The Japanese air war against Northern Australia

Many of us may be aware of the February 19 raid on Darwin in 1942 which saw significant losses and damage of lives, structures and shipping.

Yet many Australians may not know that this was only the first in a series of air raids and incursions by the Japanese over the north of Australia that was to last a period of over 2 years and resulted in losses of over 60 aircraft and nearly 200 aircrew to the Empire of Japan.

Joining me this episode to discuss the Japanese air war over northern Australia is Dr Tom Lewis.  Tom is the author of  The Empire strikes south: Japan’s air war against Northern Australia 1942-45.

Tom has recently released Eagles over Darwin: American Airmen defending Northern Australia in 1942.  During our conversation we did briefly segue into matters related to another work Tom released last year, Atomic salvation: How the A-Bomb attacks saved the lives of 32 Million people.  

Other titles that Tom has written include:

• Carrier attack - Darwin 1942 : The Complete Guide to Australia's own Pearl Harbor (with Peter Ingman)
• Darwin Bombed - A Young Person's Guide to the Japanese attack of 19 February 1942
• Zero hour in Broome : the untold story of the attacks on Northwest Australia in 1942 (with Peter Ingman)