A stands for Archie, the Huns’ greatest pride,
B for B.E., our biplane they deride.
C for the “Crash” when by “A”4 “B” gets hit,
D for the Dive before “C” ends the flit.
E is for Engine, which sometimes goes dud,
F is Cold Feet, as you wait for the thud.
G is the Gun that you keep on the ’plane,
H as per “trig”5 is the height you attain.
I am the Infant who flies a 2C,6
J the Joy-stick on most ’buses you see.
K is the Kick that you get from a gun,
L a forced Landing, too oft to be done.
M for Mechanic; in France most are “firsts,”7
N for the Noise that A makes when it bursts.
O which is oil, stops the seizing of E,
P Petrol used by the E of the B.
Q is the Quiet one gets on a glide,
R the Revolver you keep by your side.
S is for Side-slip, some Shot, or a Stunt,
T is the Thrill of a big Fokker hunt.
U Under-carriage, first to go in a smash,
V a V.P.8 oft precedeth a crash.
W the Wireless, for directing big guns,
X Y Z I don’t want, so I’ll give to the Huns.