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127:") light engineering support in the same sense as a mortar platoon provides the same battalion with its own "organic" indirect fire support. This organic support permits the infantry battalion to conduct operations effectively without relying on the external support of combat engineers who are normally subject to a demanding list of priority tasks across the battlefield. On operations, assault pioneers often work separately in small detachments providing specialist skills, tools and advice to the infantry companies and platoons with those sub-units providing the bulk of the labour.
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The term "assault pioneer" reflects the tradition (arising in the First and Second World Wars) of employing these soldiers in the first wave of assaults on fortified enemy positions, using their skills and equipment to support the attacking force in crossing and breaching the enemy's defenses. While
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who have formed an essential part of armies since at least the time of the Roman legions. These pioneers were normally employed to march in front of the advancing army, clearing the route as necessary. They could also construct defenses and bivouac facilities. More recently (since the Second World
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During World War II, British Army pioneer platoons had ten pioneers plus tradesmen. In 1944 they were renamed
Assault Pioneer Platoons and had two Assault Sections plus one Pioneer Section. The five man strong Assault Sections had a jeep and trailer and a 3-ton lorry. The Assault Sections had
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times) and was one of the dress practices adopted by the
British after their defeat of Napoleon in 1815 (along with the Foot Guards bearskin headdress). In the Australian and Canadian armies, on special occasions some battalions may still parade a ceremonial detachment of assault pioneers in
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infantry units. In some of these armies, soldiers serving in an assault pioneer platoon can be identified by a specialist skill badge of two crossed felling axes sewn on their uniforms. These felling axes have traditionally been iconic of the pioneer in various armies throughout history.
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The wearing of beards by assault pioneers has also been a traditional practice at various times in infantry battalions of
British and Commonwealth armies, such as those of Australia and Canada. This tradition began in the French Army (possibly in
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historical uniforms wearing leather aprons, gauntlets and gaiters, and carrying the various tools of their trade such as felling axes, crosscut saws, hatchets and billhooks, picks and shovels.
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decided to bring back assault pioneers to bridge the gap between the Royal
Canadian engineers and the infantry. They were also brought back because of experiences from Afghanistan and
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assault pioneers normally function in a specialist role, they are infantry soldiers first and are fully capable of engaging in combat as needed.
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The construction of tools for infantry soldiers to cross natural and man-made obstacles as well as breaching of enemy fortifications
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specialist men and equipment for the disposal of mines and breaching obstacles. The
Pioneer Section had eight tradesmen: a
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Supervising the construction of field defensive works such as bunkers, support weapon firing positions, etc.
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Performing of all other normal infantry duties as the situation requires
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in infantry battalions, and such platoons can be found in a number of
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The use of demolitions, land mines and booby traps, as well as their
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289:"Article | Assault Pioneers returning to the Canadian Army"
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317:"The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment - Canadian Army"
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303:"The Princess Louise Fusiliers - Canadian Army"
94:War) assault pioneers have normally formed a
233:Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
89:Assault pioneers are lineal descendants of
196:Driver for 3-ton lorry (Private) with Sten
162:Commander (Corporal), armed with a rifle
243:The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
165:Driver for Jeep (Private) armed with a
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193:Six Carpenters (Privates), with rifles
184:Pioneer Sergeant (Sergeant) with rifle
172:Three Pioneers (Privates) with rifles
331:"Gurkha Allied Rapid Reaction Corps"
219:Units with Assault pioneer platoons
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251:Ghurka ARRC Support Battalion
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223:The Royal Canadian Regiment
190:Mason (Private), with rifle
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360:British Army specialisms
69:who is responsible for:
55:Assault Pioneer Platoon
370:Military engineering
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365:Combat occupations
270:Combat engineering
228:Royal 22 RĂ©giment
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276:References
113:Napoleonic
81:clearance
259:See also
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91:pioneers
125:organic
96:platoon
65:is an
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