Bagpipers

[Owen]

Mustn't forget the Canadians had a few "Scottish" units.
Canadian Soldier Plays Bagpipes on D-Day - Bagpipes Played by Canadian Soldier on D-Day
Donald I. Grant/ Canada Dept of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-163778
Canadian Soldier Plays Bagpipes on D-Day

[Paul Reed]

Originally Posted by Owen

Yes Paul , these ones.



Photographer: Laing (Sgt)
No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit

Title: THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE NORMANDY CAMPAIGN 1944
Collection No.: 4700-29

Description: Led by their piper, men of 7th Seaforth Highlanders, 15th (Scottish) Division advance during Operation 'Epsom', 26 June 1944.
Period: Second World War

Yes it's that one I was thinking of - a very evocative photo indeed.

[Slipdigit]

Did these boys play only when the unit was on the move or did they keep up that racket during firefights?

[von Poop]

D-Day piper gives bagpipes to nation - Telegraph
D-Day Hero and Museum Clash in Battle of Bagpipes
Scotland's Bill Millin, 81, Honored in Normandy and on Stamp : NPR

Millin's brigadier that day, Lord Lovat, had specifically ignored the general order against bagpipers issued for 9,000 Scottish troops participating in the attack.
Millin held the bagpipes above his head in the waves, making it to the beach amid the chaos and mayhem. He managed to avoid mortars and machine gun fire to play "The Road to the Isles" and march at Lovat's request.
When two captured German snipers were later asked why they didn't shoot the piper, they replied that they thought he was crazy

[sapper]

One of the most evocative memories I have, was of violent action to the sound of the pipes in the back ground. On the high ground on the Eastern route into Caen. With the Colombells area down below.

The Pipes the Pipes.

Stir the blood a little.

It is not only images and scenes that remain with one through the years, but also sounds, sounds that can remind one of times long past. To day, (58 years ago) We were going to take Caen! We had now reached the high ground on the left hand rout into the City of Caen, this dusty road that looked down on the Colombelles industrial area on the outskirts of Caen, with the high building of the ironworks far below, all rusty and gaunt. From our vantage point it was possible to see for miles down below and the ground spread out all round in a wide panoramic view.
Blissfully unaware that the area was still in German hands and that he was watching our every move, (we had been told that the 51st Highland div had taken it) After having a long look at the ground down below we the carried on sweeping and clearing our way forward, to ensure that the way was free from the Enemy and from mines. The Enemy soon put a stop to this, we had just entered and cleared a farm house when all hell was let loose, from the tall rusty looking steel works down below, came a tremendous barrage of shell fire. Point blank shell fire, where one does not hear the shells coming until the last split second, when the incoming fire sounds like an express train with the scream of shells, with violent explosions and tearing shrapnel, the farm house exploded in a great shower of splintered wood and then came down about my shoulders, the flying debris, the continuing scream and flashing fire, the rippling explosion of the shells, an intense barrage, the swirling smoke and pandemonium and ones whole being gripped with fear. The moans and cries of mortally wounded men, my mouth dry and choked with dust. After the fire died down I started to extricate myself, covered in dirt and dust and splintered wood, the bitter stench of cordite.
When in the distance, I heard the sound of the bagpipes, above all that noise, I could hear the skirl of the Scots pipes, when I got out of the rubble I looked down the dusty track and there he was, nonchalantly marching slowly towards us, this piper, khaki kilt swaying from side to side, as he made his way forward concentrating on his playing. Sounds of war! Whenever I hear the pipes I must admit to having a great big lump in my throat, I have been into battle with the sound of the pipes and I cannot hear them without being deeply moved.
Sapper

[Slipdigit]

Thanks Adam, for the links.

So, the Army issued orders that pipes were not to be played. Did this order persist through the remainder of the European campaign?

Brian, I read with interest your memories.

I am confounded that the Germans did not recognize the Pipers for boost to morale they would provide and target them specifically. But then, there are sparse records of them intentionally targeting other, similar targets, such as medics.

[marcus69x]

Brilliant account Brian. As always. Keep 'em coming mate.

Nice links too Adam.

If I'm reading this correctly from the first link, "His pipes were silenced four days later by German shrapnel.", then the ones presented to the national war museum would show signs of battle damage. Mr Carswell should have compared them to the ones in Normandy before rejecting Millins offer. Big mistake in my opinion.

[Owen]

Did these boys play only when the unit was on the move or did they keep up that racket during firefights?

Examples , not D-Day but back in the Desert . December 1940.
2 Camerons , part of 4th Indian Division at Nibeiwa , near Sid Barrani.

The Infantry tumbled out and raced in hotfoot with the bayonet ; above the noise of battle shrilled the skirl of the pipes as the gravely pacing pipers played in the charge.

As for the Argylls elsewhere,


Pipe Major Hill attempted to sound the charge but the flying sand had choked his pipes.

[Slipdigit]

Appreciate your continued input on my questions, Owen.

I've seen to have read here and elsewhere of the pipes being used in the ETO & MTO. How much were they employed in the CBE? I'm wondering if the heat and humdity of the more Southerly climes would have a detrimental effect on the longevity of the bag, seeing that it as made of animal tissue for the most part.

[Owen]

Took me awhile but found these of Pipers in Burma.

Photo Number: SE 521


Photographer: No 9 Army Film & Photographic Unit

Title: THE BRITISH ARMY IN BURMA 1944
Collection No.: 4700-64

Description: Led by Piper John McLean, men of "D" Company, 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers march alongside a railway to celebrate both St Andrew's Day and the ending of the Japanese occupation of Pinwe in North Burma, 30 November 1944.
Period: Second World War
Photo Number: SE 2638


Photographer: Stubbs A (Sgt)
No 9 Army Film & Photographic Unit

Title: THE BRITISH ARMY IN BURMA 1944
Collection No.: 4700-64

Description: Accompanied by a piper, the Royal Scots march along a road on the outskirts of Pinwe, November 1944.
Period: Second World War