Okay, a thread on a subject I know little about, but became intrigued after seeing this pic last year - anti-personnel & anti-tank mine detection with a stick.

It became apparent to me that these 3 landser were probing for mines, with seemingly makeshift wooden poles.

1)

I then happened across this by @briggs_jonny (from recollection).

‘This was interesting’, I thought.

Chap 2nd from right has a similar device. With 3rd from right a mine warning sign & what appears to be marker sticks with the chap 5th from right.

This was a ‘thing’.

2)

I was looking for this now, & was excited when this cropped up.

Possible Aufklärungs Abt vehicles held up after a mine has been detected.

See centre front man with same c5ft pole with thin metal stiletto spike.

Is that a wooden marker on the left by the kneeling man?

3)

Now thus far, all the pics saw non-specialist men, but here we have 5 Pioniere (Engineers) with 3 of the same poles looking to clear the road for the waiting StuG & other traffic.

At least 2 men carry tape, presumably for marking safe paths.

4)

Another pic of a mine clearing party, this time with just stiletto probes, without the wooden shaft.

The lack of concern from the men moving past perhaps indicates the normality of this scenario.

5)

And from the German viewpoint, here’s the last pic I’ve found so far.

See the chap 4th from right. I think he’s holding a similar pole, too.

If so, it suggests this rudimentary piece of kit was perhaps part of each Zug (Platoon) informal toolkit re mine detection.

6)

Imagine my delight when I happened across this.

Russian use of the same rudimentary tool, as they remove these anti-tank mines from the highway.

Great view of the pole nearest the camera.

7)

Finally, found today.

Finnish troops using both technology & the ‘mine pole’ to clear a road.

So, a previously unknown & innocuous piece of kit (to me) that appeared used by at least 3 combatant nations to some degree.

Little things, but it’s gained my interest.

End)