Bagpipes today?

Question

Do you think the bagpipes have re-earned a place on the modern battlefield- along with full formal dress and cavalry squares?

I believe they all used to be used (maybe with the exception of squares) as psychological weapons on the battlefield. And, if they were re-instated with the military ground forces in places like Iraq, could they not actually work? It'd scare the hell out of me, and I bet a lot of the insurgents over there have never heard the sound of a full pies and drums band coming towards them...much scarier than a squad of camoflauged marines!

aburobroy, I believe (although am not sure) they were indeed called 'Cavalry Squares' despite being formed by the infantry, which I was aware of.

Answer 1

The world's a smaller place now. Can we really expect anyone to frightened of quaint tribal customs anymore ?

Answer 2

Music in the military has a long and storied history. From the early days of oar powered boats (using a drum to keep tempo) to the drum and bugle corps used during the American revolution, music has served to instill pride and raise the morale of troops both on the battlefiled and off, but it also serves a very practical purpose as well. For instance, anyone that has ever been to a baseball game, and a bugle blows over the PA and then everyone yells charge!. This isn't done because it fits in with the game. Back in the day, with mounted cavalry, a bugler would play that line, and the cavalry would charge.

Musical instruments were most often used by an army to give instructions to the units that were forward of the commander. A drum and bugle corps had to memorize hundreds of commands for use in battle, as their sound could travel much farther than a shouted command, and faster than a swift horse with a 'runner' mounted on it.

Each society has it's own brand of music. For the Scots, that is the bagpipe, a sound that I dearly love to hear. In the days of the American revolution, it was the drum and fife (flute), and later, the Drum and Bugle Corps. Today, those units have flourished as ceremonial units that give all of the military a wonderful link to the pride and history that makes up the fighting man (used generically, I know that there are women in the military). Today, that tradition is kept alive by units such as the President's Own Marine Corps Band, established by Thomas Jefferson in 1801, and first headed by John Phillip Sousa, and the Commandants own Drum and Bugle Corps, both based out of the Marine Baracks at 8th and I, Washington DC. I know that there are many other musical units out there across the world, but unfortunately, I don't know any other than the ones in service with the Marine Corps.

The most moving pieces that I have heard from a military musician include Taps, and the President's Own's rendition of "Scotland Brave", which is about as close to bagpipes as you can get witout actually having a set of pipes.

Answer 3

The bagpipes have never left the battlefield!
They were heard in the Falklands and Kuwait,three times:the first being 1961,which everybody seems to have forgotten?
Also they are played by various Commonwealth units,particularly India and the Ghurkas
The present day Nigeria Police have some fine pipers which we shall hear on Burn's Night;just a couple of weeks away


By the way,infantry,not cavalry,formed squares as a defense against cavalry.
They are static formations(unless they break)and there are no cavalry around anymore

Answer 4

Abu Rob Roy has it right! The bagpipe has not left the modern battlefield and it is still used by many Commonwealth nations. Pipers have distinguished themselves in battle many times; some even awarded the Victoria Cross. And let their be no doubt as to their effectiveness as a psychological weapon.

The bagpipe strikes fear and loathing into the hearts of the enemy. It scares the crap out of them - literally! And it's not just the sound. The enemy who shoots a piper is in grave danger! Any violence against the pipers stirs on the soldiers to protect and honour them. The enemy who dishonours a piper, will in short order be a dead enemy. The Black Watch are often called the Ladies from Hell, and for good reason! Middle Eastern culture seems to be full of revenge, but they have not known revenge until they dishonour a piper. The revenge of a highlander knows no peer!

Answer 5

I really like your idea but sadly have to tell you that such as the Jordanian Army have Massed Bands of men playing the pipes....

They are on Arab TV all the times, radio, etc..

visit youTube for a few videos of these guys!

The Indian Army still marches to the pipes as well, etc..


As a soldier if I heard an Arab army riding camels and playing the Pipes: I'd run for the border.

Answer 6

1. Bagpipes are the most vile instruments ever created, they are absolutly horrible, if someone marched on to the battle field playing one, they would be the first person i killed.
2. The playing of instruments was to keep rythym in the steps of the soldiers.
3. They would give away the postitions of the soldiers.
4. I really don't think the insurgents care much of what we have, they are going to start shotting anyways.

Answer 7

Here is a website about the history of the Bagpies.

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

Answer 8

woth a try,at least you're thinking.
to the one that said it was tribal,the people in the ME still are tribal for the most part.

Answer 9

yes - but only if they will play requests. Suggest as the Army needs money they take their busbys for busking as well..

Answer 10

i love bagpipe it wakes me up it brightens my day
I'm not Scot