Attack on Broome
Encyclopedia
The town of Broome, Western Australia was attacked by Japanese fighter planes on 3 March 1942, during World War II
. At least 88 people were killed.
Although Broome
was a small pearling port at the time, it was also a refuelling point for aircraft, on route between the Netherlands East Indies
and major Australian cities. As a result, Broome was on a line of flight for Dutch
and other refugees, following the Japanese
invasion of Java
, and had become a significant Allied
military base. During a two-week period in February–March 1942, more than 8,000 refugees from the Dutch East Indies — many of them in flying boat
s, which often served as airliners at the time – passed through Broome.
New research by Dr Tom Lewis contends that this figure of 8,000 refugees is massively overstated. The figure was first quoted in the relevant Australian Official War History and has been reproduced in many publications since. The actual number of aerial evacuees passing through Broome at this time is estimated to have been only 1,350. Most of these were military personnel. There were approximately just 250 Dutch civilian refugees, most of whom were family members of Dutch aircrews.
Zenjiro Miyano—the commander of Dai 3 Kohkuu Sentai (3rd Air Group) of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
—led nine Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero fighter
s and a Mitsubishi C5M2
reconnaissance plane
from their base at Kupang
, Timor
in the attack, on the morning of 3 March.
From about 09:20, the Zeros made strafing attacks on the flying boat anchorage at Roebuck Bay
and the Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) base at Broome Airfield
. No bombs were dropped, although some were reported, perhaps a result of witnesses seeing the Zero pilots releasing their drop tank
s. The raid lasted an hour.
The Japanese fighters destroyed at least 22 Allied aircraft. These included an airborne United States Army Air Forces
(USAAF) B-24A Liberator, full of wounded personnel — more than 30 died when it crashed in the sea, about 16 km (8.6 nmi; 9.9 mi) off Broome. The Allies also lost 15 flying boats at anchorage; many Dutch refugees were on board and the exact number and identities of those killed is unknown. At the airfield, the Japanese fighters destroyed two B-17E Flying Fortresses and a B-24 belonging to the USAAF, two Lockheed Hudson
s belonging to the RAAF and a Lockheed Lodestar
belonging to the Royal Netherlands East Indies Air Force (ML-KNIL).
The aircraft destroyed included: eight Catalinas belonging to the Royal Netherlands Navy Air Service (MLD), United States Navy
and the Royal Air Force
; two Short Empire
s belonging to the RAAF and QANTAS
, and five Dornier Do 24
s belonging to the MLD.
A KLM Douglas DC-3
airliner—PK-AFV
(carrying refugees from Bandung
)—was also shot down, 80 km (49.7 mi) north of Broome, with the loss of four lives and diamonds worth £
150,000-300,000 (now approximately A$
20-40 million).
There were no Allied fighter planes based in Broome at the time. The Zeroes encountered some light arms fire from the ground. One Zero pilot—Warrant Officer
Osamu Kudō—was killed by ground fire from a Dutch
ML-KNIL pilot, First Lieutenant
Gus Winckel, using a 7.9 mm (0.311023622047244 in) machine gun
he had removed from his Lodestar. Winckel balanced the weapon on his shoulder, and sustained burns to his left forearm, when it touched the barrel of the gun after firing. Another Zero ran out of fuel and ditched while returning to his base, although the pilot survived.
In 2010, new research argued instead that Kudo’s Zero was shot down by the tail guns in the B-24A Arabian Nights, which itself was downed by Kudo’s attack with the loss of 19 of the 20 American military personnel onboard.
Frank Russell, who had been on one of the flying boats during the raid—wrote of
Charlie D'Antoine—an Aboriginal flying boat refueller—helped two passengers from the planes to reach the shore, swimming through burning fuel and wreckage. D'Antoine later received a bravery award from the Dutch government and was invited to attend a royal reception in the Netherlands.
At least one U.S. serviceman—Sgt Melvin Donoho—managed to swim about 16 km (9.9 mi) from the crashed B-24 to shore, a journey which took him more than 36 hours. Some accounts say that a Sgt Willard J. Beatty also made it ashore but died soon afterwards; other sources suggest that this was a false report, emanating from one newspaper article.
Japanese aircraft later made several smaller attacks on the Broome area. On 20 March, Mitsubishi G4M
2 "Betty" medium bomber
s made a high altitude attack on the airfield. One civilian was killed and there was some crater damage. The last attack was in August 1943.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. At least 88 people were killed.
Although Broome
Broome, Western Australia
Broome is a pearling and tourist town in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, north of Perth. The year round population is approximately 14,436, growing to more than 45,000 per month during the tourist season...
was a small pearling port at the time, it was also a refuelling point for aircraft, on route between the Netherlands East Indies
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
and major Australian cities. As a result, Broome was on a line of flight for Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and other refugees, following the Japanese
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
invasion of Java
Battle of Java (1942)
The Battle of Java was a battle of the Pacific theatre of World War II. It occurred on the island of Java from 28 February-12 March 1942. It involved forces from the Empire of Japan, which invaded on 28 February 1942, and Allied personnel...
, and had become a significant Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
military base. During a two-week period in February–March 1942, more than 8,000 refugees from the Dutch East Indies — many of them in flying boat
Flying boat
A flying boat is a fixed-winged seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water. It differs from a float plane as it uses a purpose-designed fuselage which can float, granting the aircraft buoyancy. Flying boats may be stabilized by under-wing floats or by wing-like projections from the fuselage...
s, which often served as airliners at the time – passed through Broome.
New research by Dr Tom Lewis contends that this figure of 8,000 refugees is massively overstated. The figure was first quoted in the relevant Australian Official War History and has been reproduced in many publications since. The actual number of aerial evacuees passing through Broome at this time is estimated to have been only 1,350. Most of these were military personnel. There were approximately just 250 Dutch civilian refugees, most of whom were family members of Dutch aircrews.
The attack
LtFirst Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
Zenjiro Miyano—the commander of Dai 3 Kohkuu Sentai (3rd Air Group) of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service was the air arm of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, the organization was responsible for the operation of naval aircraft and the conduct of aerial warfare in the Pacific War.It was controlled by the Navy Staff of the Imperial Japanese Navy and...
—led nine Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero fighter
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
s and a Mitsubishi C5M2
Mitsubishi Ki-15
The was a Japanese reconnaissance aircraft and a light attack bomber of the Second Sino-Japanese War and Pacific War. It began as a fast civilian mail plane. It was a single-engine, low-wing, cantilever monoplane with a fixed tailwheel undercarriage; it carried a crew of two. It served with both...
reconnaissance plane
Aerial reconnaissance
Aerial reconnaissance is reconnaissance that is conducted using unmanned aerial vehicles or reconnaissance aircraft. Their roles are to collect imagery intelligence, signals intelligence and measurement and signature intelligence...
from their base at Kupang
Kupang
Not to be confused with Tanjung Kupang in JohoreKupang is the provincial capital of East Nusa Tenggara province in southeast Indonesia....
, Timor
Timor
Timor is an island at the southern end of Maritime Southeast Asia, north of the Timor Sea. It is divided between the independent state of East Timor, and West Timor, belonging to the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara. The island's surface is 30,777 square kilometres...
in the attack, on the morning of 3 March.
From about 09:20, the Zeros made strafing attacks on the flying boat anchorage at Roebuck Bay
Roebuck Bay
Roebuck Bay is a bay on the coast of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Its entrance is bounded in the north by the town of Broome, and in the south by Bush Point and Sandy Point. It is named after HMS Roebuck, the ship captained by William Dampier when he explored the coast of...
and the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
(RAAF) base at Broome Airfield
Broome International Airport
Broome International Airport is a regional airport located at Broome, Australia.Broome International Airport is the regional hub of the northwestern part of Western Australia. It is considered the gateway to the Kimberley. In the year ending 30 June 2009 the airport handled 391 914 passengers...
. No bombs were dropped, although some were reported, perhaps a result of witnesses seeing the Zero pilots releasing their drop tank
Drop tank
In aeronautics, a drop tank is used to describe auxiliary fuel tanks externally carried by aircraft. A drop tank is expendable and often jettisonable...
s. The raid lasted an hour.
The Japanese fighters destroyed at least 22 Allied aircraft. These included an airborne United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
(USAAF) B-24A Liberator, full of wounded personnel — more than 30 died when it crashed in the sea, about 16 km (8.6 nmi; 9.9 mi) off Broome. The Allies also lost 15 flying boats at anchorage; many Dutch refugees were on board and the exact number and identities of those killed is unknown. At the airfield, the Japanese fighters destroyed two B-17E Flying Fortresses and a B-24 belonging to the USAAF, two Lockheed Hudson
Lockheed Hudson
The Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter...
s belonging to the RAAF and a Lockheed Lodestar
Lockheed Lodestar
The Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar was a passenger transport aircraft of the World War II era.-Design and development:The prototype of the Lockheed Model 18, which first flew in 1939, was constructed from one of a batch of Lockheed Model 14 Super Electras which had been returned to the manufacturer by...
belonging to the Royal Netherlands East Indies Air Force (ML-KNIL).
The aircraft destroyed included: eight Catalinas belonging to the Royal Netherlands Navy Air Service (MLD), United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
; two Short Empire
Short Empire
The Short Empire was a passenger and mail carrying flying boat, of the 1930s and 1940s, that flew between Britain and British colonies in Africa, Asia and Australia...
s belonging to the RAAF and QANTAS
Qantas
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia. The name was originally "QANTAS", an initialism for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". Nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo", the airline is based in Sydney, with its main hub at Sydney Airport...
, and five Dornier Do 24
Dornier Do 24
-See also:-References:* -External links:* * * * * * * * *...
s belonging to the MLD.
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
airliner—PK-AFV
PK-AFV
On 3 March 1942, PK-AFV a Douglas DC-3 airliner, operated by KNILM was shot down over Australia by Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service fighter aircraft, resulting in the deaths of four passengers and the loss of diamonds worth an estimated A£150,000–300,000...
(carrying refugees from Bandung
Bandung
Bandung is the capital of West Java province in Indonesia, and the country's third largest city, and 2nd largest metropolitan area in Indonesia, with a population of 7.4 million in 2007. Located 768 metres above sea level, approximately 140 km southeast of Jakarta, Bandung has cooler...
)—was also shot down, 80 km (49.7 mi) north of Broome, with the loss of four lives and diamonds worth £
Australian pound
The pound was the currency of Australia from 1910 until 13 February 1966, when it was replaced by the Australian dollar. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence.- Earlier Australian currencies :...
150,000-300,000 (now approximately A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
20-40 million).
There were no Allied fighter planes based in Broome at the time. The Zeroes encountered some light arms fire from the ground. One Zero pilot—Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
Osamu Kudō—was killed by ground fire from a Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
ML-KNIL pilot, First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
Gus Winckel, using a 7.9 mm (0.311023622047244 in) machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
he had removed from his Lodestar. Winckel balanced the weapon on his shoulder, and sustained burns to his left forearm, when it touched the barrel of the gun after firing. Another Zero ran out of fuel and ditched while returning to his base, although the pilot survived.
In 2010, new research argued instead that Kudo’s Zero was shot down by the tail guns in the B-24A Arabian Nights, which itself was downed by Kudo’s attack with the loss of 19 of the 20 American military personnel onboard.
Aftermath
Following the attack, an RAAF officer—Pilot OfficerPilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
Frank Russell, who had been on one of the flying boats during the raid—wrote of
Charlie D'Antoine—an Aboriginal flying boat refueller—helped two passengers from the planes to reach the shore, swimming through burning fuel and wreckage. D'Antoine later received a bravery award from the Dutch government and was invited to attend a royal reception in the Netherlands.
At least one U.S. serviceman—Sgt Melvin Donoho—managed to swim about 16 km (9.9 mi) from the crashed B-24 to shore, a journey which took him more than 36 hours. Some accounts say that a Sgt Willard J. Beatty also made it ashore but died soon afterwards; other sources suggest that this was a false report, emanating from one newspaper article.
Japanese aircraft later made several smaller attacks on the Broome area. On 20 March, Mitsubishi G4M
Mitsubishi G4M
The Mitsubishi G4M 一式陸上攻撃機, 一式陸攻 Isshiki rikujō kōgeki ki, Isshikirikkō was the main twin-engine, land-based bomber used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in World War II. The Allies gave the G4M the reporting name Betty...
2 "Betty" medium bomber
Medium bomber
A medium bomber is a bomber aircraft designed to operate with medium bombloads over medium distances; the name serves to distinguish them from the larger heavy bombers and smaller light bombers...
s made a high altitude attack on the airfield. One civilian was killed and there was some crater damage. The last attack was in August 1943.
Sources
- Mervyn W. Prime, 1992, Broome's one day war : the story of the Japanese raid on Broome, 3 March 1942 Broome: Shire of Broome (for Broome Historical Society)
- Mervyn W, Prime , n.d., WA's Pearl Harbour - The Japanese Raid on Broome Bull Creek WA (Royal Australian Air Force Association Aviation Museum)
- Lewis, Dr Tom & Ingman, Peter. Zero Hour in Broome. Avonmore Books: Adelaide, 2010
External links
- http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/No.%20170%20FBs%20Broome.pdf" (Nomination by the Western Australian Maritime Museum of the sites to the Heritage Council and the wreckage which remains.)
- Mervyn Prime, 1992 "Attack on Broome" (Netherlands Ex-Servicemen & Women's Association website)
- ww2australia.gov.au "Air raids - Broome"
- Australian War Memorial "Broome, 3 March 1942"
- Peter Dunn, 2000, ozatwar.com, "Crash of a Japanese Fighter Aircraft, Destruction of Fifteen Flying Boats, Two B-17 Flying Fortresses, Two B-24 Liberators, Two Lockheed Hudsons, Two DC-3's and a Lockheed Lodestar on 3 March 1942 During a Japanese Air Raid On Broome"
- http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/maritime-archaeology-web/content/broome WA Museum website on its Broome Aircraft project