P 51 Mustang Versus Messerschmitt Me 262 Poem by Shaun Cronick

Fast mover! Fast mover!
Coming out of the bright sun!
A deadly Messerschmitt Me 262.
On its lightening attack run.

P 51 Mustang's guard the bombers,
Their crews call our little friends.
Each fuel drop tank is jettisoned,
As the skies they try to cleanse.

Each Mustang out classed for speed,
By the 262's Jumo 004 jet engine.
But each pilots skill and resolve,
On each bomber crew is depending.

Just one solo German jet attacking,
Its nickname is called The Swallow.
Shoots down one American B 17 bomber,
But as of now no more will follow.

The Mustang's have a bead on him,
Now turning to make his second run.
One diving at full fatalistic speed,
This pilots nerve not to be outdone.

His Rolls Royce Merlin engine screaming,
At the same time furiously firing and diving.
A total of six Browning machine guns seeding,
The empty space where a jet will be arriving.

The Messerschmitt is laced and peppered,
Running down its entire smooth length.
Then catches fire and violently explodes,
One less in dwindling Luftwaffe strength.

But the pilots who oppose each other,
Are all fearless brave aviators indeed,
And when some are clearly out-performed,
They do overcome and valiantly succeed.

Dedicated to the memory of Clayton Kelly Gross.
P 51 Mustang Ace.
354th Fighter Group.
November 30th 1920-January 10th 2016.