75th Anniversary of the Broome Air Raid

Written on the 1 March 2017

On the morning of 3 March 1942, nine Japanese Zero fighters and a reconnaissance plane swooped down over Broome, killing an estimated 88 people and destroying 22 Australian, Dutch and US aircraft.

The WWII Air Raid on Broome is the second-greatest wartime loss of life on Australian soil, and now 75 years later a solemn memorial service at 8am on Friday 3 March 2017 will mark this important chapter in Australian history.

The Shire of Broome is working with the RSL Broome Sub-Branch, Norforce, St Mary's College, Broome Historical Society and others in the community to prepare for the commemoration that will be held in Bedford Memorial Park, overlooking Roebuck Bay where the attack took place and where the wreckage of Catalina flying boats still remain on the seabed to this day.

The memorial service will include a moving reflective performance by St Mary's College and conclude with a flypast from RAAF No. 79 Squadron. Those visiting Broome for the occasion will include descendants of both victims and survivors of the tragic events of 1942, along with representatives of the Australian, WA, Dutch, US, Indian and Japanese Governments.

For full details head online here.