Recovery of a WWII unexploded 500 Kg aerial Bomb

On Thursday, 16th April 1998, the Explosives Ordinance Disposal Section of the AFM were called to investigate an object though to be a WWII unexploded bomb. This was found by Mr C. Mifsud who is the owner of the quarry in Mqabba where it was found.

This object was confirmed by the EOD personnel to be a 500 Kg Type J General Purpose German aerial bomb with the following dimensions:

Body length (excluding tail unit) - 142.5 cm

Diameter ----------------------------- 45.0 cm

Extra precautions have to be taken with these type of bombs since they contain 2 fuses: one being the impact fuse and the other being the Anti-disturbance fuse. The purpose of the latter fuse was to hinder the neutralisation of the bomb if on impact the impact fuse did not function.

The task of the EOD personnel consisted of rendering safe the bomb and making it transportable. Due to rough weather conditions, the disposal had to be postponed till today where the bomb was taken on board a specially made dumping vessel which was towed by an AFM patrol board to the international dumping zone.

Malta police personnel assisted in the operation by providing escort and cordoning the area during the rendering safe procedure.