PSYCHOLOGICAL WEAPONS

Mark · 4th January 2008, 02:26 PM

I have read that during the North African campaigns of WWII the Germans were in dread of the sound of Scottish bagpipes, as they signalled the presence of the Highland regiments, who they considered to be very fierce fighters (a pretty good estimation, I'd say). The Scots would even play the pipes at the front during the night for their psycological effect. Nothing like hearing the sound of your worst enemy to keep you up at night and/or give you nightmares.

David · 4th January 2008, 06:13 PM

Here's a short clip of Haka performed in a non-sports related fashion. There is also some good Haka in the film Whale Rider.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-lrE...eature=related
And then i also found this rare footage of a seldom seen Maori clan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oulQwIP9VQQ

A. G. Maisey · 4th January 2008, 08:20 PM

Yeah Jim, Samoans, Maoris, and other Pacific Island people can all be pretty scary in aggression mode. Two thousand years of selective breeding does have some effect.

However, although the physical effect of selective breeding is principally responsible for the remarkable physique and abilities of these people, it is not responsible for the aggression. This aggression is the result of social organisation. There is a lesson to be learnt from this which is particularly applicable to all of us at the present time.

Ever heard of the Moriori? Chatham Islands?

Have a look at this:-

http://www.davekopel.com/NRO/2003/Moriori-Lesson.htm

This is not weaponry, but in my opinion is something that can assist the understanding of weaponry.

Jim McDougall · 4th January 2008, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

I have read that during the North African campaigns of WWII the Germans were in dread of the sound of Scottish bagpipes, as they signalled the presence of the Highland regiments, who they considered to be very fierce fighters (a pretty good estimation, I'd say). The Scots would even play the pipes at the front during the night for their psycological effect. Nothing like hearing the sound of your worst enemy to keep you up at night and/or give you nightmares.

Thank you so much for those words Mark. Absolutely music to my ears!

As Alan has noted, the pipes can present most unnerving noise to many, especially with that connotation, but they can truly be beautiful in many arrangements, especially in stirring ceremonies. I will never forget seeing "The Black Watch" and it was in the early 1980's just after the tragic loss of U.S. Marines in Lebanon, there was a tribute that was indescribable.

My uncle was in N.Africa in WWII, actually with the Rangers Battalion, in Colonel Darby's Rangers.

Alan,
Thank you for the info on the Moriori, absolutely fascinating, and your point on the significance is extremely well placed.

All very best regards,
Jim

Andrew · 5th January 2008, 03:00 AM

You're Scottish, Jim?

The battle-cry or such "spirit yells" as the Korean kihap and Japanese kiai have definite martial application. Not only can such shouts serve to enbolden a fighter, but they can assist in focusing attention, technique and power. They will often startle an opponant.

Jim McDougall · 5th January 2008, 05:17 AM

Hi Andrew!
Actually I'm not, but my great grandparents were Highlanders from Skye and Jura...and my wife insists that I get very different when I get my hands on the Drambuie...and on our first date...the bagpipe music I put on had anything but the desired effect I planned !

Miraculously she stayed with me anyway

Excellent points about the battle cries, which of course were used with great effect by the Scots as well as they charged. In the South, the Rebel yell was pretty well known in The War Between the States (as I was always corrected when I lived in Nashville and mentioned what I called The Civil War).

All very best regards,
Jim

Battara · 6th January 2008, 07:26 PM

If I understand right, the Apache were freaked when they first saw wild men wearing women's dresses torturing small animals in their arms. Their first meeting Scottish pipers in combat.

Jim McDougall · 6th January 2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

If I understand right, the Apache were freaked when they first saw wild men wearing women's dresses torturing small animals in their arms. Their first meeting Scottish pipers in combat.

LOL!!! Thats fantastic Jose!!

I burst out laughing reading that , my wife came in to see what was up!
Funny, I'm in Apache country right now (just north of Sonora, Mexico in Douglas, AZ) and last night I was watching "Braveheart", which coincidentally came on TV while I studying more on Scottish history.

Thanks so much for that!

All the best,
Jim

VANDOO · 7th January 2008, 03:11 AM

I FOUND A SITE WITH THE HISTORY OF THE BAGPIPE www.music.iastate.edu/antiqua/bagpipe.htm

I HAD NOT HEARD OF ANY GROUP OTHER THAN THE HIGHLANDERS USING THE PIPES, BUT ITS HISTORY GOES WAY BACK THEY EVEN SAID NERO COULD PLAY ONE BUT IT GOES WAY BACK BEFORE THAT. I HOPE THE LINK WORKS IF NOT SEARCH FOR BAGPIPE AND LOOK FOR IT THERE, IT IS THE ONE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF BAGPIPES. THE LINK WORKS YEA!!

4th January 2008, 08:20 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	Yeah Jim, Samoans, Maoris, and other Pacific Island people can all be pretty scary in aggression mode. Two thousand years of selective breeding does have some effect. However, although the physical effect of selective breeding is principally responsible for the remarkable physique and abilities of these people, it is not responsible for the aggression. This aggression is the result of social organisation. There is a lesson to be learnt from this which is particularly applicable to all of us at the present time. Ever heard of the Moriori? Chatham Islands? Have a look at this:- http://www.davekopel.com/NRO/2003/Moriori-Lesson.htm This is not weaponry, but in my opinion is something that can assist the understanding of weaponry. Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 4th January 2008 at 08:37 PM.

4th January 2008, 02:26 PM	#1
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	I have read that during the North African campaigns of WWII the Germans were in dread of the sound of Scottish bagpipes, as they signalled the presence of the Highland regiments, who they considered to be very fierce fighters (a pretty good estimation, I'd say). The Scots would even play the pipes at the front during the night for their psycological effect. Nothing like hearing the sound of your worst enemy to keep you up at night and/or give you nightmares.

4th January 2008, 06:13 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,229	Here's a short clip of Haka performed in a non-sports related fashion. There is also some good Haka in the film Whale Rider. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-lrE...eature=related And then i also found this rare footage of a seldom seen Maori clan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oulQwIP9VQQ

5th January 2008, 03:00 AM	#5
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	You're Scottish, Jim? The battle-cry or such "spirit yells" as the Korean kihap and Japanese kiai have definite martial application. Not only can such shouts serve to enbolden a fighter, but they can assist in focusing attention, technique and power. They will often startle an opponant.

5th January 2008, 05:17 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	Hi Andrew! Actually I'm not, but my great grandparents were Highlanders from Skye and Jura...and my wife insists that I get very different when I get my hands on the Drambuie...and on our first date...the bagpipe music I put on had anything but the desired effect I planned ! Miraculously she stayed with me anyway Excellent points about the battle cries, which of course were used with great effect by the Scots as well as they charged. In the South, the Rebel yell was pretty well known in The War Between the States (as I was always corrected when I lived in Nashville and mentioned what I called The Civil War). All very best regards, Jim

6th January 2008, 07:26 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	If I understand right, the Apache were freaked when they first saw wild men wearing women's dresses torturing small animals in their arms. Their first meeting Scottish pipers in combat.

7th January 2008, 03:11 AM	#9
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I FOUND A SITE WITH THE HISTORY OF THE BAGPIPE www.music.iastate.edu/antiqua/bagpipe.htm I HAD NOT HEARD OF ANY GROUP OTHER THAN THE HIGHLANDERS USING THE PIPES, BUT ITS HISTORY GOES WAY BACK THEY EVEN SAID NERO COULD PLAY ONE BUT IT GOES WAY BACK BEFORE THAT. I HOPE THE LINK WORKS IF NOT SEARCH FOR BAGPIPE AND LOOK FOR IT THERE, IT IS THE ONE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF BAGPIPES. THE LINK WORKS YEA!!