Mert, there's a HUGE highland tradition in the Canadian Army; _numerous_ highland regiments with long and proud connections to the Mother Country. The pipes are played at most all ceremonies. They are integral to Canadian military life. When I was a kid in the days before VCRs, when I saw this listed in the TV Guide I would _make sure_ I was home to see this scene! It actually inspired me to join the army in Canada!
Many of our army units have long affiliations with British units and inherited their traditions during formation. The Americans were influenced far more by the French who supported then (barely) during the war for independence. In later years they adopted much more British military influence... avoiding the issues that while the UK produced the finest soldiers in the world their Army leadership was typically exactly the opposite with a few exception.
I was once briefly a member of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment. We wore balmorals while the English regiments wore berets. Yes there is a HUGE Scottish connection in Canada military.
Canadian piper here.....Scotland the Brave is one of the very first tunes a piper learns to play and it is a staple for any/all Canadian parades, tattoos or gatherings. To love the pipes is to love Scotland and I learned from old Alec Robertson, who was a Sgt. Major in the British army during WW2 and the Queen's personal piper for 5 yrs. He was a strict disciplinarian and demanded our very best piping. RIP, Sgt. Major.
@@fredmartin328 The late '60's was when piping really caught on and some of the best teachers were around. I started piping in '63, but it was '68 when I began being taught by the Sgt. Major.
I love the pipes.. love them and am not Scottish. However, my Father had been in the Irish Army, an Irishman himself, and then the RAF. He had attended and taken part and trained airmen for many on the parade ground in the RAF. He had also taken part as part of a colour party, during the war, but the Irish termed it 'The Emergency'. at Dublin Castle for the Taoishoch (spelling probably wrong). consequently, i was brought up listening to pipes on tv coverage of parades and tatoos. I then joined the met Police and found myself many a me on duty to see and hear. Love them and admire pipers for their skill. to see the pipers at Prince Philips and then Queen Elizabeths funeral performing so well and movingly touched the hearts of everyone I know..even those who are not fans of the instrument and its music. to see the Pipers marching down the Mall, kilts swinging and hearing the music.. such a privilege. Glad I was there. When younger i was once winked at by an Irish Guards piper as he swung past me in his orange kilt down the Mall in formation.. lol. naughty as he was on parade after all and I was on duty. On that occasion HM The Queen was on parade riding side saddle on horseback. Magnificant.
Canadian army brat here. I grew up with the pipes and drums playing Scotland the Brave and giving me goosebumps. As a youngster, I asked why some of the soldiers wore kilts. My mom said it was part of their uniform. My dad said it was so you know who the toughest sons of b*tches were.
Drummer here, but not a military one. I understand that our marching music carries a slight lilt, adopted from your highland tradition, which you don't hear so much in military music of other countries. In this film the rhythm was very bouncy, but maybe authentic for the period? I grew up in Fergus, Ontario, where there's a huge highland festival each year. Caber tossing, sword dancing etc. My great-uncle lived there too and played bagpipes. Scottish traditions are alive and well in Canada. Heck, my brother married into a Scottish-Canadian family.
My town had a devils brigade member. I was able to meet him a few years ago before he died. He was such a lovely elderly man, and was worried about the current state of the world. He even cried and gave my brother a big hug because he said he didn't want young boys like us going to fight in another war. His name was George Wright.
I was married to a Canadian Officer, All of our ceremonies and suppers always had bagpipes playing and they all wore kilts. My mother's family tree was from Scotland and my father's from England. Scotland has always been a very large part of Canada.
My grandfather went over in '39 with the first boatload and they landed in Scotland before being assigned in England. He made it home in early 1946. D-Day all the way to Tilburg in Holland.
@@Great_Sandwich I agree, they were a special breed of men. I visited the Normandy beaches with my [ Dutch ] wife a few years ago and I still can't properly explain what my feelings were. We can never repay what those men did for us and the free world in general. Take care and I bet your dad was quite a fellow.
@@timmytwodogs He was. Like your Grandpa. They all did their jobs. Dad was in on the liberation of the Netherlands. He always loved that country. We sent him back twice for reunions. They treated our Canadian vets like kings.
Mert, we Canadians love the Scottish. you're like our cousins across the ocean. we fought together against tyranny and overcame so much together. sending much love from Canada. cheers!
@ 4:47 -ish you ask why some are wearing kilts and some aren’t? You had the option of dress uniform in many regiments; those of Irish or Scott families could wear kilts or pants.
I served for 15 years in the Canadian Army. Bagpipes, especially Scotland the Brave, have a history dating back to WW I and before, with Canadians. We would be piped "in" to this tune quite often. Our east coast has one province, Nova Scotia (New Scotland). This movie was very accurate. My father having fought during WWII, would regale me with tales of this unit.
Right, lots of Canadian army units that are not “Scottish” still have some kind of pipe band. Even our reserve engineer regiment had a small volunteer pipe and drum band.
My grandfather had Scottish roots, served in the Canadian Army during WW2 in Sicily, Italy, and the Netherlands. When he died 50 years later, the local legionnaires piped out his casket to Amazing Grace and I cried like I never have before or since. Bagpipes do it everytime...
Did you see the Americans wiping their faces, fixing their hair, dusting and straightening their uniforms? The Canadians rightfully made them feel ashamed of themselves.
@@bodasactra A little story I learned after my dad died in ‘93. He told my brothers (but not my sis or me) about some dust-ups he had in England when he was there late 1943-early 1944. I wondered if he ended up fighting some Canadians or Scots because he often called them “damned Limeys!”
@@cathykuehl3440 I would not doubt a man like your dad dusted off with more than a few men of diverse origins. Under the pressure of that moment in time most blokes will have had a go with whoever happens to be in front of them at the moment of eruption. Consider it a healthy exchange of diplomacy between the mightest men to walk this good Earth.
Das Teufel Brigade,,, Canadian recruitment was opened to volunteers from the various regiments that had already experienced 3 years of war at that point in the war. They recieved volunteers from The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment), Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, The Nova Scotia Highlanders, The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh's Own), The Essex and Kent Scottish, 48th Highlanders of Canada, The Cape Breton Highlanders, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's), The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, The Calgary Highlanders, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's), and The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's Own). They also recieved volunteers from the other regiments, that were uniformed in standard uniforms, thus the varied apperance of the troops as they marched from the railhead to the camp. Canada has a regular army and a reserve army. I served in the Essex and Kent Scotish regiment as a reservist in the mid '80s after leaving the regular forces.
My Dad was an original member of the F.S.S.F. He came out the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. I saw this film with him in 1968 when I 12 years old. He always said that it was about 80% b.s however not a bad story. I still have his V42 dagger and other memorabilia from the force and his Canadian service. These items will be passed to my sons. RIP Dad
Americans were not undisciplined as portrayed in the movie and the Canadian accent is Scottish, actual casualties were high but accomplishments were impressive.
My Father in law was a Cameron who ended up in the FSSF too. I asked him specifically about this scene and he said they were picked up at the train station by a bus. And rolled his eyes.
@@CrDa-i7e From what I've read, not as undisciplined. But they specifically recruited miners, lumberjacks, trappers, hunters, etc. Probably not going to start a brawl on the parade ground but still a handful. The Canadians also had their share of these men but they also had British discipline.
Canada has a proud Scottish military heritage. I started my military career in the Essex & Kent Scottish Regiment from Windsor Ontario as infantry before joining regular forces.
Hey man, from Chatham! My gramps started in EK Scots, although I think it was just the Kent regiment in WW2? He was discharged from the Wolseley Barracks.
@@JT.Pilgrim he started as an infantryman with the EK's but by the end of the war he was with the RC Engineers. I think because they paid more....he was charged $9 in his paybook for accidentally running over his sten gun with a jeep hahah.
My First Nations grandfather was an Anishinabe man that served in WW2 with the Canadian Scottish Regiment. Yes he wore a kilt. Also Canada had been at war for a few years before America entered.
Yes indeed. Canada went into WW II in 1939 and the States didn't go in until 1941. Tommy Prince was another Aboriginal man who was in the Devil's Brigade.
@@darcymartin7608 Yes the story of Tommy Prince. It too is a legacy of how Canada treats our veterans. His actions in Italy are as hilarious as they are ballsy.
Thank you I served for 24 years in his and my other grandfathers honour. You know the poem by a Canadian to pick up that torch, hit a cord. My father served as well in the navy. He was on the first UN tour in Egypt. His advice was golden getting through basic. Long family history of service from my family, something not explored in Canada. But most I served with had prior influences.
Kilts and bagpipes are a long tradition in Canada, both in the military and in the numerous pipe bands from all around the country. Truth be told, one of the finest pipe bands in the world is the Simon Fraser University band from Vancouver who have won the international pipe championships in Scotland many times. My old Celtic Rock band has played in the same Highland Games as the SFU band, giving us the chance to see them perform live and they are incredible. It's also common to have Scottish events in Canada, such as the annual Robbie Burns parades and celebrations. As my eldest son once said when he was very little "It's not a proper parade, dad, if there's no bagpipes". Our Highland Games are also popular events, attended by dozens of bands and many thousands of people. Even our first Prime Minister was Scots by birth.
The first pipe band from outside of the British Isles to win the world championships was a Canadian band from Ontario in the 70's. I played in a band with one of the members years ago.
The SFU Pipe Band is stellar. I've heard them several times and they're so in sync when they play, they sound like one huge bagpipe. Sends tingles up the spine.
2:45 It's a very common thing for Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders to be led by pipes. Don't forget millions of us in the dominions have Scottish ancestry.
I’m a Canadian piper, as far as I know I have no Scottish blood in my veins but man I love the pipes. One of the finest pipers I have ever played with was a Cree Native from Manitoba. It’s true that Scotland the Brave is one of the first tune any piper learns. I learned the pipes while in the Canadian Army, being not in a Highland Regiment but we did have a pipe band. My Pipe Major was an Acadian (French Canadian from Nova Scotia). Pipe bands are quite common in Canada, both civilian and military. The comment you had said about some of the Canadians had kilts and some with trousers, the Canadian contingent of the Devil’s Brigade was made up from various Canadian Infantry Regiments, some Highland and some not. Once the unit formed, the Canadian uniforms were replaced with US ones, but with the distinctive arrowhead shoulder patch like their American brothers. It was an amazing unit of expert fighters that punched way above their weight category in WW2, and paved the way for the Special Forces for both the US and Canada, and their legacy continues to this day.
You have to remember in WW2, the Canadians started fighting in 1939. The Americans didn't get into the war until 1942. The Canadians were already a well-trained fighting force. I have seen this movie and at first, the Americans didn't respect them but once they fought together, the respect was there.
That day was a day in infamy that was ALLOWED to happen. The Americans knew it was going to happen and they decided to allow it in order to end the pacifism that 'plagued' the USA. British and Canadian intelligence warned the Americans. Why do you think a Japanese Admiral reviewed Taranto?
@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074 You have to remember that the world outside of the US borders doesn't exist to Americans. In their minds and history books Germany and Europe were never a part of World War 2. To them the war started the day of Pearl Harbor and ended the day Hitler surrendered in Japan... Lmfao They also still believe the fairytale that they've never been defeated on their own soil. Guess the US history books skip from 1811 to 1815...
There are 16 Scottish-Canadian regiments and one artillery regiment. Long History. My grandfather was in the 48th Highlanders during WWII. Trivia: Actor James Doohan "Scotty" from Star Trek was a Canadian Scot who landed on Juno Beach on D-Day. He was credited with taking out two German snipers and helping clear mines. Unfortunately for him, late one night he was mistaken for a German soldier and shot 6 times! 4 in the leg, one took off his middle finger and the last in the chest (where he was saved by a cigarette case).
"Scotty" landed with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles at Courseulles-sur-mer right next to the Regina Rifles. Indeed, Scotty probably travelled right over where the Canadian Juno Beach Centre stands today. He was shot by the sentry that very night of June 6, 1944! He was an artillery officer attached to the Winnipegs. When asked about picking off snipers he said it was more of an elevated platform with a machine gun outfit operating from it. He sprayed some bullets at it with his Sten gun and whether that killed them or not he wasn't sure, but they had no more trouble from that spot. (Within 28 hours the Regina Rifles had taken Bretteville and the Royal Winnipeg Rifles had taken Putot, right next door, which was a very big leap from the beach and by far the deepest penetration of any Allied regiments! A massive battle happened there from June 8-10 with hundreds killed as the Regina Rifles and 1 Hussars knocked out 29 Nazi panzers from 12 SS, while the Winnipegs bagged 6 more at Putot. The Canadian Scottish from Vancouver Island helped the Winnipegs retake Putot from 12 SS, as the battle see-sawed there over the three days and nights they fought it out, with some Panzer Lehr also taking part in the fight early on before disengaging and moving over slightly to their left to tangle exclusively with the British from Gold beach. I suppose that tidied up Panzer Lehr's command structure and left Juno beach to 12 SS Panzer, 21 Panzer and various infantry regiments.) The only Star Trek episode that Scotty had to show his missing middle finger was in one scene from "The Trouble With Tribbles."
@@schfooge ancestry? His father and mother were BOTH born and raised in Ireland and emigrated to Canada. Christ on his cross would you cease with the unrequired lesson.
There are 15 highland regiments in the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps, all of which are reserve units located in cities across the country. I served in one, the Lake Superior Scottish, based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The unit tartan is the McGillvrary and the regimental march was "Hielan Laddie." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Superior_Scottish_Regiment
My father served in WWII with the Lake Superior Regiment (motor) , when he was wounded in action two weeks before the end of the war in Germany at Kusten Canal , after he recovered he transferred to the Glengarry Highlanders and they were occupiers in northwest Germany. He didn't come home until late 1946. The Lake Superior Regiment was made a Scottish regiment sometime after the war
Thank @padwrr for the number. I’m a brat who hails from a long standing military service. It began with my ancestors fights on the Plains of Abraham. He never left.
The American colonel played by William Holden was attempting to form a joint special forces / rangers unit. The Canadians sent a unit that were already trained as such but in the film version the US commanders did not send him volunteers or their best men, but instead sent him their disciplinary rejects who were always getting into trouble.
Exactly. The Americans in the actual unit were some of the best the US had to offer. But that wouldn't have made as good of a movie, or made as good propaganda. It would have been a boring movie to see highly disciplined troops from the start come together and become a highly effective unit. Instead, it's more 'exciting' for 'washouts' to become 'heroes'. It was also a large dose of propaganda that the 'worst' US troops could savage the Germans.
The unarmed combat instructor in that movie is actually based off of Tom Prince from the PPCLI, he was first nations, but we all know the movies at the time. Myself being an ex Patricia too , was very proud to learn my unarmed combat training in Tommy Prince Hall, at Patricia battle school
I got to meet Tommy Prince Jr. (his son) and his father's metals are on display at Sergeant Tommy Prince Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. Stg. Tommy Prince has a school named for him on his reserve, in Brokenhead North East of the city, including a park.
Me too. I was a Westie at Camp Vernon, learned these traditions from my mates in Seaforth Highlanders and Canadian Scottish Regiments! Best mates, I ever had! Peace Be The Journey! Dirty Patricia 1VP, out!
I’m a Canadian and also served in the Militia in the mid 80s . The Lorne Scots B Coy . A Scottish Regiment with Battle honours in WW1 and 2 . I took great pride in all regimental traditions . Love the channel
I was Canadian Royal 22nd 3rd battalion, I served along side American soldiers and they were respectful of tradition, disciplined and easily some of the best I have ever had the honour to stand with. I would without hesitation consider them brothers in arms.
I have seen this movie numerous times as my Dad was in the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry and was part of the forces that liberated Holland. They had a piper in their unit as well and that piper wore a kilt. Even though my Dad was not of Scottish descent he loved the sound of the bagpipes and they would be piped into battle. There is a large Scottish population in Canada.
Dude, one of my best friends is in the St. Pat's Rifles. He's a crazy mofo. Jumpin out of planes and all kinds of wild stuff. I don't know how he does it lol.
I grew up in Nova Scotia, Canada. Every year our small town would have a parade and my absolute favourite part was when the Highland Regiment from Cape Breton came marching down the street playing Scotland the Brave on bagpipes. What an impressive entrance and presence they had. I have loved the sound of bagpipes, especially that particular song, ever since. Nova Scotia has a very strong connection with Scotland, especially in Cape Breton. I still get such an overwhelming sense of pride that I am Canadian. 🇨🇦 But not TOO proud… sorry!
Was in the Canadian navy a number of years. Every year we would attend Battle of the Atlantic ceremonies and would have to march 7 miles to Dartmouth, NS to attend church. Every year we prayed for a pipe band to lead us. I can't explain it, but one could march for miles and miles behind a pipe band with no fatigue whatsoever.
The basic Pipe setting for "The Maple Leaf Forever" is simple and strong like "Scotland The Brave", so it is easy to play when marching for a length of time.
My grandfather was in the Devil's Brigade, the stories he told us were pretty wild. A quick one for you all is that their line was being shelled so him and his buddy both slept underneath a tank and when they woke up the tank was gone.
lotsa celty stuff from what I remember. Our cadet corps (2912) in Sudbury was/is an Irish regiment. Kilts, scarlets and poofies on the beret. When we had full band, it was common to hear Scotland the Brave in the playlist.
@@Burdflu I was in the Air Cadets in Cambridge, colour guard. We had a pipe and drum band and marched to Scotland the Brave at just about every parade I attended.
I live on the east coast of Canada and I have a bag piper in my neighborhood. Occasionally I'll hear them playing Scotland The Brave on the weekends, and thankfully they're quite good!
It's to show the difference between British Commonwealth troop discipline versus the undisciplined American troops at the time. Bagpipes, Scottish kilts and insignias are prevalent in the Canadian forces due to Scottish immigrant influence on English Canada. Bagpipes are so prevalent in Canadian military tradition, including Remembrance Day Ceremonies, that as a kid I didn't know bagpipes where Scottish until I got older. They were just a part of growing up in my part of Canada.
A grand entrance for the Canadians but the movie did a real disservice to the US troops of the First Special Service Force. The Americans were all volunteers who had to be accepted into the unit, not a bunch of criminal misfits who would have been the worst choices for commando missions. The filmmakers took a huge story cue from _The Dirty Dozen_ that had come out the year before. Several US veterans of the unit were not happy about how they were depicted.
@@dlxmarks never claimed it is was an accurate depiction of American troop discipline, just that that there was a noticeable difference. It was obviously exaggerated for the sake of the movie. Quite typical of movies to misrepresent things. If you took American movies for fact, you would think Americans were the centre of the universe. Most American war movies pretend Canadians don't exist. Actually, not just war movies. Canadians get ignored and marginalized in most American made movies. Just look at Fargo for more evidence.
@@gheald5245 We could discuss the historical inaccuracies of cinema for days but this movie has stuck out for me as an especially bad example due to it coming out about 25 years after the events when plenty of the veterans were still alive. It made the unnecessary and disrespectful choice to depict the US troops as lowlifes and unfortunately many people are in the habit of accepting these things as accurate. It's unfortunate that the US vets probably had to explain multiple times to friends and strangers that they weren't a bunch of criminal conscripts.
@@dlxmarksHollywood! The movie the Great Escape was a pretty good movie too with lots of American heroes in it and no Canadian characters. The POWs in the real Great Escape were British and Canadian with the Canadians playing leading roles in the tunnelling, planning and escape. There were actually no Americans in the real escape at all. Imagine how the surviving Canadians felt when that movie came out.
Princess Mary’s Regiment was considered a Scottish regiment on Vancouver Island, each regiment had ties to various parts of the empire. Princess Pat’s light infantry. My indigenous ancestors fought in RAF as well as scouts in Princess Pat’s light infantry
In my city park on the summer weekends, if you're lucky, pipers can be heard practicing in preparation for Canada Day festivities. I always remove my earbuds to hear the pipes carry over the fields.
We Canadians are VERY Scotish. My grand father was Roy Maud. RCAF gunner and stationed in Scotland during WW2 hunting U-Boats and coastal patrol. His uncle led a failed cavalary charge on the German lines in WW1. They were hard core Scots in every way. Now its mixed with my French Canadian blood. Vikings and Gauls!!! Loved your reaction.
My great grandfather was part of the blackwatch of Canada, Montreal. He landed on Juno and moved up to the battle of Caen. Im very proud to carry his name.
As a proud canadian, who's family is half scottish, the first full song i learned how to play on the bagpipes was scotland the brave. I live next door to nova scotia, which is latin for new scotland.
Apart from pipes and kilts in the military here in Canada, the pipes play an important role with the police, firefighters and government functions. We had a piper at my Dad's memorial and my parents' anniversary celebrations. My grandad, from Aberdeen, sang Scotland the Brave to me when I was little and my uncle was a member of the Devil's Brigade. Many proud Scottish descendants here.
At one time in Ontario's history, the Scots dominated the immigrant population for many years. They totally influenced the early curriculae in Ontario's public and private schools as well as universities.
My father was a Sniper in the P.P.C.L.I. during WWll. I'm not even a shadow of a man compared to ol' pops. My Mom used to tell the story of Dad being pulled over by an RCMP officer one night, he picked the guy up by his lapels and sat him down on the hood of his cruiser, told him to go home. Officer called in and the eventual outcome was: "Yes Sir, have a good night Sir."
My Mom, now 88, had a cousin who played the bagpipes at her eldest sibling's wedding anniversary. Mom is the youngest of 7 kids, all originally from Ontario. All moved to B.C. in the early 1950s. I'd say most Canadians love the bagpipes, stirring up our soul.
I have and I loved it. Great flic, Yes it was a Canadian thing. The Scots settled Nova Scotia. (New Scotland). There was also the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada.
Western Canada is littered with Scottish place names: Calgary, Lethbridge, Canmore, Cochrane, Banff, McBride, Biggar, Carstairs, & Revelstoke, to name a few.
"The Scots settled Nova Scotia" Incorrect...civilization, settlements, society existed there thousands of years. So no they did not settle NS, they settled IN a populated and occupied land...yes I know canada and its canadians dismiss aboriginal people but facts are facts.
I served 8 years in the Royal Canadian Regiment, and we always marched to the Maple Leaf forever on the pipes and drums. Quick side note, I grew up in a small town called Maxville and it's claim to fame is the Glengarry Highland games, which is the North American championships and the largest highland games outside of Scotland.
I am Canadian. Not a drop of Scottish blood in me. But Oh Canada, Scotland The Brave is music embedded deep in my soul, as every Canadian of a certain age will understand. To quote Canadian comedian Mike Myers, the USA may be a melting pot of cultures, but Canada is a salad. Our myriad cultures don't blend together until they're indistinguishable...they coexist, appreciate their differences, celebrate our unique togetherness, and simply add flavour to a BEAUTIFUL mix.💞
Hello Mert, the first group marching wearing the kilts were Canadian Scottish Regiments. There are 16 Canadian Scottish regiments in the Canadian Armed Forces and one Canadian Scottish Artillery regiment. I live in Nova Scotia, latin for New Scotland. Cape Breton is where Scots settled in the late 1700's. Our forests do look a lot like Scotland's no wonder they named it so. Our provincial flag has a scottish Lion in the centre and there are even more scottish descendants in Ontario. I had a friend, last name MacDonald, who always complained and questioned why there were bagpipes at every event in Nova Scotia? The connection to Scotland is the strongest connection to anywhere else, we have in this province. I think the bagpipes are so popular here because the sound is so unique, it carries well, the pipers are colourful, and the sound wells up to fill most of your senses. It is just really, truly cool. Carol in Nova Scotia.
I'm very proud of the Canadian Arm Forces as a Canadian 🇨🇦 i would very much lije to see it increase in size and abilities and in grateful for people like you telling the world of the great abilities of the Canadian Arm Forces. Thank you so very much 🤗🇨🇦❤
I’m quite enjoying these videos, Mert. You have a captive Canadian audience, and it is nice to see Canadians from all parts of the country coming here to share their thoughts about our nation. Thank you for your interest in Canada, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to gab about ourselves a bit on this welcoming forum. :)
Thanks for this, Reminds me of 50 years ago as a child on my Dads shoulders at the Halifax Commons watching the Canada Day Parade and the Same song being played by the marching bands of the service men. I will always stop what I am doing to listen to Bagpipers. Reminds me of early 2000's when Paul McCartney came to the Commons for his concert. He rarely plays Mull Of Kintyre live, but, made an exception due to the Scottish heritage in Nova Scotia. It was amazing, he had a bunch of local pipers on stage playing.
He will play Mull of Kintyre as long as he can find a good local pipe band, if I remember correctly. Also only plays it in places that the song did well on the charts, unlike the US. He's played it in concert it onther Canadian cities too.
I worked with a guy whose father was in the unit. Indeed his name comes up on the unit roster. I was light infantry, we used to love it when we had a pipe band. Canada has several Highland regiments and we're very proud of them The guys in trousers are light infantry. My granny was a McLean from Edinburgh.
Greetings from Toronto, Canada. There isn't a parade without pipes. Various tunes and and this one is always played. Kilts and all. . I get chocked up with pride.
In WWII my Dad enlisted in the Canadian Army, he was in the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment, like others said Kilts and Bagpipes on the band and indeed "Scotland The Brave is one of the marches. The second wave in the marchpast are seen in the standard WWII (worn until the early 1960's) was the itchy wool serge khakis with puttees. Military funerals and Remembrance Day the bagpipe dirge in Canada is "Flowers of the Forest"
When I was in Basic training In the Canadian Army we had a Piper, and we had him pipe all around the base.We loved it!!! We were shown this movie in Battle School!! LOL
Mert--you made an old lady cry in memory of my father marching exactly like your portrayal. I am in my eighties and I only just remember WWII; mostly trains and soldiers and bagpipes. My dad was in the Black Watch Regiment of Canada, enlisted in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. They did march to the bagpipes but didn't fight in kilts in WW II (that I am aware of, lol). I am in proud possession of his red cap feather (I forget the proper terms) as well as many photographs. I must watch The Devil's Brigade !
The red feathers are worn as an identifier for the Canadian Black Watch Regiment. It's worn on on balmorals (tam o'shanter) instead of a cap badge. It's called a "hackle". Other Canadian Scottish Regiments will also wear hackles, but of different colours.
We had two fellows in our northern community here in Dawson Creek, British Columbia who served in the Devil's Brigade.Both were of Scot's/Irish lineage and were seasoned pioneering spirits, well rounded in trades and hunting.Both were quite solitary and rarely seen except at the legion events. One fellow , seldom seen, was a stoic, yet wrote poetry and was softspoken, kind and of few words. No one would speak to these men unless spoken to first and plenty of rounds and meals were paid by others, without remark. Like some of the nurses who parachuted in, armed to protect the wounded in battle, these vetrans mostly sat alone and were treated with great respect , their privacy, acknowledged.
6:04 it wasn't a slight to the dicipline of US troops. It refers to the SF liniage. In the formation of the unit, Canada sent its elite units in order to provide the best results. The US sent criminals and brawlers, the concept being that loosing criminals in high-risk missions would be eaiser to justify.
Before moving on to the regular force I was in the reserves on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The reserve unit was called the Canadian Scottish Regiment, they wear kilts as part of their dress uniform.
As a former Canadian Forces armour corps reconnaissance soldier, who also spent 6 years as an air cadet, I can attest to the fact that the bagpipes are very much a tradition with the branches of the military. Many's the time that I proudly marched to Scotland the Brave. To this day, chills run up and down my spine when I hear it. It evokes memories of my time in the service. I love the pipes; and my parents are German! My Grandfather and extended family were soldiers in the German military before Hitler was a lousy painter; and they served their country honourably during both world wars. Marching band music really strikes a chord for me.
If I remember the movie correctly, when the SSF was formed the Canadians strove to send their best men. The American commanders saw it as an opportunity to transfer their worse soldiers somewhere else. Thus the difference between the troops. I prefer the snippet when the Canadian Unarmed Combat Instructor arrives incognito.
@@chimo1961 the battle had not happen yet it was form in July when the battle happen in august. it was not just the veterans of dunkik but all of the Canadian were harden vets of many battles. since First Special Service Force form in july 9 july 1942.
There were few Canadians at Dunkirk. One, however, was the Navy officer played by Sir Kenneth Branagh in the recent flick about Dunkirk. Why they had Branagh play a Brit ... who knows?
Very, very few Canadians were involved in the Dunkirk evacuation. The British did land a force at Brest as part of an ill-conceived 'second front' intended to divert German forces. That force included a brigade of Canadians, but it was withdrawn within a few days. Canada lost one man in that debacle.
When I was growing up, I got to know several WW II vets. I was an older teenager when my next-door neighbour slipped on the ice and could not get up. I helped him up and got him inside his home. I asked him if he hurt has bad leg, and then had the courage to ask him how he injured his leg in WW II. He invited me into his dining room, where he had photos of when he was in uniform, and his patches were in a frame. One of the patches was from his time in the Devils Brigade. He said he responded to the call for Canadian volunteers to train with the Americans for the Devils Brigade. I found that most vets did not want to talk about the war, but that day, he told me that as he was parachuting in behind enemy lines, he was hit in the leg by German ground fire. My dad served with the Edmonton Fusiliers, but when Canadians were shipped to Scotland for commando training in preparation for the invasion of Sicily, they were renamed the Loyal Canadian Regiment. When my son was in Air Cadets, they wore standard uniforms, but the pipe and drum band wore kilts, and Scotland the Brave was often played at the parades. Years after my son left Air Cadets, I learned the name of this song is Scotland the Brave. I have also learned that when the troops were in England to go further into Europe, the Americans were known for their arrogance, and the Canadians were known for how much they cursed and swore.
There is a story of am American unit barracked in Camp Petawawa in Canada for some reason. Dicipline was poor. Even getting them up in the morning was dificult, until they had a piper march while playing through the barracks.
It's a great movie and the Canadian premiere was held in my city where actor Cliff Robertson attended. Around 1000 people attended the public ceremony of the premiere, this was in May 14 1968. The movie is fairly accurate as far as how things really went during training and also in combat
Yes, pretty decent movie for the most part. The one thing that really bothers me is their first assignment and they end up taking the whole German garrison without a shot fired. Completely contrived and unrealistic but aside from that, they did a good job. Of course as others have pointed out, the US and Canadian troops were more alike each other and not the complete opposite’s as shown in the movie.
@@Drew-wf7vw Brantford or Simcoe one because if you were in the Brantford one between 7 to 2 years ago I would have been in there too I aged out two years ago
The Canadians in this unit were from various Canadian Army units. We have several Highland regiments, for example The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's) is based in my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario.
(Scotland the brave) is a common song in Canada! 👍🏼 and is tribute to one of first immigrants that came to canada for a better life, and helped build Canada, the Scottish people👌, So it’s played commonly if you grow up in Canada👍🏼 it’s tribute to the First 10s of Thousands of Scottish people immigrants that came and helped/fought for Canada👌❤️ We Respect the Scottish people highly basically 👍🏼. I’m Canadian? a common TV show here? Is called? “The RedGreen Show” and that song is basically apart of the Show 👍🏼❤️.
My grandfather Roland Ashman (I'm Canadian, he was born British), was commander I think ( Lt Col.) of the Canadian Cameron Highlanders, aka the Queens own regiment in Canada in WW2. Based out of Ottawa, the Canadian Capital. I'm sure I would have heard if this movie was about his regiment, but he got an Xmas card from the Queen every year. I've photos of him in a kilt, and his regiment had a Tartan that I've been looking to find for a necktie or somesuch. My Aunt has his ceremonial (dress) claymore.
alot of Canadians are actually scots like me with a proud heritage from the mother land. I live in Nova Scotia which translates into New Scotland. :). Very proud canadian and we are fierce.
They did a really good job with the sound of the pipe band and the drums. Wow does that bring back memories of the PPCLI pipe bad marching past at EVERY parade I've ever been to. Love the pipe band. That scene gave me suck nostalgic goosebumps.
I love how you started to move in time as soon as you heard the bagpipes. Back then, still being part of the British Commonwealth, there was a strong attachment to Britain & pride of that connection. Greetings from Canada.
I grew up watching this movie, my dad was a Royal Canadian Regiment member and whenever this part came up his chest would swell with pride. And me today, I get the same sense of pride watching this part. Growing up he told me that he fought for everyone's freedom, not just the white man's. I didn't understand this until I aged out of the foster system and moved to the city.
When I was a young child, I grew up near Lower Fort Gary, Manitoba Canada 🇨🇦. In the summer, there was about a week at the Fort, where they had games and picnics and old time competitions like log tossing lol. My uncles entered every year! My favourite part, was when the bagpipes would start, and the band/soldiers would come marching in! I loved it! There is a lot of Scottish heritage in the Lockport area, in Manitoba. This was in the early 70’s. It was an awesome time to grow up!
Of course we still march to Scotland the Brave. It's the pipes, laddie. They terrify the enemy and put heart into real men. I wore that same wool battledress uniform in the Cadets in the seventies, and the redcoat uniform with the huge hat and a Brown Bess musket at Ft. York in the summers. We marched to The British Grenadiers in that uniform. We never left the Empire, don't forget. It left us and became a Commonwealth.
Canadians were always looking for ways to leave the British empire,the movement started during ww1,Canadians were tired of being shackled to the British empire and canadas success in ww1 allowed for us to eventually leave on its own terms,Canada is not British ,Canadians are Canadians
Scotland the Brave is always included in all pipe bands play list. I am in s/w Ontario in Canada. We are proud of our Essex-Kent Scots who fought in WW2 and wear kilts. Most pipe bands also wear kilts.
My Father served with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) during WW2 and lied to enlist at age 15. He spent six years fighting the Nazi’s in Europe and earned six prestigious medals. I’m very proud of my father and the sacrifice he made to preserve the freedoms we now enjoy. It seems however that Trudeau, an elite priss who’s never sacrificed anything in his life or held a real job for any meaningful period; is hell bent on embracing the ideology of socialism and disrespects the sacrifices thousands of Canadian men and women made only to have this Momma’s boy spit in the face of our dear Veterans.🙏🇨🇦
Having served in the GG FootGuard and done parade on Parliament Hill... I love the pipes. Nothing like having that band blast the tunes down town Ottawa as we marched. With strong Scotts Heritage, it sings to my blood
In WW1 one of my grandfathers served with the 16th Canadian Scottish regiment, the other with the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. My father served as well with the Seaforth Highlanders during WW2. There are many Scottish regiments in Canada. We have a long and proud Scottish history here in this country. The reason you saw a mix of uniforms is because men were recruited from various units based on their background as woodsman, loggers, trappers, etc in Canada. They wanted tough outdoorsy men that could handle the elements as their initial combat action was to fight the Japanese on Kiska on the Aleutian Islands off Alaska.
Their intended first mission was to Norway, though that was cancelled. But in fact they did end up on Kiska in August 1943. My uncle was there, though not as part of the FSSF but as part of the Rocky Mountain Rangers.
@@wayneleeke8724 The FSSF only stayed on Kiska for about two days. They figured there were not enough Japanese there to make it worth their while. In fact, all the Japanese had left about ten days before the Allies landed there. Yes, you can't really trust much from Hollywood for historical accuracy, and the Devil's Brigade is pretty egregious, LOL!
There's an apocryphal story that in WWI when the regiment from Stormont and Glengarry in eastern Ontario was raised, they had to give them English lessons as part of basic training because so many were still Gaelic speakers.
Former Westie here… served with many Seaforth dudes in Vernon , BC and then we all joined the PPCLI as Regular Force soldiers. Best mates I ever had! They even showed me how to march to “Black Bear” at the same time listening for our C1A1 bayonets to swagger to the kilt flow, So To Speak… click, click ,click to time with the steel clickers on our drill boots with built up leather soles, since we were Dirty Patricias! VP Always!!
echoing the comment about 'Scotland the Brave' being the first thing a piper learns (dont play myself, but a close friend did) I also can recall marching at Army Cadet Camp (13-15 yr olds) and feeling a 'boost' of energy when the pipers took over from the brass band. even now 40+ years later, that song still has the power to get my arms swinging and to get me back 'in step'.
Canada has several battalions, divisions, and other sections of the army which are inspired by Scotland, and we are damn proud of them! Yes, they still wear kilts as part of the dress uniform and play bagpipes in 2024. I think Princess Patricia's Light Infantry, a brigade, is one such unit, and they wear kilts and play bagpipes.
Canadian troops still march to Scotland the Brave and The British Grenadiers. My French grandfather rocked a kilt and could play Scotland the Brave by humming and hitting his throat with his hand.
Side note about the PPLI: do NOT f with those boys. The only way they can get more badass is if they transfer to the Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) and become special operators.
PPCLI is not a Scottish regiment. Indeed, there are no Scottish units in the regular force as they are all Reserve units. Also, we can't field even one Division in the regular force and we would be pressed to field even one adequately equipped mechanized brigade. It has become a joke. I am a veteran.
4:48 the troops in kilts, and the reason for the pipes and drumbs follows the regiments with scotish liniage (Black Watch, Argyles, Calhighs ets). The troops not on kilts represent the non scotish regiments (PPCLI, RCR, LERs, etc)
After watching your reaction to the modern training of the devil''s brigade standards, had to see more, and watched this movie as well. Thanks for that video by the way, was a fun day and is all your fault. Hehehe. will enjoy this one too, That was a great scene. Loved how they showed the difference in discipline, loved how they all came together.
Mert, there's a HUGE highland tradition in the Canadian Army; _numerous_ highland regiments with long and proud connections to the Mother Country. The pipes are played at most all ceremonies. They are integral to Canadian military life.
When I was a kid in the days before VCRs, when I saw this listed in the TV Guide I would _make sure_ I was home to see this scene! It actually inspired me to join the army in Canada!
correct i am proud of our history
@@kalcuthbert3090 do ya still serve?
Many of our army units have long affiliations with British units and inherited their traditions during formation.
The Americans were influenced far more by the French who supported then (barely) during the war for independence. In later years they adopted much more British military influence... avoiding the issues that while the UK produced the finest soldiers in the world their Army leadership was typically exactly the opposite with a few exception.
Many of our regiments have their own pipe bands and “Piper” is a military trade in Canada.
I was once briefly a member of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment. We wore balmorals while the English regiments wore berets. Yes there is a HUGE Scottish connection in Canada military.
Canadian piper here.....Scotland the Brave is one of the very first tunes a piper learns to play and it is a staple for any/all Canadian parades, tattoos or gatherings. To love the pipes is to love Scotland and I learned from old Alec Robertson, who was a Sgt. Major in the British army during WW2 and the Queen's personal piper for 5 yrs. He was a strict disciplinarian and demanded our very best piping. RIP, Sgt. Major.
I learned the pipes from Albert Irich Chandler, in 1968.
@@fredmartin328 The late '60's was when piping really caught on and some of the best teachers were around. I started piping in '63, but it was '68 when I began being taught by the Sgt. Major.
For a lot of us non-piper Canadians, Scotland the Brave and Amazing Grace are the ONLY songs we've heard on the bagpipes! :D
I love the pipes.. love them and am not Scottish. However, my Father had been in the Irish Army, an Irishman himself, and then the RAF. He had attended and taken part and trained airmen for many on the parade ground in the RAF. He had also taken part as part of a colour party, during the war, but the Irish termed it 'The Emergency'. at Dublin Castle for the Taoishoch (spelling probably wrong). consequently, i was brought up listening to pipes on tv coverage of parades and tatoos. I then joined the met Police and found myself many a me on duty to see and hear. Love them and admire pipers for their skill. to see the pipers at Prince Philips and then Queen Elizabeths funeral performing so well and movingly touched the hearts of everyone I know..even those who are not fans of the instrument and its music. to see the Pipers marching down the Mall, kilts swinging and hearing the music.. such a privilege. Glad I was there. When younger i was once winked at by an Irish Guards piper as he swung past me in his orange kilt down the Mall in formation.. lol. naughty as he was on parade after all and I was on duty. On that occasion HM The Queen was on parade riding side saddle on horseback. Magnificant.
@@InTheBasementProduct You haven't been listening dude.
Canadian army brat here. I grew up with the pipes and drums playing Scotland the Brave and giving me goosebumps.
As a youngster, I asked why some of the soldiers wore kilts. My mom said it was part of their uniform.
My dad said it was so you know who the toughest sons of b*tches were.
Can attest to this
played at my grandads funeral. Anyone with someone in the military, and some sort of interest in it will know and love it !
Drummer here, but not a military one. I understand that our marching music carries a slight lilt, adopted from your highland tradition, which you don't hear so much in military music of other countries. In this film the rhythm was very bouncy, but maybe authentic for the period? I grew up in Fergus, Ontario, where there's a huge highland festival each year. Caber tossing, sword dancing etc. My great-uncle lived there too and played bagpipes. Scottish traditions are alive and well in Canada. Heck, my brother married into a Scottish-Canadian family.
@@puffinwrangler7557 South of you is a place called Scotch Block how that got started is a story all in itself.
Canadian Army brat here as well! Loved going t to the parades , love the pipes and drums.
My town had a devils brigade member. I was able to meet him a few years ago before he died. He was such a lovely elderly man, and was worried about the current state of the world. He even cried and gave my brother a big hug because he said he didn't want young boys like us going to fight in another war. His name was George Wright.
This comment made me tear up.
I was married to a Canadian Officer, All of our ceremonies and suppers always had bagpipes playing and they all wore kilts. My mother's family tree was from Scotland and my father's from England. Scotland has always been a very large part of Canada.
so is the french an the irish
@mattiasfaldt1725 except the scottish and irish dont constantly insult and try to separate from Canada.
The Black Watch, Royal Canadian Highlanders, The Ladies From Hell
Toronto Scottish Regiment, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders........
Glengarry Highlanders is the reserve unit in Cornwall where I grew up.
Seaforth highlanders in B.C.
North Shore New Brunswick regiment
The west Nova Scotia regiment, the Highlanders without kilts and the 78th Highlanders.
Point to note: Every Canadian fighting man overseas was a volunteer. My Dad among them. Proud as hell of that old boy.
My grandfather went over in '39 with the first boatload and they landed in Scotland before being assigned in England. He made it home in early 1946. D-Day all the way to Tilburg in Holland.
@@timmytwodogs God bless your Grandpa. They made men like your grand father and my Dad differently back then. We'll never see their like again.
incorrect some people in quebec were forced on the boat by bayonet lol, my g father volunteered 39 45 he talked about them, had no use for them
@@Great_Sandwich I agree, they were a special breed of men. I visited the Normandy beaches with my [ Dutch ] wife a few years ago and I still can't properly explain what my feelings were. We can never repay what those men did for us and the free world in general. Take care and I bet your dad was quite a fellow.
@@timmytwodogs He was. Like your Grandpa. They all did their jobs. Dad was in on the liberation of the Netherlands. He always loved that country. We sent him back twice for reunions. They treated our Canadian vets like kings.
Mert, we Canadians love the Scottish. you're like our cousins across the ocean. we fought together against tyranny and overcame so much together. sending much love from Canada. cheers!
Thanks for showing love for my ancestors
@ 4:47 -ish you ask why some are wearing kilts and some aren’t?
You had the option of dress uniform in many regiments; those of Irish or Scott families could wear kilts or pants.
So many of us have clan blood flowing in our veins. It's no wonder the Romans stopped when they met us.
@@Heatx79 depends on the wind ....
Scotland is well represented on our coat of arms
I served for 15 years in the Canadian Army. Bagpipes, especially Scotland the Brave, have a history dating back to WW I and before, with Canadians. We would be piped "in" to this tune quite often. Our east coast has one province, Nova Scotia (New Scotland).
This movie was very accurate. My father having fought during WWII, would regale me with tales of this unit.
Right, lots of Canadian army units that are not “Scottish” still have some kind of pipe band.
Even our reserve engineer regiment had a small volunteer pipe and drum band.
My grandfather had Scottish roots, served in the Canadian Army during WW2 in Sicily, Italy, and the Netherlands. When he died 50 years later, the local legionnaires piped out his casket to Amazing Grace and I cried like I never have before or since. Bagpipes do it everytime...
my Grandmothers brother was in Italy during the war. maybe they served together
This, boys and girls, is how you make an ENTRANCE !
They announce their presence with authority. (Bull Durham reference)
Did you see the Americans wiping their faces, fixing their hair, dusting and straightening their uniforms? The Canadians rightfully made them feel ashamed of themselves.
@@bodasactra A little story I learned after my dad died in ‘93. He told my brothers (but not my sis or me) about some dust-ups he had in England when he was there late 1943-early 1944. I wondered if he ended up fighting some Canadians or Scots because he often called them “damned Limeys!”
@@cathykuehl3440 I would not doubt a man like your dad dusted off with more than a few men of diverse origins. Under the pressure of that moment in time most blokes will have had a go with whoever happens to be in front of them at the moment of eruption. Consider it a healthy exchange of diplomacy between the mightest men to walk this good Earth.
@@bodasactra I like that. 🙂
Das Teufel Brigade,,, Canadian recruitment was opened to volunteers from the various regiments that had already experienced 3 years of war at that point in the war. They recieved volunteers from The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment), Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, The Nova Scotia Highlanders, The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh's Own), The Essex and Kent Scottish, 48th Highlanders of Canada, The Cape Breton Highlanders, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's), The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, The Calgary Highlanders, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's), and The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's Own). They also recieved volunteers from the other regiments, that were uniformed in standard uniforms, thus the varied apperance of the troops as they marched from the railhead to the camp. Canada has a regular army and a reserve army. I served in the Essex and Kent Scotish regiment as a reservist in the mid '80s after leaving the regular forces.
My son is currently serving with the Lorne Scots.
My Dad was an original member of the F.S.S.F. He came out the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. I saw this film with him in 1968 when I 12 years old. He always said that it was about 80% b.s however not a bad story. I still have his V42 dagger and other memorabilia from the force and his Canadian service. These items will be passed to my sons. RIP Dad
Americans were not undisciplined as portrayed in the movie and the Canadian accent is Scottish, actual casualties were high but accomplishments were impressive.
Your Dad was right the movie is at least 80% BS. However the accomplishments of the Brigade are unprecedented to this day
My Father in law was a Cameron who ended up in the FSSF too. I asked him specifically about this scene and he said they were picked up at the train station by a bus. And rolled his eyes.
@@CrDa-i7e From what I've read, not as undisciplined. But they specifically recruited miners, lumberjacks, trappers, hunters, etc. Probably not going to start a brawl on the parade ground but still a handful. The Canadians also had their share of these men but they also had British discipline.
@@CrDa-i7e many immigrants to Canada from the British Isles ended up in police or military especially in the higher ranks.
As a Scot living in Canada i can assure you loads of them have a true love for our country. Living in Nova Scotia has shown me that fairly quick.
Fellow Nova Scotian here. Did you know it meant New Scotland?
@@jeremyscott8917 I live in the birth place of new Scotland.
@@tormodmacleod9116 Pictou?
Canadians are one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet but they're tough as nails they can be ruthless when you need them to be
They keep telling us we could play hockey, but the enemy is hiding the puck!
Canada has a proud Scottish military heritage. I started my military career in the Essex & Kent Scottish Regiment from Windsor Ontario as infantry before joining regular forces.
Canadian Scottish Regiment (what some call the Canadian Marines) here!
Hey man, from Chatham! My gramps started in EK Scots, although I think it was just the Kent regiment in WW2? He was discharged from the Wolseley Barracks.
@@nakmuay7705 Right on man! That was a whole lifetime ago but fond memories.
@@JT.Pilgrim he started as an infantryman with the EK's but by the end of the war he was with the RC Engineers. I think because they paid more....he was charged $9 in his paybook for accidentally running over his sten gun with a jeep hahah.
@@nakmuay7705 🤣
My First Nations grandfather was an Anishinabe man that served in WW2 with the Canadian Scottish Regiment. Yes he wore a kilt. Also Canada had been at war for a few years before America entered.
Yes indeed. Canada went into WW II in 1939 and the States didn't go in until 1941. Tommy Prince was another Aboriginal man who was in the Devil's Brigade.
@@darcymartin7608 Yes the story of Tommy Prince. It too is a legacy of how Canada treats our veterans. His actions in Italy are as hilarious as they are ballsy.
My greatest respect to your brave grandfather! First Nations warriors fought with distinction with Canadian Forces in both WWI, WWII, and Korea!
Thank you I served for 24 years in his and my other grandfathers honour. You know the poem by a Canadian to pick up that torch, hit a cord. My father served as well in the navy. He was on the first UN tour in Egypt. His advice was golden getting through basic. Long family history of service from my family, something not explored in Canada. But most I served with had prior influences.
Anishinaabeg warriors have a proud history in Canada’s forces dating back to WW1
Kilts and bagpipes are a long tradition in Canada, both in the military and in the numerous pipe bands from all around the country. Truth be told, one of the finest pipe bands in the world is the Simon Fraser University band from Vancouver who have won the international pipe championships in Scotland many times. My old Celtic Rock band has played in the same Highland Games as the SFU band, giving us the chance to see them perform live and they are incredible.
It's also common to have Scottish events in Canada, such as the annual Robbie Burns parades and celebrations. As my eldest son once said when he was very little "It's not a proper parade, dad, if there's no bagpipes". Our Highland Games are also popular events, attended by dozens of bands and many thousands of people.
Even our first Prime Minister was Scots by birth.
The first pipe band from outside of the British Isles to win the world championships was a Canadian band from Ontario in the 70's. I played in a band with one of the members years ago.
The SFU Pipe Band is stellar. I've heard them several times and they're so in sync when they play, they sound like one huge bagpipe. Sends tingles up the spine.
@@pitcat1376 - They're SUPPOSED to sound like "one huge bagpipe".
SFU
So was our 2nd Prime Minister, Alexander MacKenzie.
2:45 It's a very common thing for Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders to be led by pipes. Don't forget millions of us in the dominions have Scottish ancestry.
1000 pipers died in WW1
I’m a Canadian piper, as far as I know I have no Scottish blood in my veins but man I love the pipes. One of the finest pipers I have ever played with was a Cree Native from Manitoba. It’s true that Scotland the Brave is one of the first tune any piper learns. I learned the pipes while in the Canadian Army, being not in a Highland Regiment but we did have a pipe band. My Pipe Major was an Acadian (French Canadian from Nova Scotia). Pipe bands are quite common in Canada, both civilian and military.
The comment you had said about some of the Canadians had kilts and some with trousers, the Canadian contingent of the Devil’s Brigade was made up from various Canadian Infantry Regiments, some Highland and some not. Once the unit formed, the Canadian uniforms were replaced with US ones, but with the distinctive arrowhead shoulder patch like their American brothers. It was an amazing unit of expert fighters that punched way above their weight category in WW2, and paved the way for the Special Forces for both the US and Canada, and their legacy continues to this day.
You have to remember in WW2, the Canadians started fighting in 1939. The Americans didn't get into the war until 1942. The Canadians were already a well-trained fighting force. I have seen this movie and at first, the Americans didn't respect them but once they fought together, the respect was there.
Sorry,...December 7th......1941.
He is talking about the European theatre. Duh....
There is a reason for the saying 'Britain stood alone'.
That day was a day in infamy that was ALLOWED to happen. The Americans knew it was going to happen and they decided to allow it in order to end the pacifism that 'plagued' the USA. British and Canadian intelligence warned the Americans. Why do you think a Japanese Admiral reviewed Taranto?
@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074 You have to remember that the world outside of the US borders doesn't exist to Americans. In their minds and history books Germany and Europe were never a part of World War 2. To them the war started the day of Pearl Harbor and ended the day Hitler surrendered in Japan... Lmfao They also still believe the fairytale that they've never been defeated on their own soil. Guess the US history books skip from 1811 to 1815...
There are 16 Scottish-Canadian regiments and one artillery regiment. Long History. My grandfather was in the 48th Highlanders during WWII. Trivia: Actor James Doohan "Scotty" from Star Trek was a Canadian Scot who landed on Juno Beach on D-Day. He was credited with taking out two German snipers and helping clear mines. Unfortunately for him, late one night he was mistaken for a German soldier and shot 6 times! 4 in the leg, one took off his middle finger and the last in the chest (where he was saved by a cigarette case).
"Scotty" landed with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles at Courseulles-sur-mer right next to the Regina Rifles. Indeed, Scotty probably travelled right over where the Canadian Juno Beach Centre stands today. He was shot by the sentry that very night of June 6, 1944! He was an artillery officer attached to the Winnipegs. When asked about picking off snipers he said it was more of an elevated platform with a machine gun outfit operating from it. He sprayed some bullets at it with his Sten gun and whether that killed them or not he wasn't sure, but they had no more trouble from that spot. (Within 28 hours the Regina Rifles had taken Bretteville and the Royal Winnipeg Rifles had taken Putot, right next door, which was a very big leap from the beach and by far the deepest penetration of any Allied regiments! A massive battle happened there from June 8-10 with hundreds killed as the Regina Rifles and 1 Hussars knocked out 29 Nazi panzers from 12 SS, while the Winnipegs bagged 6 more at Putot. The Canadian Scottish from Vancouver Island helped the Winnipegs retake Putot from 12 SS, as the battle see-sawed there over the three days and nights they fought it out, with some Panzer Lehr also taking part in the fight early on before disengaging and moving over slightly to their left to tangle exclusively with the British from Gold beach. I suppose that tidied up Panzer Lehr's command structure and left Juno beach to 12 SS Panzer, 21 Panzer and various infantry regiments.) The only Star Trek episode that Scotty had to show his missing middle finger was in one scene from "The Trouble With Tribbles."
James Montgomery.Doohan was Irish NOT Scots! Both of his parents emigrated from Ireland!
@@kimcallaghan3404, if you've got Irish ancestry, you likely have some Scottish ancestry too and vice versa.
@@schfooge can confirm. Scottish and Irish (and Scots-Irish too!) on both sides. Have been to both countries and loved them😊
@@schfooge ancestry? His father and mother were BOTH born and raised in Ireland and emigrated to Canada. Christ on his cross would you cease with the unrequired lesson.
There are 15 highland regiments in the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps, all of which are reserve units located in cities across the country. I served in one, the Lake Superior Scottish, based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The unit tartan is the McGillvrary and the regimental march was "Hielan Laddie."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Superior_Scottish_Regiment
Although it wasn't always a Scottish Regiment.
I knew a man who served with the Lake Superior Light Infantry in WWII.
My father served in WWII with the Lake Superior Regiment (motor) , when he was wounded in action two weeks before the end of the war in Germany at Kusten Canal , after he recovered he transferred to the Glengarry Highlanders and they were occupiers in northwest Germany. He didn't come home until late 1946. The Lake Superior Regiment was made a Scottish regiment sometime after the war
Thank @padwrr for the number. I’m a brat who hails from a long standing military service. It began with my ancestors fights on the Plains of Abraham. He never left.
The internet is a small place. I was with 18 (TB) SVC BTN. "Nice skirt" ;)
As an American I have to tell you-that marching formation with the drums and pipes is so cool (in a military sense of course). I love it!!
The American colonel played by William Holden was attempting to form a joint special forces / rangers unit. The Canadians sent a unit that were already trained as such but in the film version the US commanders did not send him volunteers or their best men, but instead sent him their disciplinary rejects who were always getting into trouble.
Exactly. The Americans in the actual unit were some of the best the US had to offer. But that wouldn't have made as good of a movie, or made as good propaganda. It would have been a boring movie to see highly disciplined troops from the start come together and become a highly effective unit. Instead, it's more 'exciting' for 'washouts' to become 'heroes'. It was also a large dose of propaganda that the 'worst' US troops could savage the Germans.
The unarmed combat instructor in that movie is actually based off of Tom Prince from the PPCLI, he was first nations, but we all know the movies at the time. Myself being an ex Patricia too , was very proud to learn my unarmed combat training in Tommy Prince Hall, at Patricia battle school
1VP here, Canal Du Nord 7708….VP Always!!
Tommy was my Great Grandmothers cousin ..(her last name was Prince as well)`
The actual combat instructor was from the Hong Kong Police force. Sgt Prince also volunteered for Korea
I got to meet Tommy Prince Jr. (his son) and his father's metals are on display at Sergeant Tommy Prince Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. Stg. Tommy Prince has a school named for him on his reserve, in Brokenhead North East of the city, including a park.
Every Patricia know Tommy Prince. VP
I have marched to that tune since I was 13....couldn't imagine doing without it, and still gets my attention at the age of 65!! ☝️😁🇨🇦
Me too. I was a Westie at Camp Vernon, learned these traditions from my mates in Seaforth Highlanders and Canadian Scottish Regiments! Best mates, I ever had! Peace Be The Journey! Dirty Patricia 1VP, out!
Very strong Scottish influence in Canada. I am a proud Canadian with this influence of Scotts within us, Thanks.
Our first Prime Minister was a Scotsman.
Scots.
I’m a Canadian and also served in the Militia in the mid 80s . The Lorne Scots B Coy . A Scottish Regiment with Battle honours in WW1 and 2 . I took great pride in all regimental traditions . Love the channel
C Coy, here, 1980. Horny Lornies.
I was Canadian Royal 22nd 3rd battalion, I served along side American soldiers and they were respectful of tradition, disciplined and easily some of the best I have ever had the honour to stand with. I would without hesitation consider them brothers in arms.
I have seen this movie numerous times as my Dad was in the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry and was part of the forces that liberated Holland.
They had a piper in their unit as well and that piper wore a kilt. Even though my Dad was not of Scottish descent he loved the sound of the bagpipes and they would be piped into battle. There is a large Scottish population in Canada.
My brother was in the PPCLI back in the 80s ✌
Dude, one of my best friends is in the St. Pat's Rifles. He's a crazy mofo. Jumpin out of planes and all kinds of wild stuff. I don't know how he does it lol.
PPCLI marching tune was Cock o’ the North, if I am not mistaken. 🙂
Let’s hear it for the PPCLI
Canada helped liberate other provinces in the Netherlands besides Holland.
Many Canadians, myself included our proud of our Scottish ancestry.
But Canada is never not going to be America's bitch right?
I grew up in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Every year our small town would have a parade and my absolute favourite part was when the Highland Regiment from Cape Breton came marching down the street playing Scotland the Brave on bagpipes. What an impressive entrance and presence they had. I have loved the sound of bagpipes, especially that particular song, ever since.
Nova Scotia has a very strong connection with Scotland, especially in Cape Breton. I still get such an overwhelming sense of pride that I am Canadian. 🇨🇦
But not TOO proud… sorry!
Was in the Canadian navy a number of years. Every year we would attend Battle of the Atlantic ceremonies and would have to march 7 miles to Dartmouth, NS to attend church. Every year we prayed for a pipe band to lead us. I can't explain it, but one could march for miles and miles behind a pipe band with no fatigue whatsoever.
The basic Pipe setting for "The Maple Leaf Forever" is simple and strong like "Scotland The Brave", so it is easy to play when marching for a length of time.
It shows that the Canadian Soldiers are Proud and Represent Their Country Proudly and Professionally.
Being a Canadian with Scottish ancestry, hearing the pipes playing never fails to give me goosebumps...
Hearing the bagpipes. with Sewdish and English ancestry, also gives me goosebumps.
Coming from a military family my reaction is sadness as I've mostly associated the pipes with funerals.
@@Playingwith3D Cheer up Lad , they are used for more than that
My grandfather was in the Devil's Brigade, the stories he told us were pretty wild.
A quick one for you all is that their line was being shelled so him and his buddy both slept underneath a tank and when they woke up the tank was gone.
My mother's younger brother was a member of the Devils Brigade. He was a Saskatchewan farm boy.
Lots of Highland military units in Canada !!
lotsa celty stuff from what I remember. Our cadet corps (2912) in Sudbury was/is an Irish regiment. Kilts, scarlets and poofies on the beret. When we had full band, it was common to hear Scotland the Brave in the playlist.
@@Burdflu I was in the Air Cadets in Cambridge, colour guard. We had a pipe and drum band and marched to Scotland the Brave at just about every parade I attended.
@@Burdflu I used to be in 2137 Calgary Highlanders when I was younger.
@@mookie7688 Yup. Brampton has the Lorne Scots too.
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders in Winnipeg
Ex 48th Highlander, Toronto, Ontario here. We love us some pipes and drums!
Once a Highlander, always a Highlander, Dileas
I live on the east coast of Canada and I have a bag piper in my neighborhood. Occasionally I'll hear them playing Scotland The Brave on the weekends, and thankfully they're quite good!
It's to show the difference between British Commonwealth troop discipline versus the undisciplined American troops at the time. Bagpipes, Scottish kilts and insignias are prevalent in the Canadian forces due to Scottish immigrant influence on English Canada. Bagpipes are so prevalent in Canadian military tradition, including Remembrance Day Ceremonies, that as a kid I didn't know bagpipes where Scottish until I got older. They were just a part of growing up in my part of Canada.
A grand entrance for the Canadians but the movie did a real disservice to the US troops of the First Special Service Force. The Americans were all volunteers who had to be accepted into the unit, not a bunch of criminal misfits who would have been the worst choices for commando missions. The filmmakers took a huge story cue from _The Dirty Dozen_ that had come out the year before. Several US veterans of the unit were not happy about how they were depicted.
@@dlxmarks never claimed it is was an accurate depiction of American troop discipline, just that that there was a noticeable difference. It was obviously exaggerated for the sake of the movie. Quite typical of movies to misrepresent things. If you took American movies for fact, you would think Americans were the centre of the universe. Most American war movies pretend Canadians don't exist. Actually, not just war movies. Canadians get ignored and marginalized in most American made movies. Just look at Fargo for more evidence.
@@gheald5245 We could discuss the historical inaccuracies of cinema for days but this movie has stuck out for me as an especially bad example due to it coming out about 25 years after the events when plenty of the veterans were still alive. It made the unnecessary and disrespectful choice to depict the US troops as lowlifes and unfortunately many people are in the habit of accepting these things as accurate. It's unfortunate that the US vets probably had to explain multiple times to friends and strangers that they weren't a bunch of criminal conscripts.
@@dlxmarksHollywood! The movie the Great Escape was a pretty good movie too with lots of American heroes in it and no Canadian characters. The POWs in the real Great Escape were British and Canadian with the Canadians playing leading roles in the tunnelling, planning and escape. There were actually no Americans in the real escape at all. Imagine how the surviving Canadians felt when that movie came out.
Did you mean Argo? In any case, you're spot on.
Princess Mary’s Regiment was considered a Scottish regiment on Vancouver Island, each regiment had ties to various parts of the empire. Princess Pat’s light infantry. My indigenous ancestors fought in RAF as well as scouts in Princess Pat’s light infantry
Growing up in Canada I still get goosebumps hearing this song played with bagpipes as I did as a kid
Ditto!!!
Honestly it never occurred to me that the song had a name until he said it. All my life it has just been that song every pipe band plays.
In my city park on the summer weekends, if you're lucky, pipers can be heard practicing in preparation for Canada Day festivities. I always remove my earbuds to hear the pipes carry over the fields.
We Canadians are VERY Scotish. My grand father was Roy Maud. RCAF gunner and stationed in Scotland during WW2 hunting U-Boats and coastal patrol. His uncle led a failed cavalary charge on the German lines in WW1. They were hard core Scots in every way. Now its mixed with my French Canadian blood. Vikings and Gauls!!! Loved your reaction.
My great grandfather was part of the blackwatch of Canada, Montreal. He landed on Juno and moved up to the battle of Caen. Im very proud to carry his name.
As a proud canadian, who's family is half scottish, the first full song i learned how to play on the bagpipes was scotland the brave. I live next door to nova scotia, which is latin for new scotland.
Apart from pipes and kilts in the military here in Canada, the pipes play an important role with the police, firefighters and government functions. We had a piper at my Dad's memorial and my parents' anniversary celebrations. My grandad, from Aberdeen, sang Scotland the Brave to me when I was little and my uncle was a member of the Devil's Brigade. Many proud Scottish descendants here.
At one time in Ontario's history, the Scots dominated the immigrant population for many years. They totally influenced the early curriculae in Ontario's public and private schools as well as universities.
My father was a Sniper in the P.P.C.L.I. during WWll. I'm not even a shadow of a man compared to ol' pops. My Mom used to tell the story of Dad being pulled over by an RCMP officer one night, he picked the guy up by his lapels and sat him down on the hood of his cruiser, told him to go home. Officer called in and the eventual outcome was: "Yes Sir, have a good night Sir."
I Am A Proud Canadian. NEVER FORGET OUR BROTHERS! EVER.
My Mom, now 88, had a cousin who played the bagpipes at her eldest sibling's wedding anniversary. Mom is the youngest of 7 kids, all originally from Ontario. All moved to B.C. in the early 1950s. I'd say most Canadians love the bagpipes, stirring up our soul.
I have and I loved it. Great flic, Yes it was a Canadian thing. The Scots settled Nova Scotia. (New Scotland). There was also the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada.
Still is !!!! They have been active since 1862.
It was at this point I understood nova scotia, omg. Never thought about it.
Western Canada is littered with Scottish place names: Calgary, Lethbridge, Canmore, Cochrane, Banff, McBride, Biggar, Carstairs, & Revelstoke, to name a few.
"The Scots settled Nova Scotia" Incorrect...civilization, settlements, society existed there thousands of years. So no they did not settle NS, they settled IN a populated and occupied land...yes I know canada and its canadians dismiss aboriginal people but facts are facts.
I served 8 years in the Royal Canadian Regiment, and we always marched to the Maple Leaf forever on the pipes and drums. Quick side note, I grew up in a small town called Maxville and it's claim to fame is the Glengarry Highland games, which is the North American championships and the largest highland games outside of Scotland.
IVP, here, bro! Pro Patria Always!
PRO PATRIA
I am Canadian. Not a drop of Scottish blood in me. But Oh Canada, Scotland The Brave is music embedded deep in my soul, as every Canadian of a certain age will understand.
To quote Canadian comedian Mike Myers, the USA may be a melting pot of cultures, but Canada is a salad. Our myriad cultures don't blend together until they're indistinguishable...they coexist, appreciate their differences, celebrate our unique togetherness, and simply add flavour to a BEAUTIFUL mix.💞
The metaphor I was taught in school was that Canada has a mosaic of cultures.
Hello Mert, the first group marching wearing the kilts were Canadian Scottish Regiments. There are 16 Canadian Scottish regiments in the Canadian Armed Forces and one Canadian Scottish Artillery regiment. I live in Nova Scotia, latin for New Scotland. Cape Breton is where Scots settled in the late 1700's. Our forests do look a lot like Scotland's no wonder they named it so. Our provincial flag has a scottish Lion in the centre and there are even more scottish descendants in Ontario. I had a friend, last name MacDonald, who always complained and questioned why there were bagpipes at every event in Nova Scotia? The connection to Scotland is the strongest connection to anywhere else, we have in this province. I think the bagpipes are so popular here because the sound is so unique, it carries well, the pipers are colourful, and the sound wells up to fill most of your senses. It is just really, truly cool. Carol in Nova Scotia.
I'm very proud of the Canadian Arm Forces as a Canadian 🇨🇦 i would very much lije to see it increase in size and abilities and in grateful for people like you telling the world of the great abilities of the Canadian Arm Forces.
Thank you so very much 🤗🇨🇦❤
I’m quite enjoying these videos, Mert. You have a captive Canadian audience, and it is nice to see Canadians from all parts of the country coming here to share their thoughts about our nation.
Thank you for your interest in Canada, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to gab about ourselves a bit on this welcoming forum. :)
Thanks for this, Reminds me of 50 years ago as a child on my Dads shoulders at the Halifax Commons watching the Canada Day Parade and the Same song being played by the marching bands of the service men. I will always stop what I am doing to listen to Bagpipers. Reminds me of early 2000's when Paul McCartney came to the Commons for his concert. He rarely plays Mull Of Kintyre live, but, made an exception due to the Scottish heritage in Nova Scotia. It was amazing, he had a bunch of local pipers on stage playing.
He will play Mull of Kintyre as long as he can find a good local pipe band, if I remember correctly. Also only plays it in places that the song did well on the charts, unlike the US. He's played it in concert it onther Canadian cities too.
What the pipers play is called a tune, not a song. Then one can further break it down into special categories such as pibrochs & such.
I worked with a guy whose father was in the unit. Indeed his name comes up on the unit roster.
I was light infantry, we used to love it when we had a pipe band.
Canada has several Highland regiments and we're very proud of them The guys in trousers are light infantry. My granny was a McLean from Edinburgh.
Greetings from Toronto, Canada. There isn't a parade without pipes. Various tunes and and this one is always played. Kilts and all. . I get chocked up with pride.
In WWII my Dad enlisted in the Canadian Army, he was in the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment, like others said Kilts and Bagpipes on the band and indeed "Scotland The Brave is one of the marches. The second wave in the marchpast are seen in the standard WWII (worn until the early 1960's) was the itchy wool serge khakis with puttees. Military funerals and Remembrance Day the bagpipe dirge in Canada is "Flowers of the Forest"
The queen always loved Scotland, huge influence on Canadian culture.
Thats because her mother Elizabeth Bowes Lyon was Scottish
When I was in Basic training In the Canadian Army we had a Piper, and we had him pipe all around the base.We loved it!!! We were shown this movie in Battle School!! LOL
Mert--you made an old lady cry in memory of my father marching exactly like your portrayal. I am in my eighties and I only just remember WWII; mostly trains and soldiers and bagpipes. My dad was in the Black Watch Regiment of Canada, enlisted in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. They did march to the bagpipes but didn't fight in kilts in WW II (that I am aware of, lol). I am in proud possession of his red cap feather (I forget the proper terms) as well as many photographs. I must watch The Devil's Brigade !
The red feathers are worn as an identifier for the Canadian Black Watch Regiment. It's worn on on balmorals (tam o'shanter) instead of a cap badge. It's called a "hackle". Other Canadian Scottish Regiments will also wear hackles, but of different colours.
We had two fellows in our northern community here in Dawson Creek, British Columbia who served in the Devil's Brigade.Both were of Scot's/Irish lineage and were seasoned pioneering spirits, well rounded in trades and hunting.Both were quite solitary and rarely seen except at the legion events. One fellow , seldom seen, was a stoic, yet wrote poetry and was softspoken, kind and of few words. No one would speak to these men unless spoken to first and plenty of rounds and meals were paid by others, without remark. Like some of the nurses who parachuted in, armed to protect the wounded in battle, these vetrans mostly sat alone and were treated with great respect , their privacy, acknowledged.
6:04 it wasn't a slight to the dicipline of US troops. It refers to the SF liniage. In the formation of the unit, Canada sent its elite units in order to provide the best results. The US sent criminals and brawlers, the concept being that loosing criminals in high-risk missions would be eaiser to justify.
My Polish-Canadian son is a cadet in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada Regiment.
Makes me proud.
Before moving on to the regular force I was in the reserves on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The reserve unit was called the Canadian Scottish Regiment, they wear kilts as part of their dress uniform.
As a former Canadian Forces armour corps reconnaissance soldier, who also spent 6 years as an air cadet, I can attest to the fact that the bagpipes are very much a tradition with the branches of the military.
Many's the time that I proudly marched to Scotland the Brave. To this day, chills run up and down my spine when I hear it. It evokes memories of my time in the service.
I love the pipes; and my parents are German! My Grandfather and extended family were soldiers in the German military before Hitler was a lousy painter; and they served their country honourably during both world wars.
Marching band music really strikes a chord for me.
Ditto, and I'm an old former recce trooper too.
If I remember the movie correctly, when the SSF was formed the Canadians strove to send their best men. The American commanders saw it as an opportunity to transfer their worse soldiers somewhere else. Thus the difference between the troops.
I prefer the snippet when the Canadian Unarmed Combat Instructor arrives incognito.
One of my favorite all time movies. Based on true events. Great actors and interesting story
Canadians were veterans of Dunkirk. They did have battle field experience over the American contingent
Dieppe.
@@chimo1961 Dieppe raid was aug 1942, the SSF was formed in May-July 1942 meaning Canadian members did not participate in that.
@@chimo1961 the battle had not happen yet it was form in July when the battle happen in august. it was not just the veterans of dunkik but all of the Canadian were harden vets of many battles. since First Special Service Force form in july 9 july 1942.
There were few Canadians at Dunkirk. One, however, was the Navy officer played by Sir Kenneth Branagh in the recent flick about Dunkirk. Why they had Branagh play a Brit ... who knows?
Very, very few Canadians were involved in the Dunkirk evacuation. The British did land a force at Brest as part of an ill-conceived 'second front' intended to divert German forces. That force included a brigade of Canadians, but it was withdrawn within a few days. Canada lost one man in that debacle.
161st annual Highland Games just finished up last weekend, here in Victoria.
Oldest in North America
When I was growing up, I got to know several WW II vets. I was an older teenager when my next-door neighbour slipped on the ice and could not get up. I helped him up and got him inside his home. I asked him if he hurt has bad leg, and then had the courage to ask him how he injured his leg in WW II. He invited me into his dining room, where he had photos of when he was in uniform, and his patches were in a frame. One of the patches was from his time in the Devils Brigade. He said he responded to the call for Canadian volunteers to train with the Americans for the Devils Brigade. I found that most vets did not want to talk about the war, but that day, he told me that as he was parachuting in behind enemy lines, he was hit in the leg by German ground fire.
My dad served with the Edmonton Fusiliers, but when Canadians were shipped to Scotland for commando training in preparation for the invasion of Sicily, they were renamed the Loyal Canadian Regiment.
When my son was in Air Cadets, they wore standard uniforms, but the pipe and drum band wore kilts, and Scotland the Brave was often played at the parades. Years after my son left Air Cadets, I learned the name of this song is Scotland the Brave.
I have also learned that when the troops were in England to go further into Europe, the Americans were known for their arrogance, and the Canadians were known for how much they cursed and swore.
Always loved marching to the beat of any highland regiments, during my service.
Arte et Marte
There is a story of am American unit barracked in Camp Petawawa in Canada for some reason. Dicipline was poor. Even getting them up in the morning was dificult, until they had a piper march while playing through the barracks.
It's a great movie and the Canadian premiere was held in my city where actor Cliff Robertson attended. Around 1000 people attended the public ceremony of the premiere, this was in May 14 1968. The movie is fairly accurate as far as how things really went during training and also in combat
Yes, pretty decent movie for the most part. The one thing that really bothers me is their first assignment and they end up taking the whole German garrison without a shot fired. Completely contrived and unrealistic but aside from that, they did a good job. Of course as others have pointed out, the US and Canadian troops were more alike each other and not the complete opposite’s as shown in the movie.
As a cadet when I was a kid my favorite tune to march to was Scotland the Brave. Bagpipes are a huge tradition in Canada
Which corpse were you in?
@@whitewolf-xf9ui 2659 RCAC
@@Drew-wf7vw Brantford or Simcoe one because if you were in the Brantford one between 7 to 2 years ago I would have been in there too I aged out two years ago
@@whitewolf-xf9ui Brantford - but I left when I turned 18 ... which was 7 years ago
Small world!
@@Drew-wf7vw indeed I joined about 7 years ago
The Canadians in this unit were from various Canadian Army units. We have several Highland regiments, for example The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's) is based in my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario.
(Scotland the brave) is a common song in Canada! 👍🏼 and is tribute to one of first immigrants that came to canada for a better life, and helped build Canada, the Scottish people👌, So it’s played commonly if you grow up in Canada👍🏼 it’s tribute to the First 10s of Thousands of Scottish people immigrants that came and helped/fought for Canada👌❤️ We Respect the Scottish people highly basically 👍🏼. I’m Canadian? a common TV show here? Is called? “The RedGreen Show” and that song is basically apart of the Show 👍🏼❤️.
My grandfather Roland Ashman (I'm Canadian, he was born British), was commander I think ( Lt Col.) of the Canadian Cameron Highlanders, aka the Queens own regiment in Canada in WW2. Based out of Ottawa, the Canadian Capital. I'm sure I would have heard if this movie was about his regiment, but he got an Xmas card from the Queen every year.
I've photos of him in a kilt, and his regiment had a Tartan that I've been looking to find for a necktie or somesuch. My Aunt has his ceremonial (dress) claymore.
alot of Canadians are actually scots like me with a proud heritage from the mother land. I live in Nova Scotia which translates into New Scotland. :). Very proud canadian and we are fierce.
They did a really good job with the sound of the pipe band and the drums. Wow does that bring back memories of the PPCLI pipe bad marching past at EVERY parade I've ever been to. Love the pipe band. That scene gave me suck nostalgic goosebumps.
One of the best classics war movies out there
I love how you started to move in time as soon as you heard the bagpipes. Back then, still being part of the British Commonwealth, there was a strong attachment to Britain & pride of that connection. Greetings from Canada.
Canada still is part of the British Commonwealth, except for the fact that the British Commonwealth is now simply known as the Commonwealth.
I grew up watching this movie, my dad was a Royal Canadian Regiment member and whenever this part came up his chest would swell with pride. And me today, I get the same sense of pride watching this part. Growing up he told me that he fought for everyone's freedom, not just the white man's. I didn't understand this until I aged out of the foster system and moved to the city.
When I was a young child, I grew up near Lower Fort Gary, Manitoba Canada 🇨🇦.
In the summer, there was about a week at the Fort, where they had games and picnics and old time competitions like log tossing lol. My uncles entered every year!
My favourite part, was when the bagpipes would start, and the band/soldiers would come marching in! I loved it! There is a lot of Scottish heritage in the Lockport area, in Manitoba. This was in the early 70’s. It was an awesome time to grow up!
Of course we still march to Scotland the Brave. It's the pipes, laddie. They terrify the enemy and put heart into real men. I wore that same wool battledress uniform in the Cadets in the seventies, and the redcoat uniform with the huge hat and a Brown Bess musket at Ft. York in the summers. We marched to The British Grenadiers in that uniform. We never left the Empire, don't forget. It left us and became a Commonwealth.
Canadians were always looking for ways to leave the British empire,the movement started during ww1,Canadians were tired of being shackled to the British empire and canadas success in ww1 allowed for us to eventually leave on its own terms,Canada is not British ,Canadians are Canadians
@@haileyn4219 - Alberta, right? God Save The King.
@@GWNorth-db8vn no one in Canada cares about a king lol
@@GWNorth-db8vn no one in Canada cares about a king
@@haileyn4219 - No one you know, apparently.
Scotland the Brave is always included in all pipe bands play list. I am in s/w Ontario in Canada. We are proud of our Essex-Kent Scots who fought in WW2 and wear kilts. Most pipe bands also wear kilts.
My Father served with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) during WW2 and lied to enlist at age 15. He spent six years fighting the Nazi’s in Europe and earned six prestigious medals. I’m very proud of my father and the sacrifice he made to preserve the freedoms we now enjoy.
It seems however that Trudeau, an elite priss who’s never sacrificed anything in his life or held a real job for any meaningful period; is hell bent on embracing the ideology of socialism and disrespects the sacrifices thousands of Canadian men and women made only to have this Momma’s boy spit in the face of our dear Veterans.🙏🇨🇦
Having served in the GG FootGuard and done parade on Parliament Hill... I love the pipes. Nothing like having that band blast the tunes down town Ottawa as we marched.
With strong Scotts Heritage, it sings to my blood
In WW1 one of my grandfathers served with the 16th Canadian Scottish regiment, the other with the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. My father served as well with the Seaforth Highlanders during WW2. There are many Scottish regiments in Canada. We have a long and proud Scottish history here in this country. The reason you saw a mix of uniforms is because men were recruited from various units based on their background as woodsman, loggers, trappers, etc in Canada. They wanted tough outdoorsy men that could handle the elements as their initial combat action was to fight the Japanese on Kiska on the Aleutian Islands off Alaska.
Their intended first mission was to Norway, though that was cancelled. But in fact they did end up on Kiska in August 1943. My uncle was there, though not as part of the FSSF but as part of the Rocky Mountain Rangers.
@@ToddSauve you're absolutely right. I stand corrected
@@wayneleeke8724 The FSSF only stayed on Kiska for about two days. They figured there were not enough Japanese there to make it worth their while. In fact, all the Japanese had left about ten days before the Allies landed there. Yes, you can't really trust much from Hollywood for historical accuracy, and the Devil's Brigade is pretty egregious, LOL!
Also Hollywood always slants things in favour of the yanks as the hero's
Many proud Scots here. I've heard 'Scotland the Brave' since I was a child and didn't know the name of the song. lol 💙
At every Canadian military funeral, the piper plays 'Flowers of the Forest'. Very moving.
There's an apocryphal story that in WWI when the regiment from Stormont and Glengarry in eastern Ontario was raised, they had to give them English lessons as part of basic training because so many were still Gaelic speakers.
Oh yeah. The Canadian Army has a fair few Highland regiments. Former Seaforth Highlander in my case. Cuidich 'n Righ!
Former Westie here… served with many Seaforth dudes in Vernon , BC and then we all joined the PPCLI as Regular Force soldiers. Best mates I ever had! They even showed me how to march to “Black Bear” at the same time listening for our C1A1 bayonets to swagger to the kilt flow, So To Speak… click, click ,click to time with the steel clickers on our drill boots with built up leather soles, since we were Dirty Patricias! VP Always!!
The Seaforth are amazing, I feel so lucky to be a 72nd cadet. Cuidich ‘n Righ!
echoing the comment about 'Scotland the Brave' being the first thing a piper learns (dont play myself, but a close friend did)
I also can recall marching at Army Cadet Camp (13-15 yr olds) and feeling a 'boost' of energy when the pipers took over from the brass band.
even now 40+ years later, that song still has the power to get my arms swinging and to get me back 'in step'.
Canada has several battalions, divisions, and other sections of the army which are inspired by Scotland, and we are damn proud of them! Yes, they still wear kilts as part of the dress uniform and play bagpipes in 2024. I think Princess Patricia's Light Infantry, a brigade, is one such unit, and they wear kilts and play bagpipes.
The Ladies from Hell was i think one of the monikers for wearing the kilts.
Canadian troops still march to Scotland the Brave and The British Grenadiers. My French grandfather rocked a kilt and could play Scotland the Brave by humming and hitting his throat with his hand.
Side note about the PPLI: do NOT f with those boys. The only way they can get more badass is if they transfer to the Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) and become special operators.
PPCLI is not a Scottish regiment. Indeed, there are no Scottish units in the regular force as they are all Reserve units. Also, we can't field even one Division in the regular force and we would be pressed to field even one adequately equipped mechanized brigade. It has become a joke. I am a veteran.
@@fredflinstone8628 Thank you for the correction. I thought PPLI was Scottish. I wonder which regiment I was thinking about, if not them.
4:48 the troops in kilts, and the reason for the pipes and drumbs follows the regiments with scotish liniage (Black Watch, Argyles, Calhighs ets). The troops not on kilts represent the non scotish regiments (PPCLI, RCR, LERs, etc)
After watching your reaction to the modern training of the devil''s brigade standards, had to see more, and watched this movie as well. Thanks for that video by the way, was a fun day and is all your fault. Hehehe. will enjoy this one too, That was a great scene. Loved how they showed the difference in discipline, loved how they all came together.
Canada has always had several highland regiments. I grew up in Montreal with the Black Watch regiment.