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What did the Pioneer Corps do in ww2?
In the early part of the Second World War, the Pioneer Corps was apparently the only British military unit in which enemy aliens could serve. Thousands of German and Austrian nationals joined the Pioneer Corps to assist Allied war efforts and the liberation of their home countries.
What does Ampc stand for in the Army?
In September 1939, a number of infantry and cavalry reservists were formed into Works Labour Companies. These, in October 1939 became the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps (AMPC), and a Labour Directorate was created to control labour matters. On 22 November 1940 the name was changed from the AMPC to the Pioneer Corps.
What do Assault Pioneers do?
The Infantry Assault Soldier/Pioneer conveys unique skills to the battlefield, he is able to provide mobility, counter mobility and survivability to his Battalion. He is just as adept in providing his unit with water as he is with handling explosives, building a bridge or fortifying defensive positions.
Can Pathfinders grow beards?
Soldiers can grow a beard for medical reasons, such as in the case of a temporary skin irritation, or, more commonly for religious reasons. It is prohibited, for example, within the Sikh religion to cut one’s hair. As a result, Sikh personnel within the British Army are allowed to have beards.
Why are Pioneer sergeants allowed beards?
They were traditionally the largest, strongest and most imposing members of the company. The pioneer sergeant also acted as the blacksmith for the unit. As a result, he was allowed a beard to protect his face from the heat of the forge.
Why do Assault Pioneers have beards?
“The wearing of the beard was a privilege, because their task was considered so arduous in warfare. Away from the regiment and the niceties of formal camp life, they were permitted facial hair.
Why do Royal Marines have moustaches?
After the Crimean war, rules were introduced to prevent soldiers of all ranks shaving above their top lip, this basically meant moustaches were compulsory to any that could grow them.
Can a Royal Marine have a beard?
Since 1916, the British Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Marines have allowed moustaches and side whiskers. Beards are not covered under this acceptance, apart from when they are grown for medical or religious reasons. Beards are permitted to special forces on secret missions.
How do I research a soldier who served in the Pioneer Corps?
The most important document to research a soldier who served in the Pioneer Corps is their service record which is held by the Ministry of Defence. Without a service record, most soldiers will be impossible to research unless they became a casualty, you have a large quantity of documentation relating to their service or they were an officer.
What was the Pioneer Corps?
Most of the Corps’ units were companies which were divided into sections which often worked away from each other. The Pioneer Corps served around the world during the war, from Iceland and Italy to Madagascar and Malta. Wherever the British Army was operating, there was usually a large number of Pioneer Corps companies.
How detailed are the war diaries of the Pioneer Corps?
Pioneer Corps war diaries can be very hit and miss regarding the level of detail found in them. While some contain long detailed entries and lots of appendices, you’ll often find brief and repetitive entries. Most companies served as part of a group which administered a number of companies under its command.
What was the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps in WW2?
On 17 October 1939, shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War, the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps was formed. In November 1940, it was redesignated as the Pioneer Corps and in 1946 was granted the Royal prefix on account of its valuable work during the war. The Corps’ antecedent in the First World War was the Labour Corps.