How can they unscrew the fuse from a WW2 bomb that was rotting under the ground or in water for 80 years, when you may have to use brutal force, heat, etc to remove bolts from a 10-year-old car (and the bolt will snap anyway)?

Question

I would expect that you wouldn’t be able to loosen anything on an old, rusty bomb, especially that it is so unstable and can go off anytime.

In: 1985

Answer 1

Theres one method involving a Catherine wheel type affair powered by 2 opposing 12.7mm cartridges, the idea being that it removes it before the fuze has time to function.

Alternative methods to demolition include using specifically designed shape charges to penetrate the case to ‘burn out’ the explosive filling.

Not very eli5 sorry

Edit I think it may be 4 cartridges, cant fully remember, probably never been used in anger