Cyclone Tracy was one of the most damaging disasters to ever impact Australia. The story of the terrible night of Christmas Eve 1974 has been told before, but the involvement of the Australian Defence Force has been under-emphasised.
This book rectifies that by revealing the untold stories of those in uniform. Men and women of all three services experienced the cyclone, including the crew of HMAS Arrow which sank with the loss of two lives.
The first outsiders to reach the shattered city flew in on RAAF aircraft, which quickly began flying out evacuees. Then the Navy embarked on its largest peacetime operation with the majority of the fleet including the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne deploying to Darwin. For the first month the Navy took the lead in cleaning up the city before a larger and better equipped Army force took over.
The book argues strongly that the National Emergency Medal should be bestowed on all uniformed people involved, including civilians such as police, and that a prominent and fitting memorial be established in Darwin.
Cyclone Warriors also dispels myths, and for the first time with extensive research provides the true number of fatalities incurred when Tracy tore apart Darwin.
Tom Lewis is one of Australia’s foremost military historians having written over twenty books. He is a former naval officer and long time resident of Darwin.