| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P02039.003 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Paper (Fibre-based), Silver Gelatin |
| Physical description | Paper (Fibre-based), Silver Gelatin |
| Place made | Australia: Western Australia, Broome |
| Date made | 1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
A pall of smoke rises from the burning remains of an aircraft on the aerodrome at Broome, ...
Description
A pall of smoke rises from the burning remains of an aircraft on the aerodrome at Broome, following the the Japanese air-raid on the town on 3rd March 1942. The aircraft is probably a B-24A Liberator, one of six large aircraft destroyed on the ground in the raid. Most of these aircraft had just arrived from the Netherlands East Indies carrying refugees who were still aboard them. 88 people were killed in the raid, including women and children, and probably as many again wounded. Fourteen flying boats in the harbour were also destroyed.
The position of this aircraft relative to the runway and the orientation of the wing suggests that this photograph may show Liberator B24A 40-2473 being intentionally burned the day after the bombing. (Lewis &, and Ingman P, 2010; Zero hour in Broome; Kent Town Avonmore Books p72. ) (See also P02039.002)