The Japanese raid on Darwin was another catastrophic attack, but hardly anybody outside, or even within Australia, has heard of it. Yet eight ships were sunk and more than 200 people were killed. It happened less than three months after Pearl Harbor.

But the Australian authorities also played it down, fearing a devastating effect on national morale. This weekend, thousands are gathering in the City to mark the 70th anniversary of the attack. Duncan Kennedy has been to Darwin and now tells the story of the raid that was almost forgotten.

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