National EOD Day – May 4, 2024

History of National EOD Day

Despite the fact that explosives have been around since ancient times, there were no bomb disposal organizations until World War II. This is because the war resulted in a large number of deaths in many countries, and it became a time when scientists and leaders prioritized saving as many lives as possible. As the war progressed and Germany continued to drop bombs on different countries across Europe, other world powers began planning a defense system. During this time, the United States, too, expected to be drawn into the war and sought to protect itself from bombs. Handling unexploded bombs (U.X.B.) was one area where the country believed it could reduce the death count of soldiers and civilians. Previously, engineers defused U.X.B.; but as the impact of bombs increased, dedicated organizations trained in the mission of bomb disposal began to form.

The modern bomb disposal units we see today were created in 1940 during the Battle of Britain. The earliest bomb disposal training was conducted at Melksham Royal Air Force Station, Wiltshire, England. In September 1941, an Army Bomb Disposal School was established by the Royal Engineers in Donnington, U.K. From there on, the death toll slowly decreased as the army personnel figured out how to stop clockwork timers, remove fuzes, and steam explosives out of bombs. In 1941, the U.S. also established the Chemical Warfare School at Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland. Today, E.O.D. soldiers are trained professionals who have a distinctive badge and are applauded for putting their lives at risk for the sake of the nation.