The Sphinx at Giza, 1942 circa (b/w photo)

The Sphinx at Giza, 1942 circa. Photograph, World War Two, North Africa, 1942 circa. Newly arrived men in Egypt generally spent time acclimatising in the Nile delta area before moving out into the desert. During this time they visited Cairo and the ancient monuments surrounding the city. They were joined by soldiers on leave from the front line, who were keen to visit and photograph Egypt’s historic landmarks. Legend has it that the Sphinx’s nose was broken off by a cannonball fired by Napoleon's soldiers. This is a myth, the statue had lost its nose and royal ritual beard long before then, possibly in the 14th century when Moslem iconoclasts attacked the Sphinx. From an album of 118 photographs compiled by Frederick Cecil Cracknell of the Army Film and Photographic Unit, 1941-1944.