BROOME ATTACKED
On Tuesday 3 March, 1942 Broome experienced the first of four Japanese air raids it would face during the Second World War. During the raid 24 aircraft were targeted and destroyed, including 15 flying boats that were sitting in the bay having stopped in Broome to refuel.
Inflicted by nine Zero fighter planes, the aerial attack began at 9.30am and lasted an hour.
This image was taken from a Japanese ‘Babs’ reconnaissance aircraft, which accompanied the fighters and gave instructions regarding targets.
It was all incredibly quick.
I suppose the whole attack was over in 20 minutes. Those eight fighter planes tore round at a terrific speed, dived one by one on their objectives, and the rat-a-tat of their machine-guns was followed by a spectacular display of fireworks.
They left a trail of smoke behind them and set fire to everything they hit. In a few minutes the whole harbour was covered by a pall of thick, black smoke, through which it was impossible to observe what was going on.
Witness Marjory ‘Biddy’ Bardwell (The West Australian, 10 March 1942)
The Dornier could transport up to 40 people.
While the death toll remains unknown, it is believed that at least 89 people died during the raid, including American, British, Dutch, Indian and Japanese military personnel and civilians.
Today during extremely low tides, the wrecks of six float planes can still be seen in the sands of Roebuck Bay.
These sites are protected under the heritage act.