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'{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2011}} Due to Australia's geographic position there were relatively few '''attacks on Australia during World War II'''. [[Axis Powers|Axis]] surface raiders and submarines periodically attacked shipping in Australian waters from 1940 to early 1945 and Japanese aircraft bombed towns and airfields in [[Northern Australia]] on 97 occasions during 1942 and 1943. ==Naval attacks== {{Main|Axis naval activity in Australian waters}} Six German surface raiders operated in Australian waters at different times between 1940 and 1943. These ships sank a small number of merchant ships and the Australian light cruiser [[HMAS Sydney (1934)|HMAS ''Sydney'']]. The German submarine [[German submarine U-862|''U-862'']] also carried out attacks in Australian waters in late 1944 and early 1945. Japanese submarines operated in Australian waters from January 1942 until July 1944. Major submarine offensives were carried out against shipping off the Australian east coast from May to July 1942 and January to July 1943. A small Japanese reconnaissance party also briefly landed in the [[Kimberley (Western Australia)|Kimberley region of Western Australia]] in January 1944. On the evening of 31 May/morning of 1 June 1942, Sydney harbour came under [[Attack on Sydney harbour|direct attack]] from Japanese midget submarines. {{HMAS|Kuttabul|ship|6}}, a converted ferry being used as a troop sleeper, was hit and sunk. 22 sailors were killed, 19 Australians and 2 members of the Royal Navy. ==Air attacks== {{Main|Air raids on Australia, 1942–43}} The first air raid on Australia occurred on 19 February 1942 [[Bombing of Darwin (February 1942)|when Darwin was attacked]] by 242 Japanese aircraft. Occasional attacks on northern Australian towns and airfields continued until November 1943. ==References== {{portal|Australia|World War II}} {{reflist}} * Australian War Memorial [http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/air_raids/ Air raids on Australian mainland – Second World War] {{DEFAULTSORT:Attacks On Australia During World War Ii}} [[Category:Military attacks against Australia]] BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO'