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Subscribe to RSSAs U.S. combat troops pull back into Kuwait from Iraq, there’s another war being remembered in Britain this week, as yet one more old hero passes on.
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.
Photo by Phillippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images
Billy Millin, who landed British troops on D-Day, returns to Normandy in 1995. Here, he stands next to Josette Gouellain, who asked him to play her a song back in 1945. Mallin played "The Nut Brown Maiden," in admiration of the little girl's hair and eyes.
Piper Millin was on the personal staff of the legendary commando leader Lord Lovat. Both were Scots -- Lovat hereditary chief of the Clan Fraser -- and like every one I’ve ever met from that land, fiercely proud of their nation.
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.
One soldier said many years later that the skirl of Billy’s pipes had lifted his spirits, reminding him of home and why he was fighting.
Millin stayed with his unit as it advanced through France over the following days, playing whenever he was ordered to by Lovat.
As they reached Pegasus Bridge – another famous chapter in the history of those days – Millin again piped the troops across under sniper fire. “It seemed,” he said, “a very long bridge.”
After the slaughter of the First World War, the British government had barred pipers from leading the charge.
Lovat told Millin: “But that’s the English War Office. You and I are both Scottish, and that doesn’t apply.”
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.
Millin died on Tuesday at 87. His gallantry won him the French Croix de guerre, and was memorialized in the movie “The Longest Day.” A statue is being erected in his honor near Sword Beach.
His family described him as a “great Scottish hero.”
Friday was 70 years ago to the day that Prime Minister Winston Churchill paid tribute to other heroes of that war.
In August and September 1940 the Royal Air Force was locked in a fierce battle with the German Luftwaffe in the skies over England. The actions of those young pilots in what Churchill called the Battle of Britain were crucial in preventing the invasion of these islands.
Churchill famously summed up their contribution in a speech to the House of Commons on Aug. 20, 1940: “Never in the field of human conflict,” he said, “was so much owed by so many to so few.”
At the end of that speech, Churchill said something else – less well remembered - that was to have a lasting impact on both the U.K. and the United States – an observation that is felt today as U.S. troops pull out of Iraq.
Churchill introduced the first phase of a growing strategic alliance between Britain and the United States. It would mean, he said, that “These two great organizations of the English-speaking democracies … will have to be somewhat mixed up together in some of their affairs for mutual and general advantage. For my part, looking out upon the future, I do not view that process with any misgivings.”
Seventy years on, British and U.S. troops are still “mixed up together” – and losing their lives – in conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan.
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One of the men of the greatest generation. God bless him.
My uncle Joe was killed at La Fiere 9 June 1944. While visiting his grave in June, it was my great privilege to see"Piper Bill" as he was being honored at the U.S. cemetery. It was a very moving experience. Here's to you, Bill. Here is a YouTube link for those interested. "Piper Bill" Millin honored 5 June 2010
Indeed, our greatest generation - the one's that followed are a very pale shadow and I grieve for the future.
Piper Bill,
The world has lost a brave man but is richesr for your time here.
Rest well, You have earned it.
Just one of the great generation who got very little recognition of his extraordinary contribution to freedom! I know a lot about these heroes that sought no fame for what they did in WW2 because my Dad was one of them! My Dad was the kindest, most honest man I ever knew, he never ask for any recognition of his outfits "bravery" when they jumped behind
German lines at 4am on June 6th, 1944! Unlike many, many of todays veterans who come out of the service and end up with a pension for life! (I'm only talking about the ones that are able to work and accept the pension as a perceived bonus for their service) My father was shot, poisoned, and severely frostbit during the Battle of the Bulge and was offered a "full disability" for life, instead, he paid his own way to Texas on a bus and never set foot in a VA hospital but one time in the 50s and refused to ever go back! This pervasive attitude of honesty and independence was part of the makeup of the "greatest generation" and that is why so many of them went home , went to work and used what time they had left to
raise families and help build the best country in the world! It's too bad the current "anti-american" gov't in Washington DC
is more interested in forcing "socialism" on the American people than instilling the admirable traits that were "natural" to
"the greatest generation"!
You, Texanlegal, have proved to be an absolute IDIOT! In one fell swope you injected useless teabagger ideological garbage into a subject that has nothing to do with American Politics. At the same time you have insulted all the brave men and women in American uniform that have followed in your father's steps. Shame on you!
Bless your heroic father's soul but you done him wrong and should apologize to those here to honor Billy Millin and to America's "modern" heroes for your thoughtlessness. Can you without sin of pride and injecting feeble excuses or rationalization? I doubt it.
God bless Billy Millin! I hear another piper adding to the chorus of Amazing Grace! In fact, I think he just might be leading chorus.
i'm glad he didn't really play the "black bear" like in the movie. highland laddie is much better
1st Special Service Brigade... today, in this country we call them Special Forces, aka Green Berets! AIRBORNE! Piper Millin, RIP.
A true hero from a greater time. Rest in Peace Piper Millin, and thank you.
God Bless Piper Millin. May the pipes play forever in his heaven and may single malt be flowing to keep his head up high.
Terrific story, RIP brave soldier.
My mother in law (rest her soul) was from Scotland. We arranged to have the bagpipes played at her funeral. I always loved them... She was from the Fraser clan also...
Piper Millin exemplified the courage and strength Scots have always been known for. When my father and I watched the Longest Day for the first time, he remembered hearing the pipes that day. God send you green fields, blue skies and peace - rest now Piper Millin - job well done!
To raise the spirits of those under mortal diress at great risk to your own well being is truley a heroic act! Cheers to you Bill. Your pride and service to your cause and country are still rasing spirits today, like mine when I read about what a great man you were. Rest in peace laddie..
Great Story. Great man.
I teared up just reading about this brave man who face incredible carnage with uplifting music. The world is less of a place without him! God rest his soul.
My dad said that in WWII when the American soldiers changed troops at the front lines they did it at night and the relieving troops crawled on their bellies forward then the relieved troops crawled back to keep as small a target as possible.
One time her heard a piper on the hill and watched the Scottish troops march forward and the relieved Scottish troop back.
He asked one of the Scots why the Germans didn't shoot them or the piper. His reply was that the Germans knew better since that would really piss off the Scots and they didn't want to do that.
God Bless this brave soul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Millin was an extraordinarily brave and courageous man. Unarmed and in the most fierced battle of WWII, he played his bagpipes in the very face of the enemy, encouraging his brother Scot soldiers on and up the hill. How can you not have reverent respect for this man and his wonderful deed. He was one of a kind and I fear the mold he was made from has been lost. Garland26
Had the distinct honor to lead a contingent of USAF troops in a Rememberance Day parade/ceremony while stationed in England. Once I explained how to march to "the pipes", they did me proud and after, every one of them said it was the only time they enjoyed marching! Pipes are magical!
God rest ye Billy...thanks for the inspiration.
Not all the WWII musicians were that lucky. My dad who played saxophone in an Army Band before Pearl Harbor was bombed became a medic. While at Monte Cassino, a German played his saxophone in one of the caves. I'm not sure if he was playing the Beer Barrel Polka or not, but I guess it grated on one soldier who told dad "Hey Mule, You used to play saxophone didn't you" and "I'm gonna get that saxophone for you." A couple of weeks later he gave dad the sax and told him "Now play "In the Mood". Dad asked what happened to the German and the soldier replied, "You don't hear him anymore, do you?"
A true hero - RIP.
great story, great man, great sound the pipes are. i love them.
may they always play there best for *PIPER BILL MILLIN*
Tonight I'll sip some Dewars and remember all those young men who fought in WW Two;including my Uncles Barney,Bill,Johnny and Luke.All now gone, but not forgotten.
I solute you Piper Millin. RIP. There are very few men like you out there today.
Billy Millin exemplified the incredible courage of those brave young men, many of whom gave their lives so that others may live. I was among those liberated by the Allied Forces entering Holland and removing the yoke of five years of oppression. Seeing Bill personified in "The Longest day" brought tears to my eyes. Thank you lads, and thank you Billy. Rest gently in the green green hills of home.
I salute you Piper Bill....A man for the ages!!!
Donations are being solicited in an ongoing effort to erect a bronze statue of Piper Bill in France. They need about $88,000 to finish. Read about it and donate here:
http://ddaypiperbillmillin.over-blog.com/
RIP, good sir.