Air raid will be remembered

When nine Japanese Zero fighters and a reconnaissance plane swooped over Broome on the morning of March 3 1942, the date was forever etched in the town’s history.

Saturday March 3, 2018 will mark the 76th anniversary of the World War II air raid that killed 88 people and destroyed 22 Australian, Dutch and US aircraft.

The tragic event led to the second-greatest wartime loss of life on Australian soil but also included tales of survival and bravery.

Dutch pilot Lt Gus Winckel shot down a Zero from the ground and the Beagle Bay community came together to rescue the crew and passengers of a Dutch DC3 that was shot down and crash landed in Carnot Bay.

This year, the Broome community was invited to join the Broome RSL, TS Broome Naval Cadets, St Mary’s College, the Shire and others in a small ceremony in Bedford Memorial Park.

Participants will assemble at 8:45am for a 9am start.

Shire President Harold Tracey said he encouraged the community to come along to help keep alive the memory of a significant event that played a big part in shaping the town as we know it today.