MiniArt 35083 British Royal Engineers

During World War II, several dozen divisions were formed as part of the British Army, and at the end of the war they served in its ranks about 2.9 million people. An important role in this large army was played by sub-units of sappers, which were subordinate to the Corps of Royal Engineers, often referred to as Royal Engineers (abbreviated as: RE). During World War II, British sappers were responsible for the broadly understood technical support of British troops, including minefields, demining, creating fortified points of resistance, etc. Before 1939, only volunteers came to the Royal Engineers, and their age could reach up to 35 years of age. The service lasted 6 years in the line and 6 years in reserve. The training process (before 1939) was carried out in two centers in Royal Engineers Depot in Chatham and Royal Engineers Mounted Depot in Aldershot. During the war, the RE consisted mainly of conscripts - after appropriate training, of course. It is worth adding that both the British infantry division and the armored division included a separate battalion of sappers, very often motorized.