When the Pianos Went to War

[fit2rule]

My grandfather was awarded an OBE for his service during WW2, entertaining the troops all over the ME during various stages of battle .. he had some stories of his piano saving him from schrapnel on more than a few occasions, and eventually wrote a book about his experience .. if you're a Kiwi or an Aussie, you can read his book in the National Library:

https://www.amazon.com/WHISTLE-Story-Concert-Party-Vaughan/d...

One thing that always struck me as significant was that his troupe (the "Kiwi Concert Party") was considered a real morale booster and very much respected by every service member it encountered ... I think the idea that a concert could be put on in the most remote places, in the middle of dire battle circumstances, was very inspiring to a lot of the troops.

His adventures always brought to mind the old "Goons" radio show, mixed with a bit of "Dads Army". I was happy to have had piano lessons from the ol' man, anyway ..

EDIT: found some nice ol' video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU2jKPfvIqY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PA7dE1Fk3g

Classic:

https://teara.govt.nz/en/music/10195/kiwi-concert-party

[jfk13]

There was also It Ain't Half Hot, Mum back in the '70s. I'm sure someone will have put episodes on YT...

[em-bee]

discussion of a different article on the same topic:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20141217

[tim333]

My college dorm building had piano hinges on the doors because it was funded by a guy who had a business making metal bits for pianos who cleaned up on military contracts for other metal bits during WW2.

[RickJWagner]

Ah, there is historical accuracy to Father Mulcahy's piano playing. Good!

[sittingnut]

as usual it is people who matter, not the tools they use, for good or ill, or something in between.

[whenchamenia]

A crappy piano brings little joy. The high standards maintained were what made the victory piano noteworthy. The tool does matter, albeit not as much as the person using it.