Embedded Files
On Australian Soil
On Australian Soil
Learning Intention: To examine the attacks on Australia during World War 2.
Success Criteria:
I will be able to outline the events of Japan's attack on Australia
I will be able to compare and contrast how World War 1 was different to World War 2 for Australia
I will be able to research information construct a creative task about an attack on Australia
TASK 1: Comprehension
Read through the information below and then complete the questions
For the first time since Federation, Australia was attacked on its own soil by an enemy.
On 19th February 1942 the largest attack against Australia ever happened at Darwin. 242 Japanese planes attacked Darwin on that morning. A mixture of bombers, torpedo planes, and fighter aircrafts flew over what was a small town in 1942, a population of less than 6,000. More bombs were dropped in this attack than were dropped by the sneak attack in Pearl Harbour. 236 Australians were killed in the attack, and a number of ships and planes were destroyed. Two Japanese were killed. There is a myth about a cover up of the bombing, but despite war censorship, the newspapers of the time reported the bombings. Approximately 100 air raids took place over Western Australia and the Northern Territory over the next few years.
In late May and early June of 1942 the Japanese attacked Sydney Harbour with submarines. Sneaking into the harbour from their mother ship, 3 midget submarines, each with 2 crew on board attempted to torpedo Navy vessels stationed there. Two of the submarines were caught and sank themselves, killing the sailors on board, the third fired and missed a US Cruiser and hit a Sydney Ferry, killing 21 people. The third submarine vanished and wasn’t found until 2006.
Newcastle was also attacked by the Japanese. Altogether 50 sailors were killed during the submarine attacks on the East coast.
Questions
When was the bombing of Darwin?
Describe the attack.
How many casualties were there?
When was Sydney attacked?
Describe the attack.
What other air raids and submarine attacks occurred in Australia during the war?
Explain how World War 2 was different for Australia than World War 1.
Watch the following YouTube clips to get a perspective on the bombing of Darwin.
TASK 2: Source Analysis
Read through the two sources below and then answer the question
Source 1:
Shinzo Abe was the first Japanese leader to ever visit Darwin. In 2018 he said
"It is a great pleasure for me to be visiting Darwin for the first time as the Prime Minister of Japan," he said.
“Darwin was once a place where the former Japanese forces conducted their first air bombing against Australia, leading to much sacrifice.
Prime Minister Morrison and I laid a wreath at the war memorial. I extended my condolences in honour of all the fallen soldiers and renewed my vow towards peace.”
Source 2
PM John Curtin said in 1942
"The Government regards these attacks as most grave and makes it quite clear that a severe blow has been struck in this first battle on Australian soil. ''It will be a source of pride to the public to know that the armed forces and civilians conducted themselves with the gallantry that was traditional in people of British stock. "We must face with fortitude the first onslaught and remember that whatever the future holds in store for us we are Australians and will fight grimly and victoriously.”
Looking at Sources 1 and 2, explain the differences between them.
TASK 3: Creative Task
Visit both of the links below and choose ONE task to complete
TASK 1: Diary Entry
Imagine you are living in Australia during the time it is attacked. Write a diary entry about either the Bombing of Darwin or the Sydney submarine attacks (minimum half a page). In your diary entry, you must include:
A date (remember you are living during that time)
How you're feeling (e.g. scared, worried, anxious, uncertainty)
Accurate historical information
Historical terminology (e.g. Japanese aggression, submarines, alliance)
TASK 2: Newspaper Article
Imagine you are living in Australia during the time it is attacked. Write a one page newspaper article about either the Bombing of Darwin or the Sydney submarine attacks. In your article, you must include:
A catchy headline
The by-line
An image with caption
Eye-witness accounts (you can make these up or find actual accounts and include them)
Accurate historical information
Historical terminology
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