Darwin Spitfires by Anthony Cooper
The Japanese air raids on Darwin on 19 February 1942 are well-known to most Australians, although not perhaps to the rest of the world. What happened afterwards, however, remains unknown to many. This publication attempts to illuminate this little-known period of war history, charting the exploits, losses and successes of the RAF's No 1 Fighter Wing and the contribution they made to the allied war effort. The stalwart Spitfire is celebrated in a narrative that is sure to appeal widely. For almost two years the airspace over North West Australia was routinely penetrated by Japanese raids, tallying about 70 in total. The 1942-43 air raids on Darwin constituted the only sustained and intensive direct assault on Australian mainland territory in the whole of World War II - and the whole history of post-1788 Australia - yet, surprisingly, most Australians have no idea that it ever happened. And the rest of the world is yet more so in the dark. Telling the story of the RAF'S No 1 Fighter Wing, composed of both Australian and British Spitfire pilots, Darwin Spitfires explores the little-known 1943 season of air combat over the top end, recovering important aspects of Australian history. It brings to the attention of the world the heroic exploits of the skilled pilots who did so much to protect Australia and support the Allied effort. This important publication attempts to celebrate and commemorate the spirit of solidarity that characterized the experiences of No 1 Fighter Wing.
Anthony Cooper is a Brisbane school teacher. He is a former glider pilot instructor, has a PhD on German aviation history and is the author of HMAS Bataan, 1952 (UNSW Press, 2010). His website, www.darwinspitfires.com, contains a glossary and further materials that may be of interest to readers.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781783461882 |
| ISBN 10 | 1783461888 |
| Title | Darwin Spitfires |
| Author | Anthony Cooper |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Pen & Sword Books Ltd |
| Year published | 2013-10-17 |
| Number of pages | 528 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |