The Bari Raid 1943

A.M. Form 1701

MOST SECRET

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EMC.                                                                       MS,         24189

                                                                                Rec’d  AMCS. 20084A HRS Dec.43.

To:- ADMIRALTY

From:- C, in C, MEDITTERANEAN.                          Date:-      19 Dec ‘43

                                                                                Rec’d      1643

MOST SECRET.

                    I feel that their Lordships should be aware that

amongst vessels hit during the Bari raid on the 2^nd

December was one containing 540 tons of mustard-gas bombs with

resulting widespread abnormal and heavy local concentrations.

2.                         In consequence a number of gas casualties were

sustained in H. M. Ships and amongst naval and D.E.M.S

ratings and merchant seamen. The number of these casual-

ties is greater than might otherwise have been the case

since the temporary dislocation following the raid and

normal need for secrecy regarding the presense of the gas

weapon it was not at first sufficiently realised what had

taken place and consequently the need for decontamination

and other remedial measures.

3.                         Immediately after the raid the harbour was cleared

at top speed because of fires raging and in consequence

ships arrived at the other heel ports and Augusta still

undecontaminated.

4.                         Amongst H.M.Ships contaminated and with gas

Casualties were BICESTER: ZETLAND: VULCAN: VIENNA and motor

torpedo boats.

5                           Steps have since been taken to decontaminate ships

and the situation is now in hand but there have been a

number of deaths and it is feared that more must be

expected.

6                           The question now arises whether it is desirable to

keep diagnosis secret in case of disability or death. If

so propose that in medical documents diagnosis should be

referred to as “chemical burns, conjunctivitis etc” quoting

number and date of letter which the Commander in Chief

will send to Admiralty giving the full facts. Need for

decision on this matter is urgent as patients are becoming

dispersed.

7.                 I am recommending to the Allied Commander in Chief

that an enquiry should be held to establish inter alia why

it was necessary for this consignment of gas to be in Bari.

8.                 Arrangements are also being made to collect informa

tion of the effects on ships and men who have been subjected

to the contamination.

 Here you can see the beginnings of the so called 'cover up' - the request to officially recognise the casualties as suffering from 'chemical burns or conjunctivitus' - although probably technically correct (chemical burns), the idea was obviously to hide the actual cause.