South Dakota Defended WW2 Darwin, Australia, against Japanese Attack

by Duke Doering

      The 147th Field Artillery Regiment first landed at Brisbane, Australia on December 23, 1941.  The unit was quickly sent to Darwin, N.T. to serve under the command of the Commanding General Australian Forces for the defense of the Darwin area.

     The first American flag to be flown over a U.S. encampment in Australia was raised on January 18, 1942. Troops of the 147th Field Artillery were widely dispersed into defensive positions both on the coast and inland, when on February 19, 1942 a substantial bombing raid by the Japanese Naval Carrier Force caused immense damage to Darwin and all of the ships in the harbor.

     Preparations were continually in place to defend against a land invasion of Australia by the Japanese, fortunately it never came.

    A bronze plaque (below) commemorating the 147th Field Artillery World War II veterans has been erected at Brisbane.