Across an open space at the bustling Norfolk Naval Air Station moved a truck with six small trailers, each carrying four depth charges ready to be loaded into the waiting anti-submarine patrol planes. Suddenly a little blaze sprang up on one of the trailers. A station fire engine dashed up in a brave, hopeless effort to halt the fire. But before it could go into action the 24 cordite-loaded charges exploded like a salvo of blockbusters in a blinding flash and shattering concussion. The toll: 25 dead*; 249 injured. The blast and fire...
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