A military engineer is primarily responsible for the design and construction of offensive, defensive and logistical structures for warfare. Other duties include the layout, placement, maintenance and dismantling of defensive minefields and the clearing of enemy minefields and the construction and destruction of bridges. In some cases an engineer may be required to destroy something that that same engineer designed and constructed. For other uses of War, see War (disambiguation). ... 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 the edifice. ... Engineering is the application of science to the needs of humanity. ...

In some countries, the modern military may comprise engineering units in say, weapon design or procurement, or of non-military civil engineering (e.g. flood control and river navigation works) which are not covered by this article. The term civil engineer refers to an individual who practices civil engineering. ... A flood (in Old English flod, a word common to Teutonic languages; compare German Flut, Dutch vloed from the same root as is seen in flow, float) is an overflow of water, an expanse of water submerging land, a deluge. ... For the Second World War frigate class, see River class frigate The Murray River in Australia A river is a large natural waterway. ...

In modern times a military engineer that usually operates during battle and under fire is called a combat engineer. For more modern aspects of military engineering and tools of the combat engineering corps, see combat engineering. See also the town of Battle, East Sussex, England Generally, a battle is an instance of combat between two or more parties wherein each group will seek to defeat the others. ... A US army combat engineer setting up a communications cable. ... A US army combat engineer setting up a communications cable. ...

Defensive

Defensive fortifications are designed to prevent intrusion into the inner works by siege infantry. For minor defensive locations these may only consist of simple walls and ditches. The design principle is to slow down the advance of attackers to where they can be destroyed by defenders from sheltered positions. Most large fortifications are not a single structure but rather a concentric series of fortifications of increasing strength. Fortified cities would typically include an inner "old town"' within walls. Should the city be attacked, those residing outside the walls would enter the inner city. Within this would be a redoubt, or citadel, to which defenders could retreat should the walls or gates be breached. Fortifications (Latin fortis, strong, and facere, to make) are military constructions designed for defensive warfare. ... A siege is a prolonged military blockade and assault of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition. ... A wall is a usually solid structure that defines and sometimes protects space. ... The defensive wall of Braşov, Romania. ... This article is about a type of fortification. ...

The placement of mines to create minefields and their maintenance and disassembly is another defensive task.

When the defender must retreat it is often desirable to destroy anything that may be of use to the enemy, but particularly bridges, as their destruction can slow the advance of the attackers. The retreating forces may also leave booby traps for enemy soldiers, even though these often wreak their havoc upon non-combatant civilians. This article is about an antipersonnel trap designed for use against humans. ...

Offensive

In ancient times, fortifications were assaulted by siege engines. These could be projectile throwing devices or simple moving towers that could allow attackers protection while positioning them above the top of the fortification's walls. A siege engine is a device that is designed to break or circumvent city walls and other fortifications in siege warfare. ...

The undermining of the defender's walls by tunneling is called sapping. With the military use of gunpowder this explosive could be placed in tunnels to explode directly under the walls. The most spectacular use of this technique in the 19th century was during the United States' Civil War. Sapping, or undermining, was a siege method used in the Middle Ages against fortified castles. ... Gunpowder is a substance which burns very rapidly and is used as a propellant in firearms. ... This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ...

The clearing of enemy minefields is another offensive task.

Often the defender in retreat will destroy bridges to impede the attacker. These must be quickly replaced by the attacker in order to retain offensive mobility. In World War II a short portable bridge called the Bailey bridge could be quickly placed by a specialized transporter vehicle. Pontoon bridges have long been used as temporary replacements for destroyed river crossings. Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... Bailey bridge over the Coppename river at Witagron, Suriname. ... A pontoon bridge Pontoon bridges are floating bridges supported by floating pontoons with sufficient buoyancy to support the bridge and dynamic loads. ...

Image gallery

The design, construction, and demolition of the works and devices shown would be the task of a military engineer in the appropriate era.

For a larger view of this gallery see Military engineer (images).

See also

• Military technology and equipment
• Bailey bridge
• Military engineering projects of World War II:
  • Mulberry Harbour
  • Operation Pluto
• Military engineers
  • Pierre Charles L'Enfant
  • Leslie Groves
  • John Rosworm
  • Vauban
• Civil engineer
• Royal Engineers
• Sapper