The Piper Who Played During The D-Day Invasion, Bill Millin, Passed Away.

[twyacht]

Remembered in the movie "The Longest Day", he played his bagpipes as he marched onto Sword Beach as the bullets and shells flew around him.

Here's a 3 minute segment from the movie.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrUs5AfrNjc&feature=related

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703791804575439840150672162.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

As piper to a British army unit, Bill Millin was ordered to play "Blue Bonnets Over the Border" on his bagpipes as his brigade waded ashore on Sword Beach immediately behind the 3rd Division on the morning of D-Day, June 6, 1944, and thereafter battled its way inland.

Mr. Millin, who died Wednesday at age 87, continued to play Highland tunes as the brigade advanced inland under intense German infantry and sniper fire through the villages of Ouistreham and then Benouville en route to their objective.

**more at link***

This was one of the first tributes to his memory, compiled by none other than a Frenchman. Hailed as a hero by the French, it is a fantastic video.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l-0aUiXQrc



Rest In Peace Mr. Bill Millin, God Speed Home Sir. 

[bulldog75]

They are the greatest generation.

[m25operator]

Yes RIP, if any of you have read a Rifleman went to war, Mc Bride had some very interesting things to say as he served with the Canadians, the Brits and the U.S., the Queens army was made of units that all came from the same areas, townships, cities, counties, had their own flags and it gave the unit a sense of defending home, and pride for the unit, unlike the U.S. that just jumbled everyone together and sent them out.  Bagpipes are like Banjos, great if done well, unbelievably horrible when done wrong.

Thanks TW as always.

[tombogan03884]

Yes RIP, if any of you have read a Rifleman went to war, Mc Bride had some very interesting things to say as he served with the Canadians, the Brits and the U.S., the Queens army was made of units that all came from the same areas, townships, cities, counties, had their own flags and it gave the unit a sense of defending home, and pride for the unit, unlike the U.S. that just jumbled everyone together and sent them out.  Bagpipes are like Banjos, great if done well, unbelievably horrible when done wrong.

Thanks TW as always.

The problem with that is that heavy losses in a unit all comes down on a small area, maybe even one family.

[m25operator]

The problem with that is that heavy losses in a unit all comes down on a small area, maybe even one family.

Good point Tom, but I still like the like minded banded together to protect more than just God and Country, they are fighting for their hometown and I believe it makes a harder fighting warrior, but point well taken.

[Sponsor]

[Solus]

The problem with that is that heavy losses in a unit all comes down on a small area, maybe even one family.

Reminds me of the movie  The Sullivans, later with the  name The Fighting Sullivans.  The story of 5 Brothers Sullivan who were all killed while serving aboard the same ship during WWII in the Pacific.

I believe it prompted policy keeping from family members from serving together.

A destroyer was named after the brothers   USS The Sullivans.

[bulldog75]

It is the reason our National Guard units are so effective. You know the person in the foxhole with you. Grew up together kids play t ball together.

[fightingquaker13]

That is a very cool story. On the one hand you look at it and say, WTF? On the other, why TF not? I'm wading ashore across an open beach. The entire German army is trying to kill me. The odds of me saving my ass with one well placed shot from my Enfield are about up there with winning the lottery, so why not go with a little class? Scotland the Brave indeed Mr. Millin!
FQ13

PS here's the song played.
Heiland Laddie

[JdePietro]

Mar sin leibh