The first bombs to be dropped on the U.K. were at Hoy, in the Orkneys in October 1939. The first unexploded bombs fell on the Shetlands in November 1939. The four bombs were recovered by the RAF based at Sullom Voe.
They were 50kg and had penetrated to a depth of between six to ten feet. It was soon realised that any bomb dropped in an urban area would have to be immunised and could not be blown up in situ.
The fuzes were sent to the Research and Experimental Branch of the Ministry of Supply who discovered that they were E.C.R. (electrical condenser resistance). This august body, apart from finding out how each new fuze discovered, worked and developing a method of immunising also designed the necessary equipment and authorised its manufacture.
These first fuzes were all No (15) and it was discovered that they could be immunised merely by depressing the plungers, in the top of the fuze, a few times. This allowed the electrical charge in the firing condenser to leak back to earth, thus making it inert – and safe. This simple method of immunising did not last long as the Germans brought out a No (25) fuze. Very similar to the No (15) – an impact fuze – but they had changed the internal circuit a little so that when the plungers were depressed the bomb exploded.
Proposals were made for specialist teams of ARP which should be trained and equipped for the work, but no decisions were taken by ‘higher authority’ to implement it. Instead the War Office was asked to provide teams until the ARP teams could be trained. It was decided by the War Office that the Royal Engineers would provide the teams, which would consist of an NCO and two sappers their job being to dig down to the bomb and blow it in situ! It was also their job to train the ARP teams but the civilians failed to materialise. There was not a lot of work for the R.E. teams and they almost became another lost army for this was the period of the phoney war of Sept. 1939 to April 1940. During this time there had been sporadic invasion of our air space during which a few bombs were dropped. It was the result of these raids with a few unexploded bombs, which were immunised, that more though was given to the coming problem. It was finally realised that a properly organised, disciplined force would be needed and on 2nd February 1940 the army formally took over the responsibility for Bomb Disposal in the U.K. – Apart from bombs which fell on Royal Navy or Royal Air Force property. The Navy also became responsible for all missiles which fell into estuaries below the high water mark.
The first authorised establishment for Bomb Disposal – Formation Order of May 1940 – created twenty five sections, each of a Lieutenant, a sergeant and fourteen other ranks. The original bomb disposal working parties were absorbed within the new organisation.
It is one thing to authorise the formation of units, but it is another to find the men, equipment and transport. All of which were in short supply. The sections were issued with standard R.E. stores such as hammers, chisels, blocks and tackles, picks and shovels plus a small amount of explosives. B D equipment was still almost non existent.
In the event of the organisation was unworkable. Although belonging to the Corps of Royal Engineers, they were ‘War Office’ controlled – by a department called the Inspector of Fortifications, headed by a Royal Artillery General. Fortunately, the Minister of Supply formed an Unexploded Bomb Committee, whose purpose was to consider all problems relative to bomb disposal.
By the end of June 1940 it came apparent that the twenty five B D sections already formed would in no way be able to cope with the expected deluge of bombs that would result from the withdrawal of our forces through Dunkirk and elsewhere. Another 109 B D sections were authorised. Volunteers were called for and a few came forward. In the main the Other Ranks were just ‘posted in’. Most of the young officers came straight from a Royal Engineers OCTU (Officer Cadet Training Unit.) Some had received an immediate commission as a result of their technical or professional qualifications. All ranks were informed that they could, after six months service in bomb disposal, elect to transfer to another branch of the Royal Engineers. This offer was made because it was thought that the strain would be too much. Very few took up the offer and many served with distinction throughout the whole of the war.
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