War - Ww2 - The Carley Raft Poem by Paul Warren

Proudly they marched through Sydney town
After defeating the Italian cruiser as it sunk down
It was February '41 and the war wasn't going well
The Sydney returned to Australia after Curtain's tell

Patrolling the Indian Ocean to protect the sea lane
They sighted a ship in disguise as an advantage to gain
The Kormoran as German raider flying the Dutch flag
For the Sydney to get closer they steamed so to lag

What happened next was called a bar room brawl
The Sydney was hit badly sailing away at a crawl
They were able to shoot back with the Kormoran on fire
But in flame limping away the Sydney's situation was dire

The Germans went to their lifeboats and safely floated away
The Australian's fate was unknown as no-one survived the day
As the Sydney was not due and their path was not crossed
A search was not mounted until it was posted as lost

The Sydney was not found and it was announced as gone
All those Australians lost the real sadness did dawn
What was found from the battle floating in the sun
Was a body on a Carley raft and the story was done

The years went by and the mystery would remain
To be able to find the Sydney was the country's refrain
They took soundings of the sea bed until it was finally found
Now the men are back to their families and their relief so profound.

© Paul Warren Poetry