By December 1942 Naples had become Italy's most important major-ship base because Taranto was considered too dangerous. Defenders mistake incoming B-24 Liberators for Ju 52 transports, allowing the bombers to cross the harbour before effective anti-aircraft fire begins. Raimondo Montecuccoli survives a funnel hit because armoured grating prevents the bomb from reaching vital machinery, while Muzio Attendolo loses power and begins flooding after one or two hits. A later false alarm scatters repair crews, and the unattended cruiser rolls over at its moorings; although judged repairable, it is not restored before the armistice and is abandoned after the war.
Chapter · 37:09-42:47
The St. Barbara's Day raid sinks Muzio Attendolo at Naples
A mistaken identification lets B-24s reach Naples before anti-aircraft fire begins, damaging several cruisers and ultimately capsizing Muzio Attendolo.