Airdate: The Bombing of Darwin: An Awkward Truth

The History Channel, which has a very good track record at marking military anniversaries, will mark the 70th Anniversary of the bombing of Darwin by Japanese forces.

On February 19, 1942, the same Japanese forces that attacked Pearl Harbor struck Darwin, dropping more bombs, killing more civilians and sinking more ships.

The attack was one of Australia’s most shocking disasters and its first physical contact with WWII and yet the magnitude of the attack and the death and devastation that followed has, for decades, remained virtually unknown – an awkward truth.

This explosive documentary examines why the Australian military was totally unprepared for the sudden attack and why the government chose to keep the bombing a dark secret.

Following the fall of Singapore, many feared a Japanese invasion was imminent, but with the bulk of its troops overseas, Australia was unprepared and ill-equipped for war on its own doorstep. Tragically, the nation’s deepest fears would soon be realised.

At 9.58am on February 19, 1942, Japanese bombers and fighter planes appeared in the sky over Darwin and began a day of carnage. By its end, the surprise attack would leave over 250 people dead, a town burning in ruins, eight ships sunk and an air force base bombed into oblivion.

Drawing on long-hidden documents, incorporating rarely-seen archival footage and using dramatisations, eyewitness accounts from survivors and expert commentary, this gripping documentary finally reveals the true story surrounding the attack, as well as the disturbing events that occurred in the aftermath.

The Bombing of Darwin: An Awkward Truth was commissioned by The History Channel and produced by Artemis International.

The Bombing of Darwin: An Awkward Truth airs Sunday February 19 at 7.30pm.