THE RAIDERS OF RABAUL

Some where in the Pacific, there still steams "SQUADRON TWELVE",
The finest bunch of boys that man the ships themselves.
Yes, out there is a squadron of sturdy fighting ships,
And with a crew of pirates, who slayed a lot of "NIPS".

Though their deeds were great, and known by all the world,
There still one great deed that shall now be unfurled.
This was a suicide mission where they fought a mighty duel,
Stand-by your stations men, we're off to raid "Rabaul".

Now "RABAUL" was a stronghold, a proud outpost of "JAPAN",
To be attacked by ships was impossible, a suicide plan.
Yet there was one hope, the big boys they all knew,
Give the job to "SQUADRON TWELVE" they'll know what to do.

They rounded up the squadron, and sent them on their way,
Their the gang who did the job, and how the Japs did pay.
They steamed into the channel, undercover of the night,
The gangs nerves were like steel, they were spoiling for a fight.

They met the Jap resistance, gun batteries from the shore,
But the "tin cans" opened up, and silenced them for ever more.
They made their runs on the merchantmen, the score began to tally,
You could hear the cries of death, the shouts "SET THEM UP IN THE NEXT ALLEY".

Up till now the odds were with them, they had led the show,
Until the Jap Destroyers, sped out to meet the foe.
the gang laid down the smoke, and attacked on their own,
And with torpedoes and shell the "JAPS" to hell were blown.

With Jap ships on the bottom, and their proud stronghold in flames,
The squadron sped out the channel, to tell the world of her fame.
They returned from a "SUICIDE MISSION" alive, weary, and proud,
So praise and praise their deed, and shout this praise aloud.

There's the "Buchanan" and "Farenholt" ,the "Woodworth" in there too,
Don't forget the "Lardner" and the "Lansdowne", To them there's credit too,
We will all remember you gang, and the day you fought your duel,
Yes, the world will know you gang, as the "RAIDER'S OF RABAUL".


Joseph H. Glen TM3/c
U.S.S. Woodworth (DD460)

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