HINTS ON RECONNAISSANCE FOR MINES AND LAND MINES

The official pamphlet issued to British troops entering "scorched earth" area around Peronne given up by the Germans as they retired to the Hindenburg Line in Spring 1917. An interesting and rare historical curio - this pamphlet was the official document issued in May 1917 to British troops cautiously advancing into the wide swathe of French territory around Peronne and Noye voluntarily given up by the Germans when they shortened their line and retreated to the pre-prepared defences of the Hindenburg Line. They left behind a nightmare vista of scorched earth and booby traps to ‘welcome’ the Allies: food stores spiked with grenades; poisoned wells, felled orchards; houses which collapsed or exploded as soon as they were touched. The pamphlet contains helpful hibnts for dealing with such hazards as delayed long-action fuises, how to recognise a land mine; and how to enter an enemy dugout (carefully). Reprint of the 1917 original edition.