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| Page revised: Sat 05-Aug-2006 |
Bomb Disposal |
| In February 1940 it became apparent that no civilian
organisation would be able to cope with the problem of dealing
with unexploded bombs dropped by the Germans on the United Kingdom. The Army was then formally given the responsibility for dealing with all enemy unexploded bombs, less those on Royal Navy and RAF property which were to be dealt with by the other two Services. Because of their existing skills in the use of explosives, their ability to excavate below ground level and knowledge of building structures, this new responsibility was given to the Royal Engineers. |
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By September 1940 the Royal Engineers had formed
440 Bomb Disposal Sections consisting of over 10,000 men under
the command of a Major General. The work was highly dangerous
and casualties were high. Five of the original 16 Bomb Disposal
officers were awarded the George Cross and Royal Engineer Bomb
Disposal units were awarded a battle honour consisting of a
badge showing a bomb on a red background which is worn to this
day. In 1943 the work of the Bomb Disposal units was extended to include the task of clearing the beach defence minefields laid in the United Kingdom in 1940. By 1947 this clearance had accounted for 38% of all the casualties taken in Bomb Disposal work during the War. Work continues to this day to search areas used for these defences and as war time training areas. |
The total number of explosive items dealt with
in the United Kingdom up to the end of hostilities amounted
to over:
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| After the war, Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal
units were much reduced in size. However, the post war boom
in the construction industry brought many German bombs to light
and so a strong Regular element was necessary to deal with these
and also the long term problem of clearing ranges and former
training areas. In 1967 the Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Unit and the Joint Services Bomb Disposal School moved to their present location at Lodge Hill Camp near Rochester. |
 Bomb Disposal team digging out a buried unexploded bomb (UXB) c late 1940's |
| In 1973 the unit was retitled 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal); the term Explosive Ordnance Disposal was adopted to conform to NATO policy. The Regiment then consisted of one Regular squadron and one Territorial Army (TA) squadron. However, in the late 70s it became apparent that this organisation was far too small to deal effectively with bomb disposal problems likely to be encountered in peace and war, and three more TA squadrons were formed. In 1984, a second regular squadron was formed (58 EOD Sqn) and so the Regiment now consists of 6 squadrons, 2 regular and 4 TA. |
 Destruction of HMS Antelope during the Falklands War 1982 (Photo: BBC) |
In 1982, the Regiment deployed 2 Bomb Disposal Engineers with the Falkland Islands Task Force. After successfully dealing with unexploded bombs on HMS Argonaut, they were transferred to deal with more bombs on HMS Antelope. There a bomb exploded as they were attempting to render it safe, and as a result Staff Sergeant Prescott was killed and Warrant 0fficer 2 Phillips lost an arm; Staff Sergeant Prescott was subsequently awarded a posthumous Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (both of which is on display in the Museum) and Warrant 0fficer 2 Phillips was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross. |
| The Regiment still maintains a detachment in
the Falkland Islands, where it has been responsible for clearing
the enormous quantities of dangerous ordnance which were lying
around the battle fields. The detachment is also responsible
for the numerous Argentinian minefields left on the Islands.
Before these minefields were accurately delineated and fenced
off, two majors from the Regiment lost feet on antipersonnel
mines. The Regiment still maintains a Duty Bomb Disposal Officer and Bomb Disposal Section at all times at short notice to move to deal with any German bombs which are discovered in the United Kingdom. The Regiment is also heavily engaged in anti terrorist operations, providing specialist teams to search for terrorist bombs, and also Improvised Explosive Device Disposal teams which form part of the Services' support to the police. |
Web links
- Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Association at www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/association/reabd/
Source:
- The Royal Engineers - (RE 200 brochure, Institute of Royal Engineers, Chatham 1987)
Links to further reading:
- Corps History - The Corps and the Second World War
- Campaign History - Royal Engineers and Operation Overlord
Royal Engineers Museum main site
