Dutch Flying Boat wrecks description and photos - Australia: Broome (Topic)

Dutch Flying Boat wrecks description and photos - Australia: Broome. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Dutch Flying Boat wrecks.

Photo & Description

The Dutch Flying Boat wrecks are a favorite with tourists visiting Broome. The remains of a seaplane - evidence of the Japanese air raid on the city during the Second World War - are located 1 km from Town Beach.

On March 3, 1942, 10 Japanese aircraft flew over Broome, heading for the occupied island of Timor. There was no armed protection in the city except for a few shooters of the local military units, because it was believed that the Japanese simply would not reach Broome with the same amount of fuel that they had in their planes. However, nine Zero and one Bab reconnaissance aircraft equipped with spare fuel tanks refuted this opinion. At 9.30 am, they raided a fleet of 16 Dutch seaplanes and seven aircraft, located on the runway, among which there were two bombers.

The Zero planes pushed the action with ease, using tracer charges to set helpless planes on fire. Only one aircraft, a small seaplane in the US Navy, survived the carnage. It was also a tragedy that there were women and children on board the Dutch seaplanes. The exact number of victims is still unknown, but it is believed that more than 100 people died. Many bodies have never been found.

The muddy coast of Rubak Bay has preserved the remains of the Catalina plane in good condition. At low tide, they become visible to those who stroll along the shallows from Town Beach.

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Topic: Dutch Flying Boat wrecks description and photos - Australia: Broome.