All officers and soldiers in the Royal Engineers are trained as Combat Engineers who provide both the brains and the muscle to keep the Army moving and fighting. Combat Engineers use their skills to overcome all physical obstacles, natural and man made. Mobility tasks include bridging, mine clearance, route opening and crossing rivers.
The main role of the Combat Engineer is to provide engineering on the battlefield. Combat Engineering is engineering at the sharp end - the skill, expertise and determination of the Royal Engineers has been at the heart of most of the Army’s achievements from fighting conflicts to rebuilding nations.
When the enemy is on the move, it is the Combat Engineers who block it’s path by creating obstacles, destroying bridges, cratering roads and digging tank traps. Combat Engineers are trained to use explosive charges to create obstacles, crater roads and destroy bridges. In this role, the Sapper may be required to delay detonation until the last possible moment to allow the withdrawal of friendly forces in the face of an advancing enemy.
When the going gets tough for the Army, the Combat Engineers are able to protect troops, equipment and weapon systems with their expert advice and the use of plant machinery to construct earthwork defences. Sappers are also responsible for laying anti-tank mines, either by hand or mechanically, to damage vehicles and disrupt enemy forces.
With such a wide range of skills, the Royal Engineers provide a variety of support to the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. This support includes anything from the provision of clean drinking water to repairing cratered runways. In short, the Combat Engineer is a vital part of the British Forces in both peace and war.
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