12/14/2011: U.S. Marines with 2nd Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team out of Norfolk, Va., visit Darwin Military Museum in Darwin, Australia, Nov. 26, 2011. FAST Marines are attending Exercise Semper Fast 2011, a combined training event hosted by 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment focusing on small arms ranges, direct fire ranges, military operations on urban terrain, and light infantry operations.
The Darwin Military Museum was founded in the mid 1960s by Lieutenant Colonel Jack Haydon and members of the Northern Territory branch of the Royal Australian Artillery Association.The Association, through its numerous contacts, soon started accumulating war memorabilia from all over the Territory. Since then, several notable local collectors have also contributed greatly to the museum’s exhibits. The museum was Darwin’s very first and is housed in the original concrete command post bunker, used by the army to command the two massive 9.2″ guns nearby.
The bunker is now fully air-conditioned and displays a fascinating array of weapons, photographs and equipment used by the fighting men and women of the day. A theatrette continuously runs a 15-minute film that contains dramatic live footage of the Japanese bombing of Darwin Harbour and the township.Set in four acres of tropical gardens by the sea, Darwin Military Museum is not just for the military enthusiast, but for every member of the family. It is a unique combination of Australian military heritage and modern tropical garden and surrounds. While out our way, don’t forget to see some of the 2,000 wallabies that graze nearby and perhaps catch one of Darwin’s spectacular sunsets.
http://www.darwinmilitarymuseum.com.au/
For our story on Darwin see