70th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin, Australia

[Papewaio]

The first bombing of Darwin on 19 February 1942 killed at least 243 people and more bombs were dropped then at Pearl Harbour. The pre-war population of Darwin was 5800.

Today they are remembering the first of over a hundred bombing raids on Northern Australia by the Japanese forces.

It was kept very quiet during WWII the extent of the raids as they did not want to panic the civilian population.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-19/survivors-and-families-gather-to-mark-darwin-bombing/3838364?WT.svl=news1

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

[Vladimir]

I suppose it would be impolite to make an evolution joke but this should get at least one reply. :bow:

[Gregoshi]

I never knew about this aspect of the war. Interesting.

You gotta love the casual disregard for danger you Australians have. Take this unexploded bomb removal picture: three soldiers removing the deadly device...and six others standing around a few feet away watching. Nerves of steel (or incredibly stupid).

Bomb removal in Darwin (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-17/darwin-unexploded-bomb/3836350)

[Tellos Athenaios]

It looks more dangerous than it is, because on the picture they're only moving the bomb. Which means that as long as the detonation device is still stable, there's no worry.

[Kralizec]

more bombs were dropped then at Pearl Harbour.

What's the reason behind this? Sounds like overkill.

[Gregoshi]

What's the reason behind this? Sounds like overkill.
It takes more explosives to sink Australia than it does a few ships??

[Vladimir]

What's the reason behind this? Sounds like overkill.

Because torpedoes don't work well against buildings.