Australia had been shocked by the speedy collapse of British Malaya and Fall of Singapore in which around 15,000 Australian soldiers became prisoners of war. Curtin predicted that the "battle for Australia" would now follow. The Japanese established a major base in the Australian Territory of New Guinea in early 1942. On 19 February, Darwin suffered a devastating air raid, the first time the Australian mainland had been attacked. Over the following 19 months, Australia was attacked from the air almost 100 times. COUNT 5
QSN1 About how many Australians were taken prisoner after the fall of Singapore and British Malaya? ANS1 15,000 QSN2 In what year did Japan establish a base in New Guinea? ANS2 1942 QSN3 What date was the Australian mainland first attacked? ANS3 19 February QSN4 What mainland Australian city was attacked by the Japanese on February 19? ANS4 Darwin QSN5 For how many months was Australia attacked from the air by Japan? ANS5 19