Convoys

Our lads that sailed in convoys – officers and ranks,
Deserve a special mention and our heartfelt thanks,
Most vessels were quite sound – manned by crews well trained,
Others were the opposite, most scrap and rusty stained.

These doughty merchant seamen knew their cruel fate,
When struck by cunning sea wolves lurking there in wait,
If they lived to tell the story and strived to stay afloat,
They struggled then with hardships aboard an open boat.

Still they served our country sailing there and back,
Hauling vital cargoes in times that looked so black,
A dangerous job in peacetime they continued just the same,
During war at sea my friends – through the shock and flame.

Course it was the ammo ships that were blown to smithereens,
While plodding past the periscopes of hidden submarines,
Also on the tankers - one hardly had a chance,
When spotted by the enemy re-armed out of France.

The mines were pretty lethal, lurking God knows where,
Happenchance to strike one – turmoil then and there,
The bombers stretched to reach `em had a bit of fun,
Dropping tons of dynamite against a paltry gun.

Then there was the weather, with storm and hurricanes,
Very near impossible to steer intended lanes,
Especially wild Atlantic and freezing Russian run,
Casualties horrendous `till the job was done.

There was a school of thought – to foil the U-boat ace,
Just give the Royal Air Force some extra fuel space,
In long range Liberators to patrol as ocean scout,
Instead of burning cities and knocking civvies out.

Later on this was done – though several months too late,
Condemning many cargo ships with their precious freight,
Gradually the sinkings were cut by lessons learned,
Though still appalling losses until the tide was turned.

So crucial were these convoys to the war by land and air,
There’s a mighty debt to seamen that served for us out there,
They paid the price of liberty by standing firm and fast,
And still we fly their ensign - stubborn from the mast.

J.Earl Jan. `06