The seasonal rhythm in Broome ticked along. The population of Japtown was a few hundred in the dry when the Pearlers were at sea. At the end of the season the population would quickly swell to more than three thousand for the wet. The Japanese had a long association with the sea and with pearling. In 1940 they constituted about 27 % of Broome’s pearling workforce. They were outnumbered by the Koepangers – indentured labourers recruited in Timor. (45%). By comparison the Chinese constituted just 0.5% 0f the pearling workforce. Smaller numbers of other Asian people and aboriginals made up the balance. Then add the merchants and those not employed in pearling. All manner of businesses thrived. It was a happy little melting pot living in vibrant harmony – between riots.
At dawn on November 7th 1941 the Japanese struck Pearl Harbour. Eight U.S. battleships were in port. All were hit, 5 being sunk and 1 heavily damaged; also sunk were 3 destroyers. Nine other ships were sunk or severely damaged; 140 aircraft were destroyed and 80 more damaged. 2,330 military personnel were killed and 1,145 wounded. It was the start of the War in the Pacific. For the next 6 months the Japanese carried all before them.
In Broome Pearling came to a halt. Women, children and nonessential workers were evacuated. The Japanese were interned. Many of the luggers were commandeered by the Navy – imagine the terror of the Japanese at the prospect of a fleet of luggers bearing down on them.
On February 19th 1942 Darwin was bombed. Japanese fighters and bombers attacked the port and shipping in the harbour twice during the day, killing 252 Allied service personnel and civilians.
On March 3rd 1942 nine Zero fighter planes strafed the moorings at Mangrove Point where there were 15 Flying Boats parked for refuelling. The airport was also attacked. The Flying Boats and 9 other aircraft were destroyed. At least 89 people were killed. The Flying Boats were carrying refugees from the Dutch East Indies. Most of the dead were women and children fleeing the Japanese advance. There were three further attacks on Broome.
In succeeding months air attacks were made on Wyndham, Port Hedland and Derby in Western Australia, Darwin and Katherine in the Northern Territory, Townsville and Mossman in Queensland, and Horn Island in the Torres Strait. In all Darwin was hit 64 times.
And now we call that part of town Chinatown.
bobmcgee 
Thanks Rob.
I didn’t realise there was so much bombing. Discussion in the media that I have heard throughout my life about the bombing of northern Australia, lead me to believe it was a less targeted. Also of surprise is the number of people killed and the loss of military assets. All very surprising.