Old British landmine found at Brixham Harbour Devon

A potentially dangerous landmine has been discovered outside a harbour office in Brixham, Devon. Reports suggest that an individual found the device, recognised the hazard, and left it near the harbour office, prompting an emergency response.

Authorities believe the item was inadvertently brought aboard a boat before being discarded. Although no photographs of the unexploded ordnance (UXO) were made available, a Royal Navy bomb disposal unit described it as an anti-personnel mine measuring six to eight inches in length.

The lingering legacy of World War II

In 1940, as Britain braced for a possible German invasion, the British Army laid numerous minefields along vulnerable coastal areas. These defensive measures were intended to deter enemy landings but left a hazardous legacy that persisted for decades.

Between late 1943 and 1948, military personnel cleared 1,986 minefields containing an estimated 338,500 mines. However, eleven particularly challenging minefields required further clearance efforts, with some remaining off-limits until 1972. The final mined beach, located in Norfolk, was only officially declared safe in that same year.

While discoveries of British WWII landmines are relatively rare, occasional finds serve as a reminder that complete clearance was not always achieved. Incidents such as this one highlight the ongoing risk of historical ordnance resurfacing, particularly in coastal and maritime environments.

The British No.3 Anti-Personnel Landmine

Based on available descriptions, the landmine found in Brixham may be a British No.3 Anti-Personnel (AP) mine. This type of landmine, measuring 6.1 inches in length, consisted of a cylindrical, corrugated-steel outer casing containing an explosive charge.

The No.3 AP landmine was designed to detonate when a person stepped on its pressure plate, triggering an internal striker mechanism. Unlike static mines that explode immediately, this device had a built-in safety fuse with a two-second delay. This allowed time for the victim to continue moving before the mine was propelled approximately three feet into the air, detonating at waist height for maximum lethality. The explosion had a lethal range of up to 30 yards, making it a highly effective area denial weapon.

UXO risk mitigation services

The discovery of this landmine underscores the ongoing risk posed by unexploded ordnance, even in well-developed areas such as harbours and coastal towns. At Brimstone UXO, we specialise in mitigating these risks by providing comprehensive UXO risk assessments, surveys, investigations, and disposal services.

If you require UXO support for your site, contact our Commercial Team for expert advice and assistance.

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