Air Gunner Poem by Colin Ian Jeffery

Engines roar
Stench of burning oil
In darkness heavy bomber rises.
No moon or stars only darkness
Icy cold chilling the soul.

Flying over white cliffs of Dover
Gunners fire guns testing them
Ready for German fighters
Swooping like hawks
Darting from darkness guns blazing.

Over Holland join other bombers
Flying formation towards Germany
Searchlights seeking them
Ack-ack shells lighting the night
Trying to bring bombers down.

Fighters like angry hornets sweep in
Bombers have reached Berlin
Path-finders marked targets
Below a sea of fire
Hitler's punishment for London's blitz.

Bomb-aimer takes control of plane
Guiding pilot over target
Presses release plunger
Bombs drop screaming
Exploding factory making tanks.

Bomber makes two runs
Pilot turns for home caught in searchlight glare
Illuminated for fighters and gunners below
Slowly bomber climbs beyond the light
Damaged with enemy fire.

Burning bomber reaches England
Pilot dying, crew bloody and afraid
Crash landing on airfield
Rear-gunner pulled from turret
Weeping, surviving another mission.