By: Raphael Digiacomo, Thomas Copytz, Stefan Rampfel, Bernd SchlegelAt the weekend (July 30th/31st, 2022) five duds from the Second World War will be defused in the western part of the city of Göttingen.We report about it in the live ticker.+++ 8.30 p.m .: On Sunday, the fact that rail replacement traffic was still offered in local traffic throughout the day caused clear resentment in Göttingen.If you wanted to take regional trains to the university town or leave Göttingen, you had to take the bus.The trains only went to Northeim, Eichenberg, Heiligenstadt and Adelebsen.This met with a lot of misunderstanding.Background to the action: The rail replacement service was planned for Saturday and Sunday in view of possible delays in bomb disposal.However, there was no change at short notice on Sunday after the explosive ordnance specialists had completed their work late in the evening on Saturday.Appropriate information could also be read on the display boards on the local transport platforms on Sunday.The long-distance trains, i.e. ICE and IC, stopped in Göttingen on Sunday as scheduled.However, the use of the nine-euro ticket is excluded for these connections.+++ 1:09 p.m .: The defusing of five duds from the Second World War at the weekend in Göttingen’s Weststadt was exemplary.This became known on Sunday at the press conference in the new town hall.Although all five US-made bombs had to be detonated, there was almost no damage.The bombs lay between the Sparkassen-Arena and the Leine.During the course of Saturday it turned out that all five ten-hundredweight bombs were equipped with "long-term fuses".So it was clear: All five copies had to be blown up by the experts from the Lower Saxony explosive ordnance disposal service.This happened on Saturday around 9:30 p.m. with three loud detonations that could be heard in the city area but also in the neighboring communities of Bovenden and Rosdorf."Manual work" was required to uncover the bombs.In the area along the line, the water level had been lowered by pumps.However, the duds were covered with linen gravel, which had become almost as hard as concrete due to the dehydration.Blastmaster Thorsten Lüdeke was more than satisfied with the blasting.Everything went as planned.Almost 80 overseas containers, some of which were filled with water, provided the necessary protection for the S-Arena, some of which even tipped over due to the force of the blasts.In addition, wooden constructions with water bags were positioned over the duds.A larger area around the S-Arena in Göttingen is expected to remain closed to the public until Friday, August 5th.In particular, the overseas containers must now be removed.The search for more duds from the Second World War is then continued.The experts are particularly targeting the Schützenplatz directly next to the S-Arena.There are suspected more bombs in the ground.+++ 11.09 a.m .: During a press conference, the city of Göttingen drew an absolutely positive balance of the defusing action of five duds.Virtually no damage was found to the S-Arena, as initial investigations have shown, although all duds had to be blown up.The concept with around 80 containers, about half of which were filled with water, really worked.+++ 9.30 a.m .: This is the situation at Göttingen station: long-distance traffic, i.e. ICE and IC trains, go to the station as planned and stop there to get on and off.However, nine-euro tickets are NOT valid on these trains.In local transport, there is still rail replacement service - in all likelihood throughout the day (until the end of operations).The rail replacement service is handled by buses via the nearby central bus station.Local transport customers therefore have to plan more time.+++ Sunday, July 31, 7:40 a.m.: The situation in Göttingen is calm.It is now clear that three of the five duds were so close together that they had to be blown up at the same time.Duds four and five were detonated a short time later.Therefore, a total of three detonations could be heard.In the meantime, a video has appeared on the YouTube portal that shows the detonations well.Whether or what damage has occurred will probably only become apparent in the course of the day.The city wants to announce further details together with the Lower Saxony explosive ordnance disposal service during a press conference in the morning.The evacuation center in the Felix-Klein-Gymnasium was closed that night because all the guests had left the facility.They had been brought back by buses from the Göttingen public transport company.According to Deutsche Bahn's electronic information system, Göttingen station is now being served by long-distance traffic again.+++ 11:47 p.m.: With this we from the HNA editorial team in Göttingen end the live ticker reporting that started at 5:20 a.m.We are happy with you about the good end of one of the largest explosive ordnance disposal operations in Göttingen.We would like to thank everyone involved, including the many unknown helpers.Our respect goes to all residents who were affected by the action for how they shared the burden.Stefan Rampfel, Bernd Schlegel, Raphael Digiacomo and Thomas Copytz wish you a good night and thank you for following our live ticker in such an unexpected (overwhelming) number.+++ 11:43 p.m.: The Felix-Klein-Gymnasium evacuation center remains open until Sunday morning if necessary.Residents can decide for themselves whether to return to their homes immediately or spend the night in the evacuation center.+++ 11:41 p.m .: The all-clear is given via the KatWarn app.The restricted area is free again.Shuttle buses are running again.The GöVB shuttle service is now returning from the evacuation centers to the previously closed evacuation areas.The shuttle buses will again go to the following stops free of charge: • Train station A • Platz der Göttinger Sieben • Hildebrandstraße • Maschmühlenweg • Im Rinschenrott • Pfalz-Grona-Breite • Tulpenweg • Asternweg • St. Godehard-Kirche-Ersatz and • Jheringstraße • Posthof • Königsstieg-Ersatz • Rosmarinweg • Grätzelstraße • Otto-Frey-Bridge Please remember: Masks are compulsory in the shuttle buses of the GöVB (as in other public transport).+++ 11:34 p.m.: The ordnance clearance service has examined the blasting area.Mayor Petra Broistedt is very relieved in an interview with the HNA: "The S-Arena is still standing.But even more important: there are no personal injuries.” Now the police and other helpers have to check whether roads and other buildings are damaged.Broistedt was impressed that all voluntary and full-time helpers and participants were "incredibly motivated" - from the caregivers in the evacuation center to the bus drivers on Albaniplatz.The atmosphere was exceptionally good."It was very, very nice to see how everyone accepted and coped with this extraordinary situation."+++ 11.20 p.m .: The all-clear has just been given and the 1000-meter restricted area has been lifted – with the exception of the area around the sites in the S-Arena area.Residents can now return home.The GöVB bus shuttles are available for return transport from the evacuation centers.+++ 11:09 p.m.: The city will take stock on Sunday at 10 a.m. at a press conference in the council chamber.+++ 10:55 p.m.: Great planning and execution!During the bomb disposal in Göttingen at the end of January 2021, the duds could only be blown up after 1 a.m. at night.This time the experts needed significantly less time.At around 9:30 p.m., four hours earlier than back then, the blast went off.+++ 10:47 p.m .: Congratulations and a big thank you to the experts at the Lower Saxony explosive ordnance disposal service.They successfully blew up the five duds from World War II in Göttingen.A big thank you goes to the hundreds of helpers from the many organizations and institutions who worked throughout the day.Without them, the defusing operation would not have been so successful!+++ 10:32 p.m .: According to the Lower Saxony explosive ordnance disposal service, the five bombs were blown up successfully.Mayor Petra Broistedt and First City Councilor Schmetz are relieved.They send a “thumbs up!” via cell phone.Note: It is still forbidden to enter the restricted area.+++ 10:20 p.m .: The ordnance disposal service (KBD) Lower Saxony examines the area.Reconnaissance teams will then inspect the area for possible damage and danger spots and assess the situation.This will take some time.Important note: The restricted area is still not released!There is no all-clear yet.The detonations could hardly be heard in the inner city of Göttingen, but clearly in neighboring communities such as Bovenden or Rosdorf (including Mengershausen).+++ 9:47 p.m .: There is still no information about the result of the blast in Göttingen.The wait goes on.There is also NO all-clear yet.+++ 9.35 p.m .: Three loud detonations can be heard.The blast has just taken place.The detonations could be heard throughout the city (also in Grone and in the east district).Now wait for the result of the blasting.+++ 9:32 p.m .: The blast is imminent.Another warning has just been issued via mobile phone (cat warning).+++ 9:29 p.m .: Residents in the area between 1,000 and 1,250 meters around the evacuation area should go into the house for their own protection and not stay near the window.Despite the protective wall surrounding the sites, splinters can fly far.+++ 9:27 p.m .: It is now clear: all five bombs cannot be defuse – it must be blown up.The blast is scheduled for around 9:30 p.m.For their own protection, residents within a 1,250 meter radius of the evacuation area should go indoors and stay away from windows.Despite the protective wall surrounding the sites, splinters can fly far.Note: The restricted area may only be entered again after official approval!+++ 9:25 p.m .: The police helicopter is now flying over Grone.The search for people who could be in the restricted area is apparently not yet complete.There is also a new warning on the cell phone with a view to the blast.+++ 9:11 p.m .: The police helicopter is now back in action.He should check whether there are still people in the restricted area around the S-Arena in Göttingen.Mayor Petra Broistedt appeals to everyone not to stay in the restricted area.+++ 9:09 p.m .: The city of Göttingen’s hotline on 0551 / 400-5050 can still be reached!However, due to the current high volume of calls, it is sometimes necessary to make a second attempt to get through.The city asks for your understanding.+++ 9:07 p.m.: “The blast will take place around 9:30 p.m. – we are in the hot phase,” announced an audibly concentrated Mayor Petra Broistedt to our newspaper.First, three of the 500-kilo bombs are detonated together, followed by the other two with a slight delay of a few seconds."There will be a mighty bang and strong vibrations," said Broistedt, preparing the residents of Göttingen for the upcoming blast, which has never happened before in the city with so much explosive.Then it would be checked whether all the bombs had exploded.This is done by the experts from the explosive ordnance clearance service.+++ 9:01 p.m.: In order to ensure fire protection in Göttingen, the city of Göttingen was divided into two areas of application for the duration of the defusing, one west of the leash, the other east of the leash.While in the east the vehicles from the main fire station on Breslauer Straße and from the Klinikum fire station are deployed in the event of an emergency, in the west it is mainly volunteers, namely the local fire brigades Holtensen and Grone with a total of 32 people.Only two officials from the professional fire brigade are assigned as managers in the western area.It was very quiet until the evening, there was only one job to be done in Grone: In the morning, a door had to be opened because one person was missing.At a press event, Sven Paul, local fire chief of Holtensen, showed Mayor Petra Broistedt the vehicles, and Dietmar Gloth explained the deployment structure.+++ 8:59 p.m .: The feared chaos on Saturday did not materialize at Eichenberg station."Everything has been quiet here so far," said a railway employee.The three buses that were used for rail replacement services for the regional trains coming from the south, for which Neu-Eichenberg was the terminus here because of the bomb disposal in Göttingen, would be completely sufficient."One of the buses even drove empty towards Göttingen," reported the employee.One can only speculate as to why the number of passengers on the trains is so relatively low."Maybe it's because people were well informed in advance, but maybe it's the weather," he said.+++ 8.56 p.m .: In coping with the current situation, the city of Göttingen also receives active support through the use of the new mobile siren of the volunteer fire brigade from the Göttingen district.The siren, which can also be used for voice announcements in addition to the signal tone, was used in the restricted area early in the morning.Before the duds are blown up, two police loudspeaker vans and the vehicle with the mobile siren drive through the 1250 meter radius again as a warning.Residents in this area are again warned not to stay outdoors or near windows for their own protection.+++ 8:53 p.m .: The warning system KAT-Warn announces on the smartphone that a blast is planned soon.An exact date has not yet been given.+++ 8.45 p.m .: The Lower Saxony explosive ordnance disposal service is now preparing the blasting.When the five 10-hundredweight bombs will be detonated will be announced as soon as it is known.However, patience is also required.Three of the bombs are so close together that they have to be detonated at the same time.A corresponding pressure wave and debris flying around is therefore to be expected.Therefore, the explosive ordnance disposal service and security teams from the city of Göttingen have to inspect and secure the area after the blasting.For safety reasons, the roads in the evacuation area can only be released again after this check.This takes a lot of time, care and requires a lot of staying power from everyone involved.We will continue to keep you up to date here.The restricted area may only be re-entered after official approval.+++ 8.32 p.m .: Three demolition experts and four ammunition specialists from the explosive ordnance disposal service (KBD) Lower Saxony are on duty in Göttingen this Saturday."The KBD is responsible for the systematic evaluation of wartime aerial photos to find dud bombs, the aerial photo evaluation for individual properties on request, the actual salvage, the defusing/detonation, the transport and the interim storage of ordnance.In addition, the municipalities, as the responsible hazard prevention authorities, are to be supported in the performance of their tasks and all explosive ordnance clearance measures are to be documented.More than 50 employees work at the locations in Hanover, Munster and Wardenburg.About 35,500 tons of ordnance have been destroyed by the Lower Saxony KBD in the past 75 years.No one can say how much ordnance is still slumbering in the ground in Germany and neighboring countries, but it is assumed that 1.3 million tons of ordnance have been sunk in the North Sea alone.+++ 8:07 p.m .: Five out of five – even the last suspected case is a dud with long-term detonators from World War II made in the United States.There is now certainty: all five 10-hundredweight bombs must be blown up in a controlled manner.+++ 19:17: There are still extensive bus diversions due to the restricted area in the city of Göttingen.Information on this can be found on the website of the Göttingen Transport Authority (GöVB) and the Verkehrsbund Süd-Niedersachsen (VSN).+++ 19.04 p.m .: In the evacuation center in the Felix-Klein-Gymnasium (FKG) not only evacuated people but also their pets are accommodated.The city of Göttingen had already announced this at a press conference on Tuesday (07/26/2022).Some people took advantage of the offer and brought their furry four-legged friends with them.+++ 18:43: Bomb, the fourth: The experts from the Lower Saxony explosive ordnance disposal service confirm that the fourth suspected point is also a dud.As with the first three confirmed finds, it is an American 10-hundredweight bomb from World War II.Controlled blasting will also have to be carried out here.+++ 5:59 p.m .: ATTENTION – The city of Göttingen expressly requests that you never enter the restricted area for your own safety.Again and again, isolated people have been sighted in the restricted area.Anyone who is in the restricted area and is apprehended delays the deployment of the demolition experts and risks a fine.+++ 5.55 p.m .: The demolition experts from the explosive ordnance clearance service are working their way to the fourth and fifth suspect.The two are close together, very close to the skater park on the west side of the S-Arena and in front of the Leine shore.First, the southernmost suspicious point was explored and identified as an American 500-kilo bomb, then the two southernmost suspected points were also identified as two 10-hundredweight bombs of the same type.A detonation of all dud bombs is expected in the dark."All dud bombs are expected to be blown up in the dark," said Christian Schmetz, head of the city of Göttingen's public order department, in the early evening.Before that, however, the city will again report intensively.+++ 5.18 p.m .: Evacuees and emergency services at the evacuation center in the Felix-Klein-Gymnasium (FKG) enjoy and refresh themselves with a well-deserved ice cream.The mood is generally positive and relaxed.+++ 16:51: Test passed – the blast test was successful and could hardly be heard in the city.The Lower Saxony explosive ordnance disposal service has thus completed the test run at Schützenplatz.In this way, the demolition experts can be sure that a possible detonation via radio is possible even in the prevailing adverse weather conditions.+++ 4:24 p.m.: At 4:30 p.m. there will be a test detonation of an ignition charge – away from the exposed bombs.It's about testing the functionality of these mini explosive charges.They are later used to trigger the bomb detonators.+++ 16:21: Before the American air bomb duds are blown up in the area of ​​Schützenplatz/S-Arena and Leine-Ufer in Göttingen, two loudspeaker cars will drive through the restricted area again.For example, people who are still in houses and apartments should be warned and asked to leave the area.That's what Christian Schmetz said during a press conference in the offices of the professional fire brigade at noon.+++ 3.48 p.m .: Around 270 citizens are currently housed in the Felix-Klein-Gymnasium evacuation center.There they receive food, camp beds and, if they are interested, corona tests from the city.An ice cream truck in front of the door adds to the good mood.Mayor Petra Broistedt informs the evacuees about their situation.+++ 15:14: Suspect number three clarified: The third dud has just been identified.The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (KBD) confirms that this is also an American 10-hundredweight bomb with a long-term detonator - here, too, the detonation must be controlled.However, the exact time of the blast will only be determined and announced after all investigations have been completed.Two suspicious points are still missing.+++ 2.54 p.m .: Mayor Broistedt has arrived at the evacuation center in the Felix-Klein-Gymnasium (FKG) in Göttingen to find out about the condition of the evacuated people, the helpers and their use.In a live interview, she answers questions from the NDR.+++ 2:29 p.m .: The city and police of Göttingen show a short film of the operational area of ​​​​the ongoing bomb disposal from the water and from the air.78 overseas containers - about half filled with 24 cubic meters of water each, 56 water bags, 70 big packs, 100 cubic meters of building sand, 100 sandbags, 160 bales of straw (donated by rural folk) and five wooden constructions from the Federal Agency for Technical Relief protect the demolition experts and other experts from the Explosive ordnance disposal service of Lower Saxony working on the duds.+++ 2:01 p.m .: The Lower Saxony explosive ordnance disposal service confirms the next find.The second object examined is also a dud - as in the first case, an American 10-hundredweight bomb with a long-term detonator.This makes subsequent blasting unavoidable.Now the investigations of the missing three suspicious points follow.+++ 1:58 p.m .: Mayor Petra Broistedt on a flying visit to the hotline station: the employees radiate satisfaction despite their stressful job.They react calmly and calmly to all the callers' questions."Other young people have the weekend now, but they volunteered for this important task," says the mayor, expressing her thanks for her service on the headset.+++ 1:54 p.m .: The generally well-attended “Kaffeehus” is located at the Weender Tor in Göttingen, right on the edge of the restricted zone, and on normal days it benefits greatly from the public traffic of people who go to the city from the direction of the university campus and Nordstadt.In the morning it is quiet in the cozy café with its beautiful inner courtyard.The team of five works behind the counter."We can serve the guests very individually," jokes one employee.Shortly thereafter, a group of ten café guests arrive.That's how you can deceive yourself... A waiter jokes: "We have a bomb atmosphere here."+++ 1:51 p.m .: The street cafes and restaurants in the promenade and pedestrian zone Weender Straße are booming.In the city, it's always around this time on a Saturday - many visitors, many on a shopping tour, many guests who want to eat something delicious or just have a cool or hot drink and just want to stroll around.Also at the weekly market around the Johanniskirche it is as always on the strong market day Saturday."There are a little fewer customers," says a feeder at the stand.There is no sign in the city of the fact that about 1.5 kilometers away as the crow flies, bomb experts are investigating five suspicious points one by one under the greatest tension - in the process uncovering duds from World War II bombs with kid gloves.+++ 1:44 p.m .: At a short press conference, the head of the Ordnance Department Christian Schmetz expressly praised the behavior of the citizens, especially in the western part of the city: almost everyone would have been extremely cooperative if they had left the restricted area early enough.Some had even “left the country” too early, namely at six o’clock yesterday evening, as a municipal employee who looks after the hotline described."That was a misunderstanding." Christian Schmetz also said: "A word of praise to all those who behave in an exemplary manner."+++ 1:23 p.m .: As Pia Zojer from the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) reports, around 230 people have so far arrived in the evacuation accommodation in the Felix-Klein-Gymnasium (FKG), around 150 can still be accommodated there.For the ASB, this means the first dismantling and a minimized number of emergency services on site.The ASB cannot return to its halls at the moment either, as it is also within the evacuation radius.+++ 1.08 p.m .: Press appointment on the police helicopter with the mayor: Petra Broistedt informed himself about the crew of “Phoenix 91”, the radio call name of the helicopter, opposite the police station in Weende.Pilot Stefan Scharfschwerdt, co-pilot Jörg Maass and operational operator Stefan Jahn willingly gave her and the journalists information.The helicopter had only just landed.He came from Duderstadt, where he filled up with the federal police.Now it's back to the airport in Hanover, a flight time of around 30 minutes.Then another police helicopter is ready in Göttingen.Since the morning, "Phoenix 91" has been circling several times over the evacuation area to find people who were not allowed to be there."We were able to locate several people with our high-resolution HD camera," says Stefan Jahn."Among others at the Iduna Center."+++ 1:01 p.m .: stark contrasts: while the pedestrian zone in Göttingen in the city center is full, there is dead silence just a few hundred meters further in the streets in the evacuation area and at the Göttingen train station.The police take care of the appropriate barriers.Nevertheless, people still want to go to the station to catch a train, says a police officer.There are already some people who didn't notice the bomb disposal, the official said.The Esso petrol station on Weender Landstrasse is lucky.This can be reached, but when leaving, drivers have to drive over the central island of the main road in order to get back in the direction of Weender Tor.+++ 12.54 p.m .: As the head of the department for order in Göttingen Christian Schmetz reports, the experts from the explosive ordnance disposal service are considering a controlled test blast on a detonator.The reason is the rainy weather."Please don't be surprised if you hear a bang," warns Schmetz the citizens.The test blast would only be at the detonator, away from the dud.Definitely none of the duds will be blown up individually, since a blast could also trigger the detonators of the nearby bombs.+++ 12.29 p.m .: Göttingen’s Mayor Petra Broistedt praises the positive overall mood during a visit to the staff."But it's annoying that there are always people in the restricted area." A total of three people who were illegally in the restricted area were reported."It's very annoying." She is pleased that the explosive ordnance disposal service is making good progress.The first dud has been identified.The bomb with long-term ignition has been identified and must be detonated later.She sees a good chance that the defusing campaign will end well today.Today's operation is managed by a central staff.It includes representatives of the city and district administrations.In addition, the individual organizations are represented on the staff by specialist advisors.+++ 11.55 a.m .: The Lower Saxony explosive ordnance disposal service has uncovered and identified the first suspicious object on the banks of the Leine.It is an American 10-hundredweight bomb with a long-term detonator.First, the other four suspicious points are examined.A controlled detonation of the ordnance is only planned afterwards.+++ 11.40 a.m .: The Lower Saxony explosive ordnance disposal service had to interrupt its work twice.The reason: people were reported in the restricted area.The police had to enter the exclusion zone to clarify the situation.The area has since been cleared.The following applies: Entering the restricted area is expressly forbidden - it is a matter of your safety!The work is behind schedule due to the disruption.+++ 11.35 a.m .: Albaniplatz has become the central transfer point for rail replacement services.From there buses go to Northeim, Eichenberg, Heiligenstadt, Adelebsen and Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe.The trains are reached at these points.Travelers patiently await the departure of their respective buses.Four employees help on site to find the right connection.Tobias Festerling, manager of the station management in Braunschweig/Göttingen, was completely satisfied.The concept worked.In order to be able to cope with the volume, buses from many regions in Germany, including southern Lower Saxony, Eichsfeld and Witzenhausen, were chartered for the campaign.Apparently, however, the travelers had adjusted to the situation, because the rush on the buses was not as big as expected.The railway had issued recommendations in advance.+++ 11.25 a.m .: 235 people are currently registered in the evacuation center.More than half of the seats are still available.Another facility is available in case the evacuation center is not sufficient.In all likelihood, this will not be required.+++ 11.10 a.m .: Mayor Petra Broistedt is a guest at the police station on Otto-Hahn-Strasse.Rainer Nolte, head of the Göttingen Police Inspectorate, reports: "There has been security since 10 a.m.." Broistedt: "I would like to thank you all for this extraordinary commitment."+++ 10.52 a.m .: The use of material for the defusing of the World War II bombs is considerable: 78 overseas containers are to protect the S-Arena during the bomb defusing this weekend.