On Friday, April 10, 2026, around 11 am, two walkers made a rather unexpected discovery at the Rouland dam in Equeurdreville-Hainneville (a commune of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Manche).
As they walked along the site, they spotted a partially buried cylindrical object. The appearance of the object immediately raised caution: it could be a German concrete shell from World War II, but nothing currently confirms this hypothesis as it awaits confirmation from an enthusiast.
Bomb Disposal Experts Notified
Alerted, the standby team from the commune of Equeurdreville-Hainneville arrived on-site to secure the area. A perimeter was marked around the discovery point to prevent public access. Bomb disposal services were also informed and will soon intervene to safely remove the metallic object measuring 10-12 cm in diameter.
Such discoveries, though rare, serve as reminders that the territory of Cherbourg still bears traces of the 1939-1945 conflict. It is crucial, when encountering a suspicious object or a potentially explosive device, to refrain from touching it and immediately inform the authorities, regardless of its appearance or perceived age.
Remain Vigilant
Even after decades, such munitions can remain active and pose a real danger to the population.
Daily, numerous war devices are unearthed across the country: shells, bombs, grenades, cartridges, their handling is strongly discouraged.
Residents are therefore urged to exercise utmost caution during walks or work near sites that may have been affected during the war.
