An embarrassing error dealing with the bombing of Darwin occurs in information on an important Northern Territory website. According to www.tourismtopend.com.au the parliamentary library has a painting of the corvette HMAS Kootoomba (sic) under attack in Darwin Harbour by Japanese on February 19, 1942.
The correct name is Katoomba , which was launched by the Deputy Mayoress of Katoomba, NSW, on April 16, l941. The painting, by Keith Swan, is on loan to the Legislative Assembly from the Australian War Memorial. The Katoomba was in dry dock when the Japanese attacked and escaped unharmed , its crew having put up a fight against the enemy planes.
HMAS Katoomba, in company with HMAS Deloraine and HMAS Lithgow, sank the Japanese submarine 1-124 , the first enemy sub sunk in Australian waters. The vessel was present at the surrender of Japanese on Timor in September 1945.
It is hoped that this error and the clangers pointed out by Little Darwin in respect of the Esplanade war memorial can be corrected before the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin which is being planned by a high powered committee under the repulsive marketing heading : BRAND BOMBING
