Annex F: RAF Oakington UXBs Discovery

Transcription

1 Explosive Ordnance Threat Assessment Report F F: RAF Oakington UXBs Discovery Produced by BACTEC International Limited For Report 3870TA

2 RAF Oakington UXBs Discovery F British 1000lb GP bomb discovered by BACTEC in 2006 British 500lb MC bomb discovered by BACTEC in 2006 Report Reference: 3870TA BACTEC International Ltd

3 Explosive Ordnance Threat Assessment Report G G: Small Arms Ammunition Produced by BACTEC International Limited For Report 3870TA

4 Small Arms Ammunition G 20mm 30mm.50 Small arms ammunition and cannon rounds up to 30mm Recovered British WWII-era SAA Report Reference: 3870TA BACTEC International Limited and various historical sources

5 Explosive Ordnance Threat Assessment Report H H: Land Service Ammunition Produced by BACTEC International Limited For Report 3870TA

6 Grenades Land Service Ammunition H-1 No. 36 Mills Grenade Weight: 0.7kg filled (1lb 6oz) Type: Hand or discharger, fragmentation Dimensions: 95 x 61mm (3.7 x 2.4in) Filling: Alumatol, Amatol 2 or TNT Remarks: 4 second handthrowing fuse with approximate 30m range. First introduced May No. 69 Grenade Weight: 0.38kg filled (0.8lb) Type: Percussion/Blast Date Introduced: December 1940 Remarks: Black Bakelite body. Blast rather than fragmentation type. After unscrewing the safety cap, a tape is held when throwing the grenade releasing the safety bolt in the throwing motion. Detection is problematic due to its very low metal content. Typical Smoke Grenade Dimensions: Type: Date Introduced: Remarks: Approx. 65 x 115mm (2.5 x 4.5in) Smoke Current MoD issue Smoke grenades are used as ground-to-ground or groundto-air signalling devices, target or landing zone marking devices, and screening devices for unit movement. Report Reference: 3870TA BACTEC International Limited and various historical sources

7 Mortars Land Service Ammunition H-2 Typical 2 inch High Explosive Mortar Bomb Weight: Type: Dimensions: Filling: Maximum Range: Remarks: 1.02kg (2.25lb) High Explosive 51 x 290mm (2in x 11.4in) 200g RDX/TNT 457m (500yds) Fitted with an impact fuze which detonates the fuze booster charge (exploder) and, in turn, the high explosive charge. The main charge shatters the mortar bomb body, producing near optimum fragmentation and blast effect at the target. Typical 3 inch Smoke Mortar Type: Dimensions: Filling: Maximum Range: Remarks: Smoke c490 x 76mm (19.3in x 3in) Typically white phosphorous 2515m (2,750yds) On impact, the fuze functions and initiates the bursting charge. The bursting charge ruptures the mortar bomb body and disperses the white phosphorous filler. The white phosphorous produces smoke upon exposure to the air. Typical 2 inch Illuminating Mortar Type: Dimensions: Filling: Remarks: Illum. 51 x 290mm Various The expulsion charge ignites and ejects the candle assembly. A spring ejects the parachute from the tail cone. The parachute opens, slowing the descent of the burning candle which illuminates the target. Report Reference: 3870TA BACTEC International Limited and various historical sources

8 Explosive Ordnance Threat Assessment Report I I: Miscellaneous Military Contamination Produced by BACTEC International Limited For Report 3870TA

9 Miscellaneous Items of UXO I Detonators Fuzes Flares Report Reference: 3870TA BACTEC International Limited and various historical sources

10 Explosive Ordnance Threat Assessment Report J J: Anti-Aircraft Artillery Produced by BACTEC International Limited For Report 3870TA

11 Anti-Aircraft Projectiles Anti-Aircraft Artillery J 3.7 inch Anti-Aircraft Projectile Weight: Dimensions: Carriage: Rate of Fire: Ceiling: Muzzle Velocity: Remarks: 12.7kg (28lb) 94 x 360mm (3.7 x 14.7in) Mobile and Static Versions rounds per minute 9-18,000m (29-59,000ft) 792m/s (2,598ft/s) 4.5 inch projectiles were also commonly utilised This AA shell was uncovered on a construction site in North London in February Layout plan for a typical HAA battery site. Rockets/Unrotated Projectiles Weight: Overall: 24.5kg (54lb) Warhead: 1.94kg (4.28lb) Dimensions: 1930mm x 82.6mm (76 x 3.25in) Carriage: Mobile transported on trailers Ceiling: 6770m (22,200ft) Maximum Velocity: 457mps (1,500 fps) Hyde Park Inch QF gun on mobile mounting 3.7 inch AA Projectile Minus Fuze MK II HE Shell (3.5kg) Rocket Battery in action Home Guard soldiers load an anti-aircraft rocket at a 'Z' Battery 2 U.P AA Rocket 40mm Bofors Gun Projectile Weight: 0.86kg (1.96lb) Dimensions: 40mm x 310mm (1.6in x 12.2in) Rate of Fire: 120 rounds per minute Ceiling: 23,000ft (7000m ) Muzzle Velocity: 2,890 ft/s (881m/s) Remarks: Mobile batteries normally few records of where these guns were located 40mm Bofors gun and crew at Stanmore in Middlesex, 28 June Unexploded 40mm Bofors projectile recovered from a marine environment Report Reference: 3870TA BACTEC International Limited and various historical sources

12 Explosive Ordnance Threat Assessment Report K K: Allied Air-Delivered Practice Bombs Produced by BACTEC International Limited For Report 3870TA

13 British Allied Air-Delivered Practice Bombs K-1 8.5lb Practice Bomb Dimensions: 76 x 308mm (7 x 12in) Fuzing: Simple striker arrangement with detonator-burster Remarks: Mks I and III had a moulded plastic body made in three parts nose section housing striker, center section housing detonatorburster and filling plug and a hollow rear section and tail. Used against certain targets where a bomb is required to break on impact without causing damage to the target. Only suitable for low altitude bombing. Smoke-filled only. 10lb Practice Bomb Weight: Fuzing: Dimensions: Remarks: 4.5kg (9.9lb) 9lb) Simple striker arrangement with detonator-burster 76 x 180mm minus tail (3 x 7in) Solid cast iron nose with an axial bore housing striker head and rod. Smoke filling used for daytime practice operations, Flash filling used at night. Practice bombs recovered by BACTEC at a WWII airfield in the South-East 11.5lb Practice Bomb Dimensions: Fuzing: Remarks: 76 x 457mm (3 x 18in) Simple striker arrangement with detonator- burster Bomb consists of a nose casting fitted with a striker assembly and a tail cone which constitutes a container for the filling and is fitted with a central tube for a detonator-burster. Nose casing made of iron. Smoke filling used for daytime practice operations, Flash filling used at night. Report Reference: 3870TA BACTEC International Limited and various historical sources

14 American Allied Air-Delivered Practice Bombs K-2 USAAF 100lb M38A2 Practice Bomb American air force practice bombs b used the same casing shape as the M30 100lb live HE bomb b variant. They were larger than RAF practice bombs however comprised similar components. Bomb Weight: Fuze: Appearance: Inert content: Live content: 98lb Tail Blue 80lb sand 2.6lb spotting charge Recently discovered WWII-era USAAF Practice Bombs Report Reference: 3870TA BACTEC International Limited and various historical sources

15 Explosive Ordnance Threat Assessment Report L L: Allied Air-Delivered Ordnance Produced by BACTEC International Limited For Report 3870TA

16 British HE Bombs Allied Air-Delivered Ordnance L-1 High Capacity (HC) 4000lb Bomb Weight: 3,930lb (1,786kg) Explosive Weight: 3,000lb (1,360kg) Amatol Fuze Type: Three impact fuzes at one end Bomb Dimensions: 208cm x 76cm Remarks: This was the most popular model of the HC range with 93,245 dropped by the RAF during WWII Medium Capacity (MC) 500lb Bomb Weight: 226kg (499lb) Explosive Weight: 113kg Fuze Type: Impact fuze (nose and tail) Bomb Dimensions: 1790mm(long tail) or 1470mm (short tail) x 330mm (71 or 58in x 12.9in) Body Length: 1040mm (41in) Remarks: This configuration (cylindrical body) is very similar to the US GP500 bomb. The British GP500 had a more ogival shape British 500lb MC bomb discovered by BACTEC on a Cambridgeshire former RAF airfield in 2006 General Purpose (GP) 1000lb Bomb Weight: 486kg (1072b) Explosive Weight: 162kg Fuze Type: Impact fuze (nose and tail) Bomb Dimensions: 2200mm (long tail) or 1790mm (short tail) x 410mm (87 or 71in x 16.2in) Body Length: 1334mm (52.5in) Report Reference: 3870TA BACTEC International Limited and various historical sources

17 American HE Bombs Allied Air-Delivered Ordnance L-2 General Purpose M64 500lb Bomb Weight: 500lb Explosive Weight: 262lb Amatol Fuze Type: Nose and tail Length: 4 11 Diameter: 14 Appearance: Oliver drab with yellow tail and nose stripes Targets: Strategic targets rail, industrial, airfields, etc Aircraft: B24 and B17 Light Case M lb Bomb Weight: Explosive Weight: Fuze Type: Length: Diameter: Appearance: Targets: Aircraft: 4201lb 3244lb Tritonal Impact fuze (nose and tail) Oliver drab with yellow tail, body and nose stripes Reinforced concrete structures, bridges, dams, etc B17 Report Reference: 3870TA Various historical sources

18 American Incendiary Bombs Allied Air-Delivered Ordnance L-3 AN-M50A1 Incendiary Bomblets Bomb Weight: 4lb Fuze: No fuze tail striker unit Length: 21.3 Diameter: 1.6 (hexagonal cross-section) Appearance: Purple stripe Targets: Deployed in clusters for general bombardment urban targets Aircraft: B24 and B17 Deployed: Carried in M17 cluster bombs M17 500lb cluster bomb Report Reference: 3870TA Various historical sources

19 Explosive Ordnance Threat Assessment Report M M: WWI UK Air-Raids and Naval Bombardments Map Produced by BACTEC International Limited For Report 3870TA

20 WWI UK Air Raid and Naval Bombardment Map M North Approximate site location Report Reference: 3870TA National Archives

21 Explosive Ordnance Threat Assessment Report N N: German Air-Delivered Ordnance Produced by BACTEC International Limited For Report 3870TA

22 High Explosive Bombs German Air-Delivered Ordnance N-1 SC 50 Bomb Weight: 40-54kg ( lb) Explosive Weight: c25kg (55lb) Fuze Type: Impact fuze/electro-mechanical time delay fuze Bomb Dimensions: 1,090 x 280mm (42.9 x 11.0in) Body Diameter: 200mm (7.87in) Use: Against lightly damageable materials, hangars, railway rolling stock, ammunition depots, light bridges and buildings up to three stories. Remarks: The smallest and most common conventional German bomb. Nearly 70% of bombs dropped on the UK were 50kg. 50kg bomb, London Docklands 400mm Minus tail section SC 250 Bomb weight: Explosive weight: Fuze type: Bomb dimensions: Body diameter: Use: kg ( lb) kg ( lb) Electrical impact/mechanical time delay fuze x 512mm (64.57 x 20.16in) 368mm (14.5in) Against railway installations, embankments, flyovers, underpasses, large buildings and below-ground installations. 250kg bomb, Hawkinge SC 500 Bomb weight: Explosive weight: Fuze type: Bomb dimensions: 25.2in) Body Diameter: Use: kg (1,058-1,146lb) kg ( lb) Electrical impact/mechanical time delay fuze x 640mm (77 x 470mm (18.5in) Against fixed airfield installations, hangars, assembly halls, flyovers, underpasses, high-rise buildings and below-ground installations. 50kg bomb included for size comparison (see above) 500kg bomb, Felixstowe beach, April 2008 Report Reference: 3870TA BACTEC International Limited and various historical sources

23 Incendiary Bombs German Air-Delivered Ordnance N-2 1kg Incendiary Bomb Bomb weight: Filling: Fuze type: Bomb dimensions: Body diameter: Use: Remarks: 1.0 and 1.3kg (2.2 and 2.87lb) 680gm (1.3lb) Thermite Impact fuze 350 x 50mm (13.8 x 1.97in) 50mm (1.97in) As incendiary dropped in clusters against towns and industrial complexes Jettisoned from air-dropped containers. Magnesium alloy case. Sometimes fitted with high explosive charge 1. Scaffold pipe 2. Incendiary 1kg bomb 3. Incendiary bomb recently found on site in UK C-50 A Phosphorous Bomb Bomb weight: Explosive weight: Incendiary filling: Fuze type: Bomb dimensions: Body diameter: Use: Remarks: c41kg (90.4lb) 0.03kg (0.066lb) 12kg (25.5lb) liquid filling with phosphor igniters in glass phials Electrical impact fuze 1,100 x 2800mm (43.3 x 11in) 200mm (2.87in) Against all targets where an incendiary effect is to be expected Early fill was a phosphorous/ p carbon disulphide incendiary mixture Phosphorous Bomb, M25/A2, Kent Flam C-250 Oil Bomb Bomb weight: 125kg (276lb) Explosive weight: 1kg (2.2lb) Flammable weight: 74kg (163lb) Filling: Mixture of 30% petrol and 70% crude oil Fuze type: Super-fast electrical impact fuze Bomb dimensions: 1,650 x 512.2mm (65 x 20.2in) Body diameter: 368mm (14.5in) Use: Often used for surprise attacks on living targets, against troop barracks and industrial installations Remarks: Thin casing not designed for ground penetration Report Reference: 3870TA BACTEC International Limited and various historical sources

24 Explosive Ordnance Threat Assessment Report O O: UXO Press Articles Produced by BACTEC International Limited For Report 3870TA

25 Recent Press Articles Relating to Discovery of Unexploded Ordnance in UK O-1 2 nd May 2011 News - WWII shell found at Holy Island A bomb disposal team have detonated a World War II shell near Holy Island. A member of the public saw the shell at Goswick Sands on Sunday evening and alerted Berwick coastguard. It was identified as an unexploded shell and a controlled explosion was carried out by the Faslane bomb disposal team at 0800 BST th March 2011 News - Eighty-seven World War II bombs found on Calshot beach A total of eighty seven unexploded World War II bombs have been found on a Hampshire beach. The mortars were exposed on Calshot beach by a combination of extremely low tides and high atmospheric pressure rd February 2011 News - World War II bomb found in Plymouth City Centre An unexploded World War II bomb discovered in Plymouth city centre is being moved out to sea to be destroyed. A workman unearthed the device at about 1625 GMT while working at a building in Notte Street th February 2011 News - Saxmundham roads closed over unexploded bomb discovery A bomb disposal team has been called to a Suffolk town where an unexploded 6ft (1.83m) long shell has been discovered. Roads in Saxmundham have been sealed off following the find by workers who were clearing a building site on Church Street. The device was said to be in silver casing and torpedo shaped. RAF experts were being called in to try to help deal with the device. 9 th December 2010 News Unexploded World War II bomb found in Plymouth Park Bomb disposal experts were called to a park in Devon after the discovery of a ordnance device. Devon and Cornwall Police said the bomb, believed to be a World War II munition, was found at Devonport Park in the Stoke area of Plymouth. / k d 25 th November 2010 News Unexploded WWII bomb found in Lake District Mountain rescue volunteers stumbled across an unexploded bomb while on a training exercise in the Lake District. Members of the Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team found the World War II mortar on Blawith Knott, near Coniston Water. The area around Blawith Knott was used in the 1940s by Home Guard units for live fire training. 8 th October 2010 News WWII bomb found at Bicker building site A bomb squad has safely disposed of an unexploded WWII shell which was found at a building site in Lincolnshire. The bomb had retained its detonation pin and mounting bracket, said the Lincolnshire force. / k li l hi 12 th September 2010 News - WW2 mortar bomb found in attic of house in east Belfast A deactivated World War Two mortar bomb has been found in the attic of a house in east Belfast. The bomb was discovered in my roof space with the propellers still attached. 8 th September 2010 News Unexploded WWII German mine found off Drake Island A German mine from World War II was found off the Plymouth coast near Drake Island by a scuba diver. The mine, which was more than 60 years old, was encrusted with marine life and rust, yet remained a threat and contained approximately 21 kg, or 45 lbs of explosive th August 2010 News Unexploded WWII shell discovered in Morecambe An unexploded shell, believed to date back to World War II, has been found by workmen digging up a Morecambe street. It was taken away to be destroyed and the area was declared safe a few hours later th July 2010 News Unexploded WWII Bomb found near a Dorset beach A 500lb high explosive bomb was discovered in heath-land near Purbeck Beach. It was subsequently detonated in a controlled explosion. 9 th July 2010 News 24 Phosphorus h Grenades dug up on a Dorset Beach A box of Home Guard SIP grenades found on Cogden Beach was blown up by Army experts. The fragile glass munitions ignite on contact with air th May 2010 News Unexploded bomb found in farmer s field A live Second World War mortar shell was blown up by Army experts after a farmer found it in his field th April 2010 News Bomb at Sheringham Shoal offshore wind site A 250lb air-dropped German WWII bomb has been safely detonated on the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm site. Report Reference: 3870TA Various news sources

26 UXO Incidents O-2 Top Left: Three people killed and eight injured in Berlin, 1994 Bottom Left: Three people killed in Germany, 2010 Top Right: WWII bomb injures seventeen at construction site in Hattingen, Germany, in September Middle Right: WWII Bomb Explodes on German Motorway. A highway construction worker in Germany accidentally struck an unexploded WWII bomb, causing an explosion which killed him and wrecked several passing cars in October Bottom Right: Piling rig and dump truck after detonation of Allied UXB, Austria Emergency teams aiding injured operator Report Reference: 3870TA Various news sources

27 Explosive Ordnance Threat Assessment Report P P: Huntingdonshire Bomb Density Map Produced by BACTEC International Limited For Report 3870TA

28 Huntingdonshire Bomb Density Map P North Approximate site location Pre-1974 County Map Report Reference: 3870TA Cambridgeshire Archives and Local Studies Centre and

29 Explosive Ordnance Threat Assessment Report Q Q: WWII-era RAF Aerial Photography Produced by BACTEC International Limited For Report 3870TA

30 1945 Aerial Photograph - North Approximate site boundary Report p Reference: 3870 The GeoInformation Group Q-1

31 1945 Aerial Photograph - North Approximate site boundary Report p Reference: 3870 The GeoInformation Group Q-2

32 Explosive Ordnance Threat Assessment Report R R: Incendiary Bomb Penetration Photograph Produced by BACTEC International Limited For Report 3870TA

33 Incendiary Bomb Penetration Photograph; 22 nd July 1942 R 1kg German Incendiary Bomb next to a 30cm ruler Report Reference: 3870TA Heritage-Images

34 Explosive Ordnance Threat Assessment Report S S: Risk Map Produced by BACTEC International Limited For Report 3870TA

35 Risk Map S North High Risk Zone This zone comprises the area of the former WWIIera bomb dump. Medium/High Risk Zone This zone represents esents the majority of the airbase complex including the late Cold War-era bomb dump. Low/Medium Risk Zone This zone comprises the south-eastern section located outside the airbase perimeter. Risk Mitigation Measures All Risk Zones o Explosive Ordnance Safety and Awareness Briefings to all personnel conducting intrusive works. o The provision of Unexploded Ordnance Site Safety Instructions. Medium/High and High Risk Zones only o On greenfield areas only: Non-Intrusive Magnetometer Survey and target investigation ahead of any intrusive works. In developed areas, including areas of hardstanding, roads, made ground, buildings, etc a Non-Intrusive Magnetometer Survey is inappropriate due to high levels of background noise. In these areas the following is recommended: 1944 Aerial Photograph o Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Engineer presence on site to support shallow intrusive works. Approximate site boundary Map for information purposes only Report Reference: 3870 BACTEC International Limited and

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