Something different and yet loats of interesting info...

I was wondering if anyone had it/knew if it really is as good as it sounds?

The Military Music & Bandsmen
of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich 1933-45
By Brian Matthews
320 pages, 1100 photographs, full colour, hard-back
ISBN 0-9542812-0-9
Published by Tomahawk Films
P.O.Box 279, Winchester, Hampshire. SO21 1XT.
U.K.

Review by Terry Ashley

http://pmms.webace.com.au/reviews/books/bands.htm

There is an extremely detailed history of the formation, training and integration of the bands into the Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine and the Waffen SS with many period photos to illustrate the text.

Separate chapters in the book show in great detail the Insignia, Uniforms & Accoutrements, the Bandsman’s Medals & Awards, Personal Documents, Sheet Music & Song Books, the Bandsman’s Weaponry & Side-arms, Flags, Banners & Tokens plus the Records and Propaganda of the German home front.

Other interesting chapters include one chronicling the life of Gustav Weissenborn who rose to be second in command of Hitler’s elite Bodyguard Division Leibstandarte-SS. Again this chapter is lavishly illustrated with period photos and of original uniforms and insignia.

A chapter is also devoted to the two Bands stationed in the Channel Islands, the only British territory occupied by German forces in WWII and again has period photos showing the bands performing on English soil as well as of the equipment now preserved in the Islands Occupation Museum.

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If you want a really good CD of German Military Music--go to: www.brandenburghistorica.com and get the CD called: "Lieder die Wir Einst Sangen." I have it and it is an excellent CD.

All of these were sang by WW2 German Veterans.

Among my favos are: "Ob Sturmt Odor Schneit" ((The famous Panzermans song that was played in the movie: "Battle of the Bulge" Its also known as: "Die Panzerlied" and " Wildganse something or other" and "Im Feldquartier" which was played on "Cross of Iron." This one was sung by a man with a great base-baritone.

[ 02. March 2003, 03:45 PM: Message edited by: C.Evans ]

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Kai,

I have a copy of this book,which was given to me as a gift by the author Brian Matthews,who i know quite well.
Although not my area of interest the book is excellent and a must for those who interested in German Military music of which Brian is a renowned expert having spent years preparing the book.
It does have something for everyone as it features many great pictures of original Third Reich Militaria,Song lyrics,intruments and vet interviews.All in all a great book,but at a price that will probably only benefit those who are musically orientated.

Paul [img]smile.gif[/img]

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Nikto ne Zabyt . Nichto ne Zabyto.

Let no one forget . Let nothing be forgotten.

Personally my faveroit has to be Erika, mainly because I once ended up at a re-enactment on a train, packed in like sardines, someone started singing and the whole lot of us were off, pounding boots and rifle butts at the apropriate times etc. Very impressive. I am listening to it now actually, wearing my side cap and all, and i wonder why people think i am nuts....

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There's no honorable way to kill, no gentle way to destroy. There is nothing good in war. Except its ending.