CANBERRA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Northern Territory (NT) has paused to commemorate the anniversary of the Japanese Bombing of Darwin in World War II.
Monday represented the 76th anniversary of World War II hitting Australian shores for the first time when 242 Japanese aircraft bombed Darwin in two separate attacks on February 19, 1942.
At least 243 people were killed by the bombings of the NT's capital, making it the largest ever single attack by a foreign power on Australia.
The Japanese aircraft targeted airfields and ships that could have been used to aid the Allies in the invasions of Timor and Java.
A special service was held in Darwin on Monday morning to commemorate the attack.
Michael McCormack, Australia's Veterans' Affairs Minister, said that Australians should take the opportunity to pause and remember not only those who died in the attack, but also those who defended the city.
"Australia should remember with pride the many people involved in Darwin's defence on this day 76 years ago," McCormack said in a statement on Monday.
"The bombing of Darwin was believed by many at the time to be the prelude to a Japanese invasion.
"In reality, it was aimed at eliminating the threat of an allied counter-attack against the Japanese invasion of Timor which took place the following day."
The only aircraft available to defend Darwin on the day were 10 U.S. Kittyhawk fighters, nine of which were shot down before they could engage Japanese planes.
Following the initial attack, the Japanese bombed Darwin another 62 times in a 21-month period with the final attack taking place on November 12, 1943.
