Mine fields were used to prevent mass groups of large tanks and troops who fought on foot, from getting past a certain area. When war had ended for the various countries, there were still a large amount of active mines that remained in large and open inhabited areas. Due to this, an estimated 60 million to 100 million antipersonnel mines, in nearly 70 countries throughout the world, resulted in 25,000 deaths and severe wounds each year to similar civilians and military personnel.
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica (2018). Mine | weapon. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/technology/mine-weapon.