from USA, it would be interesting to know the extent of Douglas MacArthur's involvement in planning the response, even if none; as a man given to grandiose statements, did he have anything to say about once he arrived in Australia? According to Douglas MacArthur's escape from the Philippines, he arrived in Darwin the middle of a Japanese raid on 17 March, forcing his flight to land at Batchelor Airfield. Fascinating subject. Thanks to all who have worked on this page. Vagabond nanoda (talk) 05:48, 17 May 2021 (UTC)

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