I'm curious, the drummers/bagpipers etc... that used to march to battle with armies for moral effects, was it, ummm, 'good manners' to kill them if you got a chance?
Unless I'm mistaken they were non-combat, but then they WERE on the enemies side so...
So could you kill them or was it bad form?
2007-08-23 01:25:28 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Its an interesting question. Although bagpipers and trumpeteers where muscisicans, they were capable infantry just like any other soldier, therefore they were active in combat. On the other hand you d probably want to attack a bagpiper first, so when you get rid of the musical instrument - the army has no cheer and the overall morale goes down.
2007-08-23 01:32:14 · answer #1 · answered by IggySpirit 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well from what they report in the papers about the quality of equipment that the army has today, then maybe arming them with bagpipes and a few bongos would be a step up in the weaponry stakes.
I think it may be have been a smidgin on the bad egg side to have shot the piper, though god alone knows it would have been the first one I took out - and I'm Scottish!!
2007-08-23 01:37:51 · answer #2 · answered by ShuggieMac 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think they were purposely sought out to be killed. The problem was bag-pipers and drummers were around during the day of single-shot muzzle loader guns. The rifled barrel wasn't invented yet. Muzzle-loaders were extremely inaccurate, you had to be very close to your target to hit it.
Soldiers back then just pointed their guns at an advancing line of enemy soldiers hoping they would hit someone, but the bagpipers and drummers were always out front leading so they got the worst of the enemy fire.
2007-08-23 02:02:27 · answer #3 · answered by Louie O 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many of the armed forces are non combatant but included in waves of attacks. Most of the Musicians are used not only as Stretcher Bearers and Trauma Men, but can be used as front line Infantry as well.
Bagpipers like any Infantryman are legitamate targets, it just depended on the enemies musical taste.
2007-08-24 06:07:45 · answer #4 · answered by Kevan M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you heard the bagpipes?
I think i could forgive anyone a lapse of good manners when confronted with that racket. I would be surprised if a number of pipers weren't shot in the back by their own men.
2007-08-23 22:34:44 · answer #5 · answered by Biddles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theier purpose was to inspire their fellow soldiers and consequently were a legitimate target. Of course there are those of us who think thank those who inflict the bagpipes on their fellow man are legitimate targets at any time. Not for nothing are they known as agony bags!
2007-08-23 03:22:42 · answer #6 · answered by Mike 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many of these brave men were indeed killed in action and they were certainly combat troops
Particularly in the 1st world war the so called leaders saw these guys as cannon fodder whilst they themselves sat back about 200 miles behind the front lines.
2007-08-23 01:34:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bad form, but you didn't go out of your way not to waste them.
Once the bodies started falling, they dropped their gear and worked as stretcher bearers.
2007-08-23 01:52:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
many were killed in action or many had their hands chopped off so they could no longer play since their music was an inspiration to their comrades.
2007-08-23 01:48:10 · answer #9 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they were non-combat what were they doing in battle?
2007-08-23 01:38:59 · answer #10 · answered by Will 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋