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Tank shell in the Elbe: walker discovers dangerous find!
On July 9, 2025, a tank shell was found in the Elbe near Wulkau. Fire brigade and explosive ordnance disposal ensured safety.
Tank shell in the Elbe: walker discovers dangerous find!
On July 9, 2025, walkers discovered a tank shell on the Elbe federal waterway near Wulkau. This discovery really stirred up local events and called the water police and the explosive ordnance disposal service into action. According to Magdeburg klickt, the grenade was quickly inspected and cleared away without any major expense. In the course of this measure, the emergency services even found two more grenades, which were also removed.
A note for the population: The area is repeatedly polluted by old entrances from the Second World War, so the low water levels in the Elbe pose additional dangers. The federal authorities strongly warn against touching or removing suspicious finds yourself. Instead, if there is any suspicion, the police should be informed immediately to ensure safe handling.
The technical side of explosive ordnance disposal
But how is such ammunition actually safely disposed of? The Explosive ordnance disposal has a long tradition in Germany. After the Second World War, responsibility initially lay with the Allied occupying powers. Today, each federal state has its own explosive ordnance disposal service. This ensures public safety and is based on historical explorations that use both archival materials and aerial photographs. A sounding is carried out on site using geophysical detectors that detect anomalies in the earth's magnetic field.
When disposing of unmanageable explosive ordnance, it must be defused or blown up on site. And that is no small thing. The recovered objects are then transported to interim storage facilities, where they are safely dismantled and destroyed.
The case of the US M19A1 light rifle grenade
Another exciting chapter in the history of ammunition disposal is the US light rifle grenade M19A1 from the Second World War. This grenade, which comes from the dissolution of a small museum in the Ardennes, is available as a purely decorative item without explosives. According to mbertram.de, proof of age is required when ordering. This piece of military history provides many interesting anecdotes and shows how deeply rooted the topic of ammunition is in our history.
It remains to be hoped that such finds in the Elbe do not become the norm. The authorities' advice is clear: safe behavior is the top priority. Because the horrors of the past shouldn't have to be reawakened again and again.