The Northern Territory Government has requested half-masting of flags to mark the 82nd Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin on Monday, 19 February 2024.
On 19 February 1942, mainland Australia came under attack for the first time. Japanese forces mounted two air raids on Darwin, which involved land based bombers and approximately 188 attack aircraft that were launched from four Japanese aircraft carriers in the Timor Sea. Killing more than 230 Allied service personnel and civilians, the attacks devastated the city. Military aircraft were lost, eight ships at anchor in the harbour were sunk and most civil and military facilities in Darwin were destroyed.
To mark the 82nd Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin, the Australian National Flag should be lowered to half-mast on Monday, 19 February 2024 at dawn and raised to the peak at 12:01pm for the remainder of the day in the Northern Territory only. This advice applies to buildings and establishments occupied by Australian Government departments and affiliated agencies. Other organisations are welcome to participate.
- When flying the Australian National Flag with other flags, all flags in the set should be flown at half-mast.
- If a set of flags includes the flags of other nations, it would be appropriate to seek permission from the diplomatic representatives of that nation to half-mast their flag.
- An acceptable half-mast position would be when the top of the flag is a third of the distance down from the top of the flagpole.
- Information on flag protocol is available on the Department's website.
Your assistance is appreciated.
Commonwealth Flag Officer