World War II bomb discovered during potato harvest in Ankum, Germany

A World War II-era bomb, measuring approximately 40 centimeters, was discovered during a potato harvest in Ankum, Lower Saxony, Germany. The artifact was unearthed by agricultural machinery and identified by farm workers as it moved along a selection and washing conveyor belt.

Local police isolated the area, and nearby residents were temporarily evacuated as a safety precaution. An explosives disposal team arrived to retrieve and destroy the device. Authorities reported that the operation concluded without incident.

The discovery highlights the ongoing risk of unexploded ordnance in Germany. Lower Saxony was a site of intense combat and munitions production during the war, and incomplete historical records make it difficult to pinpoint all abandoned materials. In 2025, the munitions removal service (KBD) has already conducted 1,349 operations to remove such items from the soil.