... I just realized this and feel AGONY so you all have to as well...
In September 1943, the US allies aided in the invasion of Italy from the North African front. Given when Bucky is said to have shipped out in the MCU- he was part of the North African/Italian Invasion units. The Italian Front was FUCKED, like FUBARed so hard... troops could go WEEKS of fighting and dying only to move a mile inland. It was miserable and awful and just... not a place any sensible boy would want to be...
However even on the front, it is very likely that Bucky was able to listen in on the rare radio broadcast. The Italian Front lines moved like molasses and music was one of the few comforts...
In early October, 1943, Bing Crosby recorded and released "I'll Be Home For Christmas (If Only In My Dreams)". It was released to radio broadcasts and quickly gained a Top ten ranking... Written in the viewpoint of a soldier longing to go home, it most definitely would have been broadcasted to the troops...
In October 1943, Bucky was captured by Zola in Azzano... And all I can think about now is Bucky strapped to the table in Zola's lab, and the last Christmas song he ever heard being about a soldier who just wanted to go home... if only in his dreams...
I am not okay rn