SD250 as demolition charge

[al'saad]

Just before New Year Eve we found and disposed SD250 which was placed as the demo charge. The bomb was found in western Bosnia and Herzegovina, town Bihać at the location of the WWII German airport. The bomb was found in the vertically placed concrete pipe covered with the concrete plate. No baseplate was on bombs body tail end and wiring was found along but no detonator or sympathetic charge. 9 years ago we had same case with SC250 less than 100 meters away. It is supposed that these bombs were used as demolition charges to render the airstrip useless in the case of an emergency.

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/16853-SC250-main-section

 

[Falcon]

Is it likely that there are more of these in the area?

 

[al'saad]

There are testimonies about some 16-18 pcs. But area is built up now, so over airstrip streets and houses arose. We have no record about bombs disposed before 1995. in the area but we have some leads we plan to inspect.

 

[al'saad]

Historical identification of the above mentioned bomb. Notice last sentence in the quote.

Bihać (YUGO) (44 49 15 N – 15 57 30 E)
General: landing ground (Landeplatz) in wartime Croatia 110 km S of Zagreb and 1.6 km
W of Bihać. History: pre-war Royal Yugoslav AF airfield. Used mainly by the Italians and
Croatians from the second half of 1941 until summer 1943 when the Luftwaffe occupied it
and single-engine aircraft began using it for operations against partisans. Surface and
Dimensions: grass surface that was unserviceable in wet weather. In May 1944 measured
approx. 795 x 440 meters (870 x 480 yards) with an irregular shape. No paved runways.
Fuel and Ammunition: both available. Infrastructure: no apparent infrastructure.
Personnel billeted in Bihać and surrounding villages and farms. The nearest rail connection
was in Bihać. Dispersal: no organized dispersal facilities.
Remarks:
24 Aug 43: reported total Lw. strength there of 8 officers and 325 NCOs and men.
23 Oct 43: landing area construction work underway (leveling and extension).
25 May 44: airfield received 3 low-level attacks from Allied a/c in response to the German
airborne attack on Tito’s HQ at Drvar – 3 a/c destroyed on the ground and 12 more
damaged.
26 May 44: repeated air attacks – 4 a/c destroyed, (barracks?) destroyed and runway
rendered unserviceable.
29 May 44: Bihać and Banja Luka airfields attacked by 87 P-38 Lightnings from 15th AAF
that made combined claims of 17 aircraft destroyed on the ground.
30 May 44: strafed by P-38s from 15th AAF – claimed 2 aircraft probably destroyed on the
ground.
1 Jun 44: strafed again and 3 more a/c destroyed.
5 Nov 44: mines seen to have been laid across the landing area in preparation for
demolition but not yet exployed.

Source:
Luftwaffe Airfields 1935-45 Yugoslavia
By Henry L. deZeng IV