The Armed Forces of Malta was yesterday alerted to the presence of World War Two unexploded ordnance, which was found in Wied Qirda, on the limits of Qormi.

Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician from 3 Regiment’s Explosives and Ammunition Company, were initially directed to the Tal-Handaqq area of Qormi to conduct their preliminary safety reconnaissance and investigations on site. The AFM EOD personnel found that the item was German Luftwaffe “Butterfly Bomb”.

The “Butterfly Bomb” (Sprengbombe Dickwandig 2 kg or ‘SD2’) was a German 2 kilogram anti-personnel submunition, dropped by the Luftwaffe aircraft over Malta during WW2. It was so named because the thin cylindrical metal outer shell which hinged open when the bomblet deployed, gaving it the superficial appearance of a large butterfly. The design was very distinctive and easy to recognise.

A spokesperson for Headquarters 3 Regiment said that ‘SD2’ bomblets were not dropped individually, but were packed into containers containing between 6 and 108 submunitions, like the AB 23 SD-2 and AB 250-3 submunitions dispensers. The ‘SD2’ submunitions were released after the container was released from the aircraft and had burst open. This bomb type was one of the first type of cluster bombs ever used in combat, and which proved to be a highly effective anti-personnel weapon.

After yesterday’s normal safety procedures were carried out by the AFM’s EOD personnel, the bomblet was destroyed in situ.

The general public is once again being reminded not to tamper with any object thought to be explosive in nature, and to report any finds on the Emergency Telephone Number ‘112’.