Father and Son Discover WWII Shells in Czech Forest

A recent outing for a father and son turned into an unexpected adventure when they found a significant cache of old shells while metal detecting in a Czech forest. This surprising discovery prompted a two-day operation by a bomb disposal unit.

The father, 48 years old, reported their find on October 28, revealing they had come upon what appeared to be ammunition. This location was less than 300 feet from the Czech-Polish border in Bartosovice and nestled among the Orlicke Mountains.

According to a police statement translated from a release issued on October 31, the father noted that while he was enjoying his metal detecting hobby with his son, he uncovered a suspicious metal object that was buried about 30 centimeters deep.

Given the nature of their find, authorities quickly dispatched officers to the scene for an initial investigation.

Over the course of two days, bomb disposal experts managed to locate a total of 138 shells measured at 105mm, 14 at 75mm, and five additional shell casings. All the ammunition was safely transported to a specialized facility located at a former military airbase in Larsco.

Czech media sources have indicated that these artifacts likely date back to World War II. A statement from the police expressed appreciation for the public’s awareness in such situations, emphasizing that vigilance and prompt reporting are crucial for ensuring safety.

Authorities are encouraging anyone who comes across similar suspicious objects or potential explosives to follow proper protocol. This means not touching the items, keeping a safe distance, and alerting nearby individuals as well as waiting for police or bomb disposal technicians to arrive.

The Orlicke Mountains have recently yielded various archaeological discoveries, including a notable 15-pound treasure trove found by hikers earlier this spring. With stories like these, it’s clear that history continues to surface in unexpected places.