A Devastating Air Raid
On December 2, 1943, German bombers struck the Allied-occupied port of Bari, Italy, in a surprise nighttime raid. The attack sank 17 ships, set the harbor ablaze, and killed over 1,000 people. Amid the chaos, one ship, the SS John Harvey, carried a deadly secret—100 tons of American mustard gas.
A Mystery Unfolds
Lt. Col. Stewart Alexander, a U.S. Army chemical weapons expert, was sent to investigate. As sailors and civilians presented bizarre symptoms—blistered skin, severe respiratory issues, and plunging white blood cell counts—Alexander suspected mustard gas exposure. Initial denials from Allied officials delayed critical treatments.
A Shocking Discovery
Evidence confirmed the John Harvey’s cargo had been destroyed in the raid, releasing mustard gas into the harbor. Alexander documented the chemical’s effects, noting its impact on white blood cells. This observation later influenced research into nitrogen mustard as a treatment for cancer.
A Legacy of Science
Though classified for decades, Alexander’s findings contributed to the development of chemotherapy.
On December 2, 1943, German bombers struck the Allied-occupied port of Bari, Italy, in a surprise nighttime raid. The attack sank 17 ships, set the harbor ablaze, and killed over 1,000 people. Amid the chaos, one ship, the SS John Harvey, carried a deadly secret—100 tons of… pic.twitter.com/bsVEaITPLk
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