Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the Japanese bombing of Darwin in World War II was their country’s Pearl Harbour.
She was speaking at the 70th anniversary commemorations of the attack which killed more than 250 people and marked the first time that Australia was attacked on home soil.
“Darwin was heavily affected in an attack which changed our nations perspective on the war, I'm proud to stand here today to welcome all the men and woman who defended Darwin and Australia,” says mayor of Darwin, Graeme Sawyer.
Four thousand people turned out to remember those that gave their lives, including veterans from WWII.
“You get a bit choked up when you think of it, when you think back because I was one of the fortunate ones,” says Bob Brown, a former merchant seaman.
Two hundred and fifty Australians died, and hundreds more were injured, after the Japanese dropped more bombs on Darwin than Pearl Harbour.
“It was the unimaginable day beginning a series of raids around Northern Australia that together marked the first war on Australian soil,” says Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
“Today marks a moment in time when Australia knew that a great threat was upon us and that our very freedom was at risk,” says Mayor Sawyer.
Over the next 20 months, the Japanese continued to attack, wrecking havoc along Northern Australia.
“We must always remember that war is a struggle for peace, at the end of war there should be reconciliation,” says Australia Governor General, Quentin Bryce.
The Last Post closed the service and it was a fitting end to remember those who fell.
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