Tank explosive grenade in Heilbronn's Gemmingstal: shock for children!

Tank explosive grenade in Heilbronn's Gemmingstal: shock for children!

On Saturday evening, June 21, 2025, a tank explosive grenade from the Second World War was seized in Heilbronn's Gemmingstal. The find was the result of a game played by children who discovered the grenade near the Lerchenberg tunnel and immediately informed the police. This then initiated the removal of the dangerous ammunition by the explosive ordnance disposal service, which transported the grenade to a suitable destruction site in order to professionally render it harmless. It is still unclear how the grenade got to this location.

The site where the grenade was found is near a former railway line, where a combined pedestrian and cycle path is planned. This project will also include the reactivation of the disused Lerchenberg tunnel, which will be illuminated and open to the public upon completion. The cost of the project is several million euros and it is controversial. Proponents hope for better connections and safer traffic management, while critics doubt the tunnel's actual use.

Explosive ordnance disposal in Germany

Explosive ordnance disposal includes the removal of explosive ordnance and war remnants that may pose a threat to public safety. In Germany, responsibility for explosive ordnance disposal is distributed among the individual federal states, and each federal state has its own explosive ordnance disposal service. The exploration of potentially affected areas is carried out by evaluating archive materials and aerial photographs as well as on-site investigations. In order to secure sites like the one in Gemmingstal, a thorough historical investigation is essential in order to identify evidence of explosive ordnance contamination.

After the threat posed by found explosive ordnance has been determined, the exploration with geophysical detectors follows and, if necessary, identification and recovery. Weapons that cannot be handled are ultimately destroyed using explosives. These measures are crucial to minimize potential threats to civilians and ensure public safety and order. Financing is provided by property owners as well as by the federal states and the federal government.

Regional danger

The incident in Gemmingstal should not be viewed in isolation. In recent months, dangerous remnants from the Second World War have been spotted several times in the Heilbronn region. Among other things, a bazooka was discovered in Bad Friedrichshall, an incendiary grenade in Oedheim and a 50-kilogram bomb in Lauffen. In several cases the finds still contained explosives, which makes the deployment of the explosive ordnance disposal service particularly urgent.

In view of these developments, it is clear that explosive ordnance disposal still represents a significant challenge today. The dangers posed by unexploded or dangerous munitions require constant attention and efficient measures to ensure the safety of the population.

Those interested can find further information on mandatory safety and explosive ordnance disposal measures at: voice.de and Wikipedia.