Pioneer Platoon*
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Pioneers are a very important support to the infantry in both attack and defence. In a battalion there is one pioneer platoon that is specialized in breaching enemy minefields under fire, as well as to lay minefields to bolster the defence of the riflemen.*
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The pioneer platoon uses same means of transportation as the parent battalion. The pioneer sections are rather large compared to jaeger sections and they also have two NCOs to allow the section to be used effectively in two places at the same time, if needed. The platoon has a huge stock of mines, explosives and breaching materiel to be used in any kind of mission, from constructing barriers to breaching of large scale minefields.*
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In defence the platoon can construct approximately one full defensive barrier, or few harrasment barriers (for deception/slowing down the enemy) a day. A barrier contains a number of minefields, abatis and obstacles, such as anti-tank ditches and blown up bridges. These barriers are constructed to multiply the terrain's defensive propertied and in cooperation with indirect fire they are used to prevent the enemy from overrunning the defences.*
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During attack the battalion's pioneer platoon is used to breach enemy minefields and obstacles using pipecharges (bangalores), that create a narrow path through the minefield that the infantry uses. Once the minefield is secured, the pioneers will make the breach wider allowing vehicles to move through.*