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RE: Small Ship, Big War

 
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RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/4/2008 6:41:14 PM   
thegreatwent


Posts: 3011
Joined: 8/24/2004
From: Denver, CO
Status: offline
quote:

I'm glad he made it and thus that you did too!

It got me thinking, though. World War II had such an impact on so many things that it's possible that a great many of us would not be here had the war not occured. My parents met, for example, because my grandparents moved to Southern California to work for Consolidated building B-24s.

On the other hand, who knows how many forum mates might have been here but aren't because their parent or grandparent died in the war? I guess we all exist at the end of a long chain of chance and coincidence. When you think of it that way it's as if we have all beaten odds that dwarf the chances of winning the lottery.

But thoughts like that make my head hurt. When that happens I usually stop philosophizing and go eat a chocolate chip cookie. It helps put things in perspective.


My Grandfather was scheduled for the first wave of Olympic, as a young LT. in the 33rd Division he wasn't expected to survive. He told me once, after seeing a special on the bombing of Nagasaki, that although the bomb was terrible it was also likely that it was the only reason I'm here. Having said that I think I will search for a cookie and thank my lucky stars.

_____________________________


(in reply to mdiehl)
Post #: 3421
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/4/2008 7:55:58 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		July 6, 1944

Location: Tokyo
Course: None
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Await further orders

---

“The work is complete, Captain,” reports Lieutenant Sakati. ”I won’t tell you the boilers are like new, because they’re a long way from that, but they’re in pretty good shape all the same.”

“Rather like us, eh Sakati?” says Captain Ishii. “Not young any more but still getting the job done.”

“Aye,” says Sakati wryly. “I feel the miles, though, sir. There’s a reason most of the men fighting this war are twenty years younger than we are.”

“Yes indeed,” says Ishii. “Still, the years give us judgment and experience. And that is needed along with all that youthful energy and enthusiasm.”

“Well sir,” says Sakati, “if years give judgment and experience then I must have a cargo hold full of the stuff somewhere. I’ll have to look around and see if I can find it.”

“It might be stored under the aching knees and loss of hearing,” says Ishii dryly. “Look there.”

“Aye, sir,” says Sakati. He takes off his cap and runs his fingers through his sparse scalp. “Maybe I’ll find some of my missing hair while I’m at it.”

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3422
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/4/2008 7:57:52 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		July 7 - July 16, 1944

Location: Tokyo
Course: None
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Await further orders

---

Hibiki remains in port for the next ten days. Nothing much happens until July 16, when the carrier task forces are reshuffled somewhat and carrier Unryu joins Zuikaku and Taiho as part of Task Force 23. This is the first close look Hibiki’s crew has had at one of the new class of carriers that are beginning to join the fleet. Those expecting something like the large and graceful Taiho are disappointed. The new carrier more closely resembles the smaller Hiryu. Still, the fact that it is here at all is encouraging. Japan is slowly replacing all the carriers lost at Santa Cruz. By this time, though, few have any illusions that the enemy has not been busy launching even more carriers in the meanwhile.

Word reaches Hibiki at the same time that they will at last depart Tokyo. The task force is ordered to proceed to Kagoshima, at the southern tip of Japan. No one on board knows why.


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3423
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/4/2008 8:13:39 PM   
cantona2


Posts: 3749
Joined: 5/21/2007
From: Gibraltar
Status: offline 		She sails into action once again...

_____________________________

1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3424
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/4/2008 8:27:37 PM   
Capt. Harlock


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

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

July 6, 1944

Location: Tokyo
Course: None
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Await further orders

---

“The work is complete, Captain,” reports Lieutenant Sakati. ”I won’t tell you the boilers are like new, because they’re a long way from that, but they’re in pretty good shape all the same.”




Kudos!! Lt. Sakati has triumphed over the unfixable damage point!

_____________________________

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 #: 3425
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/4/2008 9:38:21 PM   
kaleun

 

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

Kudos!! Lt. Sakati has triumphed over the unfixable damage point!


Nah! It was Shun.

_____________________________

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

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)
Post #: 3426
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/5/2008 7:44:21 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		July 17, 1944

Location: 100 miles southwest of Takamatsu
Course: Southwest
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 447

Orders: Proceed to Kagoshima

---

It seems that the morning sweeps were not done to Shun’s satisfaction so he is now driving a group of sailors across the deck to correct the problem, all the while genially commenting on their work habits, their ancestry, and their overall worth as human beings. Petty Officer Okubo watches this scene from a distance for a moment before turning back to his own work.

Okubo has mixed feelings about Shun’s return. He finds to his surprise that he is almost happy to have him back. It isn’t that he dislikes him any less, it is just that everyone’s chances of getting through this war alive seem somehow better with him around. And there is no denying that things run more smoothly when he is present.

Okubo had also expected to feel more of a sense of freedom with Shun gone than he actually felt. The petty officer can never quite forget that Shun has someone watching him. Okubo frequently finds himself eyeing the men around him, wondering which of them is the one who laid him low the night he went after Aikawa. And it might be his imagination but Okubo thinks that Lieutenant Miharu has once or twice given him what Okubo’s grandmother would have called “the evil eye”.

So instead of giving him a chance to assert his own prerogatives and to run things the way he thinks they should be run all Shun’s absence meant for Okubo was more work. It is so unfair, Okubo thinks. Perhaps on another ship they would recognize his true worth. He has in fact thought of putting in for a transfer but one thing always stops him, and that is the fact that he thinks Hibiki is a lucky ship. He has no interest in doing things his way just to end up burned, blown up, or drowned. It’s better to stay where he is.

He will just have to keep a low profile for a while. Okubo is not by a nature a patient man but he will try and bide his time for a while. Maybe good things do come to those who wait, he thinks. Or at least opportunities.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3427
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/5/2008 7:51:30 PM   
cantona2


Posts: 3749
Joined: 5/21/2007
From: Gibraltar
Status: offline 		Shun's back and hes got to make up for lost time by chewing on some arses

_____________________________

1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3428
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/8/2008 9:50:13 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		July 18, 1944

Location: Kagoshima
Course: Southwest
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Proceed to Kagoshima

---

Hibiki refuels and then drops anchor alongside the rest of the task force in Kagoshima Bay. Other warships are already here. In addition to several light carriers and assorted escorts the crew recognizes the slightly ungainly silhouettes of carriers Junyo and Hiyo. But even the most impressive warships present are dwarfed by Sakurajima, the volcano rising out of the water near the far end of the bay. The volcano was an island until 1914, when lava flows from an eruption formed a bridge to the mainland and turned the island into a peninsula.

Kagoshima Bay is long and deep. The mouth of the bay opens onto the East China Sea and is presently closed by minefields except for one narrow channel. As it is not inconceivable that an enemy submarine could follow a ship through the channel into the bay both ends of the channel are constantly guarded by patrol craft. In the early days of the war Kagoshima was a fairly quiet place but these days a lot of war material ships from here to Okinawa, the Philippines, and other places. The enemy knows this and so submarine activity in the area remains constantly high.

Fortunately the Japanese carriers did not encounter any of them on their way to Kagoshima. And now that they are here and relatively safe one question remains, a question for which no one aboard Hibiki has an answer: what are they doing here?

---

A view of Sakurajima:








Attachment (1)

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3429
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/9/2008 9:23:37 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		July 19, 1944

Location: Kagoshima
Course: Southwest
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 472

Orders: Await further orders

---

The first of two flights of planes to overfly the bay arrives late in the morning from the southwest. The leader of the flight seems to want to put on a show because the planes come in low, roaring in formation over the anchored warships before heading inland for the airfield. These are N1K2 fighters and they make an impressive sight. Aboard Hibiki they count forty-eight planes.

The second flight arrives mid-afternoon. These planes, P1Y twin-engine bombers, arrive from the south and from them there is no ostentatious display. The eleven planes in the flight come straggling in over a period of twenty minutes and even from the ground they look battle-worn and tired.

Riku spends much of the day ashore trying to secure some of the region’s specialty foods, such as smoked eels, for the ship’s stores. When he is at last off duty he finds himself not far from the airfield. He stops by one of the popular watering holes in the area and quickly finds himself in conversation with one of the fighter pilots whose arrival they saw that morning.

“You liked our little show?” says the pilot, obviously pleased. He has a bristling moustache which helps conceal the fact that he is young, probably not yet twenty. “We came in all the way from Takao this morning and arranged that with hand signals. We wanted to show everyone that we are ready to take on the American pilots!”

“You have been training in Takao?” Riku asks.

The pilot takes a drink. “Oh no. We have been in China, at Wuhan, for the last couple of months. The Chinese have conveniently left some soldiers on a highway near Changsa and we have been out almost every day bombing and strafing them. How they would dive for the ditches when we appeared!” He laughs.

“I imagine that strafing Chinese soldiers is good practice for facing American pilots,” murmurs Riku politely.

“You bet!” boasts the young pilot. “We are experts at handling our planes now. Before China we spent half a year at Sasebo training every day. We did mock dogfights there and learned our craft well. When we were ready we went to China and now we are back and ready for battle.” He takes a drink. “I am personally going to shoot down twelve enemy planes. At least.”

“I wish you luck,” says Riku sincerely. “The enemy is said to have good planes, though.”

“I have heard the same thing,” says the pilot. “But these Shidens of ours are better. We started at Sasebo with Reisens, and those were not bad planes, but they can’t compare to the Shiden. Any enemy pilot who crosses our path is in for trouble, let me tell you.” He finishes his drink. “Well, there is a town full of young women out there who are no doubt eagerly awaiting me. Good luck to you, sailor.” He claps Riku on the shoulder and leaves.

Riku sips his drink. The man seated to the other side of him gives a low snort. Riku turns to see another pilot. This one’s uniform is considerably more worn and despite the fact that he is probably around Riku’s age he seems somehow much older. Perhaps it is the lines around his eyes. Riku catches his eye and the man shakes his head.

“So young,” says the pilot. “I thought of telling him what it is like to sit down at mess and have half the chairs empty, chairs that used to be filled with your friends and comrades, but he will learn. If he lives.” He stares down into his drink. “My friends and I, we flew bombers out of Ulithi against the enemy invasion fleets at Guam. We torpedoed many enemy ships. But then they invaded Ulithi and we pulled back to Palau. We sank and damaged more ships. But every day the enemy seemed stronger and every day there were fewer of us. We started out with twenty-seven planes and crews and by the end we were down to seven. We picked up the last four planes from another group two days ago and were finally sent home.”

“You’ve had a rough time,” says Riku. “I am sorry to hear about your friends. But it sounds like you hurt the enemy.”

“Oh yes,” says the man moodily. “We did. But there are so many of them now. They keep coming no matter what you do and one by one your friends die.” Riku says nothing and after a moment the man lifts his head again and looks at him. “Forgive me. I do not mean to talk in such a way, it is just that I am so tired.”

“You will rest here and get your strength and spirit back,” says Riku.

“I am sure you are right,” says the pilot. “I hope so. Because the enemy is not stopping at Ulithi, no matter how many ships we sink.”

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3430
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/9/2008 10:00:55 PM   
princep01

 

Posts: 943
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: Texas
Status: offline 		In that last comment, one is mindful of the chapter title to a book on the American Civil War denoting the start of Grant's 1864 campaign....And Spring Came On Forever.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3431
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/11/2008 12:52:50 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		July 20, 1944

Location: Kagoshima
Course: None
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 469

Orders: Await further orders

---

“Good evening, Captain.”

“Good evening, Exec. Ready to take over?”

“Yes sir. Any changes?”

“None. We are still under orders to be ready to sail on twenty-four hour’s notice but there has been nothing further.”

“Very curious, sir.”

“Strange and unexplained orders aren’t curious, Exec. They’re the Navy way.”

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3432
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/11/2008 12:54:06 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		July 21, 1944

Location: Kagoshima
Course: None
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 466

Orders: Await further orders

---

Excerpt from the personal diary of Petty Officer First Class Taiki Takahashi:

July 21, 1944:

We are still at Kagoshima. It is not a big city but it is very pretty, placed the way it is between the mountains and the sea. Perhaps Sayumi and I can visit here after the war.

After the war. We used to talk about that all the time, back in the early days. Somehow we don’t talk about it as much anymore. It has started to feel like we’ve been fighting forever and we will keep fighting forever. And maybe that isn’t too far from the truth, since giving up is unthinkable and winning seems impossible. Not that I would say so out loud, of course. Lots of people talk about ways to win the war, and some of them probably believe it, but I think others are like me. They don’t see any way we can defeat our enemies but they talk bravely to keep up their own spirits and to not seem defeatist and weak.

Yet I suppose that the war will eventually end somehow, even if I can’t see it. I hope so. I want to know what it’s like to actually get to live with my wife and spend every day with her. I would like to have children and try and be a good father. I would like to work with my own father again before he gets too old. I wonder if I will get a chance to do any of these things?

There’s no point in dwelling on it, I guess. I’ll find out what is to happen when it happens. So much in this war has already been a surprise that probably the only thing I can count on is that nothing will happen the way I expect it to.


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3433
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/11/2008 3:02:38 AM   
histgamer

 

Posts: 1455
Joined: 11/30/2006
Status: offline

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3434
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/11/2008 2:57:48 PM   
cantona2


Posts: 3749
Joined: 5/21/2007
From: Gibraltar
Status: offline 		The RN and RNN would like to apologise to readaars for the following incident at Port Blair

TF 5 encounters mine field at Port Blair (23,34)

Japanese Ships
DD Hibiki, Mine hits 1,  on fire

_____________________________

1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born


(in reply to histgamer)
Post #: 3435
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/11/2008 8:44:46 PM   
Capt. Harlock


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

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

“Very curious, sir.”

“Strange and unexplained orders aren’t curious, Exec. They’re the Navy way.”



Ain't it the truth!!

_____________________________

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 #: 3436
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/12/2008 1:21:42 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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

ORIGINAL: cantona2

The RN and RNN would like to apologise to readaars for the following incident at Port Blair

TF 5 encounters mine field at Port Blair (23,34)

Japanese Ships
DD Hibiki, Mine hits 1,  on fire


Hibiki was mined in real life, too, off Japan. The mine hit kept the destroyer from participating in Yamato's final sortie at Okinawa.

(in reply to cantona2)
Post #: 3437
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/12/2008 1:22:57 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		July 22, 1944

Location: Kagoshima
Course: None
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 464

Orders: Await further orders

---

“We have new orders,” Captain Ishii tells the officers gathered around the wardroom table. “We depart tomorrow night, heading south. I do not know the details of our mission but I do know we are making rendezvous with other carrier groups some 350 miles east-southeast of Davao.”

“That’s a good position to strike at Ulithi, or maybe Yap or Palau if the enemy attacks there,” observes Lieutenant Sugiyura.

“I admit I am surprised,” says Lieutanent Miharu. “Given what Admiral Yamamoto told you, sir, I did not think we would be sent that far.”

Captain Ishii nods. “I am too, Exec. But there are a couple of things to consider. First of all, Admiral Ozawa is in overall command.”

“Ozawa is capable enough,” says Kuwaki. “But he always thinks twice before getting into a fight.”

“And then he usually decides to retire and think about it some more,” snorts Sugiyura.

“That’s enough of that, Lieutenant,” the captain cautions his chief torpedo officer. “But it is true that Ozawa tends to be careful. I am guessing that Yamamoto is deflecting some of the pressure he is under to do something by sending out the carriers to harass the enemy. But I would not be surprised if he and Ozawa have a clear understanding not to strike unless the odds of success are very high.”

“So we are to slip southwards undetected and then see what the enemy is up to,” says Lieutenant Miharu.

“I can’t imagine what else it could be,” says Ishii. “There hasn’t been any sign of an attack anywhere further south that I have heard.”

“What is happening at Ulithi, sir, do you know?” asks Kuwaki.

“The fighting is heavy,” says Ishii. “All I have heard from our side is that the enemy has been almost destroyed.” He doesn’t say that they have all heard that before. He doesn’t need to. “More telling, perhaps, the enemy has not claimed victory there.”

“Then perhaps we can get down there in time to make a difference,” says Sugiyura hopefully.

“Perhaps we can, Lieutenant,” says Captain Ishii. “Perhaps we can.”

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3438
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/13/2008 1:05:46 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		July 23, 1944

Location: Kagoshima
Course: None
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 471

Orders: Proceed to fleet rendezvous east-southeast of Davao

---

In the forward crew’s mess:

“So where are we headed?”

“South, I hear.”

“Someone said it was Timor again.”

“Hey, pass some more of those eels down here. Timor? Maybe this time we’ll get to spend some time ashore. I’ve always wanted to see one of the dragons they say live down there.”

“They aren’t dragons and they don’t live on Timor. They live on Komodo.”

“Where’s that?”

“In the Lesser Sunda Islands. Not far from where those enemy battleships almost caught us that one time, actually. Move over a bit, will you? Thanks.”

“Well, anyway, I would like to see one.”

“I heard the enemy is going to attack Mindanao and that we are going to stop them.”

“I think this is just a shakedown cruise for Unryu.”

“Unryu has had a shakedown cruise.”

“Well then, maybe Admiral Ozawa just wants to go sports fishing.”

“I’ll bet he is no fun to fish with. As soon as he gets a nibble he would reel in his line and go home!”

“Ha ha! Well, I still hope we are going to Timor so I can see one of those dragons.”

“It’s Komodo, and they aren’t dragons!”

“Hi everyone. We’re going to Komodo? Where is that?”

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3439
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/13/2008 1:06:53 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		July 24, 1944

Location: 115 miles south of Kagoshima
Course: South
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 440

Orders: Proceed to fleet rendezvous east-southeast of Davao

---

The Japanese ships depart Kagoshima in the morning. The task forces form up efficiently. Ships slip into their assigned positions with little wasted effort and soon they are heading south. Before long only the top of Sakurajima is visible as Kyushu recedes from view and then all sight of Japan is gone. Hibiki is once again heading off to war.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3440
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/13/2008 2:43:10 AM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		TF Composition CF?


_____________________________



Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.

Reluctant Admiral Mod:
https://sites.google.com/site/reluctantadmiral/

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3441
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/16/2008 12:10:06 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

TF Composition CF?


With the addition of Unryu the task force now has 3 CVs - Zuikaku, Taiho, Unryu - 3 CAs, 1 CL, and 8 DDs.

_____________________________


(in reply to John 3rd)
Post #: 3442
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/16/2008 12:13:01 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		July 25, 1944

Location: 240 miles east of Aparri
Course: South
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 398

Orders: Proceed to fleet rendezvous east-southeast of Davao

---

Taiki squares his shoulders and takes a deep breath. Then he steps into the petty officer's wardroom and closes the door behind him. The room’s only occupant is Chief Shun, who at first only glances up incuriously at him. After he takes in the expression on Taiki’s face, however, he carefully folds and sets aside the newspaper he has been reading.

“It’s that time, is it?” he says with a sigh.

“Yes, Mr. Shun,” says Taiki. He deliberately uses the honorific rather than “Chief” to not only confirm that he is here in his role as nakodo but also to try and level the field between them a bit. For the moment, at least, military rank is to be set aside in favor of social convention.

“Well, if that damned assassin didn’t kill me I don’t suppose this will either,” growls Shun. “Sit down, son, and let’s talk.” Taiki appreciates the subtle parry that is Shun’s use of the term “son”. He pulls up a chair and sits facing the chief.

“It is time for us to determine when your daughter and Mr. Ariga are to be married,” he says.

Shun sits silently for a moment. “Yes, it is,” he says finally. “I had hoped it would be after the war, but I do not see an end to the war any time soon.”

“Then sooner is better than later,” says Taiki. “Certainly they have both been patient enough.”

Shun nods. “Yes,” he says. “Yes they have. In that case I have a suggestion. I am told that Hibiki is scheduled for some major work, to be done as soon as time can be spared. That would be a good time.”

“I agree,” says Taiki. “I will go ahead and plan for that, then.”

Shun chuckles a little. “You make a good nakobo,” he says. “If you do not stay in the Navy after the war you will have another career to fall back on.”

“No!” says Taiki emphatically. “It is much harder than fighting in a war. I am going to go back to being a plasterer, thank you.”

“Will you?” says Shun. “You are more than you were, Takahashi. You might find you no longer fit your old life the way you used to.”

“Just a plasterer,” Taiki says firmly.

“Perhaps,” says Shun.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3443
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/16/2008 1:51:03 AM   
Capt. Harlock


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

“Well, if that damned assassin didn’t kill me I don’t suppose this will either,” growls Shun.


Of course, it might make him wish the assassin hadn't failed . . .

_____________________________

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 #: 3444
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/16/2008 11:34:20 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		July 26, 1944

Location: 400 miles southeast of Aparri
Course: South
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 357

Orders: Proceed to fleet rendezvous east-southeast of Davao

---

The impromptu party that Riku and his friends held last night in their bunk area has left Riku with a headache but few memories of the event. He does recall kissing Benzaiten at some point, which all of his friends thought was hilarious. Then again, by that time they had all had enough to drink that they were at the point where everything seemed hilarious. Riku is uninjured, though, so the python must have put up with it. The snake not only has a nasty bite but she is by now strong enough to break a man’s arm with a blow of her tail.

Riku somehow manages to stagger out of his hammock and report for duty at 0600 hours but soon runs afoul of Paymaster Kataoka’s sense of humor. The plump and cheerful officer is outwardly solicitous of Riku’s condition but keep dropping objects that clang to the deck and echo loudly in the small storerooms where they do most of their work. Eventually Kataoka relents, however, and by the time Riku goes off duty he is even feeling well enough to eat some food. This task done he goes in search of Taiki.

He and Taiki briefly discuss some of the details of the wedding. When they are done Riku hesitates for a moment and then asks a question.

“Do you think that Chief Shun like me, Taiki-san?”

Taiki shakes his head. “No, I don’t really think he does,” he says. “I think that he respects you, at least a little. Most important, he thinks that you will be a good husband to his daughter. But he still doesn’t like you very much.”

“I see,” says Riku. “Well, thank you for being honest. Maybe someday I can change his mind.”

“Perhaps,” says Taiki. “Anything can happen. But I don’t think there are many people the Chief really likes, my friend. Nanami loves you, and that’s what counts.”

“That is true,” says Riku.

“Which brings up something,” says Taiki. “You already know it, I think, so I will only say it this once. If you mess things up and bring Nanami great unhappiness Shun will be very, very angry. You should understand better than most people what that might mean.”

“I know,” says Riku seriously. He swallows, as though feeling phantom fingers around his neck. “Believe me, I know.”


< Message edited by Cuttlefish -- 9/17/2008 4:50:24 AM >

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3445
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/16/2008 11:37:27 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		July 27, 1944

Location: 175 miles east-southeast of Legaspi
Course: South
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 319

Orders: Proceed to fleet rendezvous east-southeast of Davao

---

Letter from Colonel Izu to his son, Ensign Izu:

Tomio-san,

How good it was to see you in Japan! I wish that we had more chances to talk, but I do not foresee that happening again before the end of the war, at least not unless your ship calls wherever I happen to be here in the Philippines. It is unfortunate, but the demands of war are more important than our personal wishes, even more important than family.

But having said that, please try to visit your mother more often. It has been hard on her these last few years, even with both your sisters now at home. Not that she has uttered a word of complaint, of course. But I have been married to her for almost thirty years and I can tell. I think that the burden of this war falls even more heavily on women then it does on men. You and I, we have our duties, and we have weapons and the means to use them. But the burden at home grows more and more heavy the longer we are away. And this is an increasingly cruel war. As the enemy draws closer to Japan being female does not guarantee that one will be safe.

At the moment my regiment is stationed near Aparri, at the northern end of Luzon. I find there is something appropriate in this, for it was here that Japan first established a presence in the Philippines. That was back during the Muromachi period, around 1400. We were eventually evicted by the Spanish, who in turn were evicted by the Americans. We have now evicted the Americans and once again Aparri is a Japanese base. It’s an interesting circle, isn’t it? And a rather satisfying one.

It is not all peaceful here at present, though. There are many guerrilla bands active throughout the islands here and it takes a lot of effort to keep their activities in check. This I think is such a waste. Had we arrived taking the attitude of a friendly elder brother to these people they would have welcomed us as liberators and turned completely against the Americans. But we came as conquerors and now they see us as no different, perhaps even worse, than the Spanish and Americans who preceded us.

It is too late to change things now. Those officers who tried a more lenient approach were demoted or transferred. Perhaps if we still control the place once the war is over things will change.

The Americans will not have an easy time taking it back from us, that is certain. Had they tried it even six months ago they might have succeeded, but we have a great many more troops here now, on Luzon and Mindanao and many of the other islands too. The air facilities are also being greatly expanded. Many of these air bases are run by the Army but your Navy has quite a presence too. I would like to tell you that we cooperate with each other in all ways but that would not be truthful.

May you and your ship continue to achieve success in battle. Lead well, fight well, and if necessary die well. Perhaps someday, when this war is successfully included, we will have time to sit together and talk. You have always been a good son and I am proud of the man you have become. I hope to have time to get to know that man better.

Izu

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3446
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/16/2008 11:39:13 PM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		July 28, 1944

Location: 175 miles east-southeast of Legaspi
Course: Holding position
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 288

Orders: Proceed to fleet rendezvous east-southeast of Davao

---

Chief Engineer Sakati frowns. He can hear a very faint vibration in the aft engine’s main turbine. Most people would not be able to tell it was there but Sakati is attuned to every sound and vibration his machinery produces.

This particular vibration means that one of the bearings is starting to wear a little unevenly. It is not a problem yet and in fact the bearing is still good for tens of thousands of miles. But Sakati had hoped they would have more than a week at sea before problems started cropping up again. At any rate there is nothing he can do about it right now. He makes a mental note to keep an ear on the situation and moves on.


(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3447
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/17/2008 1:48:50 AM   
Dave3L

 

Posts: 39
Joined: 7/17/2007
Status: offline 		Ahh, the unfixable point comes back out of hiding.....

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3448
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/17/2008 3:54:30 AM   
Sammer

 

Posts: 3
Joined: 1/22/2008
Status: offline
quote:


Taiki shakes his head. “No, I don’t really think he does,” he says. “I think that he respects you, at least a little. Most important, he thinks that you will be a good husband to your daughter. But he still doesn’t like you very much.”


Riku has a daughter with Nanami!? I think Riku should stop worrying and just jump off the ship now :P


quote:


Tomio-san


I would think that the -san honorific would be dropped when a father addresses his son, or did you mean to imply that the colonel is treating our ensign as a fellow man, or maybe I'm just plain wrong :)

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 3449
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 9/17/2008 4:56:42 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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

ORIGINAL: Sammer

quote:


Taiki shakes his head. “No, I don’t really think he does,” he says. “I think that he respects you, at least a little. Most important, he thinks that you will be a good husband to your daughter. But he still doesn’t like you very much.”


Riku has a daughter with Nanami!? I think Riku should stop worrying and just jump off the ship now :P


quote:


Tomio-san


I would think that the -san honorific would be dropped when a father addresses his son, or did you mean to imply that the colonel is treating our ensign as a fellow man, or maybe I'm just plain wrong :)


Fixed the mistake. As for using the honorific, I originally omitted it but then decided, as you suggest, that adding it indicates that he is according his son some respect.


_____________________________


(in reply to Sammer)
Post #: 3450
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