WW2 bombs found at Kesgrave

The plot thickens…

If the archaeologists were doing a site investigation, then I suspect that they were not digging that deep (though I know nothing of the local geography/geology). Bet they moved a bit sharpish when they realised what they were scraping with the trowel! 😮

If there were two bombs close together and close to the surface, I wonder whether they were simply “mislaid” and got covered in rubbish at some point afterwards, perhaps buried by later landscaping? Of course as Colin says they may have been hang-ups that finally fell off, so the two may be together by chance. Just wish they’d say a bit more about them!

Adrian

I wouldn’t worry too much, I have worked with some of those archaeologists probably before and they don’t do things too swiftly. It took a week to uncover a grave containing a horse and a soldier after i had found it for them at Lakenheath.

My Sis was talking to one of the farmers near Old Buckenham recently and he was saying that lots of unfused bombs went awol from the lorries into roadside ditches etc on the way from the railway station to the airfield. They reported each one to the authorities but most of the time they were forgotten about until re-discovered years later so don’t go jumping in any roadside ditches 😉

Tom

That is my school!!!

I play football on the field where it was found, i wonder if there are anymore.

Just be careful when you go in with a sliding tackle m8.:eek:

Boom?

Interesting, I guess that stuff will be forever found, pretty much cant find them all, I am always surprised more doesn t go off, how stable are those primers and arming switches? with all the “recent digs” I mean 1000 pounder make a big hole? an article recently a western Canadian Farmer was injured when handling a small practice ordinance buried on old base property and are they all concerned about the Channel where the Allies ditched the ones that were brought home, cheers Darrell

That is my school!!!

I play football on the field where it was found, i wonder if there are anymore.

The plot thickens…

If the archaeologists were doing a site investigation, then I suspect that they were not digging that deep (though I know nothing of the local geography/geology). Bet they moved a bit sharpish when they realised what they were scraping with the trowel! 😮

If there were two bombs close together and close to the surface, I wonder whether they were simply “mislaid” and got covered in rubbish at some point afterwards, perhaps buried by later landscaping? Of course as Colin says they may have been hang-ups that finally fell off, so the two may be together by chance. Just wish they’d say a bit more about them!

Adrian

More specific details here

http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/news/story.aspx? click on News/Bombs

Around Kesgrave and Martlesham there are many burial mounds (barrows) and the area has seen intense building activity in the past 14 years with new homes and builders are asked to look out for artefacts when digging/planing.

I was actually looking at the Earth Scrapers and JCB’s moving tons of soil at 1030hrs on Friday before the find as we were in the Post Office that overlooks the field unaware of the problem.

Martlesham Heath of course was literally just down the road (800-1000 yards) to where the bombs were found. MH was an experimental aviation station for many years, then a B of B Station before the USAAF moved in and now has many houses built on the old airfield.

Photos of the area of MH can be vieed here http://community.webshots.com/album/36049530zSprqU

I was in Aldeburgh yesterday when they were detonated (around 4:15pm) and it gave me a hell of a fright!

The plot thickens…

If the archaeologists were doing a site investigation, then I suspect that they were not digging that deep (though I know nothing of the local geography/geology). Bet they moved a bit sharpish when they realised what they were scraping with the trowel! 😮

If there were two bombs close together and close to the surface, I wonder whether they were simply “mislaid” and got covered in rubbish at some point afterwards, perhaps buried by later landscaping? Of course as Colin says they may have been hang-ups that finally fell off, so the two may be together by chance. Just wish they’d say a bit more about them!

Adrian

German 1000lb bombs mate (500kg…? Hermanns) must admit i thought the group may have been aviation archaeologists but apparently they were from the Council…?????

TT

Who’s bomb was it?
German, UK, or USA? just curious

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/4869506.stm

Does anyone know any more? The report is more than a little terse!

According to Radio 5 news this morning, a 1000lb bomb was found, then a second while they were preparing to deal with the first. Judging by the number of recent bomb-related news stories in Suffolk, it must be a dangerous place to live!

Adrian

I live one field away from the incident, the 1000 lb bomb was found on Friday afternoon when archaeologists were excavating a site on the new playing fields adjacent to Kesgrave High School

The RE Bomb Disposal people were on site in double quick time and built an earth mound to protect nearby properties.

Yesterday (Sunday 2nd April) the police helicopter was overhead monitoring the situation including traffic observation. The A1214 road was closed during the defusing and safe removal of the bombs.

Both bombs were removed to the remote area of Orfordness and detonated causing a big bang. Nearby residents (about 100 houses/bungalows) were affected where the residents were moved to a nearby centre.

Hi Adrian, lots of bombs were dropped during WWII some will be found some will not, Kesgrave is spitting distance from the old RAF Marttlesham Heath so they could be from German bombing but could also be from returning RAF aircraft with hang-ups some of which did just fall off in the end and your very near the coast so a bomber jettisoning its load from an aborted mission.
Suffolk was a very busy palce during WWII so this will not be an uncommon event the flare washed up would be from USAF practice missions over the north sea I presume and you will often find aircraft wreckage on the beaches of Suffolk which get washed up every year.