TWO JAPANESE BOMBING RAIDS
ON DARWIN RAAF AIRFIELD
ON 31 MARCH 1942

7 Japanese bombers and about 16 Zero escorts carried out a bombing raid on Darwin RAAF airfield on Tuesday 31 March 1942 at about 1:20pm. Bombs were dropped over the airfield but very little damage eventuated.

The 9th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group, USAAF attempted to repel the Japanese attack. Reynolds managed to shot a Zero off another pilot's tail during the encounter.

At about 10:19pm that same day, 3 Japanese bombers bombed the Darwin RAAF airfield. The Unit History Sheet - Detail of Operations, Sheet No. 55  for Darwin "B" Flight, 13 Squadron RAAF has the following entry for this second bombing raid for the day :-

31.3.1942.     First night raid, Darwin aerodrome raided by three H/B which dropped 12 bombs causing no damage"

REFERENCE

George Preddy
Top Mustang Ace
by Joe Noah & Samuel L. Sox, Jr.

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

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 19 July 2000

This page last updated 22 February 2020