More Than a Sound: the Benefits and Influence of Music in World War Two

In 1939, aggressors such as Germany, Japan, and Italy started weighing heavily on the violence that would soon lead to a second world war. Volunteers and draftees across the United States began to train and face combat as the country joined the war in 1941. There was no doubt that the United States needed to fight and defend itself in this war; however, the necessity for altruism and self-protection did not minimize the devastation felt by the loss of so many American soldiers. In this time of grief and struggle, Americans had to find another way to express their hurt, joy, and confusion. Many turned to music as a form of comfort during trying times. Ultimately, in spite of the negativity and trauma brought on by World War Two, music was able to lift the spirits of soldiers as well as serve as a universal connection for people during wartime. Music is far more than a modern form of entertainment. It has been used for centuries in capacities well beyond its presumed potential. Specifically, one may be surprised to hear how influential music has been in times of war. Greek and Roman armies often conveyed information in camps, the field, or marches with music made from brass and percussion. The Greeks even went as far as to hire musicians to inspire soldiers to fight. Battle hymns were common in field marches, especially when using the drums, horns, and bagpipes to march. Marches were individualized to every troop. In the Thirty Years War, the Germans tricked their opponent by marching to the Scot march. The rival immediately retreated, thinking it was not in any danger (Weider 1). Similarly, at the Battle of Oudenarde in 1708, the French Army retreated when it mistook its enemy for an ally after the Dutch played the French Retreat Song. By the 18th century, music had become so commonplace in a battle setting, that enlisting had been coined as “following the drum”