Cologne, Germany underwent its largest post-war evacuation on Wednesday to allow for the defusal of three unexploded WWII American bombs—two 20-ton and one 10-ton—discovered during road construction. Over 20,000 residents were evacuated from a large area encompassing the city center, including major infrastructure like the Hohenzollern Bridge. Experts successfully defused the ordnance within an hour. This incident highlights the ongoing challenge posed by unexploded ordnance from WWII, even decades later.
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The Trump administration’s decision to cut aid for post-Vietnam War mine clearance is a deeply troubling issue, raising serious questions about responsibility, empathy, and the long-term consequences of past actions. It feels like a calculated disregard for the ongoing suffering caused by the legacy of war, a “make the mess, wait fifty years, and then decide it’s not your problem anymore” approach. The sheer callousness of such a policy is striking.
This wasn’t simply about saving money; it felt more like a deliberate act of inflicting harm on a population that already endured immense hardship. The implication that the lives lost or maimed due to these unexploded devices are somehow less important because of their geographical location and the perceived lack of relevance to the current political climate is profoundly disturbing.… Continue reading
It’s quite fascinating, yet terrifying, to think about the impact of World War II even decades after it ended. The recent explosion at Miyazaki airport in Japan, caused by a U.S. bomb likely dating back to the war, serves as a stark reminder of the lingering remnants of past conflicts. The fact that the bomb was able to go undetected for approximately 80 years before randomly detonating is mind-boggling. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries, but it highlights the potential dangers that still exist due to unexploded ordnance scattered across the globe.
The presence of undetonated bombs, such as the ones in Laos and Vietnam, continues to pose a significant threat to civilians.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood