Guide to Archives Relating to the Second World War in the Northern Territory
Introduction
(To view the guide select this link)
The Second World War was a pivotal time in the Northern Territory’s history, that had a profound and lasting effect on the community and infrastructure of the Northern Territory of Australia.
The build up of a defence presence in the Northern Territory began slowly with the construction of the Stokes Hill oil tanks in 1926 and the gradual establishment of bases for the Australian Navy, Army and Air Force in the 1930s. Although this defence build up increased with the outbreak of war in Europe, the general historic view is that these efforts fell short of what was really needed.
The first two air raids in Darwin by the Japanese were on 19 February 1942 when an estimated 250 people were killed and between 300 and 400 wounded*. This was the first attack by a foreign power on the mainland of Australia. There were 47 vessels in the harbour when the first raid began and considerable damage was sustained. By November 1943 there had been a total of 64 air raids on Darwin.
* see the Lowe Report to the Parliament of Australia entitled “Commission of Inquiry concerning the circumstances connected with the attack made by Japanese aircraft at Darwin on 19th February 1942”.
In his oral history interview Rex Caudle reflects on the first bombing raid on Darwin 19th February 1942:
“I was stationed at Vesteys and my first indication that anything was amiss was uneven noise of incoming aircraft”...“Almost immediately Berrimah 3.7 ack ack battery opened up and you could see the bursts well underneath the leading squadrons…I realised that they were not practice shells but high explosive…”“As far as I can remember the first bomb that was released by the leading squadron was the one that hit the hospital. I watched the fall of that bomb amongst others and most of us were mesmerised.”
NORTHERN TERRITORY ARCHIVES SERVICE,
NTRS 226, transcripts of oral history interviews with "TS" prefix, 1979-ct, Rex CAUDLE, Transcript 26
The Northern Territory Archives Service holds many community archives relevant to the Second World War. These include oral histories, photographs and personal papers. Their details are outlined in the guide that follows.
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"Ironically only the day before I had called in at the post office and had viewed the new telephone installation linking Darwin, Alice Springs and Adelaide."
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interviews with "TS" prefix, 1979-ct, Rex CAUDLE, transcript 26
Rex CAUDLE, NTRS 284, Masonic programmes, photograph albums and glass plates
of the construction of Vestey's Meatworks, Darwin 1917-1945, item 65 and 66
Holdings also include a few government records as listed in the guide.
Official Department of Defence records relevant to the Second World War and the Northern Territory are held with the National Archives of Australia, http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/explore/defence/index.aspx. The Australian War Memorial also holds relevant records. Please see their website for further details http://www.awm.gov.au/index_flash.asp.
Please note that access to community archives is as per agreement between the donator or interviewee and the Northern Territory Archives Service. Staff can provide advice on this.