THE bombing of Katherine was commemorated in a solemn service on March 22, 73 years after Japanese bombers dropped their deadly cargo above the town.
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On March 21, 1942, Japanese pilots completed photographic reconnaissance of the town and its aerodrome in a prelude to the furthest inland raid on mainland Australia during World War II.
The following day, more than 90 bombs were dropped on Katherine, leaving an indelible mark on the town and shaping the Northern Territory’s military history.
Member for Katherine Willem Westra van Holthe attended Sunday’s commemoration and said it was still "hard to fathom today the absolute fear that must have been felt by Katherine residents as the bombs dropped”.
“Local man Dodger Kodjalwal was killed during the air raid,” he said.
“It’s thought the 42-year-old was crouching behind a rock at the old airfield when he died."
Mr Westra van Holthe said it was still a little-known fact across Australian that Katherine was a Japanese target during World War II.
“Very few people realise the Japanese air raids went that far south,” he said.
“The bombs left a trail of destruction across the community, with some of the damage still visible out at the old aerodrome site today.”
