Semi-OT: Bagpipes and the British Army

[pmulcahy11b]

Do the British still play bagpipes in battle?

[Cdnwolf]

I know that the bagpipes are a real morale boast and are a part of Canadian forces bands.

The 2nd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment currently maintains the only Pipes and Drums in the Canadian regular army.

[WallShadow]

Do the British still play bagpipes in battle?
I believe bagpipes to be an exquisite psychological weapon, especially when Highlander units play them into battle. After all, what must the enemy be thinking--"OMG here comes a bunch of hairy transvestites squeezing cats under their arms and biting the tails! Run away!!" :rolleyes:

Actually, 'pipes _are_ awesome, especially when you are close enough to "breathe in" the vibrations of the music. Scared the hell out of many of the Royal/Imperial/Commonwealth Army's enemies, even in more modern times (el Alamein, IIRC)

[Webstral]

We should fear anybody who thinks the sound of cats being boiled alive is music.

Webstral

[rcaf_777]

The 2nd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment currently maintains the only Pipes and Drums in the Canadian regular army.

Actually 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group maintains a pipes and drums band as well, and the Canadian Airforce has one well

[Rainbow Six]

Do the British still play bagpipes in battle?

As far as I know this stopped being an official practice during the First World War (at least partly because the Germans started targetting the pipers, causing heavy casualty rates) however it has continued to happen on various occasions since.

For example, there's an article from the Times that references it happening in Aden in the 1960's.

"The force of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was led by Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Campbell “Mad Mitch” Mitchell, who fought his way into the overcrowded ancient streets with Saracen armoured cars accompanied by the skirl of regimental bagpipers. "

(Full article here http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6981556.ece)

[Adm.Lee]

I can recall reading that the retreat to Dunkirk is the last time Scottish troops wore the kilts into battle.

I can also recall there were bagpiper rules in Squad Leader, I read them in a long ago issue of the General. The piper counter had a bonus to float across rivers, and if he were hit, the nearest Scottish squads had a chance to go berserk. I can't recall if the pipes would force morale checks on the enemy, though.

I don't think there were any Highland units in the Falklands War, were there?

[Targan]

I love the sound of bagpipes. Must be my Scottish blood being stirred when I hear them.

[Rainbow Six]

I don't think there were any Highland units in the Falklands War, were there?

You're right, there weren't, although 5th Infantry Brigade included the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards.

[rcaf_777]

Durring the Normandy Landing Lord Lovet's Commando's had piper with them (watch the longest day)

[Canadian Army]

Lieutenant Colonel John "Jack" Churchill played the bagpipes during Operation Archery, a raid on the German garrison at Vågsøy, Norway; while leading 2 Commando at landings at Catania in Sicily and at Salerno; and while leading 43 Commando and one troop from 40 Commando in during a raid the German held island of Brač. During the raid Churchill's used his bagpipes signalled the attack and played on his pipes until he was knocked unconscious by grenades and captured by Germans.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Churchill