12. Accidental Targeting of Italian Civilians, 1943: 83 Casualties, 628 Wounded
In December 1943, a German reconnaissance plane discovered a large number of Allied ships docked at the port in Bari, Italy. That same day, the German government organized an air raid to destroy the vessel, one of which, the John Harvey, was carrying on board 2000 bombs of mustard gas.
When John Harvey was struck, tons of mustard gas was released into the city, leading to the deaths of 83 people. A cloud of sulfur hung overhead and rained down mustard gas, causing hundreds of people to become hurt. Those attending to the wounded were not trained in mustard gas injuries.
