ALLIES LOSE 17 SHIPS

Southland Times, Issue 25240, 18 December 1943, Page 5

ALLIES LOSE 17 SHIPS

GERMAN BOMBER RAID ON BARI WASHINGTON, December 16. Seventeen United Nations merchant ships were sunk when 30 German bombers came over Bari in Italy at dawn a fortnight ago and caught the city’s defences entirely by surprise. This report by the American Associated Press correspondent is confirmed by the Secretary of War,. Mr H. L. Stimson. Mr Stimson said the raid was made on December 2. Five American vessels were among the 17 sunk, while approximately 1000 persons, including 37 American Navy men, were killed or injured. He added that much of the damage occurred when two ammunition ships were hit and exploded, spreading fires and destruction in the harbour area.

“WORST SINCE PEARL HARBOUR” The American Associated Press correspondent said the Bari raid in some respects was the worst defeat in a protected harbour since Pearl Harbour. The attack which was made at a low level lasted only a few minutes. Although the convoy had arrived only a day or two previously, the unloading had been so expeditious that the cargo had been mostly discharged. Fortunately the raid did not extremely disrupt Allied strategy in Italy. The Sth Army’s supplies suffered badly for two or three

days, but the position was rapidly recouped. The worst effect was the shipping loss and the .necessary harbour clearance work. The raid was brilliantly planned and executed. In some respects it was like the American attack against the Japanese ships in Rabaul Harbour. Unfortunately the Bari defences had been weak in fighter planes. Referring to the Bari raid at his Press conference, Mr Stimson said: “While we have definite air superiority in southern Italy and most of the Mediterranean, the Germans have appreciably increased their air strength in this area and sharp fighter resistance is sometimes encountered. Some heavy bomber attacks have been made on Allied ports and shipping.”