Darwin 1942 by Bob Alford

Author:Bob Alford
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781472816894
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2017-07-29T16:00:00+00:00

THE MAIN ATTACKING FORCE COMPRISING THE B5N2 KATES, D3A1 VALS AND A6M2 ZEKES APPROACHED DARWIN FROM THE SOUTHEAST.

B5N2 Kates

1.Direction of approach and exit for return to the carriers of the B5N2 Kates of Kaga while bombing the main wharf and government buildings (Government House, Post Office, Military Barracks, homes and the Darwin Hospital). Each of the 81 Kates carries an 800kg bomb.

2.Direction of approach and exit for return to the carriers of the B5N2 Kates from Akagi, Hiryu and Soryu, while bombing the harbour and shipping.

3.The attack force leader, Cdr. Mitsuo Fuchida, remains overhead to monitor the attack. Following the attack he photographs the results and returns to the carrier Akagi.

D3A1 Vals

4.The D3A1 Vals of the carrier Kaga carry out bombing and strafing attacks on the shipping, the Civil ’Drome and the RAAF Station. Each of the 71 Vals carries a 250kg bomb.

5.The location of D3A1 Val No. 3304 in which FCPO Katsuyoshi Tsuru and his pilot, Flyer1c Takezo Uchikado, were killed when their aircraft crashed at Ironstone Knob after being hit by ground fire from the Winnellie camp.

6.The D3A1 Vals of Akagi, Hiryu and Soryu attack shipping in the harbour, while those of the Soryu are tasked to attack a number of military sites before exiting to return to the carriers.

A6M2 Zekes

7.After downing a Catalina off Bathurst Island, PO1c Yoshikazu Nagahama flies on to Darwin where he intercepts the P-40s of “B” Flight 33rd Pursuit Squadron (Provisional) USAAF before rejoining his flight. Lieutenant Elton Perry is attacked and shot down, reportedly by Nagahama. The death of Perry, the first of the American pilots killed that day, is witnessed by personnel of the 2/14th Australian Field Regiment based at Nightcliff. Nagahama is credited with four aircraft destroyed during the raids.

8.The nine A6M2 Zekes of the carrier provide top cover for the main attacking force (8a to 8d show their suggested patrol perimeter).

9.The remaining Zekes of Akagi, Kaga and Hiryu carry out their assigned task of intercepting any Allied aircraft and strafing targets of opportunity including the Civil ’Drome, the RAAF Station, Darwin town and shipping on the harbour. (9a to 9d show their suggested tracks though this is much simplified).

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