Why did WW2 bombers hear classical music in their engine noise?

Question

I heard on a Radio 2 show a listener asking why WW2 bombers often reported hearing classical music on long flights. Unfortunately I didn't get to hear the answer. I imagine it's the mind playing tricks and connecting harmonies in the engine sound. But can anyone shed more light? Or even better, know of first hand accounts of this phenomenon?

Answer 1

Reciprocating engines and propellers give off a lot of vibration. Some of this would be sensed as a "Bass line". The noise of the engines themselves generate harmonics which, combined with the vibrations inside the aircraft, could be interpreted as music.
Another solution is communications jamming. Around 1943 or so, the British first, then the Germans and US, transmitted on enemy frequencies to disrupt their command and control. Often they would play music (in fact jamming is called "music" to this day). These operations were highly classified at the time, so the average crew wouldn't know that was going on. If the transmitter isn't quite on frequency, common in the 1940's then crews might hear actual music, without knowing why.

Answer 2

I have not heard of that, however, I have often mistakenly 'heard' my (classical music) ringtone in white noise.

the human brain is a complex organ. we are hard-wired to recognise things, such as faces, from a few interconnecting lines, or a picture of the 'virgin mary', in a few burnt crumbs on a toasted cheese sandwich.

we react and respond to _apparent_ patterns. Although I haven't heard the story before, it doesn't suprise me

Answer 3

Perhaps it was that Beethoven bit that starts with ...- which is morse for V for Victory! The 5th of Beethoven by ELO starts the same! Lol

Answer 4

I'm guessing it was the navigator tuning into BBC and the rest of the crew heard it in their earphones!

Answer 5

That's the first I've ever heard of it.

Chauncey is probably right!

Answer 6

its not uncomon as all that one can do this with noisy factory sounds