Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Germany Defuses WWII-Era Bomb

Thousands evacuated from city of Koblenz

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 4, 2011 10:19 AM CST | Updated Dec 4, 2011 2:34 PM CST

(Newser) – Germany today successfully defused a massive unexploded World War II-era bomb it found in a depleted riverbed in Koblenz, reports the AP, after having evacuated some 45,000 residents. The 1.8-ton bomb could have wreaked serious damage if it exploded. Experts also defused a 275-pound American bomb found alongside it. Before work began, officials went door to door today, checking for residents who had failed to evacuate. Finding unexploded devices is fairly common in the city, which was shelled during the war: 28 other bombs have been uncovered in the past dozen years alone.

The defused WWII bomb swims in river Rhine near Koblenz, Germany Sunday Dec. 4, 2011.
The defused WWII bomb swims in river Rhine near Koblenz, Germany Sunday Dec. 4, 2011.   (AP Photo/dapd/Harald Tittel)
Gertrud Thurn, 87, background, waits to be evacuated in Koblenz, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011. Officials say tens of thousands have left as experts prepare to defuse a World War II-era bomb.
Gertrud Thurn, 87, background, waits to be evacuated in Koblenz, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011. Officials say tens of thousands have left as experts prepare to defuse a World War II-era bomb.   (AP Photo/dapd/ Harald Tittel)
Firefighters and police look at a 1.8 ton WWII bomb in river Rhine near Koblenz, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011.
Firefighters and police look at a 1.8 ton WWII bomb in river Rhine near Koblenz, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/dapd/ Harald Tittel)
Police guard a blocked shopping street in downtown Koblenz, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011.
Police guard a blocked shopping street in downtown Koblenz, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011.   (AP Photo/dapd/Harald Tittel)
Firefighters and police look at a 1.8 ton WWII bomb in river Rhine near Koblenz, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. Officials say some 45,000 residents have been evacuated because of the bomb.
Firefighters and police look at a 1.8 ton WWII bomb in river Rhine near Koblenz, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. Officials say some 45,000 residents have been evacuated because of the bomb.   (AP Photo/dapd/ Harald Tittel)
Sandbags frame a 1.8 ton WWII bomb in river Rhine near Koblenz, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011.
Sandbags frame a 1.8 ton WWII bomb in river Rhine near Koblenz, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/dapd/ Harald Tittel)
Sandbags frame a 1.8 ton WWII bomb in the river Rhine near Koblenz, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011.
Sandbags frame a 1.8 ton WWII bomb in the river Rhine near Koblenz, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/dapd/ Harald Tittel)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
2%
46%
7%
12%
30%
2%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
WarmWeatherGuy
Dec 4, 2011 12:32 PM CST
Now that all the parties are friends it sure makes war seem stupid. How can we go straight to the friend thing without the war thing?
Mr_Joshua
Dec 4, 2011 11:24 AM CST
One from each of the allies, a true joint effort. And you can cal me...................Mr Joshua
JoeQ
Dec 4, 2011 10:36 AM CST
It was successfully defused an hour ago.  Such is breaking news. LOL

 
Germany • bomb • World War II • Koblenz • Rhine River

 
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne