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RE: Of Insects and Dragons - 3/26/2007 10:22:12 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		April 20, 1942

Location: 470 miles southeast of Tokyo
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 53
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 341

Orders: Escort heavy cruiser Kako back to Japan.

---

In the officer’s wardroom aboard the Hibiki:

It is night. The small task force has recently turned to the northwest to begin the final leg of the journey to Tokyo. Lieutenant Miharu is the wardroom’s lone occupant at the moment, and he is sipping some tea as he reads a book. Lieutenant Sugiyra enters.

Lieutenant Miharu: Good evening, Lieutenant. There is still some tea.

Lieutenant Sugiyura: Ah, thank you.

Lieutenant Miharu: Everything quiet on the bridge?

Lieutenant Sugiyura: Of course. Just as it has been quiet every day for the last two weeks. Not even a report of submarines in the area.

Lieutenant Miharu: You would prefer to be attacked?

Lieutenant Sugiyara: Yes, yes I would. We cannot hurt the Americans like this. And we face further weeks in Japan for this refit. To what purpose? Will they add more torpedo tubes?

Lieutenant Miharu: We don’t know what they will be doing, exactly, but the captain thinks it will involve adding more anti-aircraft guns.

Lieutenant Sugiyara: See? That is my point! We will add defensive weapons. This is a destroyer! Our purpose is to attack! But we are out of the war for a month so that we have a better chance of shooting down one of the few airplanes our enemies have left. Such a waste of time.

Lieutenant Miharu: I suspect the Americans, at least, are not so short of planes as you suppose. Unless you have been there it is difficult to believe how vast their country is, and how many factories they have.

Lieutenant Sugiyaru: *shrugs and sits down with his tea* Ah well. It is not up to me. Perhaps someday I will be Admiral Sugiyara, and then they will listen. What is that you are reading? It looks like English.

Lieutenant Miharu: It is English. It is an American book called “The Great Gatsby.”

Lieutenant Sugiyara: Oh? What makes him great?

Lieutenant Miharu: He does not seem very great. In fact he seems rather pathetic, and I believe the reader is meant to see him as such. It is hard to be certain, though. American attitudes and culture are sometimes very strange and difficult to understand.

Lieutenant Sugiyura: *grins* Fortunately, my torpedoes speak a common language, one even the Americans understand.

Lieutenant Miharu: Ah, indeed. But I believe it can be an advantage in war to know how one’s enemies think. In fact, I think that if we and the Americans had understood one another better this war might not have happened at all.

Lieutenant Sugiyara: You may be right. Perhaps after they surrender I will undertake to learn more about them.

Lieutenant Miharu: You think they will surrender, then?

Lieutenant Sugiyura: Of course. Everyone says it is just a matter of time. Don’t you think so?

Lieutenant Miharu: I do not know. I hope so. But I fear I understand them well enough to believe they will not give up easily.

Lieutenant Sugiyura: Well then, I feel better.

Lieutenant Miharu: You do?

Lieutenant Sugiyaru: Of course! I have been fretting that they will surrender before Hibiki gets back into the war!

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 361
The Voyage Home - 3/26/2007 10:23:39 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		April 21, 1942

Location: 300 miles southeast of Tokyo
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 53
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 323

Orders: Escort heavy cruiser Kako back to Japan.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 362
RE: The Voyage Home - 3/26/2007 10:24:20 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		April 22, 1942

Location: 115 miles southeast of Tokyo
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 53
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 305

Orders: Escort heavy cruiser Kako back to Japan.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 363
RE: The Voyage Home - 3/26/2007 10:31:58 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		April 23, 1942

Location: Tokyo
Course: West
Attached to: TF 65
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 293

Orders: Proceed to Kobe for refit.

---

Hibiki and the rest of task force enter Tokyo Bay around midday. It is a busy place. There are scores of merchant vessels, some riding at anchor, others loading or unloading. At the navy docks some sixteen warships are gathered, several of them in dry dock. Dozens of auxiliary vessels are also present, colliers, minesweepers, gunboats, and many others.

Unlike their homecoming in Okayama back in January, no one takes much notice this time of their arrival. The crew of the Hibiki spots several old friends among the warships under repair, however. Battleship Haruna is there, still recovering from aerial torpedo hits suffered off Sumatra. Shokaku and Kaga are also present.

Hibiki drops anchor in the harbor and the ship’s boat takes Captain Ishii to the docks. He is gone a couple of hours, and when he returns he goes up to the bridge.

Lieutenant Miharu: Welcome aboard, Captain.

Captain Ishii: Thank you, Exec. We have new orders. The repair facilities here are overstrained, so we are to depart in the morning for Kobe, where they apparently have room for us.

Lieutenant Miharu: I see, sir. Very good. You are from Hyogo Prefecture, are you not?

Captain Ishii: I am. I shall be glad of the chance to see my wife and children, but first we must get there and get the refit started.

Lieutenant Miharu: With your permission I will let the crew know, sir. They have been looking forward to setting foot ashore.

Captain Ishii: Granted. They must be patient for a day or two more.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 364
RE: The Voyage Home - 3/26/2007 10:32:55 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		April 24, 1942

Location: Off Takamatsu
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 65
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 257

Orders: Proceed to Kobe for refit.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 365
RE: The Voyage Home - 3/26/2007 10:35:40 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		April 25, 1942

Location: Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: TF 65
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Undergo refit and get back in war

---

Kobe is another large and busy harbor, though here all almost all the vessels are merchant ships – freighters, transports, tankers. Captain Ishii pays another visit ashore, and returns with a sour look on his face. Lieutenant Miharu is waiting for him as he climbs back aboard.

Lieutenant Miharu: Is something wrong, sir?

Captain Ishii: No, not really, just more delays. It seems Akiura Maru stopped a torpedo off Saipan a few days ago. She limped in a day before we did, and they are trying to keep her from sinking. We can dock, but it will be a day or two before they can start work.

Lieutenant Miharu: We’ve waited over two weeks, sir. I guess we can wait another day.

Captain Ishii: *chuckles* You could give lessons in patience to a barnacle, Exec. And you are correct. Meanwhile, we can use the time profitably. We need to keep enough crew aboard to assist in the refit, but draw up a schedule of leaves for the crew. Give them four days, that should be enough time for most of them to see their families and let off some steam ashore.

Lieutenant Miharu: Yes sir.

Captain Ishii: And do not forget yourself, Exec. You tend to do that.

Lieutenant Miharu: I won’t, sir. Thank you.

Captain Ishii: All right, get the boat back aboard and see me tonight with that schedule.

Lieutenant Miharu: Yes sir. Do we know how long the work is going to take?

Captain Ishii: Not yet. I’m meeting with the naval architects tomorrow to go over the plans. They did tell me they’ve already done the work on Inazuma, though. That took about two weeks, so it might go a little faster for us since they have a bit of experience now.

Lieutenant Miharu: I’m looking forward to seeing what they have in mind for us.

Captain Ishii: So am I, Exec.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 366
RE: The Voyage Home - 3/26/2007 4:16:44 PM   
Nikademus


Posts: 25684
Joined: 5/27/2000
From: Alien spacecraft
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

April 22, 1942

Location: 115 miles southeast of Tokyo
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 53
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 305

Orders: Escort heavy cruiser Kako back to Japan.



If only the Hibiki had been there for Kako in my current playtest......(glug glug) darn subs!



_____________________________


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 367
RE: The Voyage Home - 3/26/2007 6:59:51 PM   
1EyedJacks


Posts: 2244
Joined: 3/12/2006
From: The Eastern Sierras
Status: offline 		I really, really, really like this AAR. Thanks for taking the time to do this story - it's an ejoyable read.

_____________________________

TTFN,

Mike

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 368
RE: The Voyage Home - 3/27/2007 12:53:31 AM   
LittleJoe


Posts: 610
Joined: 8/4/2004
Status: offline 		Great read. Cuttlefish have you read 'Requiem for Yamato' its a series of diary entrys much like your own by a Ensign (i think) aboard the Yamato on its last sortie, stirring stuff. Might get your creative juices flowing, not that they aren't already.

_____________________________


(in reply to 1EyedJacks)
Post #: 369
RE: The Voyage Home - 3/27/2007 2:28:43 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: LittleJoe

Great read. Cuttlefish have you read 'Requiem for Yamato' its a series of diary entrys much like your own by a Ensign (i think) aboard the Yamato on its last sortie, stirring stuff. Might get your creative juices flowing, not that they aren't already.


I haven't read this, but it sounds like just the sort of thing I'm looking for. Thanks for the tip!

(in reply to LittleJoe)
Post #: 370
RE: The Voyage Home - 3/27/2007 2:38:59 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		April 26, 1942

Location: Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 17
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Undergo refit and get back in war.

---

Hibiki sits at the dock while most of the available repair crews slowly pump dry the stricken Akiura Maru. Riku is not among those granted the first leaves, but he is making the best of the situation by making friends and contacts among the dockworkers. To this end he has volunteered for a work party helping to unload a rail car filled with steel parts for the refit. The men have rigged one load and are talking while a crane swings it from the rail car over to another group waiting aboard the ship.

Dockworker: Your ship just came in from Kwajalein, right?

Riku: That’s right.

Dockworker: Did you see much action?

Riku: *modestly* Oh, we did our part. Sank a couple enemy ships singlehandedly and help to sink several others.

Dockworker: Very good!

Riku: So, we were at sea a long time. You guys hear everything. What is the news from the rest of the war?

Dockworker: They say it is going well. The Dutch have been defeated. Our forces are advancing in Burma and China. They say there is heavy fighting right now in some place called…called...Akab? Ayakab? Something like that.

Riku: What of the Philippines?

Dockworker: Well, there are some Americans still fighting on Luzon, holed up on some peninsula. The government has declared victory and installed a new government, but what I hear from some friends in the Army is that General Homma is under a lot of pressure from Tokyo to finish things there.

Riku: Hm. Any other news?

Dockworker: Well, a few days ago our carriers smashed an American convoy heading towards Wake Island. I heard the Americans lost fifteen ships! That’s been the only news from out east, except for what happened to Mutsu.

Riku: Mutsu? What do you mean?

Dockworker: Well, the government isn’t saying anything, but what I hear is that it ran into a couple of mines at Wake, then got plastered by enemy airplanes as she limped away. She somehow made it back to Kwajalein, but her topsides were wrecked and she almost capsized right there in the lagoon. I hear 127 dead and a lot of wounded, but it sounds like they’ll be able to save her.

Riku looks up as the crane swings back their way for the next load and spots Taiki coming down the gangway.

Riku: *under his breath* Damn. *more loudly* Thanks for the news. Say, cover for me for a moment, will you? I have to go talk to someone.

He turns and trots towards the base of the gangway. Taiki sees him coming and waves cheerfully.

Taiki: Hey, Riku.

Riku: Um, hello. Say, Taiki, walk with me for a moment, will you?

Taiki: Okay. What’s up?

---

From the personal diary of Seaman First Class Taiki Takahashi:

After I heard the news I checked everywhere I could, but did not learn anything. And of course, while I am sure the officers would be sympathetic, no one is about to excuse me from my duties because I am worried about my brother.

I shall try to be calm, though it is going to be hard to sleep tonight. It may be days before I hear anything. If I have heard nothing before I get my leave I must be careful not to reveal any of my worry to our parents. They have heard nothing of the Mutsu’s problems, of course, and they do not need this burden.

Perhaps my worries are for nothing. From what I hear casualties were heavy, but Mutsu carries almost 1400 crew, and most of them are all right. Surely it is not to much to hope that my brother is still among the living.

---

Note: Mutsu arrived at Kwajalein with 79 system and 85 float damage.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 371
RE: The Voyage Home - 3/27/2007 2:49:24 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		April 27, 1942

Location: Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 17
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Undergo refit and get back in war.

---

With the Akiura Maru out of danger and sent off to a smaller repair yard to finish repairs work is about commence on Hibiki. Here are the modifications being made to the ship:

- A platform is being added to the front of the tower to hold one triple barrel Type 96 25mm AA gun.

- A platform is being built across the waist of the ship, between the two center torpedo mounts, with a dual barrel Type 96 25mm AA gun at each end.

- A rear-facing platform is being built off the rear mast, above upper rear turret, to hold one triple barrel Type 96 25mm AA gun.

- The two center AA platform Type 93 13.2 mm machine guns are being increased from single barrel to dual barrel mounts.

- A second Type 94 Y-gun depth charge thrower with depth charge rack added to the stern.

In game terms the effects are these: the AA rating goes from 9 to 88 and the ASW rating goes from 2 to 4. With no sacrifice in main gun power, torpedo mounts, speed (I think), or maneuverability the Hibiki has just become a much more effective ship.

Here is a comparison between the Hibiki at the start of the war and how she looks at the beginning of the refit:






Attachment (1)

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 372
RE: The Voyage Home - 3/27/2007 3:36:49 AM   
1EyedJacks


Posts: 2244
Joined: 3/12/2006
From: The Eastern Sierras
Status: offline 		Just curious - I wonder why the crew experience went up after the refit. Day experience was @ 71 and is now @ 75... Or is the B4 upgrade data screen from many moons ago?

Could it be that a lot of crew training goes into learning the new weapons systems during the refit process?




_____________________________

TTFN,

Mike

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 373
RE: The Voyage Home - 3/27/2007 8:36:56 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: 1EyedJacks

Just curious - I wonder why the crew experience went up after the refit. Day experience was @ 71 and is now @ 75... Or is the B4 upgrade data screen from many moons ago?

Could it be that a lot of crew training goes into learning the new weapons systems during the refit process?



The top screen is from many moons ago - well, five moons ago, anyway. That's the Hibiki on Dec. 7, 1941.

(in reply to 1EyedJacks)
Post #: 374
RE: The Home Front - 3/28/2007 5:53:29 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		April 28, 1942

Location: Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 17
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Undergo refit and get back in war.

---

The crew of the Hibiki has come home to springtime in Japan. As they talk to people, to civilians and to members of the military, to friends and to family, they are all heartened by what they see and hear.

Everywhere there is optimism about the war. The forces of the Empire of Japan have been victorious wherever they have fought, and no one sees any reason this should change. It is true that Wake Island has been temporarily abandoned for strategic reasons, but soon Japan will take it back and the Americans will pay for their temerity. And it is true that the British are battling tenaciously to defend India and Burma, and that the Americans are striking back whenever and however they can, but what of that? Every blow is parried, every engagement ends in Japanese victory.

The war has not been without casualties. Many thousands of Japanese have died to achieve victory. But grief for the fallen is entirely private. In public the families of the dead show only pride that their sons, brothers, and husbands have given their lives for Japan and for the Emperor.

The crew of the Hibiki also find that the economy has improved significantly even since their visit back in January. Ships arrive daily bearing goods from Japan's rich new conquests. The sting of the American embargo fades daily as loads of ore, of rubber, of food, and especially of oil are unloaded in Japanese ports. Equally important, it looks as though the rice harvest will be good this year. Japan looks to be entering a time of plenty.

A few ships do not make it back. Enemy submarines are always on the prowl. But this is of little concern. Not only do the foolish Americans not seem to realize their torpedoes often malfunction, but the papers trumpet the news that over 30 British, Dutch, and American submarines have already been destroyed. There is little doubt that soon the submarine threat will disappear altogether.

The news from elsewhere is also good. The counterattack Russia launched earlier in the year has been stopped and turned into a crushing defeat. In North Africa the Afrika Korps has paused in front of the Gazala line, but it seems likely that they will soon be in Alexandria. There is even talk of a link up between German and Japanese forces in India.

Against this backdrop the men of the Hibiki scatter across Japan on leave or get to work on repairing and modifying the ship. It is good to be in Japan in the springtime.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 375
RE: The Home Front - 3/28/2007 9:15:55 AM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Keep it rolling!


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 376
RE: The Home Front - 3/29/2007 2:25:00 AM   
Onime No Kyo


Posts: 16842
Joined: 4/28/2004
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish
[snip]The news from elsewhere is also good. The counterattack Russia launched earlier in the year has been stopped and turned into a crushing defeat. In North Africa the Afrika Korps has paused in front of the Gazala line, but it seems likely that they will soon be in Alexandria. There is even talk of a link up between German and Japanese forces in India.[/snip]


By the sound of it, if you could only have gotten the Hibiki to the Black Sea, Manstein would have taken Sebastopol months ago.


_____________________________

"Mighty is the Thread! Great are its works and insane are its inhabitants!" -Brother Mynok

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 377
RE: The Home Front - 3/29/2007 2:29:08 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		April 29, 1942

Location: Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 16
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Undergo refit and get back in war.

---

A Navy firing range near Kobe. Three dozen crewmen from the Hibiki, including Taiki and Shiro, are arrayed in neat rows in front of a pair of anti aircraft mounts. Facing them is Second Class Petty Officer Teruo Yanaga, on loan from Osaka Guard District headquarters. He begins to lecture the sailors, pacing around the guns and pointing at different things as he speaks.

PO2 Yanaga: Behind me are two Type 96 Model 1 anti-aircraft mounts, one two barrel and one three barrel. The Type 96 fires a 25 millimeter shell weighing .68 kilograms. The projectile itself weighs .24 kilograms. These shells are contained in 15 round magazines.

Elevation and train are manual, controlled from here, and here. Maximum elevation is 85 degrees, minimum elevation is minus 10 degrees. The effective range is about 3000 meters. You have to be damned lucky to hit anything higher than that. Above 5500 meters you won't hit anything at all.

I am supposed to train you in their use. Mostly what it takes is practice. Shooting down an enemy plane takes good eyes, swift action, and excellent teamwork. Achieving these things takes constant drill. Without that you might as well be throwing rocks at them.

Anyone who has ever worked with the Type 96 before step forward now. *nine men step forward* Hm, could be worse. All right, gather around. Let's go over the guns in more detail...

---

The Type 96 AA gun was the ubiquitous Japanese anti aircraft gun of WWII. It demanded a lot of the crew. Aside from the excessive vibration and muzzle flash, the small magazine size held the rate of fire down to around 110 rounds per minute. Changing the barrels was difficult, taking two men with a hammer and a spanner wrench around 5 minutes to complete. The traverse was too slow. And at high gun elevations cartridge ejection became problematic and caused frequent stoppages.

---

A triple barrel Type 96. Note the three black magazines sticking up from the recievers.






Attachment (1)

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 378
RE: The Home Front - 3/29/2007 2:51:27 AM   
Onime No Kyo


Posts: 16842
Joined: 4/28/2004
Status: offline 		Cross-training or did our intrepid heroes get requallified, CF?

_____________________________

"Mighty is the Thread! Great are its works and insane are its inhabitants!" -Brother Mynok

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 379
RE: The Home Front - 3/29/2007 3:19:08 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

Cross-training or did our intrepid heroes get requallified, CF?


Up to this point Hibiki has had 4 men on AA duty when they go to combat stations. With the refit, though, that number has jumped to 36 or more. They need to train up some new AA crews.

(in reply to Onime No Kyo)
Post #: 380
RE: Double Diamond? - 3/29/2007 5:54:37 AM   
Knavey

 

Posts: 3052
Joined: 9/12/2002
From: Valrico, Florida
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Vetamur

Cherry blossoms open in April in Japan, not March. Man. Get it right! (just teasing. good AAR)


I think 1941 was a global warming year in Japan...or was that 1945? I forget...

_____________________________

x-Nuc twidget
CVN-71
USN 87-93
"Going slow in the fast direction"

(in reply to Vetamur)
Post #: 381
RE: Double Diamond? - 3/29/2007 1:24:25 PM   
Barb


Posts: 2503
Joined: 2/27/2007
From: Bratislava, Slovakia
Status: offline 		It looks like Hibiki have meet some ships before the war. One of those was USS CA-31 Augusta (nicknamed "Augie Maru" for her numerous visits in Asian Ports) on one special trip:

Special duty: Hirosi Saito's ashes
At the beginning of 1939, Fleet Problem XX concentrated the fleet in the West Indies and, at its conclusion Astoria made a hasty departure from Culebra Island on 3 March 1939 and headed for Chesapeake Bay. After taking on a capacity load of stores and fuel at Norfolk, Virginia, the heavy cruiser proceeded north to Annapolis, Maryland, where she embarked the remains of the former Japanese Ambassador to the United States, the late Hirosi Saito, for the voyage to Japan, a gesture that expressed America's gratitude to the Japanese for returning the body of the late United States Ambassador to Japan, Edgar A. Bancroft, in one of their warships in 1926. Astoria sailed from Annapolis on 18 March 1939, Saito's ashes accompanied by Naokichi Kitazawa, Second Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Washington.

Arriving in the Panama Canal Zone soon thereafter, where "various high officials and a delegation from the Japanese colony in Panama Paid their respects to Saito's ashes," Astoria got underway for Hawaii on 24 March. She moored at Honolulu on 4 April, the same day that Madame Saito and her two daughters arrived on board the passenger liner Tatsuta Maru. Two days later, the heavy cruiser left Diamond Head in her wake as she proceeded westward across the Pacific.

Accompanied by the destroyers Hibiki, Sagiri, Akatsuki, Astoria steamed slowly into Yokohama harbor on 17 April, United States ensign at half-staff and the Japanese flag at the fore. The warship fired a 21-gun salute which was returned by the light cruiser Kiso. American sailors carried the ceremonial urn ashore that afternoon, and funeral ceremonies took place the following morning.

After the solemn state funeral, the Japanese showered lavish hospitality on the visiting cruiser and her men. Capt. Turner, for his part, pleased Ambassador to Japan Joseph C. Grew by his diplomatic role in the proceedings; the naval attaché in Tokyo, Capt. Harold M. Bemis, later recorded that the choice of Turner for that delicate mission was "particularly fortunate...."

PS: maybe you may write some remembrances :o)

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Post #: 382
RE: Double Diamond? - 3/29/2007 6:11:53 PM   
princep01

 

Posts: 943
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: Texas
Status: offline 		Bard, wow.  What an interesting tidbit of history about Hibiki and Astoria.  Thanks.

One marvels at how nations that can show such respect for one another can shotly thereafter become engaged in a brutal war that leaves one practically destroyed.

(in reply to Barb)
Post #: 383
RE: Double Diamond? - 3/29/2007 6:59:10 PM   
cantona


Posts: 239
Joined: 4/29/2006
From: Gibraltar
Status: offline 		excellent read. you have a new reader

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1966 was a great year for english football...eric was born

(in reply to princep01)
Post #: 384
RE: Double Diamond? - 3/29/2007 10:48:27 PM   
Capt. Harlock


Posts: 5358
Joined: 9/15/2001
From: Los Angeles
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: princep01

Bard, wow. What an interesting tidbit of history about Hibiki and Astoria. Thanks.

One marvels at how nations that can show such respect for one another can shotly thereafter become engaged in a brutal war that leaves one practically destroyed.


And the Japanese sank Astoria just two and a half years later, at Savo Island.

_____________________________

Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?

--Victor Hugo

(in reply to princep01)
Post #: 385
RE: Double Diamond? - 3/30/2007 2:29:07 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Barb

It looks like Hibiki have meet some ships before the war. One of those was USS CA-31 Augusta (nicknamed "Augie Maru" for her numerous visits in Asian Ports) on one special trip:

Special duty: Hirosi Saito's ashes
At the beginning of 1939, Fleet Problem XX concentrated the fleet in the West Indies and, at its conclusion Astoria made a hasty departure from Culebra Island on 3 March 1939 and headed for Chesapeake Bay. After taking on a capacity load of stores and fuel at Norfolk, Virginia, the heavy cruiser proceeded north to Annapolis, Maryland, where she embarked the remains of the former Japanese Ambassador to the United States, the late Hirosi Saito, for the voyage to Japan, a gesture that expressed America's gratitude to the Japanese for returning the body of the late United States Ambassador to Japan, Edgar A. Bancroft, in one of their warships in 1926. Astoria sailed from Annapolis on 18 March 1939, Saito's ashes accompanied by Naokichi Kitazawa, Second Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Washington.

Arriving in the Panama Canal Zone soon thereafter, where "various high officials and a delegation from the Japanese colony in Panama Paid their respects to Saito's ashes," Astoria got underway for Hawaii on 24 March. She moored at Honolulu on 4 April, the same day that Madame Saito and her two daughters arrived on board the passenger liner Tatsuta Maru. Two days later, the heavy cruiser left Diamond Head in her wake as she proceeded westward across the Pacific.

Accompanied by the destroyers Hibiki, Sagiri, Akatsuki, Astoria steamed slowly into Yokohama harbor on 17 April, United States ensign at half-staff and the Japanese flag at the fore. The warship fired a 21-gun salute which was returned by the light cruiser Kiso. American sailors carried the ceremonial urn ashore that afternoon, and funeral ceremonies took place the following morning.

After the solemn state funeral, the Japanese showered lavish hospitality on the visiting cruiser and her men. Capt. Turner, for his part, pleased Ambassador to Japan Joseph C. Grew by his diplomatic role in the proceedings; the naval attaché in Tokyo, Capt. Harold M. Bemis, later recorded that the choice of Turner for that delicate mission was "particularly fortunate...."

PS: maybe you may write some remembrances :o)


Thanks Barb for this very interesting information! I did not know about this. There are undoubtedly crew still aboard the Hibiki who were there when this happened. I might indeed have to work it into the story at some point.

(in reply to Barb)
Post #: 386
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 3/30/2007 2:33:38 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		April 30, 1942

Location: Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 15
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Undergo refit and get back in war.

---

It is a fairly cool but sunny morning in Kanazawa. Lieutenant Miharu is sitting on a bench in his small but well kept inner garden. He arrived home yesterday. Now he sits in quiet contemplation. He finds the tranquility of the garden to be something of an antidote for the stress and strain inflicted by weeks at sea.

After a time he hears soft footsteps behind him. He knows without looking that it is his wife, Kumiko. He rises with a smile and turns to greet her.

"I hope I am not disturbing you," she says.

"No, not at all. Thank you for giving me some time, but I was already starting to miss you." She smiles in return.

"I have a gift for you," she says shyly, and holds up a folded strip of white linen cloth. Embroidered upon it in red stitches is the image of a tiger. The Lieutenant takes it and examines it.

"A senninbari," he says. "It is very nice."

"I know you do not believe in them," Kumiko says, "but I hope you will wear it anyway. It would help ease my worries for you while you are at sea."

"In that case I will wear it always. And thank you." She smiles again. "Oh, I had a question I wished to ask you," he continues, "but somehow it slipped my mind last night." She blushes most prettily. "You have not heard anything of my brother Morito, have you?" Kumiko hesitates. "You have?" She nods.

"He came to the house last month," she said. "He needed a little money. I gave him some, and fed him too. He looked so thin!" The lieutenant sighs.

"He should not have done that," he says. "If he is arrested those who help him could be in trouble too."

"It is not a crime to feed a starving brother!" says Kumiko.

"In these days of kikosaku a crime is whatever they say it is," says the lieutenant. "They would not hesitate to question even me, an officer in the Imperial Navy. I will not tell you not to feed him if he returns. Your heart is too kind to refuse him, and I would not wish to put you in the position of disobeying me. But be very careful, and speak about it to no one."

Kumiko nods solemnly. Lieutenant Miharu takes her hand and they sit down side by side on the bench, watching the morning sunlight on the garden.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 387
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 3/30/2007 2:34:13 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		May 1, 1942

Location: Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 13
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Undergo refit and get back in war.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 388
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 3/30/2007 2:35:51 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		May 2, 1942

Location: Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 12
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Undergo refit and get back in war.

---

In the aft crew's mess aboard the Hibiki:

Shiro: My hands are covered in blisters!

Taiki: I know. Mine too. I thought all these months of sailing had toughened them, but those guns are finding all the tender spots.

Shiro: Only three more days of training. Then we go on leave!

Riku comes up with some food and elbows his way onto the crowded table.

Riku: Did you guys hear the news today?

Shiro: What news?

Riku: The last Americans on Luzon surrendered. Here, I have a newspaper. *he pulls out a folded square of newspaper, unfolds it, and reads* "The American leader in the Philippines, General Wainwright, yesterday sent a flag of truce into Japanese lines. Today the last American and Filipino troops still fighting in the Philippines will lay down their arms and surrender to the Japanese forces led by General Homma.

"The fighting that has been taking place on the Bataan Peninsula and the island of Corregidor will end as of noon today local time. General Homma has promised that the captured American soldiers will be treated with all due courtesy. Prime Minister Tojo has issued a statement saying that..." blah blah blah, a bunch of political stuff. *he folds the newspaper back up and puts it away*

Shiro: It took the Army long enough!

Taiki: To be fair, I heard that Homma didn't even get all his troops until the end of February.

Riku: Well, it's over now. Do you suppose this means the Americans will finally surrender?

Taiki: No, they must have seen this coming for months. If they were going to surrender because of this they would have done it already and spared their troops.

Shiro: I agree. I don't think they are going to surrender until we conquer Hawaii.

Taiki: *laughs* Or Washington!

Riku: Or Los Angeles!

Shiro and Taiki: Los Angeles?

Riku: Of course! Destroy Hollywood and the Americans will lose all will to fight! Without their movies they have no center, no identity. We sink their carriers and they keep on fighting, but if we capture their movie stars they will surrender instantly.

Taiki: *laughs* Of course, why didn't anybody see it sooner? Admiral Yamamoto must be told about this at once! Riku, you are a genius.

Riku: *modestly* Yes. Yes I am.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 389
RE: The Home Front - 3/31/2007 5:18:10 PM   
Onime No Kyo


Posts: 16842
Joined: 4/28/2004
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish


quote:

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

Cross-training or did our intrepid heroes get requallified, CF?


Up to this point Hibiki has had 4 men on AA duty when they go to combat stations. With the refit, though, that number has jumped to 36 or more. They need to train up some new AA crews.


Guns dont come with crews?

_____________________________

"Mighty is the Thread! Great are its works and insane are its inhabitants!" -Brother Mynok

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 390
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