Training with mine detectors, Egypt, 1943 circa (b/w photo)

Training with mine detectors, Egypt, 1943 circa. Photograph by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, MC, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, North Africa, 1943. In the Western Desert the use of large armoured formations combined with the featureless terrain created ideal conditions for the use of land mines in a defensive role. The sappers are using the Mark I electronic mine detector. This was designed by Lieutenant JS Kozacki, a Polish officer who escaped to Britain in 1940. The equipment weighed just under 30 lbs and could be operated by one man. From an album of 241 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).