Excavating an Unexploded Bomb

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	The Battle of Britain was an attempt by the Luftwaffe to destroy the RAF by bombing airfields and aircraft factories. Often these bombs did not explode, and it was the job of ground crew to excavate unexploded bombs and make them safe. The bombs were designed to penetrate into the ground and then explode causing structural damage to surrounding buildings. This one failed to explode and is being excavated by some very brave ground crew. Ropes have been attached to drag the bomb out of the hole.

	The same unexploded bomb after being successfully extracted from the ground. The bomb has suffered surprisingly little damage despite making a 10 foot deep hole in the ground.

	The bomb appears to have been transported a safe distance away and detonated. Exposed chalk on the hillside suggests this wasn't the first bomb to be disposed of in this manner.

	German bombing of aircraft factories and airfields was to seriously weaken the RAF during the early stages of World War 2. On 24 August 1940 a German bomber accidentally dropped it's bombs on London. Churchill responded by bombing Berlin. "Tit for tat" exchanges escalated into a new policy for both sides to target civilian population in cities.

	Ironically, the reduced bombing of aircraft factories and airfields proved to be a turning point in the war. It allowed the RAF to strengthen, and their ability to destroy targets in France was a major factor in the success of the D-Day landings and Operation Overlord.