At approximately 1030 hours on 26 November 1944, an explosion occurred in the ammunition area at Air Force Ordnance Depot no. 8, Manfredonia, Italy. A total of ninety-three bombs had been offloaded at the bay involved, and the last truckload of seven Italian laborers, who were riding with the load, dismounted and gathered around the rear of the truck. The American soldier-driver of the truck and the American checker were standing with the Italians. When the tailgate of the truck was lowered, one bomb dropped off the truck and a low-order detonation occurred.

N5176 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.