A SPENT, 16-inch smoke shell which exploded 75 years ago was discovered on the moors at Langsett.
It was found by a local runner, who reported it to the Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team with a rough location and a photo.
A member of the team then went to locate the potentially dangerous shell and gathered information which was sent to the Royal Logistic Corps bomb squad, which identified it as a spent smoke shell which was safe.
It was moved by a member of the Woodhead team, who later met with the bomb squad and police so they could dispose of it.
A spokesman for the Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team, said: “The shell was found on the moor which was used as a shooting range in the Second World War. There are quite a few, we come across about 20 per year. Most of the shells found up there are harmless, but sometimes it can be an explosive shell which has laid for 80 years. The likelihood of it going off is slim, but they can do some damage.”
The history of the site is well documented. There was a tank range around Langsett and Midhope during the Second World War, with gunnery ranges and many thousands of shells were fired on to the hillside. Sometimes heavy rain washes the shells out, which are removed or destroyed after investigation.
All shells are removed by the team if safe to do so, or blown up on site if deemed dangerous by the RLC.
The spokesman said: “The advice is that all shells should be considered dangerous and not be touched or moved until they have been declared safe by Royal Logistic Corps. If someone sees a shell they should report it to a ranger, or the police, or the Mountain Woodhead Rescue Team. Just note its location and get a picture if possible before reporting to the authorities.”
There is a small display at Langsett barn and some display boards which show the history of the area. The dam busters also trained in the area.
