Musicians have a long historical role within the military, stretching into the Medieval period. In 1528, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V founded the 'Noble Guild of Trumpeters and Drummers," in which respected musicians were employed as envoys and couriers and, on the battlefield, were the source of secret battle signals for Charles' troops. These signals were a securely guarded secret and awarded a considerable advantage to the Holy Roman army. In wartime Germany, music became more important still.
Both Hitler and his propaganda minister, Josef Goebbels, understood the importance of music as means of uniting Germany and instilling patriotic fervour within the population. They therefore placed special emphasis on producing recognisable and stirring music. "Die Fahne Hoch!" also known as the "Horst Wessel Song" was one of the most famous products of their efforts. In addition "military-style bans could be found in almost every uniformed organisation in the Third Reich between 1933 and 1945."
In the Channel Islands, music served as both entertainment and a distraction for the German garrison and the local population. According to Brian Matthews, author of 'The Military Music and Bandsmen of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich', "it befell the lot of the two military bands of the Luftwaffe and the Heer to provide light relief for both German garrisons and the civillian population alike." Musical performances were frequent. One contemporary poster from Guernsey advertised concerts to be held "jeden Dienstag, Donnerstag und Samstag," (every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday).
