A
sapper, also called
pioneer or
combat engineer, is a
combatant or
soldier who performs a variety of
military engineering duties such as bridge-building, laying or clearing
minefields, demolitions, field defences and general construction, as well as road and airfield construction and repair. They are also trained to serve as infantry personnel in defensive and offensive operations. A sapper's duties are devoted to tasks involving facilitating movement, defence and survival of allied forces and impeding those of enemies.