History still causing problems.

goosey · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 02:30 PM

There was some rather worrying news from one of my favourite haunts this week about The Zuid Kennemerland National Park. The bomb squad were called to the Heerenduinen to deactivate an unexploded WWII 40kg German rocket last Friday. There was a controlled explosion which could be heard for kilometers.
This area of occupied Holland was thought by the Germans to be a distinct possibility of where the D-Day landings would take place. So there are forts and bunkers still all over the place today. There are parts of the NP that are no go areas and explosives are still being discovered.
Two young militairia enthusiasts (army cadets) had been using metal detectors looking for grenades, weapons and helmets etc. It is illegal to take metal detectors into the Heerenduinen. The cadets who belong to the forum World War Diggers, a group of fanatics often go looking for war 'souvenirs' in the Heerenduinen illegally. The problem is that they will dig things like grenades and other amunition and just leave thing they don’t want laying in the open, which of course could have disastrous effects!
It isn't news that there are all kind of nasties lying in the ground of our National Park, but its a scary thought that people are deliberately putting peoples and the animals lives in danger for their "Hobby".

vogel · #2 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 11:57 AM

Yes and very dangerous to the digger, its a really stupid hobby to have.

frostfire · #3 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 04:06 PM

It isn't that long ago that a deer knocked a grenade down a sand dune, which exploded when it hit the bottom. Luckily nobody, not even the deer, was hurt, but it just goes to show what type of dangerous situations leaving their finds out in the open could cause...

Suzanne B · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 01:22 PM

That's very worrying news goosey.

Quite unbelieveable that people would leave this type of thing lying around for anyone to find. Do they leave things around regularly? You would think that the group they belong with would ensure that they inform the relevent people at least, although that would be difficult if it's illegal. There should be some sort of procedure to follow when they find something of that magnitude.
You'll have to take even more care now when you are out and about.......I don't want to see you on the news!!

Capall Dubh · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 06:48 PM

To be honest Goosey,

I would rather metal detectors do what they are made for

And you !!do what you are Brilliant at.scurying around looking for all natures lovely surprises

Gosh to think these things are so close to home, YOUR home

Be careful my lovely...

goosey · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 07:06 PM

Thanks Suzanne and Ruth for your concern. In a way, I suppose it is the local paper sensatialising things as they do, but on the positive side, it reminds people to be careful and alert to any recently dug up areas.
I am glad the deer was OK Frostfire, I hadn't heard about that.

Here is the original article from the local paper - its in Dutch but you can see the bomb.
http://www.ijmuidercourant.nl/nieuws..._raket_betrapt