Explosive Ordnance Disposal

The explosive legacy left after the First World War in Belgium and France remains immense.  It is estimated that along the line of the Western Front there remain some 30 million artillery shells and heavy mortar rounds, of which 750,000 could be chemical filled, and 33 million grenades of all types.

Whilst the surface hazards are relatively well known, the sub-surface legacy is not.  A number of very large, deep mine charges were lost to enemy action and not recovered.  They still remain in situ today, posing a significant public safety hazard.  The potential danger from these ‘lost’ mines was graphically demonstrated in 1955 when a 26,000lb charge exploded at Le Pelerin during a thunderstorm.

The explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) expertise available within The Durand Group has enabled it to confront and deal with these hazards.  To date team members have made safe three mine charges totaling 16,600lbs of ammonal explosive.