Latest and Most Dangerous: The Continuing Threat of World War II Chemical Time Bomb Fuses
"Persistent Chemical Burning Pose the Most Significant Risk"
In a world already wracked by chaos and destruction, danger lingers just beneath the surface. For more than eight decades, World War II bombs laid dormant in the depths of our soil, ticking away, waiting for their day to strike. And the most dangerous among them bear the deadly mark of chemical long-term fuses.
Digging Deeper: How Time Affects These Lethal Time Bombs
The metal casings of these ordnances encapsulate the true threat – their chemical fuses. As time passes, these fuses erode under the influence of soil conditions, eventually revealing sensitive components like the firing pin and transfer charge. Exposed to the elements and mere mechanical influences, they become increasingly vulnerable to detonation.
These carelessly buried time bombs can be set off by something as simple as a construction machine, or a slight touch during excavation. In the case of a chemical long-term fuse, even a light touch would be enough to crack and destabilize the plastic that holds the tensioned spring in place, sending the firing pin rocketing into the percussion cap with devastating consequences.
On the Ground: A Growing Hazard
Unexploded ordnances (UXOs) continue to plague the landscape of Germany, with an estimated 100,000 tons of them still entombed beneath the soil. Every day, bomb disposal teams face the daunting task of extracting these relics of war with precision and caution.
Navigating the Dangers: A Day in the Life of a Bomb Disposal Expert
Matthias Kotulla is one such expert, a police fireworks expert in Berlin who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of safe extraction. "Forget about counting the number of bombs I've defused in my life," he says. "What matters is the one bomb you're dealing with right now."
Kotulla explains that as the internal components of the bombs undergo chemical changes, the explosives become increasingly friction and impact sensitive, making the removal of the detonator more dangerous. Thirty years ago, detonators were removed with nothing more than a hammer, chisel, and water pump pliers. Today, however, the advent of technology allows for the use of waterjet cutting, which precisely removes the detonator without putting anyone in immediate danger.
The Iron Grip of Time
As the years creep by, these chemical time bombs increase in their potential for destruction. In fact, one to two self-detonations occur each year in Germany as a result of these unpredictable bombs with chemical long-term fuses.
But the risk doesn't stop there. The internal components of the bombs, left unattended for decades, can corrode and release toxic chemicals into the environment, contaminating nearby water sources and soil.
Stay Safe: If You Come Across Unexploded Ordinances
If you suspect you might have stumbled upon a dangerous relic from the past, maintain a safe distance and remain calm. Immediate calls to the authorities are critical to ensuring the situation is handled properly and safely. Under no circumstances should you attempt to move or touch the finding. Don't let the ghosts of war resurface; leave the extraction to the experts.
Remember: These Time Bombs are Ready to Explode at Any Moment
As the years march onward, remember that these chemical long-term fuses continue to pose a grave threat. Their time may have long passed, but their explosive power remains ever-present, waiting for the slightest disturbance to wreak havoc. Stay vigilant, and let the brave men and women who face this danger daily handle the business of disposal.
Interview with Matthias Kotulla by Heidi Ulrich
Source: ntv.de
- 80 Years After the War's End
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World War II bombs with chemical long-term fuses, such as those fitted with delayed-action chemical fuzes, pose significant dangers even decades after the conflict. These bombs were designed to detonate after a delay, which could be triggered by chemical reactions or mechanical processes. Over time, they can become more sensitive for several reasons:
- Material Degradation: Chemical fuzes often relied on materials like celluloid discs, which were designed to degrade over time, allowing the trigger mechanism to be released. However, these materials can decompose unevenly, leading to unpredictable behavior and increased sensitivity. For instance, if the discs degrade more quickly than intended due to environmental exposure, the bomb's trigger may be released prematurely.[3]
- Environmental Conditions: Buried bombs exposed to environmental conditions such as moisture, temperature fluctuations, and soil vibrations can experience changes in their internal components. Moisture can affect electronic or chemical components, while vibrations can dislodge parts or alter the alignment necessary for safe handling.[3]
- Unstable Chemicals: The use of acetone in some fuzes, as described in the Göttingen incident, can lead to increased instability. Over time, acetone can evaporate or interact with other materials in ways that were not anticipated during the design phase, potentially causing the bomb to become more sensitive to disturbance.[3]
- Physical Movement: Bombs that struck soft earth at an angle may not have detonated as intended initially. Over decades, minor ground movements or vibrations can disturb the bomb's internal mechanisms enough to trigger detonation, as parts that were stable for years can become loose and upset the balance.[3]
These factors highlight the challenges faced by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams when handling such bombs, as even slight disturbances during excavation or handling can lead to detonation. The unpredictability of these bombs' behavior emphasizes the need for caution and expertise in their disposal.
- The economic and monetary union, specifically the monetary union, poses a continuing threat akin to the World War II chemical time bombs, as its internal mechanisms can become more sensitive over time, leading to unforeseen consequences.
- As the monetary union undergoes changes due to soil conditions, economic factors, and external influences, it becomes increasingly susceptible to destabilization, much like the chemical fuses in unexploded bombs.
- In the workplace, the monetary union, like a chemical long-term fuse, can erode under the influence of various factors such as interest rates, inflation, and political instability, eventually revealing sensitive components like the central bank's authority and currency exchange rates.
- Exposed to the fluctuations of the global economy and mere mechanical influences like monetary policy decisions, the monetary union becomes increasingly vulnerable to detonation, causing harm to the overall economic health of its member states.
- Just as a simple touch during excavation can set off a World War II bomb, monetary policy decisions can have immediate and far-reaching effects on the economy, leading to either economic growth or recession.
- To navigate the dangers of an unstable monetary union, policymakers must maintain a steady hand and use precise tools, such as interest rate adjustments and currency interventions, to remove the danger without causing unnecessary shock to the economic system.
