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RE: Small Ship, Big War

 
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RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/4/2007 12:45:52 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 418

Orders: Await further orders.

---

The second (or third, depending on which side is doing the counting) naval battle of Paramushiro Jima takes place around 2 am local time, though word of the battle will not reach the Hibiki until much later in the day. When it does there is much jubilation on board, and the Tatsuta is considered suitably avenged.

A Japanese submarine had reported American battleships departing Kiska the previous day, and the Japanese forces in the area are patrolling in the fog and darkness off Paramushiro Jima to contest the expected bombardment. The seas are relatively calm, but visibility is atrocious. This suits the Japanese, who expect that once again they will be outgunned.

Contact is made at 0206 hours when the lead Japanese destroyer spots a strange destroyer looming out of the fog. The resulting battle can only be described as a knife fight in the dark. Nine Japanese destroyers and two light cruisers find themselves engaging five destroyers, two light cruisers, and two battleships at less than 2000 meters, virtually point blank range.

To the Americans Japanese ships and torpedoes suddenly seem to be everywhere in the darkness. The murk is illuminated by gun flashes and explosions. The Japanese do not attempt to use their searchlights in the fog, relying instead on the keen eyes of their lookouts. The US escort vessels, for their part, attempt to screen the two battleships, Oklahoma and West Virginia. The battleships swing around and attempt to retreat, but they fall back fighting and their gunnery, surprisingly good under the conditions, thwarts any Japanese vessel that attempts to close with them. Numerous torpedoes are launched at them, but none hit.

But the escorts pay a heavy price for their escape. Four of the five US destroyers are lost in the action, and both cruisers are heavily damaged. Two Japanese destroyers and both cruisers are damaged as well. The hardest hit ship, CL Agano, will limp safely into port at Sapporo several days later with a heavy list and her topsides wrecked. She will fight again, but not for many months.

Nonetheless, the battle is a solid victory. The loss of Tatsuta is finally announced, tied in with this battle as part of the heroic and successful defense of the Kuriles. The Japanese government boldly announces that this will be the fate of any enemy vessels foolish enough to contest Japan’s control of her Pacific empire.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 961
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/4/2007 12:47:36 AM   
kaleun

 

Posts: 5145
Joined: 5/29/2002
From: Colorado
Status: offline 		That's just great. A tidbit of information, and we are left hanging.
Just like the crew of the Hibiki.
I would give something for a peek at the strategic map. (Of course, it would ruin everythinng)

Posted this before the previous post.
Still would like to see the map
This AAR is really addcitive.

< Message edited by kaleun -- 7/4/2007 12:54:39 AM >

_____________________________

Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
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(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 962
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/4/2007 2:27:30 AM   
Rafael Warsaw


Posts: 202
Joined: 2/20/2007
Status: offline 		It is just great.

One thing, by this time both navies used flashless powder for night time fighting. IJN was equipped with it before the war, USN started to issue about mid 1942 IIRC.

Thank You for a great AAR!
Thumbs up.

_____________________________

IJArmy: 10% of Planning, 90% of Faith. BANZAI!
"A long and studied assessment of your situation, fabertong leads me to reach the unescapable conclusion that your fcuked mate. Hope this helps." by Raverdave.

(in reply to kaleun)
Post #: 963
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/4/2007 2:46:53 PM   
tanjman


Posts: 717
Joined: 1/26/2002
From: Griffin, GA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Rafael Warsaw

It is just great.

One thing, by this time both navies used flashless powder for night time fighting. IJN was equipped with it before the war, USN started to issue about mid 1942 IIRC.

Thank You for a great AAR!
Thumbs up.


Flashless Powder is a relative term: USS Iowa BB-61 Broadside Muzzle Flash

Bravo Zulu to Cuttlefish for his outstanding AAR.

< Message edited by tanjman -- 7/4/2007 2:47:57 PM >

_____________________________

Gunner's Mate: A Boatswain's Mate with a hunting license.

(in reply to Rafael Warsaw)
Post #: 964
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/4/2007 11:00:10 PM   
Capt. Harlock


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

To the Americans Japanese ships and torpedoes suddenly seem to be everywhere in the darkness. The murk is illuminated by gun flashes and explosions. The Japanese do not attempt to use their searchlights in the fog, relying instead on the keen eyes of their lookouts.


The Hibiki's torpedo officer must be green with envy . . .

_____________________________

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 #: 965
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/5/2007 3:12:49 PM   
Feinder


Posts: 6589
Joined: 9/4/2002
From: Land o' Lakes, FL
Status: offline 		Hibiki and coffee, both necessary to start the day.



-F-

_____________________________

"It is obvious that you have greatly over-estimated my regard for your opinion." - Me


(in reply to Capt. Harlock)
Post #: 966
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/6/2007 12:26:06 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:

To the Americans Japanese ships and torpedoes suddenly seem to be everywhere in the darkness. The murk is illuminated by gun flashes and explosions. The Japanese do not attempt to use their searchlights in the fog, relying instead on the keen eyes of their lookouts.


The Hibiki's torpedo officer must be green with envy . . .


That's funny, because I had the same thought while watching the combat replay. Lieutenant Sugiyura would have loved participating in this battle.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Feinder

Hibiki and coffee, both necessary to start the day.


While appreciated, that's going to make me feel even more guilty for the days I don't post!

Speaking of which, I'm falling behind the war again. So we are going to do some quick catching up. Not only do I not like falling too far behind, but (cue ominous foreshadowing music) we don't have to wait too long into 1943 before finding out a lot more about Allied intentions.

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)
Post #: 967
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/6/2007 12:28:38 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		December 19-31, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 471

Orders: Await further orders.

---

The last days of 1942 are days of relative quiet for the crew of the Hibiki. They escort the carriers each day as they launch and recover search planes, but the waters around the Marshall Islands are devoid of enemy activity. During down time the crew run drills, perform routine maintenance, and are otherwise kept busy by the officers.

Rumors of all kinds continue to circulate about what the enemy is doing or might be up to, but little substantial news reaches the destroyer. Enemy ships have begun making bombardment runs against Port Moresby from bases in Australia, but this is dangerous business; two British Town-class light cruisers are reported caught and sunk by Japanese twin-engine bombers following one such raid.

Enemy activity seems to be centered on three areas: Port Moresby, Paramushiro Jima, and Timor. If there is evidence to suggest that any of this activity is the precursor to an invasion no one aboard the Hibiki hears anything about it. The general feeling aboard the ship is that an attack will occur someplace before too long, but there are still some who feel that the enemy has no intention of attacking. Their view is that the Allies are in fact just making a good show of things before agreeing to terms with Japan.

But these speculations are just a distraction from the daily business of operating a destroyer. Shift follows shift as the Hibiki plies the water around Kwajalein atoll, and the days blur as the ship and the rest of the Imperial Japanese Navy stand guard against whatever might come next.


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 968
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/6/2007 12:32:39 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		January 1, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 469

Orders: Await further orders.

---

New Year’s Day is an important holiday in Japan. It is also a very family oriented day. The men of the Hibiki have not seen Japan or their families in seven months, and a certain melancholy settles over the ship. It is not that they grudge the sacrifices that the war demands of them, but they are very far from home.

The mood aboard ship brightens considerably when a tender arrives bearing a sack of traditional New Year’s postcards from Japan. The nengajô, as these are called, bear brief but cheery news of home to the sailors, and the officers allow duties to be put off while the men read them. And at any rate the officers are busy reading their own postcards.

Captain Ishii has also arranged for the cooks to make a supply of New Year’s rice cakes, called mochi, and these are distributed to the crew during the day. A ration of sake does not hurt either, and by the end of the day everyone on the ship is feeling somewhat better.

But they are still very far from home. It is now 1943, though so far only the year is different. The war goes on.


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 969
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/6/2007 12:35:13 AM   
kaleun

 

Posts: 5145
Joined: 5/29/2002
From: Colorado
Status: offline 		Bites nails......

_____________________________

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

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Post #: 970
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/6/2007 10:30:18 PM   
Capt. Harlock


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

Enemy activity seems to be centered on three areas: Port Moresby, Paramushiro Jima, and Timor. If there is evidence to suggest that any of this activity is the precursor to an invasion no one aboard the Hibiki hears anything about it. The general feeling aboard the ship is that an attack will occur someplace before too long, but there are still some who feel that the enemy has no intention of attacking.


Not if Wolffpack has anything to say about it!

But it's interesting that Port Moresby and Timor are essentially in the U.K. Commonwealth sphere of influence, while air operations around Paramushiro Jima are severely limited. No sign from the U.S. carriers. Although, Hibiki would not have heard about the launch of the first unit of a new, large class of American CV's . . .

_____________________________

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 #: 971
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/7/2007 4:40:36 AM   
tocaff


Posts: 4781
Joined: 10/12/2006
From: USA now in Brasil
Status: offline 		Typical war, boredom and brief sharp encounters.

_____________________________

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 Capt. Harlock)
Post #: 972
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/8/2007 4:42:07 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		January 2, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 467

Orders: Await further orders.

---

From the ship’s log of the Hibiki:

1235: Signal from Shokaku; launching planes, all ships come about west-northwest.

1300: Lieutenant jg Eguchi relieved, Lieutenant Sugiyura now on watch.

1322: Patrol aircraft reports shadow in water 1800 meters distant bearing 110 degrees starboard. Course changed to investigate, combat stations ordered.

1338: Shadow identified as whale. Former course and position resumed. Secure from combat stations.

1405: Signal from Shokaku; all ships to return to Kwajalein.

1430: Course change west, carriers recovering planes.

1440: Signal flag from Soryu; plane coming in with engine trouble, destroyers stand by to assist.

1453: Soryu signals plane recovered safely. All ships to resume course south.

1600: Captain off bridge: Lieutenant Miharu now in command.

1700: Lieutenant Sugiyura relieved; Lieutenant jg Nagaswa now on watch.


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 973
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/8/2007 4:42:38 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		January 3, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 465

Orders: Await further orders.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 974
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/8/2007 4:43:26 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		January 4, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 463

Orders: Await further orders.

---

Chief Petty Officer Shun is not ordinarily a man of many words. Nonetheless it is rare that Captain Ishii has seen him surprised into speechlessness. The Chief struggles for a moment with his composure, then finally speaks.

“But, sir, how...how is this possible?” he bursts out. Captain Ishii lifts a sheet of paper and studies it.

“The Kwajalein Fund for the Relief and Assistance of Sailor’s Families,” he reads. “I haven’t heard of them either, but their donation combined with what the crew has raised is more than enough money to send you mother to the best specialists on the mainland.” He pauses and studies Shun for a moment. “You’re being helped, Chief. I guess you will just have to accept it.” Shun seems to struggle with this idea. Finally he nods.

“I would like to those responsible for this fund in person,” he says, then smiles crookedly. “I may be a stiff-necked old sailor, as you say, sir, but this means a great deal to me. I may not ever be able to repay this kindness, but the least I can do is acknowledge it.” Captain Ishii smiles.

“Very good, Chief,” he says. “We will make a human being of you yet.” He hands over the letter. “Here, this has all the information.”

“Thank you, sir,” says Shun.

“Please give my greetings to your mother and daughter when you write to them,” says the captain.

“I will, sir,” says the Chief. He salutes and leaves. Captain Ishii watches him go. The captain isn’t surprised by the donation – he has a lot of faith that the Imperial Navy will take care of its own – but he does wonder how this Fund heard of the Chief’s problem. Someone on the ship must have tipped them off. He wonders who and makes a mental note to ask Miharu about it.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 975
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/8/2007 4:44:04 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		January 5, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 461

Orders: Await further orders.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 976
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/8/2007 7:27:24 AM   
kaleun

 

Posts: 5145
Joined: 5/29/2002
From: Colorado
Status: offline 		Good. I was getting withdrawal!

_____________________________

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

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 977
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/8/2007 1:56:59 PM   
tocaff


Posts: 4781
Joined: 10/12/2006
From: USA now in Brasil
Status: offline 		Await further posts...

_____________________________

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 #: 978
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/10/2007 1:02:45 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		January 6, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 459

Orders: Await further orders.

---

Chief Petty Officer Shun goes ashore and visits Lieutenant Yanagimoto, the man in charge of the Kwajalein Fund for the Relief and Assistance of Sailor’s Families. Yanagimoto is attached to Sixth Fleet headquarters and administers the fund mostly in his spare time. He listens politely as Shun stammers out his thanks and then attempts to put the man at ease.

“Really, Chief Petty Officer, no thanks are necessary,” he says. “Besides, I just send the money where it is supposed to go. The ones deserving of thanks are those who actually provide the donations.” The Chief ponders this for a moment.

“As you say, sir,” he says. “Still, you have my thanks. Would it be possible to know who made such a generous donation?” Yanagimoto makes an apologetic gesture.

“Truly,” he says, “there are a great many donors. I do not have time, alas, to keep records of each of them. I very much regret that you will not be able to extend your thanks in person, but I will be happy to extend your heartfelt gratitude where and as I can.”

Shun stands there for a moment. He is relieved that he is thus freed of the difficult job of saying thank you yet again, but the instincts that he has developed in over two decades in the Imperial Navy are telling him that he is being stonewalled for some reason. He wonders why. But not only is the man in front of him an officer, but to ask more questions in the face of such generosity would be tactless and rude.

“I would be grateful if you would do that, sir,” he says at last. Yanagimoto assures him that this will be no problem, and Shun salutes him, spins about, and leaves the office.

After he is gone Yanagimoto leans back in his chair. He had been told something about the Chief, but had still not been prepared for the sheer force of the man’s personality. He was glad that Shun did not press the matter further. It might have been awkward trying not to reveal that the fund was in fact less than two weeks old, and that its establishment and the eye-opening donation that started it was contingent on Shun’s mother being the first beneficiary. Shun would surely have wanted to know why.

For that matter, so does Yanagimoto. He has never actually met the fund’s true founder. But he believes in the work, and already he has been able to do quite a bit of good. The Imperial Navy already has such a fund, of course, but it is based in Yokahama and isn’t always in a position to help sailors on the far-flung outposts of the Empire.

He leans forward again and, pulling some papers towards him, gets back to work. While he is curious about the fund’s anonymous benefactor, he believes that to give so much without any desire for recognition is a true measure of greatness of spirit. He is happy to work with such a person, whoever it is.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 979
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/10/2007 1:05:31 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		January 7, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 457

Orders: Await further orders.

---

Kumiko Miharu is seated at a desk in her home in Kanazawa. She picks up a pen and with fine, firm strokes finishes the final characters of the letter she is writing to her husband.

“…you had asked me to write to you at once if I saw your brother again. I dislike worrying you when you have so many duties fighting the war, but of course I cannot do other than as you ask. Morito came to the house last week. He did not look well, and I gave him what help I could. I felt you would have wanted this, however much you disapprove of him. He then left the house, and he has not been back since.

I do not need to tell you how much I miss you. I am glad you are wearing your senninbari; I know you do not necessarily believe in them, but it is a comfort to me. I pray each day that you and your ship will return safely to Japan, but until it does I will wait patiently and keep your home ready for your return.”

Kumiko signs the letter and sets it aside for the ink to dry. While it does so she rises and goes into the kitchen, where she prepares some tea and a light lunch. She sets these on a tray and then goes and gets some linen bandages, which she also sets on the tray.

She picks up the tray and exits the back of the house into the garden. She gazes wistfully for a moment at her husband’s favorite bench, then walks calmly through the garden to a neat little tool shed at the back. She sets the tray on a shelf while she opens the shed, then takes the tray up again and slips inside.

The interior of the shed is dim and cool, and smells pleasantly of wood and growing things. Towards the back several wood and paper screens lean haphazardly against one another. Kumiko sets down the tray and moves these aside, revealing a makeshift pallet. On it lies her brother in law. He is thin and drawn, and there are bandages wrapped around one arm.

“Hello,” says Kumiko pleasantly. “I have brought you some food. Eat, and then we must change the bandages on that bullet wound.”


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 980
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/10/2007 1:06:14 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		January 8, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 455

Orders: Await further orders.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 981
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/10/2007 1:06:48 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		January 9, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 454

Orders: Await further orders.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 982
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/10/2007 1:08:22 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		January 10, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 452

Orders: Await further orders.

---

Ensigns Izu and Handa are seated at a small table in a bar on Kwajalein. Since the incident during the combat class the two men have discovered that they have many things in common. One of these things is their unmarried state. Both men have courtships that were interrupted by the war, and both are worried whether their prospective brides will still be available when they return to Japan.

“I agree, the most important thing is to show the father forthrightness and respect,” Handa is saying. “But it is also important to show tenderness to the woman you are courting. There are two reasons for this. First, she will be favorably impressed. Never underestimate the powers of persuasion some young women have with their families. Second, it will show the father that you are capable of treating his daughter well.”

“But you don’t want to show that you are indecisive,” argues Izu. “You want to show that you will be firmly in control of your future family.” Handa shakes his head.

“It is a lot like being a good officer,” he says. “Take Lieutenant Miharu, for example. Have you ever heard him raise his voice? Yet every order he gives is instantly obeyed. Being in control, whether of a ship or a family, is not just about demanding loyalty, but about giving it too.”

“Run a family as you would run a ship?” asks Izu. Handa grins.

“Well, except for making them chip paint all day,” he says. Izu is about to reply when Petty Officer Third Class Takahashi enters the bar. He looks around, spots the two ensigns, then walks swiftly over to their table and salutes.

“I beg your pardon, sirs,” he says, “but I am to tell everyone ashore that all crew are to report aboard the Hibiki immediately.”

“Do you know why?” asks Izu. Taiki shakes his head.

“No sir, I do not. Only that...well, look for yourselves, sirs.” He gestures around them. Only now do the two ensigns notice that the bar, packed full when they entered, is now more than half empty. Other men are quickly finishing their drinks and leaving.

“Thank you,” says Handa. “We will head back to the ship at once. Carry on, Petty Officer.” Taiki salutes and heads off in search of more of the Hibiki’s crew. “Come on,” says Handa, and the two men leave and head for the docks.

As soon as they can see the water both men know that something big is happening. The lagoon is being plied by dozens of boats, their wakes criss-crossing as they ferry men to their ships. Out in the anchorage several big warships are already moving. There is no air of panic, but no one is wasting any time, either.

“What do you think?” asks Handa. Izu looks out at all the activity.

“I think we had better get aboard,” he says. Handa nods, and the two men head down to the docks.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 983
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/10/2007 1:28:22 AM   
tocaff


Posts: 4781
Joined: 10/12/2006
From: USA now in Brasil
Status: offline 		1943 and the USN is up to something?

_____________________________

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 #: 984
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/10/2007 3:00:59 AM   
1275psi

 

Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		YAH!

Action pending at last!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(in reply to tocaff)
Post #: 985
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/10/2007 10:37:22 PM   
Capt. Harlock


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

ORIGINAL: tocaff

1943 and the USN is up to something?


Well, they should be -- since the Lightning and Corsair are now available for effective fighter cover. To give Wolffpack due credit, he's already been raising a rumpus in the Northern Pacific.

Applause once more on the marvelous ongoing story!

_____________________________

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 tocaff)
Post #: 986
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/11/2007 2:56:14 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		January 11, 1943

Location: 350 miles west northwest of Kwajalein
Course: West by northwest
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 417

Orders: Proceed along designated course.

---

Hibiki is the third ship in the port screen of the carrier task force, following light cruiser Isuzu and destroyer Murakumo. Destroyer Shiratsuyu brings up the rear of the column. Off to the right steam Ozawa’s three carriers, Soryu, Zuikaku, and Shokaku, and there are other ships ahead of them and beyond them. The task force is making good speed and heading west by northwest. There are three other task forces in the area, moving along the same general course.

No one aboard the Hibiki has any idea where they are going, or why. For once operational orders have outrun rumors and gossip. The only thing most people are sure of is that this is not a training exercise or a drill. The Imperial Japanese Navy is too careful with its fuel reserves to send 60 warships someplace without a very good reason.

The biggest puzzle at the moment is the course they are on. At the moment they are headed more or less towards Truk, or perhaps beyond that to Palau or even Mindanao. It is unthinkable that any enemy force could have slipped undetected so deep into Japanese territory, so where they are actually headed remains a mystery. Not that there is any lack of speculation on the subject, of course.

The enlisted men perform their duties and trust that the officers know what they are doing. The officers in turn look to Captain Ishii. The captain does not actually know any more than they do, though it is possible his guesses are better. He has to hope that Admiral Ozawa, at least, has some idea what is going on.

What Admiral Ozawa knows or thinks is anybody’s guess.


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 987
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/11/2007 3:00:44 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		January 12, 1943

Location: 300 miles east of Truk
Course: West
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 363

Orders: Proceed along designated course.

---

“Sir, signal from the Shokaku,” calls a lookout. “All ships change course 20 degrees to port.” Lieutenant Sugiyura gives the order and watches as Hibiki alters course, then orders a small correction to keep the Hibiki in position relative to the rest of the task force. Captain Ishii enters the bridge from the chart room.

“Course change, Captain,” says Sugiyura.

“So I heard,” replies Ishii, nodding. “That puts us on course straight for Truk.”

“No surprise there,” says Sugiyura.

“No,” says Captain Ishii. “Anything from the radio room?” Sugiyura shakes his head.

“No sir,” he says. “Routine radio traffic out of Truk. A bit heavier than usual, but that’s all.” Captain Ishii looks forward at the spray thrown up by the bow of the Hibiki as it slices through the waves. The task force is not at full speed, but at 27 knots they are not dawdling, either.

“Have you inspected your torpedoes recently, Lieutenant?” he says at last.

“Yes sir!” says Sugiyura. “Just three days ago. We replaced the oxygen tank in one of them, but otherwise they checked out fine.”

“Good, good,” says the captain. He turns and looks out towards bow again, hands clasped behind his back.


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 988
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/11/2007 9:45:59 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		January 13, 1943

Location: Truk
Course: West
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 474

Orders: Proceed to Amboina.

---

Ozawa’s task force is the first to reach Truk. As they approach the islands Hibiki receives the same directive as the other ships; get in, refuel as quickly as possible, and get out. The other task forces are not far behind and Ozawa wants clear the refueling docks and be headed west again before they arrive.

Despite the hurry Captain Ishii goes ashore while Hibiki is refueling. There he has a very informal meeting with Admiral Ozawa, a couple of his staff, and several other ship captains in the shadow of one of the fuel storage tanks.

Captain Ishii did not know Ozawa well prior to being assigned to his command, but already he has come to respect the remarkably ugly little admiral. Ozawa is a thoroughly competent professional and a man who leads his men instead of driving them like cattle. He welcomes Captain Ishii to the group with a nod and then resumes speaking, apparently in response to a question that had just been asked.

“Four days ago,” he says, “powerful enemy forces were detected approaching Koepang on Timor. I don’t know the details, but Imperial Headquarters seems to have had some idea that this might happen. Powerful surface forces were nearby to meet the invasion. They reacted quickly and caught the enemy off guard. They inflicted heavy damage before being forced to retire by a powerful American carrier group.” He pauses briefly as the men digest this information.

“The enemy then managed to land in force. We have identified at least one American and one Australian division, as well as supporting elements. However, enemy efforts to neutralize the garrison through bombardment and aerial bombing were blunted by our ships and our aircraft, and the last we heard the garrison was holding. While there is no doubt the enemy has suffered heavy losses in ships, troops, and planes, our resistance hasn’t been without cost. I very much regret to say I have received word that battleship Yamashiro has been lost, though most of her crew was saved.” There is a stir of dismay at this, and the officers exchange a few comments among themselves.

“That is what I know of the situation,” Ozawa says after a moment. “We are to make for Amboina, and from there proceed to take back control of the waters around Koepang from the enemy. We still control the harbor and airfield there, apparently, but beyond that the battle is still ongoing and the situation very much subject to change. We will find out more when we get to Amboina, and we will then plan accordingly.” He looks around at his ship captains. “Does anyone have anything to say about this?” No one does. There are many things that they wish to know, but they know that if Ozawa had the answers he would have told them already.

With that the admiral sends the captains back to their ships. He wants to be underway towards Amboina as soon as possible.

---

Battleship Yamashiro







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(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 989
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 7/11/2007 10:04:49 PM   
princep01

 

Posts: 943
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: Texas
Status: offline 		Run hither, run yon....first to the far north, now to the far south.  The strategic initiative has shifted to the Allies, while KB sat at anchor in Kwajalean.  It was bound to happen.  Good luck to Hibiki.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 990
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