Father and Son Discover WWII Munitions in Czech Forest

A father and son recently made an unexpected find while metal detecting in a Czech forest, leading to a significant operation by the bomb disposal unit.

The Czech Republic police reported that the discovery took place on October 28, when a 48-year-old father and his son were exploring the area near the Czech-Polish border in Bartosovice, surrounded by the Orlicke Mountains.

The father informed authorities he had “found an object resembling ammunition in a wooded area,” as noted in a release issued on October 31.

Following the report, law enforcement quickly dispatched officers to assess the situation and ensure safety.

The police elaborated, stating, “The man explained that he was engaging in metal detecting, a hobby he shares with his underage son, when he unearthed a suspicious metallic item at a depth of about 30 centimeters.”

Given the potential danger, they called in a bomb technician to handle the situation.

Over the course of two days, bomb disposal experts uncovered 138 105mm shells, 14 75mm shells, and five shell casings.

All the munitions were subsequently moved to a secure storage facility at Larsco, previously a military airfield.

Reports suggest these items likely date back to World War II, as mentioned by Czech media outlet Česke Noviny.

Authorities expressed their appreciation for the public’s responsible actions when discovering such objects, emphasizing that timely reporting allows professionals to address these matters safely while minimizing risks to life and property.

Officials advised caution for anyone who comes across unusual items, particularly munitions or explosives. “Please do not touch the object,” the police urged. “Do not dig it up, move it, or inspect it.”

They emphasized maintaining a safe distance and notifying those nearby, asking individuals to wait for the arrival of police or bomb disposal technicians.

The Orlicke Mountains, which lie between the Czech Republic and Poland, have seen several archaeological finds this year.

Earlier in the spring, for instance, two hikers in the Czech Republic stumbled upon a treasure trove of gold weighing 15 pounds.

Similarly, in Poland, a group of friends searching for a World War II rocket uncovered a significant cache of ancient artifacts.