WWII Bombing of Darwin

Hear the Stories

WWII Tour Options

A tale of mateship and bravery on the frontline

Only three per cent of Australians know the true extent of the Bombing of Darwin – there were more bombs dropped on the town and more ships sunk than at Pearl Harbour!

Wilbert “Darkie” Hudson (aka “The Naked Gunner”), was a gunner with the Australian Army, stationed in Darwin, during World War II. This story of mateship and bravery in the Top End is a story that needs to be told.

On the morning of February 19, 1942, Darkie was in the shower when air raid sirens sounded: Japanese planes were dropping bombs on Darwin, bringing the war to Australian shores. Darkie leapt out of the shower, wrapped a towel around himself, pulled on his boots and hat, and ran to the gun site. He propped his weapon on his mate’s shoulder and began firing, his towel dropping to the ground. Darkie shot down a Japanese dive bomber, with his friends later teasing him about whether he shot down the plane or the pilot saw him naked and died of fright!

Read Full Story

The Naked Gunner

Sea Darwin is paying tribute to Darkie and his role during the Bombing of Darwin, with the release of Australian-made gin “The Naked Gunner”.

A classic old school juniper gin with notes of spicy piney juniper, spicy citrus & eucalyptus. 58% Navy Strength Gin distilled by Hurdle Creek Distillery. 700mL bottle.

Spirits & Stories Naked Gunner Navy Strength Gin
Buy the GIn (18+)
Sea Darwin
Frontline Australia 1942
Eco Certified Advanced Ecotourism
2015 Bronze Australian Tourism Awards – Ecotourism
2015 Brolga – Winner Ecotourism
Sea Darwin
Frontline Australia 1942
Eco Certified Advanced Ecotourism
2015 Bronze Australian Tourism Awards – Ecotourism
2015 Brolga – Winner Ecotourism

Tours and more information

  1300 065 022
  info@seadarwin.com

Departure location

  Dock 2
Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin