Bomb disposal expert Ben Remfrey first raised the issue with the-then Home Affairs Committee in 2019. He said that the States denied that any such bombs existed and said he was spreading an old wives’ tale.
‘Now, after my efforts I hope these same people accept the bombs are there and mistakes were made,’ he said.
‘I take some pride in the fact that all reports assess that these bombs are of the type and from the very aircraft my research indicated.
‘I feel fully vindicated in my efforts to bring these devices to the public’s attention – my concern was always for the wellbeing of the residents and the landowners.’
He said that the land was now on its fifth owner since March 1941 when the bombs were said to have been dropped, and no previous landowner had ever been informed of the existence of the ordnance.
‘I feel my fight on behalf of the residents and landowners has been fully justified,’ said Mr Remfrey.
‘The decision now to leave the bombs in situ is out of my hands and responsibility lays elsewhere for that decision. I have done what I could as a lone voice, always in my view for the right reasons.’
Mr Remfrey spoke to the Guernsey Press in October 2024 about his concerns for the unexploded bombs, deciding to go public following an unexpected explosion of a Second World War bomb at a Japanese airport.
Police had confirmed they had been aware of the situation since 2018.
‘There is no fault or negligence by the emergency planning team from Home Affairs Department, they have stuck to their task of ensuring due process was carried out in the best interest of the local population,’ said Mr Remfrey.
‘I cannot say the same for those in political office and senior civil servants in the past who knew fully well that the site was being developed despite records suggesting there was live ordnance close by. That remains, in my view, utterly negligent and wrong.’
A report carried out by the Defence Science & Technology Lab, and 6 Alpha Cone Penetration Testing intrusive survey results found that the devices he said were there were 2,000lb bombs.
The investigation and available RAF records found that it was unlikely the bombs were armed before they were dropped, because it is likely that the safety features of the fuze were not removed, and the fact none of the bombs detonated reinforces this decision.
Some fuzes contain celluloid disks which can become brittle over time and even if unarmed, could present a hazard, however these bombs do not have the celluloid disks and utilise a percussion firing mechanism instead.
Disturbance of the bombs should not cause them to detonate, nor degrade over time.
‘Whether I like it or not, technical assessments and a number of assumptions have been made by those with the technical background to do so, and whether these are right or wrong we must accept the decision made, which is that of the probability of the bombs detonating by being left where they are is outweighed by the dangers posed in excavating and rendering them safe,’ said Mr Remfrey.
‘There is an old saying that you can put three explosive ordnance disposal subject matter experts in a room and they will all agree to disagree on how to deal with any one situation concerning the disposal of a device or devices, and all come to the right conclusion.
‘I remain convinced the bombs should have been dealt with and rendered safe once and for all, and I’ll stand by my convictions.’
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