1 March 1944
#3

It's hard for military members of my generation to relate to the dangers associated with air raids. Although the LuftWaffe's effectiveness had been severely reduced by this time, it was still a potent enough force. With the additions of the radio guided bombs (which were used operationally on a large scale for the first time at Anzio) there was plenty still to fear from the skies. Since 1945, however, the US has ruled the air so there is no reason to keep wearly scanning the skies. I attribute the US military's mediocre efforts at camoflage a result of this (compared to what the average German looked like toward the end of the war - moving bushes!) I can't imagine fear and helplessness that must have been associated with being attacked from the sky.

 

The Fury of Aerial Bombardment

by Richard Eberhart

 

You would think the fury of aerial bombardment

Would rouse God to relent; the infinite spaces

Are still silent. He looks on shock-pried faces.

History, even, does not know what is meant.

 

 

You would feel that after so many centuries

God would give man to repent; yet he can kill

As Cain could, but with multitudinous will,

No farther advanced than in his ancient furies.

 

 

Was man made stupid to see his own stupidity?

Is God by definition indifferent, beyond us all?

Is the eternal truth man’s fighting soul

Wherein the Beast ravens in its own avidity?

 

 

Of Van Wettering I speak, and Averill,

Names on a list, whose faces I do not recall

But they are gone to early death, who late in school

Distinguished the belt feed lever from the belt holding pawl.

 

Here is an interesting journal article which discusses this poem:

http://www.vqronline.org/printmedia.php/prmMediaID/9363

Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
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Messages In This Thread
1 March 1944 - by CaptO - 03-28-2008, 12:39 PM
1 March 1944 - by Walt's Daughter - 03-28-2008, 02:17 PM
1 March 1944 - by CaptO - 03-28-2008, 02:39 PM
1 March 1944 - by Walt's Daughter - 03-28-2008, 02:57 PM
1 March 1944 - by CaptO - 03-28-2008, 03:35 PM
1 March 1944 - by roque_riojas - 03-28-2008, 04:52 PM
1 March 1944 - by twobisquit - 03-28-2008, 09:01 PM

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