Railways and Tramways of Australia

Australia attacked

 

The first Japanese air raid on Darwin began at 9.58 am on 19 February 1942.

 

NF Class locomotive no. 6 was on the jetty at Darwin Harbour when Japanese planes attacked. Six wagons were in front of the locomotive and a flat wagon was behind. The driver and fireman were not on the engine at the time but were nearby. Suddenly there was a loud explosion. The locomotive and wagons were hurled into the air. They ended up in Darwin Harbour, where they still remain.

 

The locomotive driver took shelter and was safe, but the fireman was blown into the water. He was rescued and taken to a hospital ship, then evacuated the following day. Two hundred and forty people were killed in the attack on Darwin. Over the following days 1025 civilians were evacuated to the south by train.

 

The air raid on Darwin brought the Second World War to Australia. There were around 100 air raids on northern Australia during 1942 and 1943. An air raid on 15 March 1942 caused the most damage to railway infrastructure. Some buildings were destroyed, and the track was broken in eight places. Japanese bombs targeted the line throughout the war, but it was quickly repaired to maintain operations.

 

Prior to the war the North Australia Railway saw little traffic. Now it took on a major role to assist the war effort, transporting troops, military supplies and equipment. Railway infrastructure was upgraded. Additional locomotives and rolling stock were obtained from interstate. Railway personnel from other parts of Australia volunteered for service in the Northern Territory. The railway headquarters were moved from Darwin, 200 miles (322 km) south to Katherine.

 

With a massive effort, Australia endured the war. Darwin is today a thriving city.

 

Bibliography

JY Harvey, The never-never line: the story of the North Australia Railway, Hyland, Melbourne, 1987.

‘The NAR: a railway at war’, AN News, no. 130, December 1991/January 1992, p 6.