RTA146 A Pair of Santa Anna’s Assault Pioneers’

     These two axe-wielding Mexican military pioneers, also known as ‘sappers’, were the original ‘combat engineers’ of their day who historically marched at the head of an army or infantry column.  Their job was to clear away any obstacles or obstructions from the path of advancing or attacking troops.
     The iconic image of an assault pioneer features a taller than average soldier with a full beard… a heavy leather apron and, of course, a large heavy axe.
     At the time of the final assault on the Alamo, Santa Anna’s Pioneers were at the forefront of the Mexican infantry hacking their way through the wooden gates and doors embedded in the rough adobe and stone walls surrounding the old mission.