Two sappers of the Royal Engineers using detectors to sweep for mines, Egypt, 1942 circa...

Two sappers of the Royal Engineers using detectors to sweep for mines in the aftermath of the 8th Army’s attack on Rommel’s forces in Egypt, 1942 circa. Photograph, World War Two, North Africa, 1942 circa. Mine detectors were introduced for the purpose of mine clearance from 1942 onwards. The mine clearing teams consisted of six men, comprising a detector operator and assistant, a marking tape layer, a controller and two reserves. The teams could advance at the rate of three metres a minute. By the Second World War land mines had largely replaced barbed wire as the principle defensive military obstacle. From a collection of 34 photographs relating to different theatres in World War Two, 1940-1944.