by mallosa » Sat Jan 18, 2014 9:54 pm
In Loving Memory of my husbands father who died when he (my husband) was aged 4 years old
Able Seaman: LAURENCE JOSEPH MALLON
Air raid on Bari
The air raid on Bari was an air attack by German bombers on Allied forces and shipping in Bari, Italy, on 2 December 1943 during World War II. In the attack, 105 German Junkers Ju 88 bombers of Luftflotte 2, achieving complete surprise, bombed shipping and personnel operating in support of the Allied Italian campaign, sinking 27 cargo and transport ships and a schooner in Bari harbor.
The attack, which lasted a little more than one hour, put the port out of action until February 1944 and was called the "Little Pearl Harbor". The release of mustard gas from one of the wrecked cargo ships added to the loss of life. The British and American governments covered up the presence of mustard gas and its effects on victims of the raid.
Twenty-eight merchant ships laden with more than 34,000 short tons (31,000 t) of cargo were sunk or destroyed; three ships carrying a further 7,500 short tons (6,800 t) were later salvaged. Twelve more ships were damaged. The port was closed for three weeks and was only restored to full operation in February 1944.All Bari-based submarines were undamaged, their tough exteriors able to withstand the German attack
One of the ships damaged in the raid was Laurence's 'Brittany Coast' Cargo ship 1,389 GRT
(Six years later In 1949 after being taken ill onboard ship, he died the next day at home in Dublin age 51 )