This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2018) |
A sapper, also called a combat engineer, is a combatant or soldier who performs a variety of military engineering duties,[1] such as breaching fortifications, demolitions, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, preparing field defenses, and road and airfield construction and repair.
Sappers are also trained and equipped to serve secondarily as provisional infantry.[2]
Sappers facilitate and support the movement, defense, and survival of superordinate and allied forces, and impede those of enemies.
The term "sapper" is used in the British Army and Commonwealth nations, the U.S. military, and the militaries of other countries.