Attack on shipping in Bari harbour on 12th December 1943

[RT]

Just out of curiosity, why were the Allies offloading bombs (grenades?) with mustard gas in Bari? The Germans had not used gas in warfare since WW 1 and as far as I know did not intend to use any. Also bombs suggest there was an intention to use it through aeroplanes, or do the web sites mean artillery grenades? Why Italy? Surely the Allies did not intend to use it in THAT country, did they?

Why mustard gas? Of all C-gases it is the least effective. Was it the only one the Allies had available.


In case of....., I read artillery shells, we found some allegations of german prisoners speaking of possibility to use Gas in brit. reports, One could wonder why after the Hamburg raids as retaliation the german didn't bomb with some english cities, it would hv stopped any further attempt to bomb cities or cause an escalade in the bombings, just the german seems to hv the right gases at that time tabun + some others, at the end of the war it will be interesting to see the effects of a bombing with nitrox..

remi

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by RT

The Germans had not used gas in warfare since WW 1 and as far as I know did not intend to use any.

You know that but the Allies at the time perhaps were not so sure!

Infield's book says that the Allies always had a supply of chemical weapons in every theatre, in case the Germans did use them and there was a need to retaliate.

[RT]

That's what I wrote Nick, in case of... if the german don't use gases they hv stock of them nd produce them during war time, further they hv the potent' ones but not used them, pertubing question when one hv a better weapon he use it , but at the difference of the americans, they don't use them

not the worst in just one side

remi

[NUCCIO]

Hi Beppino,

there is a large study, very accurated and well documented with good photos on italian magazine "Storia militare" may 2008. He is a definitive study on subjet fruit of over one year of my researches on militay archives around the world. Attacks on Bari Harbor were TWO: the first on 2 december (Kg 30,54,76) with 88 planes Ju 88 A4 . The second (thanks Lg1) on 13 dec. with only 21 ju 88 came from Greece. This time there were not allieed losses because the target (Harbour) were covered by clouds. The german had three losses among the crews (see Thagon Book)
I hope this help you
Regards
Pino

and

[Joda87]

Hallo,
I post on this old thread to know if someone has data about the id. of the planes belonged to I./KG 54 during Bari harbour raid.
planes and crew, if known.

Hope someone helps

Thanks in advance

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Joda87

Hallo,
I post on this old thread to know if someone has data about the id. of the planes belonged to I./KG 54 during Bari harbour raid.
planes and crew, if known.

Hope someone helps

Thanks in advance

There are one or two aircrew names here http://www.ghostbombers.com/kf4/South/bari_01.html and two bomber losses from the raid but only a handful of detailed Luftwaffe mission reports survive from any unit or campaign so you are unlikely to find the information you want. There may be one or two logbooks in private collections that mention the raid, of course. There would be much more information if more Ju 88s had been shot down and some crews captured but that didn't happen.

[Joda87]

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

There are one or two aircrew names here http://www.ghostbombers.com/kf4/South/bari_01.html and two bomber losses from the raid but only a handful of detailed Luftwaffe mission reports survive from any unit or campaign so you are unlikely to find the information you want. There may be one or two logbooks in private collections that mention the raid, of course. There would be much more information if more Ju 88s had been shot down and some crews captured but that didn't happen.

Ok, I understand..Thanks a lot! Great info-link anyway