Today in World War II History—May 2, 1943
Tuesday, May 2, 2023 by Sarah Sundin

RAAF Spitfires taking off from airfield near Darwin, Australia, 24 March 1943 (Australian War Memorial: 014484)
80 Years Ago—May 2, 1943: Japanese bomb Darwin in 54th air raid on Australia; RAAF shoots down a bomber and five Zeros, but loses eight Spitfire fighter planes.
In a Fireside Chat, Pres. Franklin Roosevelt appeals to striking coal miners to return to work.\

US poster based on Roosevelt’s May 2, 1943 Fireside Chat (US National Archives)