Sappers

servicemen of sapper (sapper engineer) units and subunits of the engineer troops.

In the early 17th century the term “sapper” was applied to workers and soldiers charged with setting up saps under enemy fortification works and destroying the works. Later the sappers’ functions were broadened to include all military engineer works connected with combat. Sappers were formed into special units and subunits in France in 1678 and in Russia in 1712. In the 19th and 20th centuries several categories of servicemen, such as signalmen, railroad men, aeronautics specialists, and motor vehicle operators, were separated from the corps of sappers. In the armed forces of modern states, sappers form the basis of the engineer troops.