April 16, 2004

Bagpipes are an instrument of war

While 1st Sgt Dwayne Farr doesn't fit the stereotype of a typical bagpiper, he is carrying on a tradition of bagpipes in warfare.

I doubt he's playing while actual battle is taking place, but I'm reminded of the story of Bill Millin in the 1st Special Service Brigade (led by Lord Lovat) that landed on Sword Beach in Normandy on D-Day. The Germans called him the "mad piper" as he played his bagpipes coming onto the beach, and their snipers essentially ignored him.

The 1st Brigade's job that day was to relieve the British commandos at Pegasus Bridge. As they neared the bridge, the commandos who were nearly out of ammo, could hear the pipes coming and they knew that their relief was on the way.

The British government actually classified the bagpipe as an instrument of war after the Jacobite rebellion of 1745 (effectively banning them along with kilts). As I've seen written in several places, "the shrill and penetrating notes worked well in the roar and din of battle." Just the sound of them stir up emotions that seem to tug a soldier forward as well as frighten the enemy...indeed it is an instrument of war.

I wonder what the insurgents are thinking there in Fallujah.

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