First Live Bomb found

[goldnow]

I've kind of run out of flat land to hunt on my property, so a couple days ago I head up the steep mountain to see what may be there. I found a very small square copper coin dated 1736, then a few minutes later my first modern silver coin, dated 1887. Being pumped up from the last two finds I headed to a flat grassy area, and almost instantly got a loud hit. Made my plug, lifted it up, the dirt was dry so the plug was very shallow, I see strange metal wings, lift it up, and realize I'm looking at a LIVE WWII mortar shell as I see the nipple is still complete. I more than gently set it back down. After I remembered to breathe again, I found my body frozen stiff, and had to consciously move one muscle at a time. My dogs sensed something and came over to investigate, I shooed them away, got my tools and machine in hand and stepped back quiet as a mouse.

Went home, told the wife, who called the mayor, who came up within an hour, we trudged back to the spot, showed him the mortar shell, he calls the Carabinerie (Police), we wait for them down at my house, they arrive, we trudge back up the mountain, show them the bomb, they take pics, measurements, put tape around the trees, and leave.

It's in the local TV news, hits the National newspaper, and still the bomb disposal squad has not arrived. The news and papers didn't give our names but by description of the location, people called to see if we knew anything about it, not knowing it was us who found it, so people today showed up to see it, and I'm thinking it's going to become a tourist attraction and someone is going to get hurt bad. It still sits on top of the land, with the plastic police crime scene tape beckoning any curiosity seeker, plus this is the exact weekend for the chestnut and mushroom hunters to start hunting this exact forest.

Maybe the bomb squad will show up this week to dispose of it, and I'll put an update to this post if it is worthy.

It sure looked bigger the first time I saw it, but actually it's quite small but still deadly. The last picture shows the valley below in the background, kind of.

 

[extractor]

great post! Will they be able to dis arm it without destroying it.? It would make a great keeper!

 

[crazyjarhead]

WOW. Where do you live??

 

[goldnow]

We're in Italy now. Lots of Partisan and Nazi fighting history around here.

I have no idea if they will blow it up where it sits, or they'll find some way to carry it down a very slippery and steep path in a safe-box. Maybe use a helicopter to transport it.

I didn't have my camera with me on the original looks, so I just took these pics a couple hours ago, after some friends showed up demanding a look-see. The police promised to email their pics, but never did.

Certainly will not be MDing the area again, or Wifey will not talk to me again , she says.

It is possible that this mortar shell wasn't ever shot, as the spot has a perfect view of the valley, so it may have been a military position, and other shells may have been left behind and may be lurking just below the surface, as this one was.

I'm assuming the bomb squad will MD the area to clear it but you never know.

I doubt they'll let me keep it, after it is disarmed.

 

[johnnyi]

Very exciting find, and we know you found it! You seem familiar with these bombs. Have you found other shrapnel in the general area to indicate this was one of many dropped?

 

[ivan salis]

if its on the top of the ridge --its most like from a mortar tubes "firing position"--- mortars like to have a high ground location when they attack --- to be able to rain shells down upon others --being up on a hill also makes it hard for the enemy to charge at you to counter attack .-- fire a few rounds then grab your tube and peel out while the enemy slowly tries to climb the hill to get you --by the time the nazi's get there your long gone -- typical hit and run partisan type tactics of WW2

might be from an-- italian brixia type mortar

 

[brooklynpetey]

great story 8)

 

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

Good thing I was not there I'd try and blow it up myself. Throw it on the ground a few times real hard, stomp on it. If that did not work, I'd shoot at it make blow up.

Ok ok, all joking aside you should have called the military that's a military action not a mayor and police action. They would come right away take it away and blow it up on a base. I think it is the same way over there too, as it is here.

Keep @ it and HH!!

 

[spartacus53]

That was a great story and find, but surely not a find to keep in working condition. You did the right thing in notifying the authorities immediately before anyone could be harmed. Too bad you have to give up on that area as it may well produce some nice WWII relics.

 

[goldnow]

Johnnyi....I found a few pieces of shrapnel here and there, but never thought to find a live bomb of any size. They find all sorts of live WWII bombs occasionally around Europe. The real reason I'm searching these look-out positions is I think they also were used by the Celtics, prior to the Romans, but have yet to find any evidence of that. And I'm absolutely not familiar with any form of ordinance, this is my first, except a few live small calibre bullets I found.

 

[goldnow]

Ivan Salis......I have to agree with you that it may have been a position most probably. The story goes, the Partisans were on our mountain, and the Nazis on the next, which is only separated by a narrow valley and river below, and the Nazis fired on this area. There are also closed tunnels running through the mountain for the Partisans, they say. A small battle was fought with the Partisans victorious. Our house was at one time occupied by the Nazis, before the Partisans kicked their arses out. Plenty of bullet casings around, but have no idea of their era, some possibly hunters.

 

[Tnmountains]

Nice recovery. Be safe and please give us an update. Very interesting post thought it was that guy Korsu for a moment.
Good luck
TnMtns

 

[TreasureHunters]

Be careful! Even at that size as you said it can be deadly, thank God you or no one has been hurt from it, I would too call the military, let them and local officials decide what to do and probably stay away from the area.. Nice find though,.

 

[goldnow]

"Ok ok, all joking aside Undecided you should have called the military that's a military action not a mayor and police action. hello2 They would come right away take it away and blow it up on a base. I think it is the same way over there too, as it is here."

Ciao MUD.. We're in a very small village. The Mayor is a friend of ours. There is no military around, and actually no police nearby. Not ever having this experience before, the first one we thought of to decide the procedure to handle the situation is the Mayor and let him call the right authority to deal with it. The Mayors in small villages are more like a conduit to the rest of the world, they take care of the small needs of the village with a personal touch, and even intervene in personal squabbles between neighbors.

Well, anyway..At least I scratched off LIVE WWII MORTAR SHELL off my wish list.

 

[goldnow]

Thanks TnMountains...We are still waiting for the military, or whoever it is that is supposed to come and get it out of here. I will Update that experience when it happens. Should be this week, if not today, I assume. Italy can be slow on getting things done, especially on weekends, even when it seems a priority.

Thanks HunterSteve;...I just heard a story yesterday about a cousin of our landlord, who lost his arm picking up one of these, nearby.

 

[ivan salis]

remember high ground was and still is a prefect spot for look outs-- since the begining of time all armies want the high ground to physically tire the enemy as they charge them "uphill" -- properly armed dug in troops on high ground are very hard to beat unless tou have a massive numbers advantage.

 

[cuzcosquirrel]

I have found some used ordinance on a skip bomb range I go to. Most of it is ww2 trace line 25 lb bombs that had smoke flares in them I hope. There is nothing like starting to pull a piece of metal out of the sand and suddenly realize you are holding on to the rusted tailfins of a bomb.

 

[Trond]

Thats a great find. Be careful.

 

[goldnow]

"I have found some used ordinance on a skip bomb range I go to. Most of it is ww2 trace line 25 lb bombs that had smoke flares in them I hope. There is noting like starting to pull a piece of metal out of the sand and suddenly realize you are holding on to the rusted tailfins of a bomb. "

Hello cuzcosquirrel...I'll never forget that looong split second I realized what was in my hand, and I was holding it by the tailfins, btw.

 

[goldnow]

"Thats a great find. Be careful."

Thanks Trond,...Yes and no. I'd rather it had been something like that in your avatar.