Explosive Ordnance Disposal

Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search

Introduction.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal can trace it existence, back to the Second World War. The country was unprepared to deal with bombing so the mantle was passed to the Royal Engineers.  Small three men Bomb Disposal teams were formed, with very little training, no knowledge of the fuses they would encounter. Their tools were a pick, shovel, rope, sandbags, explosives and a hammer, with a cold chisel to remove the fuse.  This was the beginning; the Corps adapted and overcame, the hazardous task.

German Hospital, London 1940

Strood, Kent 1941

Post War.

The end of the War saw Bomb Disposal continue in its task of rendering safe UXB and also the task of clearing the mines laid around the UK as part of the anti-invasion measures. As through the war period, many obstacles had to be overcome, with engineering skills and innovation to accomplish the tasks in hand.

Water Jetting for beach mines

Shell Max Building, London 1959

Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

As of 1968 the title of Bomb Disposal changed to Explosive Ordnance Disposal, to conform with NATO designations and to better describe the tasks carried out.  In the 1980s significant changes were seen in Royal Engineers EOD, tasks and roles.

• With the Falklands Conflict, two operatives, were with the task force and cleared UXBs on board naval ships.
• After the IRA bombing of the Grand Hotel Brighton, 58 Squadron were tasked with the search of buildings, being utilised for high profile venues, Royal visits, party political conferences and others.
• In 1983 the first expansion of 33 Engineer Regiment occurred, 49 Squadron EOD had two military troops, also two civilian troops. With detachment resources for the Falkland Islands ongoing, 58 Squadron EOD was formed with two military troops. A third Squadron 22 Support Squadron was also formed.
• 49 Squadron EOD, was altered to ensure there was a Commando and Para element.

With the Falklands, it saw the detachments learning new procedures to deal with modern day ordnance, whereas previously their training had been predominately aimed at air dropped weapons from the war.  Search commitments meant training for those not familiar with a search role and retraining for those who had previously undertaken Search roles in Northern Ireland.

Falkland Islands 1982

Libyan Embassy Search 1984

New Commitments Overseas.

With the civil war in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. EOD was required as part of the overall NATO Force. Once more 33 Engineer Regiment EOD formed part of this force, clearing modern ordnance and mines.  Kuwait saw 33 Engineer Regiment EOD, with 49 Squadron EOD, fulfil the Royal Engineers EOD contingent, to ensure that 49 Squadron could be relieved another Squadron, 21 Squadron EOD was formed.  Iraq didn’t just see a Regular Squadron become part of the EOD contingent, it also saw members of 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (EOD) (TA) mobilised and joining their Regular colleagues. Afghanistan once more saw both Regulars from 33 Engineer Regiment and Territorial members of 101 Engineer Regiment (EOD (V), form part of the detachments.  Iraq and Afghanistan, saw a different type
of EOD operation that being of Counter Improvised Explosives Devices (CIED). New equipment, new procedures and new drills.

Iraq, Op Telic

Afghanistan, Op Herrick

For the past 85 years Bomb Disposal, EOD and Search has dramatically changed. The Corps, in these roles, has constantly re-evaluated the threat, their resources, environments, equipment and as from their formation, adapted and overcome.