World War 11 Through the Eyes of My Dad Poem No 2 of Trilogy

WORLD WAR 11 THROUGH THE EYES OF MY DAD POEM NO 2 OF TRILOGY My father was one of six children, whose family Had no financial reserves, so explained to them amicably That he had decided he wanted to apply to join the war, He had no other reason other than he needed to be a soldier He was eighteen, did not have to be any older, But he was told after his medical, sorry mate, you have flat feet, So big deal, said my Dad, I want for my country to fight, Do you think flat feet would deter my ability, It is only right Please pass my test and say yes , so they put him into the tanks Division which for my Dad was the beginning of joining the ranks Of thousands of soldiers but soon made good friends Many of whom he lost during this long vicious war, Most certainly close to a score! He was posted down South to Italy, Egypt and the Sahara Although many battles were fought, He was hurt badly naught. Had to hold one of his friends hand, whose leg was blown off He was dying, take my dog tag and give it to my wife, his cough Was bad, his voice hardly discernible, blood everywhere, he died, This for my Dad was the worst day of his life, And he was dreading meeting and telling Joyce his wife. World War 11 continued year after year, One sunny beautiful day whilst in the Egypt, sirens were heard, Eight men to a tank but the foot soldiers had nowhere to hide, Or take cover, bombs started dropping, this was no time for pride They, jumped into the tanks and more and even more, Suddenly there was a hush, no more bombing , soldiers Shouting gleefully it was all over, they were being bombed A mistake by their own people, so they didn’t respond This often happened during the war, they literally poured Out of my Dad’s tank twenty or more soldiers, order was restored The Nazis were almost on their doorstep, an air raid was about To take place, how many more would die, like playing Russian roulette Their brows, their necks, their shirts, all wet from fear and sweat Their duty to protect the Suez Canal , North Africa became a battleground, With the help of Americans, the French and even South Africans, The Allies triumphed with sheer mass, not only over 900 tanks Involved, but immense sea and air power – many thousands died, And wives, sisters, mothers and daughters cried. The Germans were slowly forced back by the Allies moving back up North, Until Victory reigned and the end of the war declared. The Germans retreated, to fight back they wouldn’t have dared! In October 1944 Greece was liberated by the British troops They marched proudly down the main street, and at the back, a Tall, tanned, handsome soldier noticed a beautiful young Greek woman, Their eyes met for a brief second, it was my mum, her heart Missed a beat, How could they ever meet!