Investigative Inquiry: Why Was Darwin Bombed? The Strategic Role of Darwin in the Defence of Australia
The Build Up to War
In the 1930s Darwin was awash with construction workers as major military and civil infrastructure was built in readiness for the anticipated war. The Darwin Garrison grew in size and facilities such as Larrakeyah Barracks, Manton Dam and the RAAF base were keys to the defence of Darwin and its role as a staging post.
The Japanese expansion and imperial ambitions were becoming clearer as can be seen in the interactive map that details the growth of Japan's aspirations over the past century and a half.
Reverend Christopher Goy - "Nobody ever thought we'd have a war [in Darwin]. But they built the huge aerodrome, the RAAF; and the navy built the [anti-submarine] boom across the harbour, and the [military] numbers grew and grew and grew."
Investigative Options
What was happening in Darwin in the lead up to World War II?
· The Northern Territory News today is famous for its crocodile stories but what type of news stories existed about Darwin prior to World War II and the bombing of Darwin? Investigate Darwin in 1939 through media from that time by accessing the National Library of Australia Trove where past newspapers are scanned and stored in digital format.
Review an article from The West Australian on Wednesday 3 January 1940 to find how Darwin changed as World War II approached the shores of Australia. Remember to pay attention to the advertisements as well as the news as these also tell you something about how Darwin was in 1940. For example, what type of money was used in 1940?
o http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/46346969?searchTerm=Darwin%201939&searchLimits=fromyyyy=1940%7C%7C%7Ctoyyyy=1940
· Students could compare the news report with modern day journalism and make a headline and/or a story for Darwin in Wartime as it would appear in the Northern Territory News today.
What was Darwin like before World War II?
· The Defence of Darwin Experience has many exhibits that show how life was before, during and after the bombing of Darwin. To complete this Activity, visit the Museum and read the news in the 1937 clips on the wall. Think the publications and about what they tell you about life in Darwin at that time. Then read the clip from 1940 and think about how life has changed in the three years between.
· How has life changed for people living in Darwin?
· What is the same in the news and what is different?
· What other exhibits in the Museum tell you about the lives of people before and after World War II?
· Take some notes while you are there and prepare a narrative, poster or digital presentation that shows the effect of World War II on Darwin between the years 1937 and 1940.
· From the National Digital Learning Resources Network – Year 10 Children and Women on the home front in World War II might also provide some useful resources
o http://www.ndlrn.edu.au/using_the_resources/australian_curriculum_resources/history.html
What does the timeline of the Japanese expansion tell us about Japanese military strategy?
· From information obtained during a visit to the Defence of Darwin Experience, and/or using resources on the internet or library books, prepare a timeline showing the Japanese expansion in the lead up to the war (1868-1945). Think about the sequence of events, does anything stand out as a significant event leading to the bombing of Darwin or other attacks on Australia?
· Independently students could complete one of the following options:
· draw a propaganda cartoon depicting the event for an Australian audience
· write a brief summary of the event
· produce an art work showing the event
· When all students have completed their individual projects, all events on the timeline could be represented and a class timeline prepared using student materials.
· From the National Digital Learning Resources Network – Year 10 Japanese threat to Australia 1941-1943 might also provide some useful resources
o http://www.ndlrn.edu.au/using_the_resources/australian_curriculum_resources/history.html
www.nt.gov.au/defenceofdarwin>I Upper Primary / 1