War - Ww2 - Leading Seaman Roy Cazaly, Dsm, Gunner, Hmas Shropshire Poem by Paul Warren

Roy Cazaly, was the son of the 'Up there Cazaly' Legend
Who enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy to the War's end
He manned the Port Pom Pom 40 mm anti- aircraft gun
Which was capable of firing 120 rounds a minute at 2000 yards each one

In the Naval battles around the Leyte Gulf in the Philippines Islands
The HMAS Shropshire was part of the Allies Naval battle grand
The Imperial Japanese Navy was being demolished by the Americans
As their Navy grew and the Royal Australian Navy were part of their plans

Part of the Japanese bushido soul was pulled into the Kamikaze creed
As they struggled for a way to stop the American advance in their need
All ships of the Fleet became targets for these Japanese suicide bombers
So the stage was set for Roy Cazaly to hit them hard as a anti-aircraft gunner

On that January 1945 the sun rose in a bright blue tropical dawning day
The Japanese bombers, torpedo bombers and fighters commenced their spray
The sailors on the Australian warships saw there were so many they called them flies
And as they joined in the fight the Japanese fliers found new ways to fly and to die

Roy Cazaly was firing his Pom Pom anti-aircraft guns and was so accurate in the fight
That the other sailors on the Shropshire heavy cruiser lost count as they might
Of the number of Japanese planes that Cazaly shot down as they attacked the ship
Following them around and firing at them through the ship structure to ensure a hit

Firing through the superstructure of the cruiser upset the captain on the bridge
So that he sent for Cazaly to see him to ask him to refrain from this dangerous dirge
But he told the captain, 'Sir, if I can see them, I'll shoot at them, ' saluted, leaving in good fettle
This willingness to shoot down Japanese eventual earnt him a Distinguished Service Medal.

© Paul Warren Poetry