DANGER IN THE DEPTHS

After WWII, thousands of high-explosives remained hidden beneath the waves, leading to a huge clean up operation that's still ongoing nearly 80 years later

The end of hostilities in 1945 was not accompanied by a sudden disappearance of the threat posed by the sea mine. It is estimated that around 300,000 of these deadly devices continued to lurk in the depths at the war’s conclusion. Oblivious to VE Day and VJ Day celebrations, they remained infesting the waters surrounding the UK, North Sea, Baltic, Mediterranean, Sea of Japan and elsewhere.

Consequently there was to be no respite for the Allies’ minesweepers as a massive effort was needed to clear up the extensive minefields that threatened the resumption of peacetime maritime trade. Nor was the effort confined to the Allies: their former German and Italian adversaries were also soon back at sea – under close supervision – sweeping the tens of thousands of mines that lay off their coastlines. The German effort was controlled by the German Mine Sweeping Administration (GMSA), headed by a Royal Navy (RN) officer. It comprised nearly 27,000 sailors and 300 boats and operated until 1948, only ceasing due to Soviet concerns over it becoming a cadre for a future West German Navy.

Around Japan, some 60,000 mines were estimated to remain off ports, coastlines and in key shipping lanes. To counter these, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) was directed – in Occupation General Order Number 1 – to ensure all mines, minefields and obstructions were cleared. To achieve this, a Minesweeping Bureau was formed to oversee a force of 10,000 IJN sailors and 385 minesweeping vessels.