---
title: The Dangerous Job of Mine-Laying
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-the-dangerous-job-of-mine-laying-1939/
description: A photograph shows sailors in oilskins handling large naval mines on a ship's deck, under a 'For Freedom' Union Jack mark.
section: Collection
---

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3. The Dangerous Job of Mine-Laying

[![The Dangerous Job of Mine-Laying, 1939 UK poster: A photograph shows sailors in oilskins handling large naval mines](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-the-dangerous-job-of-mine-laying-1939.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-the-dangerous-job-of-mine-laying-1939.jpg)

# The Dangerous Job of Mine-Laying

A photograph shows sailors in oilskins handling large naval mines on a ship's deck, under a 'For Freedom' Union Jack mark, with a caption calling them 'brave men' who protect Britain's shores. The tell for glittering-generalities is the virtue label 'brave men' and the 'For Freedom' tag offered alongside a factual description of the task.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
E.D.4.

[logo: Union Jack] FOR FREEDOM

THE DANGEROUS JOB
OF MINE-LAYING

THESE BRAVE MEN risk their lives every time they slip out of harbour, under the cover of night, to lay their mines around Britain's coastline or at the approaches to enemy shores. The mines are pushed to the stern of the ship and then laid in the sea. These minefields protect Britain's shores by keeping away enemy surface craft and submarines, and when they are laid in enemy waters, they help to destroy enemy shipping.
```

[← The Battle for Fuel (banner strip)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-the-battle-for-fuel-banner-strip-1939/) [The Signal is Save →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-the-signal-is-save-national-savings-1939/)

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