Interview with Col Nowland (When the war came to Australia)

Mr Nowland was a dairy farmer who enlisted in 1940 into the Darwin Infantry Battalion. In Darwin the troops performed guard duties and built roads. Mr Nowland was in Darwin when it was bombed and describes the event in detail. He discusses the lead up, the day's events and the defence arrangements for Darwin. He discusses the invasion threat from the Japanese, which in his opinion was turned at the Battle of Coral Sea. The destruction of the Neptuna in Darwin Harbour is described. He describes daily conditions for the troops- scarcity of food, entertainment, sport. The hospital ship Manunda is mentioned, its bombing and subsequent journey to Perth, while severely damaged. Looting after the Darwin bombing is discussed. The affect of isolation on the troops is mentioned and how different people handled it. After the war, repatriation was offered to troops: some accepted it and made a new life, others could never settle into a new lifestyle. The current defence arrangements for Darwin has improved, according to Mr Nowland.