A "sapper," in the sense first used by the French military, was one who sapped (undermined) another's fortifications.

   An elete assignment, Viet Cong/ North Vietnamese Army Sappers were specially trained commandos, usually armed with explosives packs (satchel charges). They infiltrated allied base perimeters to clear the way for ground assault troops and or to set their charges within the unsuspecting allied military fortifications creating confusion and disorder just prior to ground assaults.