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RE: Small Ship, Big War

 
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RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/2/2007 1:48:32 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:


The Japanese ships turn west for a bit to avoid any chance of being detected at the last minute. As far as they can tell, however, the enemy has no idea where they are. There is a good deal of American radio traffic, but none of it is close. The Japanese cannot understand any of it, but to Admiral Nagumo’s intelligence analysts it shows all the signs of an intense and unsuccessful seach underway over a wide area to the south and east.



Clever! I'll bet Wolffpack was guilty of some unguarded language when playing those turns . . .



It's a pretty safe bet that when I show anything in this AAR regarding the Allies' thinking or motives it's taken directly from my opponent's emails.

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)
Post #: 781
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/2/2007 1:50:32 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		October 14, 1942

Location: 175 miles north of Baker Island
Course: Nothwest
Attached to: TF 79
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 9
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 209

Orders: Return to Kwajalein.

---

High above the ocean north of Baker island cruises a Laysan albatross. The Laysan albatross, while not large by albatross standards, is nonetheless an impressive bird with a wingspan of close to seven feet. Right now the albatross is looking down on a large group of Japanese ships heading northwest.

The albatross tilts its wings slightly to take maximum advantage of the air currents as it looks down at the ships. That the location of this task force is the number one matter of concern to US forces in the Pacific right now doesn’t matter to it at all. That this collection of ships is currently the most powerful naval force at sea anywhere in the world does not matter to the albatross either. What matters to the albatross is that there are not likely to be any schools of fish down there with all the commotion going on, and so it needs to look elsewhere for its next meal.

This particular bird nests on Baker Island. It and its kindred nest across the northern and central Pacific, from the shores of Japan to the shores of America. They do not care which nation controls which island. They know nothing of the conflict taking place across thousands of miles of ocean. But when the bombs stop falling and the ships are all mothballed or broken up for scrap they will still be there, gliding over the waters and looking for fish.

The albatross tilts its wings slightly and angles away. Far below the Japanese ships continue on their course.

---

“Except for that albatross up there the sky is empty,” remarks Lieutenant Miharu, scanning the horizon with his binoculars. Nearby Ensign Izu lifts his own binoculars and looks at the bird, which is now banking away from the task force and falling behind.

“It’s a Laysan albatross,” he says. “They look a bit like very large gulls.” Lieutenant Miharu looks over at him.

“Laysan?” he says.

“Yes sir,” says Izu. “Named for an island in the Hawaiian chain, I think. They nest all over the Pacific, especially there and at Midway. There are some in the Bonins, too,” he adds, as if not to make the birds seem too partial to the Americans.

“You seem to know a bit about them, Ensign” says Miharu. Izu fidgets a little, slightly embarrassed.

“Yes sir. I had ambitions to be an ornithologist when I was younger,” he said. “My father would not hear of such a thing, but I still like observing them.” The two officers stand for a moment, watching the albatross disappear from view.

“I have heard that American and European sailors view them as omens of good luck, and that it is very bad to kill one,” says Miharu.

“Really?” says Izu. “Interesting, sir. I did not think that Westerners had beliefs regarding animals the way we do in Japan.” Lieutenant Miharu chuckles.

“I think,” he says, “that one thing can be truly said about sailors, whatever port they call home. They tend to be superstitious.”


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 782
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/2/2007 1:51:23 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		October 15, 1942

Location: 410 miles northwest of Baker Island
Course: Nothwest
Attached to: TF 79
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 9
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 178

Orders: Return to Kwajalein.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 783
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/2/2007 1:54:04 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		October 16, 1942

Location: 180 miles east of Mili
Course: Nothwest
Attached to: TF 79
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 9
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 147

Orders: Return to Kwajalein.

---

Taiki and Riku are in the forward 25mm gun tub with a bucket of grease, lubricating the gun carriage. It had rained earlier in the day and it is still cloudy, so while the air is warm and humid they feel fortunate not to be in the direct sun.

When the job is finished they test the action in the swivel and elevation of the guns. Taiki is satisfied, so they cap the bucket and prepare to climb down the ladder.

“May I ask a question, Petty Officer Takahashi?” asks Shiro, wiping his hands on a rag. Taiki sighs inwardly. He would like to tell his friend to just drop the titles when they were alone, but he knows this is a bad idea.

“Certainly, Seaman Kuramata,” is what he replies.

“I was talking the other day with Ri…with Seaman Ariga,” says Shiro, “and he said something about the books that would be written about this war after it is over.”

“It’s an interesting thought,” says Taiki. “I imagine there will be a great many of them.” Shiro nods.

“That’s what I thought too, Petty Officer,” he says. “But I imagine that most of them will be written by officers or by historians. Tell me, do you think that anyone would want to read a book written by an ordinary sailor?” Taiki pauses for a moment and thinks about the question.

“I think so,” he says. “Certainly I would. But I think even those who aren’t sailors might want to read such a book. I rather think most historians will see things in terms of battleships and aircraft carriers, in terms of strategy and the doings of admirals and statesmen. The point of view of someone on a small ship in the middle of a big war might be very interesting. Why?” he asks. “Are you thinking of writing something like that?” Shiro shrugs and looks a little embarrassed.

“No, not really,” he says. “I am just a woodcarver at heart. I am not a very good writer. I just wondered if anyone will tell our story when this is all over.”

“Someone should,” says Taiki.

---

Excerpt from “Japanese Destroyer Attack!” by Shiro Kuramata, Ballentine Mori Press, 1963. Translated by Captain Ben Packard, USN (ret.). Original Japanese title: “Small Ship, Big War”.

…but of course none of us below decks knew what all the running around was for at the time. We just knew that we had spent almost every day of the last three months at sea, and that we were tired both mentally and physically. It is true that we had not been under attack in that time, but all the same there is much physically demanding work in the day to day operation of a warship. Also, the need to remain constantly alert in conditions where attack could come at any time from enemy planes, submarines, and surface ships is very draining when sustained for a long period.

Fortunately the ship’s machinery also needed rest, so we had hopes that perhaps when we got to Kwajalein we would get at least a few days ashore. As it turned out our wishes were granted…

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 784
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/2/2007 2:04:32 AM   
Onime No Kyo


Posts: 16842
Joined: 4/28/2004
Status: offline 		Wow! More characters with more than one dimension. Its amazing how easily you do that, CF.

_____________________________

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

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 785
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/2/2007 5:25:21 PM   
Mike Solli


Posts: 15792
Joined: 10/18/2000
From: the flight deck of the Zuikaku
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish
---

Excerpt from “Japanese Destroyer Attack!” by Shiro Kuramata, Ballentine Mori Press, 1963. Translated by Captain Ben Packard, USN (ret.). Original Japanese title: “Small Ship, Big War”.



Well, we know of someone who most likely survived the war.....

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 786
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/3/2007 2:21:25 AM   
Onime No Kyo


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

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli


quote:

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish
---

Excerpt from “Japanese Destroyer Attack!” by Shiro Kuramata, Ballentine Mori Press, 1963. Translated by Captain Ben Packard, USN (ret.). Original Japanese title: “Small Ship, Big War”.



Well, we know of someone who most likely survived the war.....


I think CF is still planning to get the Hibiki out of this mess in one piece. He'll probably dock her in Paramushiro (sp?) once the allied assault starts.


_____________________________

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

(in reply to Mike Solli)
Post #: 787
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/3/2007 6:42:43 AM   
Capt. Harlock


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

I think CF is still planning to get the Hibiki out of this mess in one piece. He'll probably dock her in Paramushiro (sp?) once the allied assault starts.


Probably not necessary. Even if Hibiki gets blown out of the water, Cuttlefish can always declare that Kuramata was a freak survivor.

_____________________________

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 Onime No Kyo)
Post #: 788
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/3/2007 1:56:09 PM   
AmiralLaurent

 

Posts: 3351
Joined: 3/11/2003
From: Near Paris, France
Status: offline 		If Hibiki is sunk, I hope CF will continue this fantastic AAR. It may be a "scenarist trick" to drop the less appreciated characters... Then the surviving crew members could either continue the war on different ships/units, or reform a crew and man one of the new Japanese DD (as DD are produced during all the war).

If the Hibiki was sent on a "hiding place", this AAR will probably describe nothing of what is happening. CF is very realistic in the fact that the Hibiki crew and officers have a small idea of what is going around them, some data about what is happening in the area and close to nothing on the rest of the war...

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)
Post #: 789
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/3/2007 6:34:29 PM   
rtrapasso


Posts: 22653
Joined: 9/3/2002
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:

I think CF is still planning to get the Hibiki out of this mess in one piece. He'll probably dock her in Paramushiro (sp?) once the allied assault starts.


Probably not necessary. Even if Hibiki gets blown out of the water, Cuttlefish can always declare that Kuramata was a freak survivor.


Well, he could also have him transfer off the ship, or have him in the hospital right before it gets sunk (it helps to be 1 month ahead in the game so you can make the AAR come out right.)

< Message edited by rtrapasso -- 6/3/2007 6:35:57 PM >

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)
Post #: 790
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/3/2007 10:25:42 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		I am not looking forward to the day when the Hibiki sinks. It's not guaranteed to happen, of course, but the odds of any given Japanese warship surviving the entire war are not good. May the day be long delayed!

(in reply to rtrapasso)
Post #: 791
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/3/2007 10:27:34 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		October 17, 1942

Location: 50 miles east of Majuro
Course: Nothwest
Attached to: TF 79
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 9
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 116

Orders: Return to Kwajalein.

---

Seaman Second Class Yoshitake staggers into the Hibiki’s forward ammunition storage locker and dumps his large armload of empty 25mm magazines in a convenient corner. His gun crew has just finished a long drill and these empty magazines had been used in speed drills. The gun captain, PO3 Takahashi, has the gun crew practice swapping out the pathetically small magazines over and over, trying to get the best possible rate of fire out of the gun.

Yoshitake is tired. He leaves the magazines where they are and turns to leave. Standing in the open doorway is Takahashi.

“Do you think that perhaps those magazines might be stowed a little more securely, Seaman Yoshitake?” ask Takahashi in a mild voice. As if to underscore the point a tilt of the ship sends one of the magazines slithering a little ways across the deck with a metallic rattle. Yoshitake sighs inwardly. He is hungry and wants to get some food before it’s all gone.

“Sorry,” he says, “I’ll get them stowed away correctly.” He turns to do that and suddenly Takahashi is in front of him again, this time only a few inches away.

“What did you just say?” the young petty officer says in a quiet voice. Yoshitake thinks for only a second before realizing his mistake. It is still very easy to think of Takahashi as one of the guys.

“My apologies,” he says quickly. “I meant, I will get them stowed away correctly, Petty Officer Takahashi.” Takahashi nods. When he speaks again his voice is still quiet, but there is a cold note in it that makes Yoshitake wince.

“Yes you will, Seaman Yoshitake,” he says. “In addition, you will inventory every item in this locker and make certain it is properly secured. When you are done bring me the list. I will then inspect your work. Is that all clear?” Yoshitake nods quickly.

“Yes s…yes, Petty Officer. It will be as you say.” Takahashi tilts his head slightly in acknowledgment.

“Very good. Carry on then, Seaman Yoshitake, without delay.” He leaves. Yoshitake looks around at the myriad items crowding the area and sighs to himself. Forget dinner, he will be lucky to get breakfast at this rate. Petty officers, he thinks bitterly. Don’t they have any purpose in life other than to make enlisted men’s lives miserable?


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 792
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/3/2007 10:28:36 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		October 18, 1942

Location: 60 miles west of Maloelap
Course: Nothwest
Attached to: TF 79
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 9
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 85

Orders: Return to Kwajalein.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 793
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/3/2007 10:30:03 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		October 19, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 9
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Return to Kwajalein.

---

Little has changed at Kwajalein since the Hibiki departed 18 days ago. The task forces begin to separate as the ships reach the atoll, with different ships heading to different anchorages.

“Flash signal from the Shokaku, Captain,” says a lookout. “Admiral Nagumo to all escorts, well done and thank you.” On the bridge Captain Ishii nods.

“Send an acknowledgment,” he replies. “Engine room, speed ahead one half.” He cons the ship through the South Passage and into the lagoon. As ordered, he has Hibiki join a line of destroyers anchored off Namur. The anchors splash into the clear water of the lagoon, and the ship is secured.

Task force 79 is broken up. Captain Ishii heads ashore to discover what their orders are now, and every man on the ship has the same hope; that the Hibiki and her crew will be granted at least a little rest before being sent out once again.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 794
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/4/2007 4:50:22 AM   
ChezDaJez


Posts: 3436
Joined: 11/12/2004
From: Chehalis, WA
Status: offline
quote:

“What did you just say?” the young petty officer says in a quiet voice. Yoshitake thinks for only a second before realizing his mistake. It is still very easy to think of Takahashi as one of the guys.



Had a few similar conversations with my PO1s when I made Chief Petty Officer. It normally only took once. Takahashi is learning the ropes well...

Chez

_____________________________

Ret Navy AWCS (1972-1998)
VP-5, Jacksonville, Fl 1973-78
ASW Ops Center, Rota, Spain 1978-81
VP-40, Mt View, Ca 1981-87
Patrol Wing 10, Mt View, CA 1987-90
ASW Ops Center, Adak, Ak 1990-92
NRD Seattle 1992-96
VP-46, Whidbey Isl, Wa 1996-98

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 795
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/4/2007 7:09:16 AM   
Cap Mandrake


Posts: 23184
Joined: 11/15/2002
From: Southern California
Status: offline 		Poor Seaman Yoshitake...named after a mushroom. No wonder he gets no respect. Bunkmates always complaining about the musty smell. I wouldn't be surprised if he breaks.

(in reply to ChezDaJez)
Post #: 796
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/4/2007 10:51:44 PM   
brisd


Posts: 614
Joined: 5/20/2000
From: San Diego, CA
Status: offline 		After a few years away from WITP I have been catching up on AAR's while relearning the game.  I'm only on page 10 but this is one of my favs right now.  Excellent writing, very entertaining. 
thanks! 

_____________________________

"I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer."-Note sent with Congressman Washburne from Spotsylvania, May 11, 1864, to General Halleck. - General Ulysses S. Grant

(in reply to Cap Mandrake)
Post #: 797
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/5/2007 2:27:09 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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

ORIGINAL: brisd

After a few years away from WITP I have been catching up on AAR's while relearning the game.  I'm only on page 10 but this is one of my favs right now.  Excellent writing, very entertaining. 
thanks! 


Welcome back and welcome aboard the Hibiki!

(in reply to brisd)
Post #: 798
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/5/2007 2:30:01 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 9
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

---

20 October 1942

From: Rear Admiral Nabeshima Shunsaku, Chief of Staff Fourth Fleet, Kwajalein
To: Destroyer Hibiki, Lieutenand Commander Ishii Hagumu commanding

Orders: You are directed to remain at Kwajalein and moor alongside repair vessel Nichii Maru. Coordinate repair and maintenance efforts with commander of said vessel. Maintain 24 hour alert status.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 799
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/5/2007 2:31:35 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 8
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

---

Ensigns Izu and Handa step into an officer’s club on Namur and peer through the smoke and noise for a table. In this case the designation “officer’s club” means that the bar is housed in a hut instead of a tent, is almost clean, and serves a slightly better class of liquor.

The two ensigns from the Hibiki do not see a place to sit right away. There are a lot of ships at Kwajalein at the moment, and the place is crowded. As they look around an arm waves from a nearby table. The ensigns walk over and see two men at a four-man table.

“Have a seat,” says the arm-waver over the noise. He is obviously a pilot. Sitting next to him is an army officer who is eyeing the two ensigns warily. Handa looks at Izu and shrugs. As there is apparently nowhere else to sit the two men pull up chairs.

“Greetings,” says the pilot. “I’m Warrant Officer Abe, from the Hiryu.” He indicates the army officer. “This fine gentleman is Lieutenant Tomonaga. We were just toasting to friendship between the Army and the Navy.” He pauses and sways slightly. “And toasting a good many other things too,” he adds. At his gesture a waiter brings a fresh round of drinks to the table.

“I will toast friendship between the Army and Navy,” says Izu. “My father is in the Army.” He and Handa raise their glasses and Lieutenant Tomonaga relaxes and raises his glass too. The men drink.

Handa introduces himself and Izu. “So, we have been at sea quite a while,” he says. “What is the news from the rest of the war?” Abe shrugs.

“I have not heard much,” he says. “It’s been pretty quiet since Wake.” At the mention of Wake Lieutenant Tomonaga shudders and tosses down the rest of his drink. Abe pats him on the shoulder. “Sorry,” he says, then continues. “Lots of air battles over Burma, but little ground fighting there any more. We hold Burma and the British hold India, and there has been little change for months.”

“There is still a lot of fighting in China,” says Tomonaga. “I hear we have surrounded Homan.” Abe snorts.

“We always have some place in China surrounded,” he says. “We take another city, smash another Chinese army, and always there are more cities to take and more armies to smash.” Tomonaga shrugs.

“Anything from the Americans?” asks Izu. Both Abe and Tomonaga shake their heads.

“The Americans have given up,” declares Abe. “They know they cannot attack us head on and win. They are only staying in the war to save face.” At this Tomonaga leans forward.

“I think you are wrong,” he says in a voice low enough that the others have to strain to hear him over the clatter and noise. “I have stared them in the eyes as I fought them, my friend, something you cannot do from the cockpit of your fighter. I have stared them in the eyes and I can tell you that they are not going to quit. They are going to come for us and when they do we had better be ready.” He leans back and runs his hand over his face, then looks at the others again. “They are going to come,” he repeats. The others sit in silence for a moment at his pronouncement.

Abe breaks the mood by calling for more drinks. Soon he has the others riveted by the tale of his sixth and latest kill, a duel between his Zero-sen fighter and a American Wildcat over the fleet at Wake. His hands dip and swoop as he describes the movement of the two planes. Handa and Izu down a couple more drinks each and for the moment forget Tomonaga’s grim pronouncement.

Much later that night, though, as he is falling asleep in his bunk back aboard the Hibiki, Ensign Izu recalls the look in Tomonaga’s eyes. “They are going to come,” he mumbles, echoing the army lieutenant’s words. He falls into a slightly drunken sleep, and his dreams that night are restless and troubled.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 800
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/5/2007 2:32:41 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 7
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

---

A large group of Japanese ships arrives at Kwajalein around midday to join the rest of the fleet. Most notable among them are the aircraft carriers Zuikaku, Soryu, and Kaga.

The men from the carriers bring with them a comical and woeful tale of their attempted raid on the Aleutian Islands a couple of months ago, a diversion intended to lure the Americans into committing their carriers in the Central Pacific where the rest of the Japanese carriers were waiting. The men of the Hibiki, recalling the long weeks of waiting off Ndeni, can only listen to the story and shake their heads.

It seems that a submarine had reported enemy ships at Adak and the three carriers had moved in to attack. As they moved closer to the American base, however, a scout plane, groping through the fog and mist, sent back a radio report that the enemy fleet there consisted of several aircraft carriers with a strong escort.

The Japanese carriers immediately reveresed course. A battle with American carriers at even or less than even odds was not part of their plan, especially not someplace under the cover of enemy land based air power. They escaped undetected and headed back to Japan.

A couple of days later a break in the weather gave an H8K flying boat out of Paramushiro Jima a good look at the American “carrier fleet” at Adak. It was revealed to be a handful of tankers and freighters and perhaps half a dozen PT boats. Word was relayed to the Japanese carriers, but they did not have enough fuel left to go back to Adak. They returned at length to Tokyo without the Americans ever even knowing they had been there.

No one seems to know quite what became of the D3A pilot who reported there were enemy carriers at Adak, but rumor has it that he is now carrying a rifle in China.


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 801
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/5/2007 3:29:55 AM   
tocaff


Posts: 4781
Joined: 10/12/2006
From: USA now in Brasil
Status: offline 		China, Japan's Russian front?

_____________________________

Todd

I never thought that doing an AAR would be so time consuming and difficult.
www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2080768

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 802
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/5/2007 4:07:01 AM   
kaleun

 

Posts: 5145
Joined: 5/29/2002
From: Colorado
Status: offline
quote:

China, Japan's Russian front?



Burma would be worse, I think

_____________________________

Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu

(in reply to tocaff)
Post #: 803
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/5/2007 10:25:54 PM   
Capt. Harlock


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

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

It seems that a submarine had reported enemy ships at Adak and the three carriers had moved in to attack. As they moved closer to the American base, however, a scout plane, groping through the fog and mist, sent back a radio report that the enemy fleet there consisted of several aircraft carriers with a strong escort.



The phrase "fog of war" is no accident. Outstanding writing, as always!

_____________________________

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 Cuttlefish)
Post #: 804
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/5/2007 10:59:57 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

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

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

---

Late in the morning Captain Ishii turns command of the ship over to Lieutenant Miharu. He tosses a knapsack into a small launch and pilots the boat south down the string of islands stretching south from Roi-Namur.

The day is fine and the water inside the lagoon calm. Ishii concentrates on the currents and the tide and on avoiding the heads of coral lying just under the water near the islands. As he looks down into the clear water he can see fish, eels, small sharks, and other marine life.

He soon realizes that he is very much enjoying the simple task of piloting the small boat. It has been far too long since he has done something like this. He has never completely lost the thrill he felt the first time he conned the 371’ Hibiki away from dock and out into the open ocean, but right now he is captain of a crew of one and it is a welcome change.

He motors south until he is out of sight of any Japanese ships or facilities. At length he sees what he is looking for, a small island that is no more than a spit of sand with a cluster of palm trees on it. He turns the launch and threads it through coral outcroppings until it grounds on the sand, then jumps out and pulls it further up on the beach.

This done, he reaches in and lifts out the knapsack. He trudges over to the palm trees as crabs scurry out of his way. Sitting in the shade, his back against the trunk of the largest tree, he opens the knapsack. From it he pulls out a bottle of sake and takes a long drink, then sets the bottle down in the sand next to him. There is some food in there too, but he leaves it for the moment.

For the next few hours Captain Ishii just sits there, watching the water. Except for the noise of the surf from the other side of the island and the occasional cry of a seabird there are no other sounds. There is no sign of another human being. Until the sun gets low on the horizon the captain of the Hibiki remains on the small island, basking in the rare and blessed silence.


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 805
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/5/2007 11:00:25 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

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

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 806
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/5/2007 11:00:57 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

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

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 807
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/5/2007 11:01:32 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

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

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

---

From the medical log of the Hibiki for October 26, 1942, as entered by medical officer Lieutenant JG Nakagawa:

0530: Treated Seaman Second Class Huzioka for cuts on scalp, broken nose, and contusions. Patient claims to have fallen off dock while returning from leave, but his injuries are consistent with having a bottle broken over his head and being beaten with fists. Recommend one day rest off duty, matter referred to Lieutenant Miharu.

0650: Petty Officer Second Class Shoji, fractured left forearm. Arm caught between netted cargo and bulkhead while ship loading supplies. Set arm and placed in cast. Recommend light duty until injury heals.

0950: Seaman First Class Nagaaki came to dispensary with swollen thumb. Thumb found to be broken, set and placed in cast. No duty recommendation, but advised patient to hit people with thumb outside of fist, not inside.

1330: Saw Seaman Second Class Sato. Patient complained of abdominal cramping, frequent and watery bowel movements. Diagnosed possible dysentary. Ordered patient isolated, recommended complete rest and that he drink large amounts of water. After questioning patient referred matter to medical officers ashore for investigation of possible unsanitary conditions.

1515: Treated Ensign Handa for sore tooth. Tooth (upper right rear molar) found to be heavily decayed. Removed with pliers. No duty recommendation.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 808
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/5/2007 11:35:18 PM   
kaleun

 

Posts: 5145
Joined: 5/29/2002
From: Colorado
Status: offline 		The level of detail is fantastic!

_____________________________

Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 809
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/6/2007 1:27:12 AM   
tocaff


Posts: 4781
Joined: 10/12/2006
From: USA now in Brasil
Status: offline 		Pliers for the tooth!  How about something for the pain?  I notice that you keep the story rated PG, no comfort women?  I just figured that I'd ask since shore leave, booze and fights seem to be the order of the day.  

_____________________________

Todd

I never thought that doing an AAR would be so time consuming and difficult.
www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2080768

(in reply to kaleun)
Post #: 810
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