Scottish piper who led troops on D-Day dies

[RamboLiberal]

Source: MSNBC

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Billy Millin stands out among the many courageous people of World War II for the uniqueness of his contribution to the Allied victory: He played the bagpipes.

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When the 1st Special Service Brigade hit the Normandy beaches on D-Day, Lovat ordered Millin to strike up his pipes. Millin jumped straight into the knee-deep water in his kilt and belted out “Highland Laddie.” He kept going, even when the man behind him was shot dead.

On the beach, Millin marched up and down the water’s edge under withering enemy fire, urging his comrades forward with his music and boosting their morale.

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German prisoners said they hadn’t shot Millin because they thought he had gone off his head. They’d confused courage and pride with madness.

Read more: http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/08/20/4939264-scottish-piper-who-led-troops-on-d-day-dies

[joeybee12]

1. I saw that...sad...RIP Mr. Millin.

[frebrd]

2. Makes me proud of my Scottish ancestry! eom

[Tansy_Gold]

4. Aye.

[applegrove]

13. Me too.

[RandomThoughts]

3. What a great story,

I have found much inspiration in music myself, so understand the concept of the band leading the charge.


So for such a great inspirational story.
I'm Still Standing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AkJE963DSk


Whoever made that, added an effect at :26 seconds.

[seattleblue]

5. His role was portrayed in the great movie "The Longest Day"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5rOrWiCZRo

[DarthDem]

15. Yes It Certainly Was

Good call. It was a very moving element in a masterpiece of a film.

RIP.

[The Croquist]

16. It takes an Irishman to play the pipes.

From IMDB:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056197/quotes


Pvt. Clough: There it is, he's at it again! Have you ever heard such a racket in all your life?
Private Flanagan: Yeah, it takes an Irishman to play the pipes.

I LOVE that scene. I thought it was "creative license". It turns out that they even used his real name. His role was played by Leslie de Laspee in the movie.

RIP Billy,
You did good.

[JoDog]

6. RIP

Rest In Pipes.

[jberryhill]

7. I thought bagpipe music was banned as an inhumane weapon /nt

[OnlinePoker]

11. Welcome to heaven...here's your harp. Welcome to hell...here's your bagpipes. n/t

[roguevalley]

14. my family plays and teaches bagpipes and I *love* them.

I loved watching the black watch when they toured back in the day

[liberal N proud]

8. May he fill heaven with his pipes.

[sulphurdunn]

9. When it finally dawned on me

why the Irish are drunks and the Scots are nuts, I realized why I am like I am. Rest in peace piper. :toast:

[krispos42]

10. That takes a fair amount of courage.

Not only can't you shoot back, you're pretty obvious to the enemy riflemen, moreso than even the brass.

:patriot:

[MadMaddie]

12. I just read Rita Cosby's book about her father

Quiet Hero: Secrets From My Father's Past

It was very moving. Her father lived in Poland and was 13 when the war came to his country. I would recommend it.

RIP Mr. Millin!