Though often overlooked, engineering in the field was key to Allied success in World War II. Often close to the front line, engineers were responsible for constructing field fortifications and laying, maintaining and repairing routes of communications so commanders could stay in touch with troops in battle. Engineers were trained in explosives and demolitions meaning that they could set booby traps and lay mines and also help to counter enemy minefields, often while under fire. They could enable crossings of rivers and other natural obstacles, or rig bridges and buildings to blow in order to divert or slow enemy movement. Another crucial task was ensuring that vehicles and installations were camouflaged, not just to disguise command posts from enemy ground forces, but to disguise airfields or troops from air attack and perhaps even invite attack on an unimportant area by creating fake buildings and vehicles.

This pocket manual provides an in-depth insight into the training and tasks undertaken by US Army engineers during World War II in all theaters, based on original manuals and reports.