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Hey people, I am a history fanatic. And it appears that i am the only person that knows much about Sappers more commonly known as Royal Engineers. I normally manage to answer the questions myself, but these three questions stump me. By the way these questions came from a student in my University Course. I have not been able to find anything online to answer these questions and so i hope you History genius's could shed some light. Thank you very much. Q1. How influential were the sappers, in key battles, in the ultimate outcome of the battle? Q2. Without bridges, the clearance of land mines, demolitions, field defences as well as building, road and airfield construction and repair, how could the british function without them? Q.3 How would the british defense retaliate to attacks, and how poor would there defense be if there were no technical engineers?
Are these questions in relation to specific battles or just general questions? The answers depend on how specific the context of the questions is. I think I can help you out with these but I need the answers to these two questions first.
Thank you for your speedy reply. These questions are only general questions. I couldn't see your other question? Thanks again.
Q1. How influential were the sappers, in key battles, in the ultimate outcome of the battle?
It depends on the battle, specifics are important here. There were key battles in history that sappers played a great role in the battle itself. Examples include, Alexander the Great and the Siege of Tyre or virtually any other siege in history. But there are few maneuver battles in which sappers played a vital role. The most important role sappers have traditionally played in maneuver battles is facilitating movement either through the construction of roads and bridges or through clearing obstacles.
Q2. Without bridges, the clearance of land mines, demolitions, field defences as well as building, road and airfield construction and repair, how could the British function without them?
You can certainly function without many of these things but having them certainly makes military operations easier. The key to military operations is achieving the most effect with the least effort. In this respect, sappers are a force multiplier.
Q.3 How would the British defense retaliate to attacks, and how poor would there defense be if there were no technical engineers?
I don?t understand what you are asking by saying retaliate to attacks. It arguably true that trained engineers make devising defenses easier and those very defenses more formidable, however, trained engineers are not a requirement for a successful defense; they just make it possible to devise defenses that require less manpower to defend them.
Not neccessarily, WWI is a special case that does not fit into traditional military tactics and strategy. Because of the weapons mix, WWI was a transitional period and technology had outpaced doctrine when the war broke out, this gave sappers a more prominent role in combat than has been the historical norm.
Is it possible if you could re answer those questions but with information from WW1? And don't worry about Question 3 on my first page, could you change answer the one in my last post? I thank you so much for being a valuable source of information for me. Thanks Scout!
Q1. How influential were the Sappers, in key battles, in the ultimate outcome of the battle?
It depends on the Battle. I would say that no, Sappers were never key actors. The battles would have continued without them. The one time I can think of when the British tried to make Sapper skills decisive backfired at The Battle of Paschendale where the British tried to explode mines under Germans lines to force a breakthrough. The explosions were huge and did destroy a portion of the German lines but they also devastated the terrain to such an extent that the BEF was incapable of capitalizing on the German disorientation before the Germans managed to reinforce the position. Ultimately, Paschendale was as big a slugfest as the vast majority of other WWI battles.
Q2. Without bridges, the clearance of land mines, demolitions, field defenses as well as building, road and airfield construction and repair, how could the British function without them?
The quick is answer is they probably could not. Sapper work on the British Lines of Communication was invaluable in making it possible for the combat forces to be sustained. They constructed more than just roads and bridges. The Sappers built Light rail lines for artillery supply, they built the CCS's and Hospitals used by the BEF. They were also responsible for maintenance of the communications trenches between defensive lines that were often the only semi-safe method of resupplying the front-line trenches.Anything else, just ask. There are several good books out that address the contributions of Sappers to the war effort within the context of the war effort as a whole.
Thank you very much for your reply. I have one more question. Without the key defensive structures the Sappers built would the British Army have lost more men then they did with it? I know you have done A LOT for me already and I thank you very much for that, this last part may be a bit much but for each Question could you have a paragraph that actually agrees with them? It would be great if they were set up as a real History paragraph should. For example, topic sentence, example, proof and then link to the originally question? I would appreciate that very much. I think that could benefit me dearly. Just a quick question, how do you know so much about Sappers? Thank you very much Scout, if i could do anything for you in the future, I am instantly there. Thanks a lot, you have helped an old man today.
What key defensive structures are you referring to?I can point you to some references but I simply do not have the time to write academically correct paragraphs relating to these questions, sorry.I have been studying military history for about 20 years.
Thank you anyway. You have been very helpful. Now I only need to find some History type paragraphs about them.
When I say defensive fortifications I mean trenches, dirt mounds, some buildings and so on. Also could I make a History Type essay with these questions to keep for personal research but you edit and proof read it for me? Thanks
Sappers did not design the first trench systems, they were developed by the front-line troops as a reaction to local conditions. The sappers did devise trench systems later in the war but I would be willing to bet that nowhere did the actual front reflect doctrinal trench systems.
Also could I make a History Type essay with these questions to keep for personal research but you edit and proof read it for me?
That sounds suspiciously like asking me to do your homework for you, which I absolutely will not do. The surest way to get a grasp of any subject is to research it yourself. I am happy to answer questions and I will point you to some sources, but I will not write a paper for you. Sorry.
No, no no, you are mistaken, I am not asking you to do my homework for me. I was only asking if you could give me any points on it. I am writing it all, you just seem like the person to ask for essays on Sappers. No one over here would know as much as you do.
As I previously stated I am happy to answer questions. I am in the middle of writing a book length manuscript as a capstone for my own MA studies and do not have the time to write other essays. I will help you and provide clarification of points you dont fully grasp.Where are you located, are you in England?
