Joseph Heller died December 12, 1999. While others remember him for his books, most notably Catch 22, Joseph Heller was a bombardier who flew over Italy during the Second World War. Here's to Joseph Heller.
Down a lonely road on a coal black night
A miserable beggar trudges into sight.
And people whisper over their beer
There goes the last of the bombardiers.
What is a bombardier? No reply
But men grow silent, and women sigh.
As a death like silence fills the place
With the gaunt grey ghost of a long lost race.
Furtive glances from ceiling to floor
Till someone or something opens the door.
The bravest of hearts turn cold with fear
For the thing in the door is a bombardier.
His hands were boney and his hair was thin
His back was curved like an old bent pin.
His eyes were two empty rings of black
And he vaguely mumbled Shack Shack Shack.
This ancient relic of the famed world war
Crept cross the room and slouched at the bar.
And in hollow tones from his sunken chest
Demanded a drink and only the best!
The people said nothing, but watched in the glass
As the beggar produced his bombsight pass.
The glass went to his lips and they heard him say
"Bomb-bays Open" "Bombs Away."
Then speaking no word as he passed thru the door
And the last of the bombardiers was seen no more.
But all through the years the phrase has stuck
When you say Bombardier "you add HARD LUCK."
****
This poem was written by Lt.Thomas Oekler who was a prisoner of war in Germany during the final stages of World War II. He was shot down on a bombing raid on January 23, 1944. Of his crew of ten, only Oekler and one other crew member survived. Oekler's poems and drawings were written and drawn on every available white space in Catherine of Argon, a book published just prior to his being shot down and kept by him as a log of prison camp activities and memories. The book of his poems and drawings is in the process of being published. It commemorates the "hard luck" memories of those who fought and died for our freedom. The following poems perhaps places Catch - 22 in Joseph Heller's perspective.
They seem to have the knack
Of knowing which of what is where
Except in a fighters or flak.
S-2 is so ingenious
They seem to have the knack
Of crediting all victories
Shot down by George or Jack
S-2 is so effective
It is the great renown
They get you quickly right to where
Your get yourself shot down
S-2 is so unpreturbed
They never flinch or frown
They'll out fly any german Ace
In any bar in town.
S-2 is so complex
They like to have their flings
Before they head for town at night
They borrow pilot wings
S-2 is so generous
They work for what they get
To run the risk of maposis
Of blonde or brunette
S-2 is so confident
They meet with great elation
The enemy as he comes out
of each interrogation
S-2 is so effective
They raise such big commotion
About our exploits in the air
That they get our promotion
****
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