German WWII INTERT 40mm Cannon Shell Trench Art- On July 10, 1926, a lightning strike at the Lake Denmark Naval Ammunition Depot in New Jersey ignited a massive fire and subsequent explosions, causing significant damage and casualties. At the time, the arsenal was used to store over 670,000 pounds (303 metric ton) of explosives and ammunition, much of it left over from World War I. Around 5 pm that day, a very bad thunderstorm developed in the area sending a lightning strike into the depot. What ensued was a massive explosion that was felt 4 miles (6.4km) away. Everything within 3,000 feet was vaporized and the explosion leveled buildings half a mile away. Luckily it was a Saturday so most of the workers were not at the depot, but there were several casualties Of the 200 buildings at the depot, 187 were demolished. Shells were found miles away, cars were twisted into smoldering hunks of metal, trees were uprooted, and debris was found over 20 miles away. The explosions lasted for three days with several millions of pounds of explosives being detonated in total “turning the forested lands into a lunar landscape complete with craters.” This piece of trench is a dedication from A Molinari of Wharton, NJ. to SJ Zanelli of Bound Brook (NJ) and is dated September 23, 1925. It commemorates the Lake Denmark Arsenal explosion July 10, 1926. This is a very interesting piece of forgotten US history, in fact, I had never heard about it!
History: Trench art is a term used to describe objects made from the debris bi-products of war. It is commonly associated with the World War One, although we see trench art from other conflicts as well. During world wars, the French and Belgium’s started the trench art craze, but when the American’s entered the war, they used their metal work skills to make some amazing things as well. Most trench art was made by servicemen while they passed the time, when not in the front line. Much of it was simple and amateurish, we have seen planes made out of shrapnel, carved walking stick from wood and other material. Some are quite professional as though they may have access to a machine shop or something. Prisoners of war, faced with a constant battle against boredom, produced similar items. Each piece tells an interesting story!