On 29 September 117th LAA Rgt crossed to Taranto in Italy and went by road to Bari where it briefly joined 2nd AA Brigade. 62nd AA Bde arrived on 2 October to take over defence of the ports of Bari, Barletta and Manfredonia, and a complex of inland airfields. The "Luftwaffe" mounted a series of low-intensity raids on Bari during November, then on the night of 2/3 December it carried out a large air raid aimed at knocking out the vital port. The raiders approached from the north dropping large amounts of 'Window' that confused the Ground-controlled interception radar, while communications were also out of order. No night fighters were ordered up until too late, no smokescreen was ignited, and there was no blackout. The result was a disaster: 20 aircraft attacked the port, which was working under floodlights, and the AA fire only began as the bombs started falling. With the guns blind, the LAA guns fired 6283 rounds in concentrations without apparent effect, although the HAA guns claimed some success with predicted fire. An ammunition ship blew up and many other vessels were sunk or damaged; the port was devastated. A Board of Enquiry was held after the raid on Bari and the AA defences and procedures were strengthened in line with its recommendations. A follow-up raid on 13/14 December caused no serious damage and the AA fire shot down some of the attackers.