Editing Bomb disposal (section)

==History==
The first professional civilian bomb squad was established by [[Colonel]] [[Sir]] [[Vivian Dering Majendie]] a [[Major (rank)|Major]] at the time in the [[Royal Artillery]], Majendie investigated an explosion on 2 October 1874 in the [[Regent's Canal]], when the [[barge]] 'Tilbury', carrying six barrels of petroleum and five tons of gunpowder, blew up, killing the crew and destroying Macclesfield Bridge and cages at nearby [[London Zoo]]. In 1875, he framed the [[Explosives Act 1875|Explosives Act]], the first modern legislation for explosives control.<ref>[http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/26639/pages/3740 ''London Gazette'', 2 July 1895]</ref> He also pioneered many bomb disposal techniques, including remote methods for the handling and dismantling of explosives.<ref name="Brodie">{{cite book |last=Brodie |first=Thomas G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WtGDHunq9zEC |title=Bombs and Bombings: A Handbook to Protection, Security, Disposal, and Investigation for Industry, Police and Fire Departments |publisher=Charles C. Thomas Publisher |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-398075-72-9 |page=102}}</ref> His advice during the [[Fenian dynamite campaign]] of 1881–85<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/200508080038 Armitage, Tom; 'Bombing trains is nothing new - it is what 19th-century anarchists did'], The ''[[New Statesman]]'', 8 August 2005</ref> was officially recognised as having contributed to the saving of lives. After [[London Victoria station|Victoria Station]] was bombed on 26 February 1884, he defused a bomb built with a [[clockwork]] mechanism which might have gone off at any moment.<ref name="Obit">{{cite web |url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP18980625.2.74&zto=1 |title=Death of a Distinguished Officer |date=25 June 1898 |pages=3 |via=Papers Past }}</ref>

The [[New York City Police Department]] established its first bomb squad in 1903. Known as the "Italian Squad", its primary mission was to deal with [[dynamite]] bombs used by the [[Italian-American Mafia|Mafia]] to intimidate immigrant Italian merchants and residents. It would later be known as the "Anarchist Squad" and the "Radical Squad" for its response to radical bomb attacks in the wake of the [[1919 United States anarchist bombings]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Kareem |last=Fahim |title=Bomb Squad Has Hard-Won Expertise |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2010-05-02 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/03/nyregion/03squad.html |access-date=2010-05-21 }}</ref>

===WWI: Military bomb disposal units===
[[File:1918 German UXOs2.JPG|thumb|A British NCO preparing to dispose of an unexploded bomb during the First World War]]
Bomb disposal became a formalized practice during [[World War I]]. The swift mass production of munitions led to many manufacturing defects, and a large proportion of shells fired by both sides were found to be "duds".<ref name="Payne">{{cite web |first=David |last=Payne |title=Duds on the Western Front in the Great War |publisher=The Western Front Association |work=westernfrontassociation.com |url=http://www.westernfront.co.uk/thegreatwar/articles/research/dudswestern.htm |access-date=2006-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060905113051/http://westernfront.co.uk/thegreatwar/articles/research/dudswestern.htm |archive-date=2006-09-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> These were hazardous to attacker and defender alike. In response, the British dedicated a section of Ordnance Examiners from the [[Royal Army Ordnance Corps]] to handle the growing problem.

In 1918, the Germans developed [[delayed-action fuze]]s that would later develop into more sophisticated versions during the 1930s, as [[Nazi Germany]] began its secret course of arms development. These tests led to the development of UXBs ([[unexploded bombs]]), pioneered by Herbert Ruehlemann of [[Rheinmetall]], and first employed during the [[Spanish Civil War]] of 1936–37. Such delayed-action bombs provoked terror in the civilian population because of the uncertainty of time, and also complicated the task of disarming them. The Germans saw that unexploded bombs caused far more chaos and disruption than bombs that exploded immediately. This caused them to increase their usage of delayed-action bombs in [[World War II]].

Initially there were no specialized tools, training, or core knowledge available, and as Ammunition Technicians learned how to safely neutralize one variant of munition, the enemy would add or change parts to make neutralization efforts more hazardous. This trend of cat-and-mouse extends even to the present day, and the various techniques used to disarm munitions are not publicized.

===WWII: Modern techniques===
[[File:Bomb disposal 1940.jpg|thumb|left|A bomb disposal team in 1940]]

Modern EOD technicians across the world can trace their heritage to [[the Blitz]], when the United Kingdom's cities were subjected to extensive bombing raids by [[Nazi Germany]]. In addition to conventional [[airstrike|air raids]], [[unexploded ordnance|unexploded bombs]] (UXBs) took their toll on population and morale, paralyzing vital services and communications. Bombs fitted with delayed-action [[fuze]]s provoked fear and uncertainty in the civilian population.

The first UXBs were encountered in the autumn of 1939 before the Blitz and were for the most part easily dealt with, mostly by [[Royal Air Force]] or [[Air Raid Precautions]] personnel. In the spring of 1940, when the [[Phony War]] ended, the British realized that they were going to need professionals in numbers to deal with the coming problem. 25 sections were authorized for the Royal Engineers in May 1940, another 109 in June, and 220 by August. Organization was needed, and as the Blitz began, 25 "Bomb Disposal Companies" were created between August 1940 and January 1941. Each company had ten sections, each section having a bomb disposal officer and 14 other ranks to assist. Six companies were deployed in London by January 1941.

The problem of UXBs was further complicated when Royal Engineer bomb disposal personnel began to encounter munitions fitted with [[anti-handling device]]s e.g. the [[Luftwaffe]]'s ZUS40 [[Anti-handling device|anti-removal]] bomb [[fuze]] of 1940. Bomb fuzes incorporating anti-handling devices were specifically designed to kill bomb disposal personnel. Scientists and technical staff responded by devising methods and equipment to render them safe, including the work of [[Eric Moxey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205049825 |title=The Work of RAF Bomb Disposal Squads in the UK and Germany During the Second World War }}</ref>

The [[United States War Department]] felt the British bomb disposal experience could be a valuable asset, based on reports from [[United States Army|U.S. Army]], [[United States Navy|Navy]], and [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] observers at [[RAF Melksham]] in Wiltshire, England in 1940. The next year, the [[Office of Civilian Defense]] (OCD) and War Department both sponsored a bomb disposal program. After the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]], the British sent instructors to [[Aberdeen Proving Ground]], where the U.S. Army would inaugurate a formal bomb disposal school under the [[United States Army Ordnance Corps|Ordnance Corps]]. Colonel Thomas J. Kane became the U.S. Army Ordnance Bomb Disposal School commandant, and later served as ETO Director of Bomb Disposal under [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]].<ref>Leatherwood, Jeffrey M.; (2012) ''Nine From Aberdeen: U.S. Army Ordnance Bomb Disposal in World War II'', Cambridge Scholars Publishing, {{ISBN|978-1-4438-3786-6}}</ref> In May 1941, British colleagues helped establish the Naval Mine Disposal School at the [[Washington Navy Yard|Naval Gun Factory]], [[Washington, D.C.]] Concurrently, the U.S. Navy, under the command of Lieutenant [[Draper L. Kauffman]] (who would go on to found the [[Underwater Demolition Team]]s{{spaced ndash}} better known as UDTs or the U.S. Navy Frogmen), created the Naval Bomb Disposal School at University Campus, [[Washington, D.C.]]

The first US Army Bomb Disposal companies were deployed in [[North Africa]] and [[Sicily]], but proved cumbersome and were replaced with mobile seven-man squads in 1943. Wartime errors were rectified in 1947 when Army personnel started attending a new school at [[Indian Head, Maryland]], under U.S. Navy direction. That same year, the forerunner of the EOD Technology Center, the USN Bureau of Naval Weapons, charged with research, development, test, and evaluation of EOD tools, tactics and procedures, was born.

===Northern Ireland===
[[File:Eod technician ireland.jpg|thumb|"The long walk":<ref>{{cite web |first=Renita |last=Foster |url=http://www.monmouth.army.mil/monmessg/newmonmsg/feb022007/m05bomb.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722182649/http://www.monmouth.army.mil/monmessg/newmonmsg/feb022007/m05bomb.htm |archive-date=2011-07-22 |title=Unit kept one step ahead of enemy |publisher=Monmouth.army.mil |access-date=2010-06-22 }}</ref> A [[British Army]] [[Ammunition Technical Officer|ATO]] approaches a suspect device in [[Northern Ireland]].]]

The [[Ammunition Technicians]] of the [[Royal Logistic Corps]] (RLC, formerly [[RAOC]]) became highly experienced in bomb disposal, after many years of dealing with bombs planted by the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] (PIRA) and other groups. The bombs employed by the PIRA ranged from simple pipe bombs to sophisticated victim-triggered devices and [[infrared]] switches. The roadside bomb was in use by PIRA from the early 1970s onwards, evolving over time with different types of explosives and triggers. Improvised mortars were also developed by the IRA, usually placed in static vehicles, with self-destruct mechanisms.<ref>Smith, Steve; ''3-2-1 Bomb Gone : Fighting Terrorist Bombers in Northern Ireland'', Sutton Publishing, 2006, pages 131–149, {{ISBN|0-7509-4205-3}}</ref> During the 38-year campaign in Northern Ireland, 23 British ATO bomb disposal specialists were killed in action.<ref>Rayment, Sean; ''Bomb Hunters: In Afghanistan with Britain's Elite Bomb Disposal Unit'', London HarperCollins, 2011, page 58, {{ISBN|9780007374786}}</ref> A specialist Army unit, [[321 EOD]] Unit (later 321 EOD Company, and now 321 EOD & Search Squadron RLC part of [[11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment RLC]]), was deployed to tackle increased IRA violence and willingness to use bombs against both economic and military targets. The unit's radio call-sign was Felix. All units in Northern Ireland had a callsign to be used over the radios. 321 Company, a newly formed unit, didn't have such a callsign, so a young signaller was sent to the OC of 321 Coy. The OC, having lost two technicians that morning, decided on "[[Phoenix (mythology)|Phoenix]]". This was misheard as "Felix" by the signaller and was never changed. The other possible reason is that the callsign for RAOC was "Rickshaw"; however, the 321 EOD felt it needed its own callsign, hence the deliberate choice of "Felix the Cat with nine lives". 321 Coy RAOC (now 321 EOD & Search Sqn RLC) is the most decorated unit (in peacetime) in the British Army with over 200 gallantry awards, notably for acts of great bravery during [[Operation Banner]] (1969–2007) in Northern Ireland.<ref name="Fetch Felix">{{cite book |last=Patrick |first=Derrick |year=1981 |title=Fetch Felix: The Fight Against the Ulster Bombers, 1976–1977 |publisher=Hamish Hamilton |isbn=0-241-10371-1}}</ref>

British Ammunition Technicians of 11 EOD & Search Regiment RLC were requested by the US Forces commanders to operate in support of the US Marine Corps in clearing the Iraqi oilfields of booby traps and were among the first British service personnel sent into Iraq in 2003 prior to the actual ground invasion.

===Low intensity conflicts===
[[File:3rd Battalion 3rd Marines controlled detonation.jpg|thumb|left|[[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marines]] conducting a controlled detonation of [[improvised explosive device]]s in [[Afghanistan]]]]
The eruption of [[low intensity conflict]]s and [[terrorism]] waves at the beginning of the 21st century caused further development in the techniques and methods of bomb disposal. EOD operators and technicians had to adapt to rapidly evolving methods of constructing improvised explosive devices ranging from [[Fragmentation (weaponry)|shrapnel]]-filled [[explosive belts]] to 100&nbsp;kg bombs. Since improvised explosives are generally unreliable and very unstable they pose great risk to the public and especially to the EOD Operator trying to render them safe. Therefore, new methods like greater reliance on remote techniques such as advanced remotely operated vehicles similar to the British [[Wheelbarrow (EOD)|Wheelbarrow]] or [[armored bulldozer]]s evolved. Many nations have developed their own versions such as the [[Caterpillar D7|D7 MCAP]] and the [[Caterpillar D9|armored D9R]].

[[File:US Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) divers.jpg|thumb|upright|[[U.S. Navy]] explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) divers]]
Besides large mine-clearing vehicles such as the [[Trojan Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers|Trojan]], the British Army also uses small remote controlled vehicles such as the [[Dragon Runner]] and the Chevette.<ref>''Frontline Battle Machines with Mike Brewer'', X2 Productions, 2010</ref>{{Clarify |date=December 2010 |reason=<nowiki>This is not a proper reference citation. Use [[Template:Cite web]] or similar to provide source details. Use<ref...> inline in the article (see [[WP:CITE]]) to source the specific facts provided by this reference.</nowiki>}}

During the [[al-Aqsa Intifada]], Israeli EOD forces disarmed and detonated thousands of explosive charges, lab bombs and explosive [[ammunition]] (such as rockets). Two Israeli EOD teams gained high reputation for leading the efforts in that area: the Army's [[Israeli Engineering Corps]]' [[Sayeret Yahalom]] and the [[Magav|Israeli Border Guard]] Gaza-area EOD team.

In the [[Iraq War]], the [[Multi-National Force – Iraq]] faced many bombs on travel routes. Such charges can easily destroy light vehicles such as the [[Humvee]], and large ones can destroy [[main battle tank]]s. Such charges caused many casualties and, along with [[car bomb]]s and [[suicide bomber]]s, were a major cause of casualties in Iraq.

In Spain's autonomous [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]], where bombings by [[Basque nationalist|Basque separatist]] groups were common during the 1980s and 1990s, there are three corps in charge of bomb disposal: [[Cuerpo Nacional de Policía (Spain)|Policia Nacional]], [[Civil Guard (Spain)|Guardia Civil]], and [[Ertzaintza]]. The Ertzaintza handle general civilian threats, while the Policia Nacional and Guardia Civil maintain capabilities mainly to defend their own assets and personnel. In other parts of the country, the Guardia Civil and Policia Nacional develop their tasks within their own abilities.