075 - Bombing of Katherine

DEFENDING AUSTRALIA'S GREATEST RESOUCE

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By the end of March, the Japanese advance through the Pacific had secured all territories excepting Eastern New Guinea and the Australian Continent. However, the elimination of Australia’s involvement in the Pacific War was crucial to isolating Tokyo from all enemy threats. To achieve this, the Japanese Army Air Force began a campaign to soften up Army and Air Bases in Northern Australia.

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Nightly bombing raids launched from Rabaul in New Guinea concentrated mostly on Darwin Harbor. On the evening of March 22^nd, the Japanese Army’s Air Force extended their range farther into the Australian Outback than ever before, sending nine G4M Betty bombers to Katherine, Australia. When the Bettys reached Katharine, bombs struck the two Army hospitals as well as the inland Australian Army headquarters and command post located there.

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While the town of Katherine was not a significant military target and damages were minimal, the fact that it was 200 miles south of Darwin proved that the depleted Australian Army and Air Force were no match for the Japanese Air Force.

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In response to the Katharine bombing raids, ranchers began migrating their sheep and cattle south into the Australian outback, all in hopes of keeping their herds out of harm’s way.

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