Bomb thought to be from Occupation is detonated

A piece of ordnance was identified on the rocks at La Bette Bay, and required explosive ordnance disposal teams from the police to detonate the device remotely.

Islanders across Guernsey reported hearing the detonation, which is believed to have been a 300lb roll bomb remaining from the Occupation.

The ordnance, which was understood to have been spotted during a search for a missing dog earlier in the week, was found with an intact fuse, and therefore it was deemed to be a risk to leave it in situ.

It also could not be moved because of the risk of it being set off.

Officers working in the cordon engaged with the owners of horses and other animals nearby before the detonation to ensure the impact of the explosion was minimised.

Guernsey Harbours’ Sarnia workboat was stationed outside the bay, and two sea fisheries officers were onboard a dinghy to assist.

The sea fisheries officers took the EOD officers outside the bay for the duration of the detonation.

It is estimated that there were more than 300 roll bombs in Guernsey during the Occupation, predominantly around the harbour and the south cliffs.

They were originally 27cm World War I French artillery shells, which were captured by the Occupying forces, which were then adapted to hang on the cliffs.

They could roll down the cliffs on invaders, creating a big explosion and also bringing down part of the cliff on top of the attackers.

As they were suspended, over time the wires have perished and some ended up buried in the cliffs. However, erosion results in them sometimes coming to the surface. Quite a few roll bombs have been found over the years, but they have been rare in recent years.