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Hundreds of residents of properties surrounding the site of a German WWII bomb detonated are still unable to return to their homes.
The device, believed to be a 1,000 kg “Hermann” bomb, was discovered at a construction site on private land west of the University of Exeter campus on Friday.
Initially, a 100 m (328 ft) cordon was installed, but this was extended to 400 m (1,312 ft) on Saturday at the request of the Royal Navy’s bomb disposal team.
Residents of some 2,600 properties around Glenthorne Road, including 1,400 college students, were evacuated.
The device was discovered at a construction site near the University of Exeter campus. Photo: Devon and Cornwall Police
The device was destroyed in a controlled explosion. Saturday night and the explosion was heard several miles away.
The original cordon has been reduced, but several hundred residents remain away from their homes, including 500 students.
Exeter City Council said a decision had yet to be made on when the cordon would be lifted.
“The council thanks residents for their patience and will post updates as soon as they are available,” said a spokesperson.
“The city council is asking residents living within the reduced cordon who have not been accommodated in hotels to contact the city council.”
The explosion was heard miles away
Dr Todd Gray, a historian from the University of Exeter, said that the Luftwaffe most likely dropped the bomb in April or May 1942 during a series of attacks known as “Baedeker” raids, which were carried out in several historical places. cities.
“In total there were 19 airstrikes in the city, but the ones in the spring of 1942 caused extraordinary damage and great loss of life,” he said.
“In total, nearly 300 exonians lost their lives and 1,734 buildings were destroyed. Another 18,849 properties were damaged.
“Thousands of incendiary bombs and 80 to 100 high-explosive bombs were dropped on Exeter in the final raid. About 40 high-explosive bombs did not detonate.”
