French mine clearance divers ensure the proper neutralization of the mine. Photo: Préfecture de la Manche
Off the coast of Normandy last week the French trawler Le Retour hauled in a heck of a full net, to include one Monika-type Luftmine B (G-mine), formerly of German ownership.
UXOs are a common thing along the shores of Europe.
The big minenbombe had an explosive charge somewhere on the order of 860 kilos, which would have wrecked Le Retour for sure ala the spy trawler Saint Georges in the 1980s Bond classic, For Your Eyes Only.
Gratefully, French Navy clearance divers were able to render the big easter egg inert with no casualties.