The traditional March thread

[Ron Bleac]

We all know them, most of us love them. Marches. What soldiers of the older centuries strode into battle with, nowadays more ceremonially oriented musical pieces. There's plenty out there, every nation has some, some are more famous than others. They are an essential part of military culture, as what does an army walk on but its feet? Marches in the ye olde times were mostly to keep the troops in rhythm, or to raise the roof a bit when it got a bit too rainy or a bit too heavy to bare on one man's shoulders. They were morale raisers for the most part, and worked great at that. The most common type of march is associated with exactly that, marching. Traditional instruments are included, the most common of which were the fife and drum. Both European and US marching regiments (now called Battalions) of the old (numbering from 160 to 4000 strong) had their own special detachment specializing in marching songs and ceremonial music, and most of these detachments even got to see some combat action!

Gather round, folks. Let us wear our top hats and monocles, brandish our bayonets and then listen to this music whilst briskly moving our legs back and forth in our comfortable chairs.

First up, a march titled Old 1812, a brisk march played by a band of drums and a fife. This particular recording is from the movie Gettysburg, but the actual song is entitled Old 1812.

From the other side of the puddle comes a forever classic from the good old Prussians, the Prussian military was especially whippy with their discipline and in most parts of the world were regarded as invincible, it is said that a company's firepower is not measured by its rifles, but by its spirit. And ladies and gentlemen, I LIKE MY DISCIPLINE. A personal favourite, perhaps due to the brass associated. The song in its original form was composed in tribute to Frederick the Great II.

Most likely you all know this one, the march of the British Grenadier. A Grenadier was a special type of soldier, not your ordinary type of line infantryman. The Grenadier was armed with a sword bayonet, a standard muzzleloader and a bright red coloured uniform, ornamental in nature. The ornaments on it were often regimental, representing battle honours or national symbols. To top him off, he had a large conical hat, often fashioned out of bearskin or a similar hide. But this is not all, on his waist he carried a pouch filled with primitive handgrenades. Iron balls filled with a gunpowder charge. Upon the order, the Grenadier would pull a charge out of the pouch, light it with a piece of fuze he always carried with him and then toss it at the enemy. After this was done, the order to volley fire would be shouted out. Simultaneously the two front ranks would present their weapons, take aim and fire. What was also special about the Grenadier was that they only reloaded upon order. Why was this? Because he would often find himself charging into the enemy in a desperate frontal assault, bayonet at chest height.

A most famous assault conducted by the Grenadiers took place at Bunker Hill.

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=WLc-bvcdNTw

Next up is a favourite of mine, but perhaps I'm biased. This is a Finnish march called "Long have we suffered", a march song sung by the Finnish Guard regiment in the Turk-Russian war of 1877.

The next one up is called La Victoire est a Nous, Napoleon Bonaparte's and his Imperial Guard's victory march. Ironically enough, the last time it was played was during the last ditch attack of the Imperial Guard at the battle of Waterloo. They marched to their deaths.

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=0U_cMEPcJmo

Imagery from the movie Waterloo.

Note: Feel free to add your own! Please keep in mind the No Politics rule on the forums, this is strictly military tradition related.

[ribena Homewood]

This is a great topic, Ron. Thanks, German march coming up. :3

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ulSsH2M0EI

I'm British and proud, but when it comes to German stuff I'm extremely biased. May be me.

[Ron Bleac]

This is a great topic, Ron. Thanks, German march coming up. :3

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=7ulSsH2M0EI

I'm British and proud, but when it comes to German stuff I'm extremely biased. May be me.

Panzerlied?

And thanks Ribena, totally not controversial imagery AT ALL.

[Scarlet Flaks]

Don't mind me, just taking over your thread with the best march ever.

:3

[Ron Bleac]

Scarlet. >:[

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMJTycleWrc&feature=related

When Johnny Comes Marching Home performed by the U.S Military Academy band.