Remembering a "Dam Buster" - the last of his kind.  I had the privilege of meeting him and hearing  

his account of that famous WW2 exploit in which he was the bomb-aimer who took his Lancaster 

nine times to the Sorpe dam before he was ready to release the bomb-load that it carried. 

DAM BUSTER

Whippet-lean and dry of tone,

With manner self-effacing, 

He conjured up the distant drone

Of Merlins moon-light chasing

 

He made it easy to believe

How different were those days when

Young men like him dared to achieve

Great deeds in daring ways then.

 

Though many springs had left behind

That distant May-moon night,

Those who listened would soon find 

Themselves aboard that flight.

 

In the Moon-bright ray a life away

From the mocking and modern world,

He and we lay in the bomb-aimer's bay

As the target beneath us unfurled.

 

Time and around,and around yet again,,

The hazards and risks multiplying,,

Till the right time arrived and the Lancaster dived

At the target for which it was trying.

 

A hit but no breach, then away out of reach,

The hand that was held had been played.

No more could be done, but much had been won,

While sacrifice was sought - and was made.

 

When the Lord seeks for angels (and HE wants the best),

To safeguard the Kingdom of Heaven,

There are many deserving, but may I suggest

The squadron they call Six One Seven

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