Striker Leader

Young and innocent he was nothing but a boy.

In the summer of 38 he helped his folks and played with his toys.

With schooling and friends life was a joy,

Two years later he was called up to deploy...

With hardened eyes he was peered at.

With a cough and a feel he was grasped. 

Slap on the back and an OK stamp. 

"Move down the line, so we can see the next champ!" 

A week later he was the new sortie,

green overalls on and they stood abreast.

The squadron looked good,

but not quite the best.

A few weeks training was all that was required,

they were soon learning how to be a flier.

With pulls of the stick and pushes of the pedals,

He was becoming an ace with the potential for a medal.

Two weeks brief training was all that they had. 

The 'Gerrys' were coming and it was time to react.

The south coast of England was under attack!

"Get in your planes lads, we are going to fight back!'

The planes were half fuelled and low on ammunition,

the blood of Squadron 7 was still pooled on floor. 

after being washed quickly and swept out to the door.

The bullet holes had peppered on the wings,

the fire burned inside and it was time to show the enemy who really wins.

He pushed the throttle forward as the engine spun idly, 

he lined up the nose and shot down the runway.

"Striker leader, striker leader!

Bandits closing 8 miles nearer,

get them before they hit the border,

lets avenge the lads before our war is over!"

His Spitfire spluttered and coughed to position. 

Ready to unleash its purpose-built death and destruction.

The blood spattered crosshairs were lined up to the enemy, 

it was time to unleash his hell and fury.

The eight guns rattled and screamed out their fire,

in little bursts he hit what he desired.

Spiralling down in an aesthetic pirouette,

the white canvas appeared and created a silhouette.

With a hard sucker blow punch to his chest,

he knew what was next.

Either eject or take it like the best.

Down he went into the sea.

A nineteen year old boy that was content with his life.

At twenty one took an oath to defend his country from trouble and strife. 

The war brought out our greatest heroes.

Nearly eighty years later we still remember their silent echoes.