Today marks the 72nd Anniversary of the height of Japanese Carrier aviation per its offensive raids; it also marks the highest casualty loss per Australian land bombings.

What it doesn't celebrate, is the RAAF's ill preparation and attrition per Far East, (through years of government neglect or lack of foresight on procuring single seat fighters) and their non-aerial participation on that day. The USAAF was there on the day per the 33rd Pursuit Sqn(Prov) which was transiting to Koepang, but returned due to the Timor invasion and bad weather, amidst the raid. Only 1 P-40E survived out of 15 on location in the air, on the ground or in the hanger.

Following the war and its lessons, it took almost two decades to base fighters up there again permanently, in the form of Sabre/Mirage flights in the 60's due to konfronski and 70's , with a eventual full Mirage Squadron based at RAAF Darwin in the early 1980's following leaving Malaysia.

Today, we have Tindal based F-18 Sqn since the late 80's, and from the very near future, the USMC may base also a F-35B Sqn at RAAF Darwin as part of a Marine Air Group (MV-22A's, CH-53K, AH-1Z and UH-1Ys )on rotation.

Just abstract thoughts on my part.

Best
Gordy

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