Pioneers

the personnel of engineer units in the French, German, British, American, and several other armies.

In the Russian Army of the second half of the 18th and early 19th centuries, pioneers included soldiers of pioneer companies and mounted pioneer squadrons, which, along with mine and sapper companies, were organic to the pioneer battalions, regiments, and brigades of the engineer troops. They were assigned to surmount obstructions and carry out fortification work when attacking enemy fortifications. Pioneers usually acted in advance of attacking columns. During troop movements, pioneers were sent ahead to prepare roads. Pioneer battalions and brigades were renamed sapper battalions and brigades in 1829, and pioneer companies were renamed sapper companies in 1844.