War Memorials and Honour Rolls in the Northern Territory, Australia
Would you like to see the War Memorial from your local area, represented on this website. Please forward us a photograph so that the service of these men and women is not forgotten.
Elliott
The Elliott War Memorial, Stuart Highway - Northern Territory. Elliot was the scene of a large Army Staging Camp during the Second World War. It was a stopping point for supply and troop convoys, heading north to Darwin.
Elliott (Staging Camp)
The sign, indicating the site where a Military Staging Camp was located during 1941.
Katherine
Whilst not the site of an official war memorial; the Katherine Airstrip has been included in this register as a reminder to Australians of the extent of the Japanese intrusions during World War Two. As this township was raided just four weeks after the Darwin bombing, it is clear that the Japanese had "pre-war" knowledge of the air strip and ventured this far in search of suitable targets. In the off-chance that the Allies may have a large dispersal of aircraft this far inland (away from coastal bombing) Japanese long range 'Betty' bombers raided Katherine on the 22nd of March, 1942. The fact that they only sent nine aircraft may be an indicator that it was an 'armed reconnaissance' mission. The Bettys dropped approximately 90 bombs on the airfield - but as there was virtually no aircraft at this location - damage was minimal. Sadly, there was one fatality when an Aboriginal man by the name of 'Roger' was killed. The Japanese only raided this township on one occasion; however it is amazing that they ventured so far inland at all. This photo shows a stack of Marsden Matting still evident at the airstrip.
Katherine Bomb Crater
One of the very few reminders of the March raid. Fortunately, this bomb crater has been preserved - however it is on private property. The crater is on the road (on the left) as you drive from Katherine township - out towards Katherine Gorge.
|
|
|
