WATCH: Portsmouth bomb disposal experts detonate 500lb German explosive

NAVY bomb disposal experts have detonated a huge Second World War bomb.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Mar 2017, 16:09 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 11:20 BST
Members of Portsmouth-based Southern Diving Unit 2 blew up at 500lb Second World War German bomb at Shrewburyness Range near Southend, Essex, on March 4 after it was found at Brondesbury Park building site near Brent the night before. Picture: MoDMembers of Portsmouth-based Southern Diving Unit 2 blew up at 500lb Second World War German bomb at Shrewburyness Range near Southend, Essex, on March 4 after it was found at Brondesbury Park building site near Brent the night before. Picture: MoD
Members of Portsmouth-based Southern Diving Unit 2 blew up at 500lb Second World War German bomb at Shrewburyness Range near Southend, Essex, on March 4 after it was found at Brondesbury Park building site near Brent the night before. Picture: MoD

Divers from Southern Diving Unit 2, based in Horsea Island, Portsmouth, blew up the SC 500lb air-dropped bomb, found at Brondesbury Park building site near Brent.

Army engineers had rendered the fuse safe during the night before the naval experts then detonated the bomb at Shrewburyness Range near Southend, Essex at 11.30am today.

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AB (Diver) Liam Boardman initiated the demolition of the bomb, supported by the navy’s team of duty mine clearance divers, led by Petty Officer Diver Craig Waghorn, and including Leading Diver Matthew Smark and AB Diver Steve Lundsten who travelled up last night from their base to assist the Army team.

Members of Portsmouth-based Southern Diving Unit 2 blew up at 500lb Second World War German bomb at Shrewburyness Range near Southend, Essex, on March 4 after it was found at Brondesbury Park building site near Brent the night before. Picture: MoDMembers of Portsmouth-based Southern Diving Unit 2 blew up at 500lb Second World War German bomb at Shrewburyness Range near Southend, Essex, on March 4 after it was found at Brondesbury Park building site near Brent the night before. Picture: MoD
Members of Portsmouth-based Southern Diving Unit 2 blew up at 500lb Second World War German bomb at Shrewburyness Range near Southend, Essex, on March 4 after it was found at Brondesbury Park building site near Brent the night before. Picture: MoD

PO Diver Waghorn said: 'The Army Royal Engineers did a great job in carrying out the dangerous fuse immunisation and were very happy to see us after their long day and night making the bomb safe for transportation.

'It was good to work with the Army on this joint disposal operation and we’ll be glad to get back to base after a busy week on our duty call-out.'

Related topics:Portsmouth