75 Years Later – Are We STILL at RISK?

Three massive World War II bombs were successfully defused in Cologne, Germany after the city’s largest evacuation operation since 1945 relocated over 20,000 residents from their homes.

At a Glance

  • Three unexploded American WWII bombs – two 20-ton and one 10-ton – were discovered during construction work at a shipyard on the Rhine River
  • More than 20,000 residents were evacuated within a 1,000-meter radius in Cologne’s largest evacuation since WWII
  • The operation affected hospitals, schools, transportation networks, and public services across the city
  • One resident initially refused to leave, temporarily delaying the bomb defusal process
    Bomb disposal experts successfully rendered all three devices safe within about an hour

Massive Evacuation Effort

Cologne, Germany faced an extraordinary challenge when three unexploded American bombs from World War II were discovered during construction work at a shipyard on the Rhine River. City officials immediately implemented evacuation orders affecting more than 20,000 residents within a 1,000-meter radius of the Deutzer Werft area. This operation marked the largest evacuation in Cologne since the end of World War II in 1945, demonstrating the continued impact of the war’s legacy on modern European cities nearly eight decades later.

The bombs included two American 20-ton devices and one 10-ton bomb, all equipped with impact fuzes that remained capable of detonation despite lying dormant for over 75 years. Such discoveries are not uncommon in Germany, where Allied forces dropped approximately 1.5 million tons of bombs during WWII. Experts estimate that around 10% of these bombs failed to explode, leaving thousands of potentially dangerous explosives buried beneath German cities and towns that continue to surface during construction and development projects.

Citywide Disruption

The evacuation created significant disruption across Cologne’s infrastructure. Authorities closed three bridges spanning the Rhine River, including the historic Hohenzollern railway bridge. All shipping traffic on the Rhine was temporarily suspended. Nine schools, multiple daycare centers, the Eduardus Hospital (including intensive care patients), nursing homes, museums, office buildings, and the Messe/Deutz train station were emptied. Even fifteen scheduled weddings had to be relocated due to the emergency measures.

“The operation in Cologne, located in western Germany, is the largest evacuation in the city since the end of the fighting in Europe in 1945”, city officials said.

City officials established two drop-in centers for displaced residents during the evacuation. Authorities advised citizens to remain calm, bring identification documents and necessary medications, and make arrangements for pets. The city streets, normally bustling with activity, stood eerily deserted as businesses, cultural institutions, and government buildings ceased operations. Those who refused to evacuate faced police escort and potential fines, as safety officials made clear that non-compliance would not be tolerated.

Defusing Operation

The bomb disposal operation faced a brief delay when one resident within the evacuation zone initially refused to leave their home. This incident highlighted the challenge authorities face in ensuring complete compliance during such emergencies. After this final holdout was addressed, experts from the Rhineland Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service of the Düsseldorf District Government proceeded with the delicate defusing process.

“We can only start when the last person is out,” said Kai Kulschewski, head of explosive ordnance disposal in neighboring Düsseldorf.

The bomb disposal team successfully rendered all three devices harmless within approximately one hour, completing their work by 7:19 p.m. local time. This efficiency allowed residents to return to their homes the same evening, minimizing the disruption to daily life. The successful operation demonstrated the expertise of German bomb disposal units, who regularly handle such discoveries throughout the country. Cologne itself was a frequent target of Allied air raids during WWII, with the first bombing occurring on May 17, 1940.

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