Post War To The Present Day 2

The longest post war clearance operation and also the biggest took place in the disused slate quarries at RAF Llanberis in North Wales. Llanberis opened as a storage depot in 1941 under the control of No 31 Maintenance Unit and comprised of a 70-acre site of old quarries and interlinking tunnels. In 1942 a quarry collapsed and buried over 8,000 tons of bombs, not all of which could be removed.

In 1943, the RAF School of Explosives moved in and, as the school curriculum included the destruction of explosives, large quantities were sent to Llanberis for demolition or burning. Over 250,000 incendiary bombs alone arrived over the next 18 months. By the time of the final closure in 1956, every type of explosive had been sent to Llanberis but not all had been destroyed. A great deal of the dumping had been indiscriminate and a lot ended up on ledges and slate outcrops. A large quantity was also submerged in the lakes, which had formed in the quarries after the war.

 By 1969 it was realised that the situation could no longer be ignored so a massive clean up operation was instigated by No 71 EOD Flight (Later to become No 2 EOD Unit). The task went on for six and a half years. Because of the inherent risk associated with such a task, a casualty plan had to be established between Llanberis and RAF Valley so that a helicopter could be used to evacuate any casualty to medical aid immediately it was requested. The RAF Valley Mountain Rescue Team organised rock climbing training for the EOD operators and trained the EOD teams in rescue techniques so that the ledges could be cleared of explosives and the cliff sides inspected for signs of imminent rock falls.

 One of the final tasks was to tackle pit 3C (see Photo) in which was found a 90 ft high pile of explosives and incendiary magnesium slag liberally interspersed with live detonators, fuzes and other unmentionables. The estimated weight of this pile was 3,000 tons. Awesome! Naval frogmen dived into the flooded pit 2C and found large quantities of derelict explosives and bombs. By April 1973 pit 2C was emptied of water and clearing the pit took a further 2 years.

Over the period of the project and using picks, shovels and muscle, dumper trucks and mechanical diggers, the teams had pumped out 20 million gallons of lake water, from pit 2C, shifted 85.000 tons of slate and debris, recovered and disposed of 352 tons, or 121,420 items of explosives together with 1,420 tons or 213,881 items of ordnance debris. The Llanberis project finally ended in October 1975.

The Second World War is not the only source of unexploded ordnance which has occupied the personnel of the RAF Bomb Disposal Units. This photo illustrates the unusual rather than the typical situation that an EOD operator may find himself in during his career. This particular bomb was one of many UXB's left over from the Turkish invasion of Northern Cyprus in July 1974. It was dropped by the Turkish Air Force and was found laid across two beds on the sixth floor of the Venus Beach Hotel in Famagusta. 

It is an American 750lb bomb and the fuze was susceptible to jarring! It was successfully defuzed by Flt Lt Ted Costick and Fred Knox using the fuze Extractor Mk V, colloquially known as *IGOL. For his action in the rendering safe of this bomb, Costick received the Queen's Gallantry medal in January 1975. *I Go On Living*

AF Bomb Disposal Unit Deployment to the Falkland Islands as part of Operation Corporate 1982

Following the invasion of the Falkland Islands by Argentinean Forces RAF Bomb Disposal was tasked to provide a team to sail with the Task Force, Command and Control being vested in OC No1(F) Sqn Harriers. The team consisted of Flt Lt A.Swan, WO D. Trafford, Flt Sgt D.Knights, Ch/Tech Hankinson, Ch/Tech M.Sidewell and Sgt P.Herrington and their respective No2s, J/T A.Thorne, SAC.P.Grace, SAC.D.Fields, SAC A.Moreton and SAC K.Soppet-Moss.

The Team left the UK on 7th May joining the LSL Sir Bedivere at Ascension Island on the 10th May 1982, sailing with elements of the Task Force and arriving in San Carlos Sound on 24th May. At that point HMS Antelope was seen burning following the explosion of a 1000lb during efforts to defuse it. During repeated air attacks that day Bedivere, Galahad and Lancelot were hit and holed by similar weapons. Lancelot receiving the bomb that exited Bediveres fo’c’sle. Both weapons in Galahad and Lancelot were UXB’s. Additionally a further bomb was lodged in the magazine of HMS Argonaut. All ships were visited by an RAF SNCO to provide identification of the pistol, and appropriate Render Safe Procedures(RSPs) were given to the RN Bomb Disposal Team.

On 25th May the RAF BD Unit was disembarked at Ajax as Bedivere was sailing to rejoin the Task Force. The Team was kept occupied with a number of requests to deal with unexploded ordnance near various units, whilst the whole area was subjected to numerous air attacks, some 36 Air Raid Red warnings given during the week from arrival in San Carlos Sound. The refrigeration plant building at Ajax bay was used as accommodation by Commando Logs Regt and the RAF BD Team, and was the location of the Mobile Surgical Unit nicknamed the “Red and Green Life Machine”.
Surrounding the area were numerous stock piles of ammunition and fuel awaiting helilift to the front line. 

On the 27th May the rear of this complex was bombed by two Skyhawk aircraft who dropped 6 bombs only one of which exploded causing 5 deaths and 26 injured, two of the bombs fell in the sea, one exited the building over the medical operating area and two remained UXB in the building. These were SAMP 400kg with an unknown fuze, and it was assumed were dropped to low for the arming sequence to be completed. After consultation with the SMO Cmdr Rick Jolly, it was decided to take no further action. The RAF BD Team set up blast corridors, shored the ceiling up and completed sandbag blast walls. As a result of the bombing the pre-positioned stocks of fuel and ammunition caught light, the ammunition and pyrotechnics sporadically exploded or initiated throughout the night. A full scale clearance operation was carried out in the morning to clear the remaining UXBs and debris to allow the helilifts to resume.

On the 28th May news reached the Unit that the Parachute Regt had captured Goose Green and its airfield. A decision was reached after consultation with Wg Cdr Traverne, the RAF LO on HMS Fearless, to move to Goose Green to clear the airfield for possible Harrier Operations and to assist in the clearance of the settlement. All equipment, except the vehicles were flown into the settlement by helicopter. RE search teams swept the area for UXOs, which included ammunition stocks, minefields and large quantities of “home brew” napalm in weeping containers both in the settlement and on the airfield. These were moved to the airfield and WO D. Trafford organised demolition. Fuzing units from cluster bomblets were removed , the cluster bomblet attached to the napalm container, and the whole linked with a Det Cord ring main. The ensuing explosion lifted a fireball some 500+ in the air. The airfield was cleared with numerous demolitions, a considerable quantity of ammunition and pyrotechnics removed from the settlement, and many cluster bomblets cleared from surrounding areas, including 2 1000lb bombs from Darwin. The team remained at Goose Green until 16th June when they returned to Ajax Bay.

The OC and WO departed by helicopter to Stanley, the rest of the Unit plus vehicles sailing around to Stanley on MV Elk, a container ship, offloading in Stanley on the 19th June. The OC and WO had procured both accommodation and rations for the Unit and had contacted the other EOD Teams in the area. As there was no central control it was decided to commence the clearance of Stanley Airstrip as per the Units initial Orders. All enemy aircraft were checked for booby traps, and ejection seats operated for reasons of safety. As no central control was in operatiaccess to the airstrip was open for all!! A visual clearance was carried out some 50mtrs either side of the runway, all discovered munitions moved to stockpiles and suspect areas of cluster bomblet UXBs were cordoned off. Work continued in the same way. Many areas were not accessible due to minefields. Once the local tasks were completed EOD responsibility was handed over to No1 Sqn EOD personnel and arrangements made to return to the UK. The 11 man team received 1 QGM, 2 QCBC, and an MID plus several Commander Task Force 317 Commendations. 

The Falklands Bomb 2003

On Thursday 16th October 2003 at 1115am, EOD received a report of a suspicious metal object (possibly a bomb) situated 50m to the East of the FIGAS Workshop at Stanley Airport . The item had been uncovered during excavations close to the Stanley Airport complex by Mr Iain Berntsen working for Ian Stewart Construction. The suspicious object was reported to Spr ‘Andy’ Kirkcaldy in the JSEOD Operations Centre situated on Ross Rd , Stanley .

Photos (c) MOD

MAJOR INCIDENT 16^th & 17^th OCTOBER 2003 – 1000Ib BOMB AT STANLEY AIRPORT  

The 1,000 Pound Bomb in Situ

On Thursday 16^th October 2003 at 1115am, EOD received a report of a suspicious metal object (possibly a bomb) situated 50m to the East of the FIGAS Workshop at Stanley Airport . The item had been uncovered during excavations close to the Stanley Airport complex by Mr Iain Berntsen working for Ian Stewart Construction. The suspicious object was reported to Spr ‘Andy’ Kirkcaldy in the JSEOD Operations Centre situated on Ross Rd , Stanley .

Stanley Airport

QMSI Mines, WO2 ‘ Tay ’ Taylor RE with Spr ‘Jon’ Rouse based in Stanley , were deployed to carry out a reconnaissance of the item and immediately confirmed that a 1000Ib bomb had been uncovered. At 1132am the Royal Falkland Island Police were informed and an initial cordon provided by WPC Caroline Cotter. Soon after, a 1500m cordon was put in place under the direction of the RFIP Inspector ‘Len’ McGill, closing off the whole Peninsula from Boxer Bridge and the Totem pole outside Megabid. A complete evacuation of the area was undertaken and the cordon made secure by 1213pm. All emergency services were informed and placed on standby outside the cordon.

OC JSEOD Flt Lt ‘Nick’ Lynskey BEM RAF and QMSI Mines WO2 ‘Tay’ Taylor RE were conducting ‘casualty extraction from a minefield’ training on the morning of the incident along with Bomb Disposal Officers from the Royal Engineers and Royal Air Force, this proved to be quite useful as this enabled a bi-service RAF and RE team to be immediately established to deal with the incident. A bi-service team offered greater experience and effectiveness for the task. A Joint Service team was established as follows:

Flt Lt ‘Nick’ Lynskey BEM RAF EOD Incident Commander.

WO2 ‘ Tay ’ Taylor RE Bomb Site Commander

Sgt ‘Dan’ Flood RE Bomb Disposal Officer

Sgt ‘Ian’ Reeve RAF Bomb Disposal Officer

Cpl ‘Joe’ King Incident Control Point Controller

Spr ‘Andy’ Kirkcaldy Operations Room - Coordinator

The RFIP was kept up to date and briefed by WO2 ‘ Tay ’ Taylor RE, and as a result, an Incident Control Point was set up and maintained. In addition to this, RFIP Superintendent ‘Dave Morris’ set up a Police Major Incident room at the Police Station. FIBS and BFBS radio stations were contacted and requested to broadcast a warning that personnel steer clear of the incident until the area was declared safe.

Once the security of the area was under control, Sgt ‘Dan’ Flood and Sgt ‘Ian’ Reeve set out to identify the fuze type by carrying out further exploitation of the bomb. The bomb was found to have a single fuze located in the base of the bomb. The fuze was identified as a 951 Mk 2 fuze that is designed to function on impact. The condition of the fuze was considered dangerous and unstable. This together with the position of the bomb, sat in an upright position, precluded the remote removal of the fuze from the bomb.

Close-up of the Double Baldrick

An alternative Render Safe Procedure was discussed and decided. A ‘Double Baldrick’ attack was the safest alternative. A Baldrick attack allows a metal slug, in this case two, to be fired in to the bomb through its casing that causes a lower velocity explosion to take place and splits open the casing to expose the High Explosive filling of up to 350Kg.

Whilst there was every confidence that this technique would work, there is always a slight chance that the bomb may explode, therefore, a worst-case scenario assessment was carried out in order to minimize possible damage to the airport complex. Subsequently, Commander Stangroom RN from HQ BFFI, Chief Executive and Director of Aviation visited the site to assess the situation. Authorisation for the Low Order Technique to take place was subsequently granted.

What was left of the fuse

At this point EOD was ready to carry out further action, but it was important that as much protective work as possible was given to the Airport Complex to prevent any collateral damage in the event of a large explosion taking place.

Mr Ian Stewart and Mr Iain Berntsen of Ian Stewart Construction put a protective mound of earth in place. Utilising Plant machinery on site, the two brave volunteers placed over 400 Tonnes of earth between the bomb and the FIGAS buildings in order to minimize fragmentation or blast damage to the infrastructure.

An 8ft trench was excavated between the buildings and the protective mound, this was carried out to protect the foundations of the FIGAS buildings from distortion or shockwave damage.

Fire Chief ‘ Gardner ’ Fiddes and the Stanley Fire crew set to work and carried out protective measures to the complex, opening all windows and ensuring curtains and blinds were closed. It was soon to be dark so the decision was made to continue further protective works the next morning.

What was left of the tail

During the night the RFIP maintained the cordon and ensured that no one entered the area until the next morning. The second day saw all hazardous materials removed and the fuel feed to the heater system isolated. Windows were taped to prevent flying glass hazards and Stanley Services assisted in the decanting of 5000 litres of fuel from a nearby fuel tank just 100m from the bomb.

All vehicles were removed with the help of the Fire Service and Sgt ‘Jonathon’ Butler of the RFIP. FIGAS staff removed a

ll FIGAS Aircraft to the end of the lazy runway some 1200m away from the bomb down towards the Lady Elizabeth. Finally the electricity supply to the buildings was turned off.

After all protective measures were carried out even to the point of checking the horses down by the Lady Elizabeth and the cordon security being confirmed, OC JSEOD Flt Lt ‘Nick’ Lynskey BEM RAF confirmed that authority was granted to conduct further EOD action with the use of a ‘Double Baldrick’ Low Order Technique. Having prepared charges, JSEOD personnel withdrew to a firing point approximately a 1000m to the East of the bombsite and initiated the charges at 1230pm.

Sgt ‘Dan’ Flood having approached the bomb at 1240pm declared that the Low Order Technique was successful. The bomb casing had split wide-open exposing large pieces of RDX explosive fill and leaving the 951 Mk 2 fuze and pocket in an isolated position with easy access. The fuze and pocket was destroyed in situ using a small amount of explosives. Large pieces of explosive fill remained, and was placed in sandbags and secured away from site for disposal on the next demolition range day. The bomb carcass was recovered from site to the JSEOD compound.

Having made the area safe, EOD and the Stanley Fire Service personnel carried out a visual check of all areas to confirm the building structures were safe. Amazingly, there was no damage to the complex at all, not even a scratch of paint. At this point the bombsite was cleared of EOD equipment, reinstated and the cordon collapsed with the area being handed back to FIGAS on 17^th October 2003 at 1430pm, declared safe.

The incident was a great success with the whole community being both patient and supportive. The Police and Fire emergency services worked extremely hard along with the FIGAS staff and Stanley Services, everyone helped EOD wherever possible in order to make the community safe as soon as possible. In particular, Mr Ian Stewart and Mr Iain Bernsten are thanked for their hard work with the enormous protective mounds and trenches put in place close to the bomb.

EOD dealt with the situation in the most professional manner that resulted in the bomb being made safe with no injury to personnel or collateral damage to the Airport Complex. Thanks to an extremely professional Joint Service team:

Flt Lt ‘Nick’ Lynskey BEM RAF who commanded the JSEOD team and WO2 ‘Tay’ Taylor RE who initially deployed to the bomb with Spr ‘Jon’ Rouse and controlled the task site thereafter in support of the two duty Bomb Disposal Officers Sgt ‘Dan’ Flood and Sgt ‘Ian’ Reeve who dealt with the bomb. With a good support team: Cpl ‘Joe’ King controlling the Incident Control Point and Spr ‘Andy’ Kirkcaldy who coordinated everything through the EOD Operations Centre who without, such a successful task would not have been possible.