Huge German parachute mine causes a six day headache for the Royal Navy

A massive German parachute mine, known as the Luftmine B, was successfully destroyed by Royal Navy bomb disposal divers after being discovered in the wreck of a warship off the coast of Essex. The weapon was found near Southend Pier by civilian divers exploring a 17th-century shipwreck, sparking a complex and challenging operation to safely remove and dispose of the bomb.

This discovery resulted in a six-day operation, which involved 216 man-hours and approximately 20 dives in difficult weather conditions. The Royal Navy bomb disposal team carefully removed the mine from the wreck before towing it to the Shoeburyness offshore military range, where it was detonated in a controlled explosion.

What is a Luftmine B?

The Luftmine B is a type of German parachute mine developed during World War II by the Luftwaffe for use against both marine and land targets. Originally designed as a sea mine, the Luftmine B was quickly recognised for its effectiveness when used as a landmine, delivering devastating explosive power.

This bomb, one of the larger versions of the magnetic parachute mine, weighed almost 1,000kg and measured 8’8” in length. It was equipped with 697kg of high explosives and was made from aluminium, featuring a distinctive domed parachute housing. The mine was fitted with a Type 34 fuse that triggered detonation either upon impact or when the mine’s magnetic mechanism was disrupted.

Due to its parachute mechanism, the mine could drift great distances in windy conditions, making it difficult to predict its landing location. While the Luftmine B was primarily used against ships in maritime environments, it was also dropped on land during air raids. The British Civil Defence organisation dubbed these devices ‘Landmines’ when used inland, where they caused significant damage to both people and property.

Luftmine B: a threat to land and sea

The Luftmine B was designed with a parachute that slowed its descent, allowing it to remain airborne longer and increasing its chances of causing widespread damage. In terms of its use, the Luftwaffe dropped these mines in both shipping lanes and inland targets during air raids. While sea mines were intended to sink ships and disrupt naval operations, the land mines had devastating effects on the ground, often causing massive blast damage.

It’s unclear whether this particular mine found near Southend was originally intended as a sea mine for shipping lanes or as a landmine dropped during a raid on the town. However, given the frequent Luftwaffe raids on Southend during WWII, it’s possible that this mine was dropped as part of one of those attacks, drifting inland due to weather conditions.

The Luftmine A, a smaller version of the parachute mine, weighed 500kg, while the Luftmine B, the one discovered near Southend, weighed nearly double at 1,000kg. Both mines contained large amounts of high explosives, which posed immense risks if they remained undetected and unexploded for decades.

The UXO risk: why it took Six days to secure the mine

The operation to secure and dispose of this bomb was incredibly challenging due to the complex nature of the device. The mine had been sitting on the wreck for an unknown amount of time, and the bomb disposal team had to carefully extract it without causing an accidental detonation. The weather conditions further complicated the operation, with the mine’s large size and the wreck’s unstable structure adding additional risks.

During the six-day operation, the Royal Navy bomb disposal team used a range of specialist equipment to safely remove the mine, including diving suits, remote-operated vehicles (ROVs), and anti-magnetic tools. These tools are essential when dealing with magnetic mines, as they prevent the disruption of the mine’s delicate mechanisms.

After successfully removing the mine, it was towed to Shoeburyness, an established military range used for the safe detonation of unexploded ordnance (UXO). There, it was blown up in a controlled explosion, eliminating any potential threat posed by the deadly weapon.

UXO disposal and mitigation: the importance of professional services

The discovery of this Luftmine B emphasises the ongoing threat posed by unexploded ordnance (UXO), particularly in areas with a history of heavy bombing during WWII. While the vast majority of bombs dropped during the war were accounted for, many remain hidden beneath the surface, presenting potential risks to civilians, contractors, and developers.

At Brimstone UXO, we specialise in UXO risk management, providing comprehensive services for detecting, assessing, and disposing of unexploded ordnance. Whether you are working on a construction project, renovation, or land development in a former military area, it’s crucial to work with an experienced UXO disposal team.

Our services include:

• UXO Risk Assessments: Comprehensive evaluations to determine whether unexploded ordnance may be present on your site based on historical records.
• UXO Surveys and Detection: Using advanced equipment, we perform intrusive and non-intrusive surveys to detect the presence of UXO.
• UXO Clearance and Disposal: Once a UXO is identified, we can safely clear the device using a range of techniques, including controlled detonations or neutralisation methods, to ensure that the area is safe for further work.
• Our expert team is fully equipped and licensed to deal with dangerous UXOs of all types and sizes, including those left over from WWII. We follow strict protocols to minimise risks and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Stay safe and informed about UXO risks

If you encounter a suspicious object that could be an unexploded bomb or UXO, always treat it as live and dangerous. Do not attempt to handle it yourself. Instead, immediately contact the appropriate authorities to report the find and follow the advice of bomb disposal experts.

For ongoing information about UXO safety, UXO disposal, and Brimstone’s services, follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.