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But the older and wiser heads had dismissed his warning as alarmist.
Even though it was known that the Luftwaffe in the north was now being directed by the young and energetic General Peltz, the commander who would conduct the `` Little Blitz '' on London in 1944, a major raid on Bari at this juncture of the war was not to be considered seriously.
True, there had been raids on Naples -- but Naples was pretty far north on the opposite coast.
No, Bari was out of range.
More than that, Allied air had complete superiority in the Eighth Army's sector.
So Captain Jenks returned to his harbor post to watch the scouting plane put in five more appearances, and to feel the certainty of this dread rising within him.
For Jenks knew that Bari's defenses were made of paper.
The Royal Air Force had but a single light anti-aircraft squadron and two balloon units available.
There were no R.A.F. fighter squadrons on Bari airfield.
The radar station with the best location was still not serviceable.
Telephone communication was bad.
And everywhere in evidence among the few remaining defensive units was that old handmaiden of disaster -- multiple command.

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