AWM caption : A disabled British Mark V* Male tank (with number 4 stencilled on the side) lies abandoned on the battlefield near Duncan Post. The tank was put out of action by a land mine, one of which can be seen in the hole beneath the the tank. Amidst the wire entanglements in the background (far right) are several other mines. Note the timber unditching beam fitted to the rails on the roof and the semaphore paddles used for signalling other units. The door to the gun sponson is lying on the ground at the rear of the vehicle.
Location : Western Front: Western Front (France), Aisne, Ronssoy
Comment : The mines consisted of surplus obsolete football-sized bombs normally fired by the 2 inch Medium Mortar, which the British had laid earlier in 1918 in expectation of German tank attacks, before they withdrew from the area. The military implications of laying landmines were still not fully understood, and minefields were not properly documented, leading to farmers being killed after the war.
NOTE : This version of the photograph has brightness and contrast artificially increased to highlight details.
See also :

• Image:MkVTankDisabledByLandMine30September1918.jpeg