When Is A War Over?

Tweet

When a war is over, it's not over. The Second World War ended in 1945, yet its after-effects are still felt. I hadn't read about the defusion of bombs from the Second World War for some time, but the other day I found rather a long list on the net concerning defusions which had taken place in several German cities in recent months. The weight of these unexploded specimens can be up to 1.8 tonne (the weight of a Volkswagen Golf). Such a one was found in Frankfurt two years ago. It contained 1.4 tonne of explosive substance and had three detonators. It was found on a building site near the university of Frankfurt. Imagine the shock when an unsuspecting operator suddenly unearthed a bomb of such dimensions! It's estimated that 10 - 20% of the bombs dropped over Germany didn't explode. Every year about 5.500 are defused. About 100.000 bombs are supposed to still lie in the ground. The situation is getting more and more dangerous because rust corrodes them and they can explode even if they're not touched or moved. It has already happened. The bomb disposal officers are highly skilled professionals. Although they've got one of the most dangerous jobs imaginable, few accidents occur. Is that a comfort? Each time they leave the house to defuse more remains of the horrid times, they don't know if they return home safe and sound. For me they're heroes - more than sportsmen who risk their lives for a record or fun. The evacuation of the population requires expert planning. Defusions usually take place on Sundays when there is little traffic and most people stay at home. Imagine what it means when up to 60.000 (sixty thousand!) people have to leave their homes starting early in the morning at 6a.m. Usually, an area with the radius of one and a half km around the bomb site is cleared. It's closed off and the police check if all houses are empty. A helicopter crew supports them from the air. People who have nobody they can go to, go to exhibition halls, gyms or schools. Only when it‘s clear that the area is completely empty, defusing starts. This is usually around noon. The experts may need about four hours to complete the job. The first to be taken back to their homes are old and sick people. When this task has been accomplished, all others are allowed to return. I'm sure that a sigh of relief can be heard throughout the city when the end of the operation is officially announced! --- Photo from google showing a relatively small specimen.