http://www.rafjever.org/gafmusic36to41.htm
5 Years of Luftwaffe Music in Jever 1936-1941
Retrospective View the Development and History of the Music Corps
In the story of the German Wehrmacht, military music has always constituted an expression of a fighting and heroic way of thinking. It leads troops into battle and announces their victory. Their march music and songs are the essence of an attitude of mind which today, more than ever, prove that combat and sacrifice is a proving experience. This kind of music pulls the whole German nation forward and upward in the way to a happier future.
The bearer of this military music is the Music Corps. In its activities it is the connecting link between the past and the present, bearer of a rich and obligatory tradition and an expression of the German desire for military preparedness. From this knowledge the Luftwaffe, as the youngest arm of the armed forces, decreed in 1935 the establishment of the Music Corps and bands for its units. At the head of the Music Corps and its yet to be created Luftwaffe music, stepped the Music Superintendent Professor Hans Felix Husadel. Under his direction began the building of the Music Corps and the training of a conductor. The aim of the Music Superintendent was to create the Luftwaffe's own specific music which was achieved by expansion and refinement of the instrumental groups. Today the Luftwaffe music stands as a firm concept, the work of a determined build-up.
With the development the airfield at Jever there followed the establishment of a Music Corps. On the 4th April 1936 the Music Corps was posted from where it was formed to Jever and on this day began its activities. The first objective was to form a harmonious body from the number of musicians available. This stage was reached by 1st May 1936 and the Music Corps made its first public appearance at the celebrations of the hand-over of the airfield to the Station Commander. The start of intense activities then began. In addition to the official instructions and rehearsals there followed the engagement of the Music Corps to an increasing degree in and around the town of Jever. The Music Corps took part in some large performances such as the 1,000 Year Celebrations of Jever Town and the Jubilee Schützenfest of the Jever Schützvereine. In accordance with its official duties, to be the connecting link between the Wehrmacht and the public community, the Music Corps performed at concerts of various kinds in 1936. Nearly every Sunday was taken up with a concert. The receptive and enthusiastic population attended these performances in increasing numbers. Friesland and Ostfriesland became the domain of the Music Corps and practically no celebration took place without 'the musicians from Jever'. In 1936, for example, the Music Corps performed public concerts on the island of Wangerooge, which always found a grateful audience.
The winter of 1936-1937 was devoted to the internal build-up of the Music Corps and also served to deepen and expand the musical and military achievements.
February 1937 brought a change in the management of the Music Corps. Director of Music Pfrieme took over command of the Music Corps from Band Master Thiele who, up until now, had conducted the Corps. He continued the activities of the Music Corps, increased its accomplishments to a high level that had never dreamed of and thereby opened new spheres of activity. In the course of its further development the Corps continued to grow into the musical life of its surroundings and is a cultural force to be reckoned with. Proof of this is the large annual Luftwaffe concert for string instruments. This concert forms the climax of the cultural work of the Corps and is a valuable enrichment to the musical life in Jever and its surrounding areas. They perform pieces composed by German as well as foreign masters. Along with classical music, light music also makes up a large part of their repertoire. Up until now a total of 8 large concerts for string instruments have been performed which amounts to a lot of sacrifice and conscientious work by the Corps.
However, the main activities remains military music. Untiringly this is worked upon and rehearsed so as to make the Corps a representative of its class. The Music Corps carried out its official duties with the usual care and so increased the respect for the Luftwaffe in the general public.
In close co-operation with the 'Party' organisation, firm grounds are created for significant success. In 1938 , for example, with the jointly organised soup lunch, showed the desire to work together. The concert performed in the winter of 1940/1941, where the audience could select the music to be played, also showed an intensive degree of combined effort with the best results. In the district of Friesland alone a sum of RM35,000 was raised by concerts held there.
At the same time the significant results of performances held in Norden and Osnabrück showed the reputation and accomplishments of the Corps.
Contact with the comrades of the old Wehrmacht allowed the Corps to continue supporting performances for the 'Kriegerkomeradschaften' (War Veterans Association).
Part of the activities of the Corps was to be present at events and occasions of all kinds. Be it to accompany a comrade or a public official to their grave, a celebration at the completion of a new building or a social gathering, the members of the Corps are always to be found fulfilling their duties. They always stand in full view of the public and thus serve the national community.
At the beginning of the war the Corps was temporarily engaged in other tasks, but after a short time reverted back to their normal duties. Employment for the Armed Forces Welfare followed and this placed big demands on the Music Corps. In every sort of weather and at all times of day and night the Corps carried out all the tasks placed upon them so as to bring the troops pleasure and recreation. These tasks were even carried out under difficult circumstances, as for example, when the whole Corps lent a helping hand to extract a bus from a snow drift during an icy snow storm.
When the Music Corps looks back on its work after 5 years of activity it will find with satisfaction that it was years of difficulty, but also years of success. Out of all these successes strength can grow to master new challenges and the Corps can do its part to secure and build-up the 'Großdeutzchen Volksgemeinschaft' (Great German Nation).
