Combat engineers place satchel charges and detonating cord, preparatory to blowing up a railway bridge during the Korean War, 30 Jul 1950.

Combat engineering is the practice of using the knowledge, tools and techniques of engineering in combat. A combat engineer is a military specialist in using the tools and techniques of engineering under combat conditions, who may perform any of a variety of tasks. Such tasks typically include bridge and road construction, laying landmines, or detecting and clearing hazards. Generally, the combat engineer's tasks involve facilitating movement of friendly and allied forces while impeding enemy movement. Usually, a combat engineer is also trained as an infantry rifleman and has general combat-engineering training as well as special expertise. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1305x1078, 201 KB) Summary ES71-19-1 (SC345736) Army Engineers place satchel charges and primer cord, preparatory to blowing up a railway bridge somewhere in Korea. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1305x1078, 201 KB) Summary ES71-19-1 (SC345736) Army Engineers place satchel charges and primer cord, preparatory to blowing up a railway bridge somewhere in Korea. ... A satchel charge is a large canvas-covered bomb that started being used in World War 2. ... Detonating cord, also called detonation cord, detacord, det. ... The Korean War (Korean hangul: 한국전쟁; hanja: 韓國戰爭; revised: hanguk jeonjang; McCune-Reischauer: hanguk chŏnjang), from June 25, 1950 to cease-fire on July 27, 1953 (technically speaking, the war has not yet ended), was a conflict between North Korea and South Korea. ... Engineering applies scientific and technical knowledge to solve human problems. ... Combat, or fighting, is purposeful conflict between one or more persons, often involving violence and intended to establish dominance over the opposition. ... A log bridge A bridge is a structure built to span a gorge, valley, road, railroad track, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle. ... A typical rural county road in Indiana, USA, where traffic drives on the right. ... A landmine is a type of mine which is placed onto or into the ground and explodes when triggered by a vehicle or person. ... Rifleman may refer to: Rifleman (rank), a private soldier in a rifle unit of infantry Rifleman (bird) or Titipounamu (Acanthisitta chloris), a New Zealand bird The Rifleman, a U.S. television programme starring Chuck Connors You cant find any info about riflemen on Wikipedia. ...

Terminology

A general combat engineer is often called a "Sapper" (the word itself is derived from the French and British armies). In some armies the term Sapper is a professional term and indicates a specific military rank and level of training. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with combat engineering. ... Military rank, or simply rank, is a system of grading seniority and command within military organizations. ...

For example:

• Sapper (abbreviated "Spr.") is both the Royal Engineers' and the Royal Canadian Engineers' equivalent of Private.
• This is also the case within the Royal Australian Engineers, where referring to a Sapper as a Private is considered an insult and can result in disciplinary charges being laid.
• In the Israeli Defence Forces, Sapper 07 ( פלס 07 ) is a professional-rank denoting a combat engineer who has graduated basic general engineering training.

Also to note is that the term combat engineer is different from field engineer in the United States Army. The latter usually denotes a mechanic of the Ordnance Corps who is skilled in field maintenance of equipment, weapons and armored fighting vehicles. In the British Army's Royal Engineers, however, the terms are synonymous, with a Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers tradesman being designated a mechanic or technician. The Corps of Royal Engineers (RE), commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army. ... The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (Hebrew: צבא ההגנה לישראל Tsva Ha-Haganah Le-Yisrael ([Army] Force [for] the Defense of Israel), often abbreviated צהל Tsahal, alternative English spelling Tzahal, is the name of Israels armed forces (army, air force and navy). ... US Army Seal HHC, US Army Distinctive Unit Insignia The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces that has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... A Mechanic is a person who fixes things (generally machinery) or works to keeps things operating properly. ... An armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) is a military vehicle, equipped with protection against hostile attacks and often mounted weapons. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... The Corps of Royal Engineers (RE), commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army. ... Ñ The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers cap badge The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME; usually pronounced phonetically as Reemee) is a corps of the British Army that has responsibility for the maintenance of all electrical and mechanical equipment. ...

A Military engineer is an engineer specializing in military applications such as construction, fortification design, weapons design and more. The difference between a military engineer and a combat engineer is that a combat engineer usually operates during battle and under fire, while a military engineer is mostly not directly involved in the fighting. A military engineer is also usually a commissioned officer, whereas a combat engineer can hold any rank. A military engineer is primarily responsible for the design and construction of offensive and defensive structures for warfare. ... Cranes are essential in large construction projects, such as this skyscraper Construction on the North Bytown Bridge in Ottawa, Canada. ... Nakhal Fort, one of the best-preserved forts in Oman. ... In military organizations, a commissioned officer is a member of the service who derives authority directly from a sovereign power, and as such holds a commission from that power. ...

In the British and Australian armies, an assault pioneer is an infantry soldier with some combat engineering training. As well as clearing obstacles during the assault and light engineering duties, until recently assault pioneers were responsible for the operation of flamethrowers. German troops use a flamethrower on the Eastern Front during the Second World War A flamethrower is a mechanical device designed to throw flames or, more correctly, project an ignited stream of liquid. ...

Role

This field-deployable apparatus, known as EFA, used by the engineers of the French Army, may either be used as a bridge (deployed in a series), or as a ferry.

• Mobility
  • Clearing terrain obstacles
  • Overcoming trenches and ditches
  • Opening routes for armored fighting vehicles
  • Constructing roads and bridges
  • Clearing landmine fields
• Explosive material handling
  • Clearing landmine fields
  • Planting landmines
  • EOD and bomb disposal
  • Detonating booby traps and clearing areas of explosives
  • Accurate demolitions
• Defence
  • Building fortifications
  • Building outposts
  • Building fences
• Counter mobility
  • Planting landmines
  • Digging trenches and ditches
  • Demolishing roads and bridges
• Assault
  • Opening routes during assault
  • Demolishing enemy structures (using bulldozers or explosive charges).
• Defence against NBC weapon threats
  • Disposal of Chemical weapons
  • Disposal of Biological weapons
  • Disposal of Radiological weapons

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1972x784, 300 KB) Mobile field-deployable bridge (EFA) of the engineers of the French Army official page Photo taken during the July 14, 2003 military parade on the Champs Élysées (unfortunately a CRS officer put his head in front of... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1972x784, 300 KB) Mobile field-deployable bridge (EFA) of the engineers of the French Army official page Photo taken during the July 14, 2003 military parade on the Champs Élysées (unfortunately a CRS officer put his head in front of... The EFA, folded into its truck. ... French soldiers of the IFOR in Mostar, 1995. ... A log bridge A bridge is a structure built to span a gorge, valley, road, railroad track, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle. ... The Pride of Burgundy, a P&O Ferries car ferry on the Dover-Calais route A ferry is a boat or a ship carrying passengers, and sometimes their vehicles, on scheduled services. ... Mobility is the ability and willingness to move or change; this can depend on motor skills, special tools such as a walking stick, walker or wheelchair, vehicles, uncongested roads, public transport; mobility with regard to ones home depends on availability of houses and being bound to an area because... A ditch with water can be used for drainage and irrigation. ... An armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) is a military vehicle, equipped with protection against hostile attacks and often mounted weapons. ... A typical rural county road in Indiana, USA, where traffic drives on the right. ... A log bridge A bridge is a structure built to span a gorge, valley, road, railroad track, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle. ... A landmine is a type of mine which is placed onto or into the ground and explodes when triggered by a vehicle or person. ... This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ... EOD may stand for Explosive Ordnance Disposal, a bomb disposal EOD can be an acronym for end of discussion EOD can be an acronym for end of day EOD can be an acronym for Esoteric Order of Dagon This page concerning a three-letter acronym or abbreviation is a disambiguation... US Soldiers removing landmines Bomb disposal is the process by which hazardous devices are rendered safe. ... This article is about an antipersonnel trap designed for use against humans. ... A massive crane is used to demolish this tower block in northern England Demolition is the opposite of construction: the tearing-down of buildings and other structures. ... The words defense or defence can refer to any of the following: For defense of a doctoral dissertation see thesis committee For the military term see defense (military) Civil defense measures and emergency preparedness In politics, defense may be a euphemism for war For legal defense see defense (legal) For... Nakhal Fort, one of the best-preserved forts in Oman. ... Outpost may mean: a trading post is a place for trading goods, typically in a remote wilderness area Outpost (computer game) outpost (chess) Outpost. ... A bulldozer is a powerful crawler (caterpillar tracked tractor) equipped with a blade. ... -1... Dressing the wounded during a gas attack by Austin O. Spare, 1918. ... Biological warfare, also known as germ warfare, is the use of any organism (bacteria, virus or other disease_causing organism) or toxin found in nature, as a weapon of war. ... A radiological weapon (or radiological dispersion device, RDD) is any weapon that is designed to spread radioactive contamination, either to kill, or to deny the use of an area (a modern version of salting the earth) and consists of a device (such as a nuclear or conventional explosive) which spreads...

Tools

This EBG combat engineering vehicle is used by the engineers of the French Army for a variety of missions.

• Combat engineering vehicles
  • Sapper carriers
  • Modified tanks
  • Bridgelaying tank
  • M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle
• Engineering vehicles
  • Armoured bulldozers (such as the IDF Caterpillar D9)
  • bulldozers, front loaders, excavators, cranes, tractors etc
• Reconnaissance vehicles
• Minelayer
• Mine breaching devices
  • Dozer blade
  • Mine rollers
• EOD robots
• Explosives, mines and bombs
• Field-deployable bridges (ex: French EFA)

Download high resolution version (2236x1128, 489 KB)This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons, a repository of free content hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation. ... Download high resolution version (2236x1128, 489 KB)This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons, a repository of free content hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation. ... French soldiers of the IFOR in Mostar, 1995. ... The EBG combat engineering vehicle, based on the AMX 30 tank, is used by the engineers of the French Army for a variety of missions. ... The M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle (CEV) is a combat engineering vehicle of the United States Army, consisting of an M60A1 tank with a dozer blade mounted on the front, and an A-frame crane hinged on each side of the turret. ... An excavator. ... A bulldozer is a powerful crawler (caterpillar tracked tractor) equipped with a blade. ... The Caterpillar D9 is a large track-type tractor (commonly referred to as a bulldozer) with caterpillar tracks designed and manufactured by Caterpillar Inc. ... A front loader can be a Loader (equipment) - a form of tractor Washing machine - front loading type This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... A tracked excavator by Daewoo. ... A tower crane with a pivoted main boom Cranes on the Shenska River, Cherepovets, Russia A crane is a tower or derrick equipped with cables and pulleys that is used to lift and lower materials. ... Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ... EOD may stand for Explosive Ordnance Disposal, a bomb disposal EOD can be an acronym for end of discussion EOD can be an acronym for end of day EOD can be an acronym for Esoteric Order of Dagon This page concerning a three-letter acronym or abbreviation is a disambiguation... A log bridge A bridge is a structure built to span a gorge, valley, road, railroad track, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle. ...

History

In ancient times, combat engineers were responsible for siege warfare and building field fortifications, temporary camps and roads. The most notable engineers of ancient times were the Romans, who constructed huge siege-machines (catapults, battering rams and siege towers) and were responsible for constructing fortified wooden camps and paved roads for their legions. Many of these Roman roads are still in use two thousand years later. A siege is a prolonged military blockade and assault of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition. ... Fortifications (Latin fortis, strong, and facere, to make) are military constructions designed for defensive warfare. ... Ancient Rome was a civilization that existed in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East between 753 BC and its downfall in AD 476. ... Replica catapult at Château des Baux, France Catapults are siege engines using an arm to hurl a projectile a great distance. ... Replica battering ram at Château des Baux, France A battering ram is a weapon used from ancient times. ... A siege tower is a specialized siege engine, constructed to protect assailants and ladders whilst approaching the defensive walls of a fortification. ... Legion can refer to several encylopedic topics, including: In military history, an organization or military unit: A Roman legion. ... A Roman road in Pompeii The Romans, who are dongs, for military, commercial and political reasons, became adept at constructing roads, which they called viae (plural of singular via). ...

In the Middle Ages combat engineers focused on siege warfare. They planned castles and fortresses. When laying siege, they planned and oversaw efforts to penetrate castle defences. When castles served a military purpose, one of the tasks of the sappers was to weaken the bases of walls to enable them to be breached before means of thwarting these activities were devised. Broadly speaking, sappers were experts at demolishing or otherwise overcoming or bypassing fortification systems. The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... The Alcázar of Segovia, Spain A castle (from the Latin castellum, diminutive of castra, a military camp, in turn the plural of castrum or watchpost), is a fort, a camp and the logical development of a fortified enclosure. ...

When cannon first appeared, combat engineers were responsible for maintaining them while planning counter-artillery fortifications. A small cast-iron cannon on a carriage A cannon is any large tubular firearm designed to fire a heavy projectile over a considerable distance. ... Historically, artillery refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. ... Nakhal Fort, one of the best-preserved forts in Oman. ...

For more information about combat engineering before the modern era, see: Military engineer. A military engineer is primarily responsible for the design and construction of offensive and defensive structures for warfare. ...

During the 20th century, combat engineers gained vast knowledge and experience in explosives. They are tasked with planting bombs, landmines and dynamite. Moreover, they are the only units with the clearance to detonate enemy explosive charges and the handling of unexploded ordinance. They are in charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) department and train specialists to defuse bombs. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ... A landmine is a type of mine which is placed onto or into the ground and explodes when triggered by a vehicle or person. ... Dynamite is an explosive based on the explosive potential of nitroglycerin using diatomaceous earth (Kieselguhr) as an absorbent. ... US Soldiers removing landmines Bomb disposal is the process by which hazardous devices are rendered safe. ...

Modern combat engineering still retains the Roman role of building field fortifications, road paving and the breaching of terrain obstacles. A notable combat engineer task was, for example, the breaching of the Suez Canal during the Yom Kippur War. Nakhal Fort, one of the best-preserved forts in Oman. ... 1881 drawing of the Suez Canal The Suez Canal (Arabic, Qanā al-Suways), west of the Sinai Peninsula, is a 163 km maritime canal in Egypt between Port Said (Būr Saīd) on the Mediterranean Sea and Suez (al-Suways) on the Red Sea. ... The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War (Hebrew: מלחמת יום הכיפורים; transliterated: Milhemet Yom HaKipurim or מלחמת יום כיפור Milhemet Yom Kipur; Arabic: حرب أكتوبر; transliterated: Harb October or حرب تشرين transliterated: Harb Tishrin), also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli...

Specific combat engineering corps

United States

Main article: United States Army Corps of Engineers. United States Army Corps of Engineers logo The United States Army Corps of Engineers, or USACE, is made up of some 34,600 civilian and 650 military men and women. ...

In the United States Army, the four tasks of combat engineer units are mobility, countermobility, survivability, and general engineering. US Army Seal HHC, US Army Distinctive Unit Insignia The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces that has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ...

• Mobility: improving your own force's ability to move around the battlefield. Combat engineers typically support this role through reduction of enemy obstacles which include point and row minefields, anti-tank ditches, wire obstacles, concrete and metal anti-vehicle barriers and wall and door breaching in urban terrain. Mechanized combat engineer units also have armored vehicles capable of laying short bridges for limited gap-crossing.
• Countermobility: building obstacles to prevent the enemy from moving around the battlefield. Destroying bridges, blocking roads, cratering airstrips, digging trenches, etc. Can also include planting landmines and booby traps when authorized and directed to do so.
• Survivability: building structures which enable one's own soldiers to survive on the battlefield. Examples include trenches, bunkers, shelters, and armored vehicle fighting positions.
• General Engineering: general engineering sustains military forces in the theater through the performance of facility construction and repair, and through acquisition, maintenance, and disposal of real property.

Plastic explosives are heavily used in combat engineering. Your Grandma. ... A landmine is a type of mine which is placed onto or into the ground and explodes when triggered by a vehicle or person. ... This article is about an antipersonnel trap designed for use against humans. ... A Norwegian soldier (a Corporal, armed with an MP-5) A soldier is a person who has enlisted with, or has been conscripted into, the armed forces of a sovereign country and has undergone training and received equipment to defend that country or its interests. ... Plastic explosive (or plastique) is a specialised form of explosive material. ... Engineering applies scientific and technical knowledge to solve human problems. ...

MOTTO: The motto of the American Engineers, "ESSAYONS," is French for "Let us try."

Explosive Ordnance Disposal EOD units in the U.S. Army are manned by ordnance personnel. EOD may stand for Explosive Ordnance Disposal, a bomb disposal EOD can be an acronym for end of discussion EOD can be an acronym for end of day EOD can be an acronym for Esoteric Order of Dagon This page concerning a three-letter acronym or abbreviation is a disambiguation...

See also the United States Navy's Seabees. The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... The official motto of the Seabees, the United States Navy Construction Battalions, is Construimus, Batuimus—We Build, We Fight. ...

Israel

IDF Caterpillar D9.
Armored bulldozers are standard combat engineering tools, as they can perform construction, destruction and EOD missions under heavy fire.

Main article: Israeli Engineering Corps. Image File history File links D9-idf_pic214. ... Image File history File links D9-idf_pic214. ... The Caterpillar D9 is a large track-type tractor (commonly referred to as a bulldozer) with caterpillar tracks designed and manufactured by Caterpillar Inc. ... The Israeli Engineering Corps are the combat engineering forces of צהל - the Israeli Defence Forces. ...

In the Israeli Defence Forces the combat engineers are organized under the Israel Engineering Corps (Hebrew: חיל ההנדסה הקרבית). In addition to IEC sappers, each infantry brigade has an engineer company trained with basic engineering and EOD skills. IEC sappers are often attached to other units (such as armored divisions or infantry) in order to help them breach obstacles and handle explosive threats. The IEC operates advance engineering tools such as Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozer, IDF Puma armored CEV, EOD robots and electromagnetic mine-detectors. Their main role is enabling Israeli forces to advance (breach the enemy's obstacles), stop the enemy's movement, handle explosive and perform construction and destruction under fire. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (Hebrew: צבא ההגנה לישראל Tsva Ha-Haganah Le-Yisrael ([Army] Force [for] the Defense of Israel), often abbreviated צהל Tsahal, alternative English spelling Tzahal, is the name of Israels armed forces (army, air force and navy). ... The Israeli Engineering Corps are the combat engineering forces of צהל - the Israeli Defence Forces. ... Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afro-Asiatic language family spoken by more than 6 million people, mainly in Israel, the West Bank, the United States and by Jewish communities around the world. ... The Caterpillar D9 is a large track-type tractor (commonly referred to as a bulldozer) with caterpillar tracks designed and manufactured by Caterpillar Tractor Company. ... The EBG combat engineering vehicle, based on the AMX 30 tank, is used by the engineers of the French Army for a variety of missions. ... EOD may stand for Explosive Ordnance Disposal, a bomb disposal EOD can be an acronym for end of discussion EOD can be an acronym for end of day EOD can be an acronym for Esoteric Order of Dagon This page concerning a three-letter acronym or abbreviation is a disambiguation... Electromagnetism is the physics of the electromagnetic field: a field, encompassing all of space, composed of the electric field and the magnetic field. ...

United Kingdom

See: Royal Engineers. The Corps of Royal Engineers (RE), commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army. ...