| Accession Number | P05303.013 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Australia: Northern Territory, Darwin |
| Date made | 19 February 1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
A view of the American Destroyer USS Peary (DD226) (centre) adrift and slowly sinking stern first ...
Description
A view of the American Destroyer USS Peary (DD226) (centre) adrift and slowly sinking stern first in Darwin Harbour after being repeatedly bombed by attacking carrier aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The bow of the damaged hospital ship Manunda is visible (right). One of a series of photographs relating to the service of 5345 Norman Gaff. Born on 19 November 1899 in Queenscliff, Victoria, Norman Gaff enlisted on 11 August 1915 and served in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) during the First and Second World Wars. Seven days before the first Japanese air raid on Darwin, Gaff was posted to HMAS Melville, the (former) RAN shore base located there. He survived this event and subsequent raids on Darwin and was discharged on 2 January 1946.