The role of an Engineer is varied, including combat engineers, firefighters, plant operators, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians. These roles often times mean working in challenging environments, on complex problems needing time-critical solutions, and requiring vast technical skill and knowledge.
This vast range of technical skills and knowledge include bridge construction/demolition, explosives, field surveying, mine clearance, booby traps, explosives search, boating, water supply, tree felling, sawmill operation, minor construction, rigging, small engines, operating heavy construction vehicles such as bull-dozers and cranes, as well as military bridging systems and combat tractors, and train as world-class firefighters.
Obviously, no one Engineer does all of the above, but it goes to show the variety of the roles of the Royal New Zealand Engineers and the level of technical skill required to maintain the NZ Army’s ability to move and manoeuvre on the battlefield without interference from hostile forces. Engineers really are ‘everywhere’!
We love that we share our birthday with the Royal New Zealand Engineers. It is a really fitting connection for us to the corps that helped build our Museum. So, from all of us here at the National Army Museum Te Mata Toa, happy Sappers’ Day to the men and women (past and present) of the Royal New Zealand Engineers!
