Here, in a media relations photograph an Angolan MPLA (Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola) sapper receives instruction on laying a mine.

Note the tin on the side to separate the topsoil and the bottom soil so when the mine is covered the lighter topsoil is applied last to conceal the disturbance to the earth. Operating procedures also included covering the mine in strips of tyre rubber so as to obscure the signal of mine detectors. In the field the sapper laying the mine seldom had loose equipment like loosely slung rifles handing around in case they triggered the mine and laying a mine was usually done in a prone position. Mines where also layered in ‘stacks’ in the field – known as a double or even triple ‘cheese mine’ – the SADF slang for a TMA-3 anti tank mine- the purpose of doing this was to provide bigger impact if triggered and provide a booby trap to anyone trying to clear the mine if it was found.

Photo copyright Sean Sutton, courtesy Outpai War Museum.