Is it possible that unexploded WW2 bombs could be in the River Themes in London?

Question

During the Blitz London was bombed heavily particularly in the East End because of docks.

So is it likely that some bombs landed in the river?

Plus what about other cities like Bristol and Manchester, could there be unexploded bombs in rivers there?

Answer 1

Yes and there's a whole ship load of them stuck in the mud in the Thames Estuary - God alone knows what would happen of one of them blew up.



Here in London the discovery of a WW2 bomb is called a UXB - Unexploded Bomb.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7439249.stm



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2391450/New-map-reveals-locations-of-unexploded-World-War-Two-bombs.html



http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/ArmyTackleEnormousUnexplodedBombInEastLondon.htm



http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004462633_weboldbomb.html



In the Thames itself, what there might be is a number of German Mines - still there, unexploded etc.



Chronology of WW2

http://www.islandnet.com/~kpolsson/ww2hist/ww21939oct.htm

Answer 2

Yes, I expect there are many bombs still in the River thames buried deep in the mud.

My dad worked in Chelsea Flour Mill during the blitz. They kept on working through the bombing because the flour was much needed and they could not shut the works down. He saw bombs drop in the River by the side of the mill.

Early one morning, on the way home from the night shift he had to climb over an unexploded bomb that practically filled the street.

Answer 3

It is not just possible. It is a certainty. There is always a percentage of bombs that fail to explode. They are often found while digging foundations in cities that were bombed. Every now and then they find a 2 or even a 10 ton bomb in Berlin. The bombs dropped on London were much smaller than 2 ton, I believe. German bombers had much smaller payloads than Allied bombers did.

Yes other British cities do have unexploded bombs in rivers but I would think not many compared to London.

Answer 4

The answer is yes. Almost monthly in Germany they find both unexploded American/UK bombs around Germany. With saturation bombing, which both sides used during the War caused many to fall and not explode although there still live. I believe last year they found quite a few in the River that runs between Mannheim and Heidelberg. Many US bases in Germany seem to always turn up a few when digging for new construction, etc. No way to determine how many are left, just follow caution when digging in areas that did receive heavy bombardments.

Answer 5

It is possible that there are still unexploded bombs in the rivers in Bristol, Manchester and London. They might have rusted away by now, but if they haven't then one day there will be a big bang, they could be duds and not go off at all.

Answer 6

Of course you have unexploded bombs in the rivers, usually buried in the silt. Just like you have mines and torpedoes in the seas, still washing up on beaches after big storms. Any time they work on fondations they run the risk of finding unexploded bombs. Just as an exemple, there's 400 tons of unexploded bombs, shells and amnunitions discovered every year in France, many tons in Germany too.

Answer 7

Yes of cause its possible.

But what about the ship load of shells and bombs in the Thames estuary Just off south end. This was a ship that grounded on a sand bank the shells and bombs are being monitored by the authorities.

Most river areas where bombing was very heavy during the war were swept just after the war.

But there is always the possible that some were missed.

Answer 8

Yes. As late as the early 80's a 1000 pound bomb was found at Browns Road Plaistow by workmen clearing a building site. And as stated by others here, there are sunken ammunition ships laying at the mouth of the Thames estuary. If you look a a maritime chart of the Southend on Sea area you will see, that due to unexploded ammunition it's forbidden to sail in certain areas near Canvey Island. It's also believed that there are German bombs laying in the Thames marsh area, near the Ford motor company. This area was used by low flying German fighter/bomber pilots to jettison unused bombs, there by decrease there weight to save fuel.

Answer 9

Yes there could be. Asf or other Cities im not sure because some rivers were dredged due to sewerage etc. There are bombs that are unexploded everywhere some get washed up on shore, some are found in peoples gardens etc. Its weird when you think about it. x

Answer 10

Yes. And not just in rivers. Unexploded bombs turn up now and again in Germany, so why not in England?

Answer 11

River Themes?

Answer 12

Don't know about enemy bombs, but there was a massive amount of munitions that went down with a ship when it was sunk in the Thames estuary.

Answer 13

Likely? Of course they landed in the water. They will have corroded and the explosive will have washed out by now, so no unexpected bangs likely.

Answer 14

yes

Answer 15

http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/showthread.php?t=6134 check this out it was a couple of years ago hope this helps

Answer 16

Yes.



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