WAR POEM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 65, 16 April 1943, Page 3

WAR POEM

THE PRISONERS OF BARDIA

WRITTEN BY ONE OF THEM'

The following poem sent home by Bert Norman to his mother of Louvain Street, was written by one of the New Zealanders; who was captured and held in Bardia, early las;t year, before being linally rescued by the advancing South Africans; The picture it paints is characteristic. of the general atmosphere prevailing over the prison camp. A thousand prisoners of Bardia Doleful the day and foul the fate That left us to "Rommel" a hook-' less bait Reducing us to the useless state Of a thousand prisoners of Bardia. Our colonel and staff are smuggled away (on them no blame should History lay) And so we'd go if subs could, convey A thousand prisoners from Bardia. The Libyan stars just whistle and freeze There aren't, such things as Liby'an trees On rock-,shod slopes we shiver and freeze A thousand prisoners in Bardia. To grime and beards full many are wed Though toilets scarce each queries his bed Though some from scraps erect a shed For three, of a thousand prisoners from Bardia." Its on'.y one meal Macaroni and bread With tainted water that's getting us. thin While Wop latrines are simply "sin" To a housand prisoners in Bardia. At night we dream as never before Of home, loved faces, and joys galore On battle again the odds that bore A thousand prisoners of Bardia. For a smoke or. two for fag-starved men The "Fritz" and "Iti*' filched watch and pen Regardless of venganee, inevitable when They are the prisoners of Bardia. For the day shall, come as sure as the sun When the diffident "Iti" and the race proud "Hun" From encompassing armies unable i to run Must bow to the prisoners of Bardia. When breaks that Khaki storm I deem The Bren gun claps and. the shells shall .scream Will be the pipes of Jessie's dream To a thousand prisoners of Bardia.