Kiwi Peacekeepers

There's death all around me, there's death in the air,

I can smell it and feel it - and I know now the fear.

The road could be mined, or an ambush await,

it may be the end - our appointment with fate.

The escorts have left us, we're now on our own,

I'm as frightened as hell - and we're all so alone.

Our armour is moving, we're leaving the town,

Rhodesians are waving, yelling - "Keep your heads down!"

I look at the Gunner, his face is all drawn,

his machine gun is loaded - and the safety catch on.

We drive through the war zone, on dirt roads blood red,

past African kraals - with children unfed.

Expecting a tank mine, or bullet to tell,

or a Russian made rocket - to take us to hell.

At Assembly Place "Lima", the site of an old kraal,

we finally halt - and put our backs to the wall.

Raise the stars of our nation, raise the Brit's Union Jack,

put the dread right behind us - for there's no turning back.

Not there for the fighting, not there for the fall,

we are the friend of no one - and the enemy of all.

.We are the Peacekeepers.

©Mike Subritzky

NZATMC - AP Lima 1979

Rhodesian War