Steven Broomfield Posted 13 July , 2014 Share Posted 13 July , 2014 Here's my stab at Simon's extract from the Westfalia book of Honour p.158 Thanks for that. Appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverforget Posted 13 July , 2014 Share Posted 13 July , 2014 The following is an excerpt from the diary of a German soldier in WWI, on display at Stirling Castle next to William Lawrie's bagpipes: My heart is racing as I peer over the top. I see a piper climb out of his trench and start to pipe his war music. His music is a thing of beauty in such a place of tragedy and death, that acts like a psychological torture for us, since it signals an impending charge, death, blood and carnage. It seems rather odd for a man in a kilt to play his bagpipes so casually as if he was in his homeland. We do not know much about these wild men from another land, but we do know that they are the most fierce, courageous group of men that we will ever encounter. They are good down to earth men, who we respect. I feel bad at what I must do next. I pick up a rifle and as I pull the trigger I whisper to the piper who cannot hear me "sorry brother." I hear the pipes fall silent like a wounded animal as the piper falls backwards, tears fill my eyes as the pipes become silent. I feel as if I destroyed the only thing of beauty at the front and I feel that his family will no longer hear his music. I want to cover myself up with mud and hide myself from judgment. I see them advancing and I forget about my moment of weakness and continue with my job... Lt. Karl Emil Schaefer, German Army, c1914-1918 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoppage Drill Posted 13 July , 2014 Share Posted 13 July , 2014 The following is an excerpt from the diary of a German soldier in WWI, on display at Stirling Castle next to William Lawrie's bagpipes: Lt. Karl Emil Schaefer, German Army, c1914-1918 He could have shot somebody else then. Maybe somebody packing a rifle ? Sounds like drivel to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverforget Posted 13 July , 2014 Share Posted 13 July , 2014 Indeed, his rather poetic thoughts do seem somewhat contradictory to his actions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSMMo Posted 14 July , 2014 Share Posted 14 July , 2014 Found it on You Tube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoppage Drill Posted 14 July , 2014 Share Posted 14 July , 2014 Indeed, his rather poetic thoughts do seem somewhat contradictory to his actions. That's what I should have said. Why am I so crude ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradley Posted 14 July , 2014 Share Posted 14 July , 2014 brilliant doc,tears in the eyes as usualmany thanks coming from someone who doesnt generally like bagpipeshowever,ive kind of changed my tune on that one now !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beestonboxer Posted 14 July , 2014 Share Posted 14 July , 2014 Watched it and loved it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverforget Posted 16 July , 2014 Share Posted 16 July , 2014 That's what I should have said. Why am I so crude ? Harsh but fair I`d call it. When I posted, I resisted the urge to comment, as I wanted to see how others reacted first. I have to say that your reading of it mirrored my own, and I would add that if I had said what I felt, then by comparison your comment would have appeared quite flowery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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