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76 WWII Bombs

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The bomb squad was called in after 76 World War Two bombs were found in a farmland pit.

The practice bombs were discovered in an ordnance disposal pit dug deep in a field off Longstowe Road, close to Gransden Lodge Airfield in Cambridgeshire.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police confirmed that the bombs were discovered by construction workers who were digging trenches for drains when they uncovered the items. Cambridgeshire Police officers set up a cordon, while Explosive Ordinance Disposal carried out a controlled explosion.

Gransden Lodge Airfield was opened in 1942 as Royal Air Force (RAF) Gransden Lodge. It was used by several operational Bomber Command squadrons, including No. 405 of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

Practice bombs were commonly used by RAF aircrews for target practice during WWII. Ranging in size from 8.5lb to 25lb, they typically comprised a cylindrical tail fin with a pear-shaped body and solid cast-iron nose. They were equipped with a detonator and small burster charge, with flash and smoke filled variants for night and daytime exercises.