On the 19th of February, 1942, 188 Japanese planes set launch against Darwin, aiming at the harbour (this was full of Allied ships). The Japanese flew 64 raids on Darwin and 33 raids on other targets in North Australia. This attack on Darwin was the largest Japanese attack since Pearl Harbour (America, 7th December, 1941). This attack followed a reconnaissance flight on 10th of February 1942. On that very day, there were 27 allied ships in the harbour, and 30 aircrafts at the Darwin Civil and RAAF airfields. The USS Houston convoy departed Darwin on 15th February 1942, followed by a Japanese flying boat which later engaged in an air strike. The USS Peary returned to Darwin on the 19th of February after an encounter with a possible Japanese
