and sappers — to replenish the infantry, often causing a shortage in the now forcibly depleted units. Read also: ‘Absurd phenomenon’ — The manpower issue threatening to weaken Ukraine’s ...

Coal miners became 'sappers', experts at tunnels and trenches ... fire thousands of shells to flatten enemy defences before the infantry ran forward. This was known as a barrage.

McTighe’s previous operational assignments began at Fort Drum, New York, from 2002–05, where as a Sapper platoon leader he deployed with the 2-14th Infantry in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

and sappers — to replenish the infantry, often causing a shortage in the now forcibly depleted units. On Jan. 14, a video featuring about a dozen Air Force servicemen surfaced online.