JAPANESE AIR RAID ON MILLINGIMBI, NT
ON 28 MAY 1943

visits since 26 December 2001

Kenneth McDonald's book indicates that seven Japanese "Betty" bombers and nine Zero fighters raided Millingimbi on Friday 28 May 1943. They were attacked by RAAF Spitfires who shot down three "Betty" bombers and two possible Zeros. Two Spitfires were reported missing. All the bombs fell in the bush as there was no obvious damage to the airstrip when Beaufighters of 31 Squadron RAAF arrived at Millingimbi from Coomalie Creek airfield later in the day.

David Wilson's book indicates that there were eight Japanese bombers and five fighter aircraft in this bombing raid. They destroyed 50 drums of oil and damaged a salvaged aircraft and and a Mess Hall. Three Japanese bombers were reported destroyed, one damaged and two Spitfires shot down.

The Japanese had carried out earlier air raids on Millingimbi as follows:-

Sunday 9 May 1943

Monday 10 May 1943

REFERENCE BOOKS

"Coomalie Charlie's Commandos - 31 Squadron RAAF" (page 81)
"Beaufighters at Darwin 1942-43"
by Kenneth Neal McDonald, DFC

"Always First - The RAAF Airfield Construction Squadrons 1942-1974" (page 33)
by David Wilson

Heaps of WW2 books available at Amazon.com

This page first produced 24 October 1999

This page last updated 22 September 2002