Japanese Air Raid at Darwin, NT on 25 April 1942

JAPANESE AIR RAID
AT DARWIN, NT
ON 25 APRIL 1942

visits since 3 September 2000

A Japanese air raid on Darwin on 25 April 1942 was intercepted by Curtiss P-40's of the USAAC 49th Pursuit Group. One of the flight leaders, Lieutenant Sims, succeeded in shooting down a Japanese bomber, but a shot out oil line forced him to land on Bathurst Island. When he didn't return from this mission, 12 Squadron RAAF helped the Americans to mount a search for the aircraft. It was eventually located on Bathurst Island the next day and Pilot Officer Humphrey de Crespigney flew out to Bathurst Island with a USAAC mechanic and returned Lieutenant Sims to his base at Adelaide River.

REFERENCE BOOKS

Manuscript History of 12 Squadron RAAF

"Darwin Bombed"
"The Unit History of 14 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery"
by Jack Mulholland