WW2 bomb on the beach

 

October 24, 2008

Zululand OBSERVER

	WW2 bomb on the beach The WW2 ordinance found in a rock pool at Maphelane beach on Friday The area is cordoned off prior to detonation of the device by the SAPS Explosives Unit Dave Savides SAPS explosives experts have detonated a 'bomb' found on the beach at Maphelane. According to Park spokesperson, Roland Vorwerk, visitor Mr Poplet from Umhlanga was at the Maphelane section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park on Friday afternoon when he found the ordinance believed to be from WW2 in the rock pools at the beach. 'He lifted the heavily rusted item onto the beach, and advised Park staff thereof,' said Vorwerk. 'Inspector Gawie Joubert of the SAPS Explosives Unit in Richards Bay was dispatched to Maphelane on Saturday morning to perform a controlled detonation of the ordinance, in order to make sure that the public were not in danger. 'The ordinance was about 42cm long and had a diameter of 16cm. It is the first time that such an ordinance has been found washed up on the beaches of iSimangaliso.' Canon According to Insp Joubert, the ordinance was likely to have been ammunition for a canon, rather than a bomb from an aircraft. 'It is the first time I have encountered such an ordinance. 'While there was evidence of low order detonation - the blast was much greater than expected after we had applied explosives prior to detonation - it was not primed and did not pose a risk when being handled,' said Joubert. 'I gathered as much shrapnel as possible and will reconstruct the device. 'There were some markings on the casing and our Pretoria branch will check archives to determine its origin.' History Zululand was the scene of much activity during World War 2, with Catalina flying boats landing on both Lake St Lucia and Lake Mzingazi. Armed with Torpex bombs strapped under the wings, they attacked enemy ships along the coast, specifically German u-boats. According to local historian, Dr Jaycee van der Walt, after the war the SAAF dropped hundreds of unexploded bombs into the sea. 'The Army also used Cape Vidal as a dumping ground of surplus ordinance. 'I personally retrieved the barrel of a cannon whist scuba diving off Cape Vidal,' said van der Walt. 'Many bombs were jettisoned prior to landing in bad weather conditions at St Lucia.'