2 AA Brigade reached Foggia and the port of Bari by 30 September, where it was reinforced. 62 AA Brigade HQ arrived on 2 October and took over responsibility for Bari, including 97th HAA Rgt, when 2 AA Bde moved on. Bari was an important supply port for Eighth Army and was targeted by the "Luftwaffe". It was allocated 32 x 3.7-inch guns of 97th and 76th (Gloucestershire) HAA Rgts as well as LAA guns and searchlights, supplemented by Italian guns and searchlights. On the night of 2/3 December there was an Air raid on Bari by 88 bombers covered by clouds of 'Window' (known as "Düppel" to the "Luftwaffe"). Not only were the RAF and Royal Artillery radar stations blinded, but communications broke down between the two services and defensive fire only began as the first bombs fell. The guns claimed two or three bombers shot down. The bombers had been aided by the port working under full lighting, and the damage to shipping and stores was increased by the explosion of an ammunition vessel. Further attacks on 13/14 December and 31December/1 January were less successful and the raiders' casualties from AA fire were heavier (2 out of 21 and 4 out of 17 respectively).