5,000 Kg WWII Bomb Explodes Underwater in Poland: Dramatic Evacuation Ensues

In Poland, a colossal explosion rocked the waters as a 5,000 Kg bomb detonated underwater, prompting the evacuation of hundreds.

Last year, a relic from WWII, weighing in at a staggering five tonnes, was unearthed submerged at a depth of 12 meters (39 feet) in a channel near the Baltic Sea.

During a meticulously orchestrated operation on Tuesday, the behemoth bomb, affectionately dubbed “Tallboy” and renowned as an “earthquake bomb,” erupted into a cacophony of force. Dropped by the Royal Air Force during a strike on a Nazi warship in 1945, its lethal potential remained dormant until now.

Discovered initially with only its tip protruding during dredging near the port city of Swinoujscie in northwest Poland, this monstrous ordnance spanned over six meters in length. It housed a payload of 2.4 tonnes of explosives, equivalent to approximately 3.6 tons of TNT.

Preceding the detonation, authorities dismissed the conventional controlled explosion method for fear of collateral damage to a nearby bridge, opting instead for deflagration. This technique entailed igniting the explosive charge without triggering a full-blown detonation, utilizing a remotely controlled apparatus to initiate combustion.

However, unforeseen circumstances led to an unexpected turn of events as the deflagration process spiraled into a detonation, as confirmed by Grzegorz Lewandowski, spokesperson for the Polish Navy’s 8th Coastal Defence Flotilla based in Swinoujscie. Fortunately, no casualties were reported among those directly involved, and the bomb was deemed neutralized.

Prior to the operation, Lewandowski emphasized the intricate nature of the task, highlighting the slightest perturbation could set off the bomb.

Anticipating potential hazards, approximately 750 local residents were urged to vacate a radius of 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) surrounding the bomb site. Despite the warnings, some opted to remain, citing concerns over COVID-19 transmission in designated shelters.

Halina Paszkowska, a long-time resident, voiced her apprehensions, noting the unprecedented nature of the evacuation compared to previous encounters with unexploded ordnance.

Historian Piotr Laskowski shed light on Swinoujscie’s significance during WWII, recounting its pivotal role as a German naval stronghold targeted by relentless Allied bombardments.

In April 1945, the RAF launched a daring assault on the German cruiser Luetzow, stationed in Swinoujscie, with a squadron of Lancaster bombers, including the renowned “Dambusters.” Among their arsenal were 12 Tallboys, engineered to penetrate the earth near their target, unleashing devastating shockwaves.

This recent event serves as a stark reminder of the enduring legacy of WWII and the ongoing efforts to mitigate its lingering threats.