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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: The little ship that could.

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RE: The little ship that could. - 11/8/2014 10:28:59 PM

1275psi

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Susuzuki fuels , and sails again for Ominato.
Convoy escort.
Unknown , yet to Hirate, Okano, the wheels of destiny and fate have begun to turn.

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Post #: 3391

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/8/2014 10:33:24 PM

1275psi

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Russian waters

I-184 surfaces, the heavy rain hiding her from any prying eyes in the heavy woodlands on the coast five miles away.

"patrol, and await your orders, and avoid any contact with ANY vessel"
Strange orders

But they will be easily followed
2 hours later, batteries re charged, she slides to the bottom again.

Strange orders indeed.

(in reply to 1275psi)

Post #: 3392

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/8/2014 10:40:57 PM

1275psi

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There are four major convoys entering or sailing the South China sea

CVL Hosho, with her brood of fat tankers sails south of takao, bound for Miri
Another tanker filled convoy lies to the south west of her, 500 miles north of Jolo island, also headed south
A third, with CVE escort is clearing palembang.

The fourth approaches Miri, a mix of tankers and AKs .

(Two others are arriving in Japan tomorrow, filled to the brim, another two large tanker convoy sucks at Manilla's tit)

The report of the allied death star, long expected, long anticipated, still comes as a frightening shock. There is simply NOTHING to bring against it.
There is but one order to give

Helms come hard over, and boiler fuel taps are turned to full

Flee

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Post #: 3393

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/9/2014 6:21:34 PM

kaleun

Posts: 5145
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From: Colorado
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Still a great yarn

_____________________________

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

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Post #: 3394

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/9/2014 8:19:13 PM

ny59giants

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Its bad enough to see the SBDs carrying their single 1000 pounders. Its worse to see all those Helldivers carry the 1000 pounders, but they also have those two 250 pounders to add more carnage to those thin hulled tankers and transports. Ouch!!

_____________________________

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Post #: 3395

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/10/2014 7:28:10 AM

1275psi

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11th June
The enemy carriers move slowy (cautiously?) further into the Sulu sea. Fighters sweep over Tarakan, Puerto panciesa, Miri, a great number of now empty fields in the central phillipines.
They meet no opposition

Its a bad day for Japan. For almost all of the war, 3 AV vessels have served quietly at Palembang. They are now retiring towards manilla.

In one short horrible hour, all three fall to a ss pack..............

The Convoys head as fast as they can away from the threat, but there is only so much ocean.....

(in reply to ny59giants)

Post #: 3396

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/10/2014 8:02:02 AM

1275psi

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Susuzuki spends the night making for Ominato.
An almost (if war can ever allow it) relaxed passage, sailing at dusk, arriving at dawn.

But the work continues.
Ogowa and Hirate have the middles watch (yet again!)
After a full day of work, cleaning, drilling, storing ship, both men spend 1900 to 2000 hrs at action stations, then manage to grab an hours sleep.
Its a valuable hour, this hour.

Do you have trouble falling asleep?. toss, turn?. need, heavens above, a bed?, a pillow.
Stokers can sleep anywhere. Stokers who have been at war, anywhere, any time, and in a matter of moments too.

Both men will simply leave their action stations, make their way to the messdeck, find a patch of deck, and be asleep in moments.
its a skill we will never, ever lose...........

2300 will see them awake again, there is a chance of a meal, midnighters it is called, the cooks will put on soup, (the british put on cocoa that a spoon can stay upright in, the yanks hot dogs, the aussies meat pies )and with luck, a good noodle dish.
Luck is good.

Then its down the hold.
The spaces are comfortable in these climes, only in the mid 70's F.
Hirate the boiler room, Okano no 1 engine.
Both will do a quick walk around, both will be satisfied, Engineering wise, she's a tight ship.
Then Hirate will take the blower throttles, the fuel pump throttle, crack a joke with the burner man, and start his first cup of tea.
Okano updates the machinery log, reports in to the bored bridge, and waits for whatever comes next..........

The four hours go slowly enough.
Relief after a watch filled with nothing much at all will be followed by two hours at defence stations, and before you know it, dawn action stations.

An hours sleep in twenty four.
Not even worth a mention.............

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Post #: 3397

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/10/2014 8:04:40 AM

1275psi

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I ntell tells me the allies build 180 hellcats alone this month........

Japanese production this day:

5 betties
4 grace
3 oscars
3 zeros
2 tonies
2 peggies
2 george
2 judy
2 frank
1 francis

make of it as you will

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Post #: 3398

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/10/2014 1:23:37 PM

DanSez

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wow...

Late arrival here. Just starting page 16 so it is going to take all month for me to catch up. A very good read and thanks for all the great first hand knowledge you give wrapped up within the flow of the game.

Just wanted to post and say you got at least 1 new reader - I am sure there are many others.

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Post #: 3399

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/12/2014 8:14:41 AM

1275psi

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hello Dan Sez, thankyou for comment, hope you enjoy the rest.

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Post #: 3400

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/12/2014 8:43:09 AM

1275psi

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12th of June

Captain Takao takes the signal, stares at in silence for a good minute
To a man on Hosho's tiny bridge, they all notice the grimace.

Silently he hands the flimsy to his navigator
'You thoughts nav?"

Hosho's bridge falls silent, the breeze blows, below the faint whine of the turbines beat on as they have for so many years now.
This is a tight ship. welded together over so many battles, and then over yet so many more convoys.
There is little this small group of men don't know about each other, and nothing they would not now do for each other.
trust on Hosho's bridge is as it can only be found amongst those who have fought and faced death together.
Trust here, is total.
So is respect.

On Hosho's bridge, it is not unusual for her captain to seek advice. Nor is it often rejected.
"that they will enter the south China sea there is no doubt sir.......but after that........."
"Miri?.....manilla.......or Takao?......"

"manilla would be the best for us...........a left turn towards Miri."
"Would be bad" The Captain Grins........."Its not 42 anymore, somehow I don't think that we really have the capacity to take on allied carriers anymore"
But none doubt on this little bridge, that should fate demand it, Takao would hesitate to turn Hosho at the enemy, and call for her ancient engines to come to full speed............

But the mission is get the tankers to palembang, and that will rule all above all................
"The coast nav?"
"yes sir........let us make for takao, then hug the coast , siagon perhaps........I am willing to risk the british.....our eagles have the skill for that."
"Agreed..........we will know I guess by tomorrow"

Whether we we live another day, or die

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Post #: 3401

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/12/2014 8:48:46 AM

1275psi

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Susuzuki escorts her convoy from Ominato.
91st division for the North

Today a signal "for captain Asada's eyes only"

"I-184 is in position"

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Post #: 3402

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/12/2014 9:09:20 AM

1275psi

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Kwajalein

Wearily Long pig and Bigglesworth climb from the Coronado's passenger door, ready, more than ready to stretch legs after such a long, long flight from hawaii.

Their destination is not yet revealed, although Longpig is beginning to suspect China.........it is the only place in range of the Japanese homeland, and likely to be so for some time..

The pier is long, and hot, and crowded.
A large number of marines are guarding a thin line of men
With some surprise, Longpig see's that they are Japanese, prisoners..........a rare sight indeed.
They are waiting, obviously, for a boat to take them to one of the inumerable transports in the harbour.
The sun is hot, the wait has been long

One of the prisoners sags, and almost collapses

A marine cries out, and a rifle butt hammers down

A face snarls in hatred, but does not resist, waiting, undoubtably for a better chance

And Longpig knows that face..........a face from another world, another life
Hosho
"Corporal!......do that again and I'll see you in the front line , at the front of every attack, all the damn way to Tokyo!"
he bends
"Are you alright..........friend?"

(in reply to 1275psi)

Post #: 3403

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/12/2014 10:40:12 PM

pws1225

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Post #: 3404

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/13/2014 6:59:18 AM

british exil

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quote:

ORIGINAL: pws1225

quote:

And Longpig knows that face..........a face from another world, another life
Hosho
"Corporal!......do that again and I'll see you in the front line , at the front of every attack, all the damn way to Tokyo!"
he bends
"Are you alright..........friend?"

You really made my day yesterday when I read that post.

Glad to see him still alive and that Longpig's luck was around to save him from a severe beating.

Mat

_____________________________

"It is not enough to expect a man to pay for the best, you must also give him what he pays for." Alfred Dunhill

WitE,UV,AT,ATG,FoF,FPCRS

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Post #: 3405

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/13/2014 7:52:19 AM

Long pig

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The eternal wheel of Karma has saved both Longpig and Hosho, I hope their story continues 😄

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Post #: 3406

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/14/2014 6:12:54 AM

hosho

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it`s a small world indeed

_____________________________

the first ones are remembered

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Post #: 3407

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/15/2014 5:40:01 AM

1275psi

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13 June

the allied fleet does enter the south China sea

Most of it turns left towards Miri, catching 2 AKs north of there. At least one CVL turns right, and proceeds towards manilla

For today the convoys remain (mostly) safe Some Mozzies attack one, but fail to hit any of the tankers
CVL Hosho crawls now towards Siagon, as do most of the ships now in this suddenly dangerous ocean
.

Of japanese aircraft, shipping, to oppose this mortal threat?
Nothing
5 E class escorts refuel at soerabaya. They do not yet know what their orders will be, but they cannot be good...............

(in reply to hosho)

Post #: 3408

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/15/2014 5:56:40 AM

1275psi

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Susuzuki pitches steadily into the 2 metre swell, the white foam hissing from the bow, the first hint of sea spray sprinkling the deck
The wind is rising, 15 knots or so, soon the first white caps.
Periscope hiding weather

There have been problems below.

Just after 1 pm, Okano has been raising his first cup of tea to his lips, when his ever alert eyes have seen the needle on the second most prominent guage twitch, and slowly, but steadily begin to wind backwards
29, 28, 27, 26...........inches of main engine vacuum

Falling fast

His movements, honed by so many years of watchkeeping now, are swift and decisive
'Bridge, FWD engine!....loss of main engine vacuum casualty......cause yet known, please standby!"
Now the orders.to the throttle watch keeper...."On main circ!, on second gland steam!.check the air ejector steam and cooling water!
To the third claw.
'Gland steam controller!.and check the drain tank"

'Bridge , fwd engine room, vacuum 22 inches, request reuction to revolutions 096, Chief engineer to the space!"
The telegraphs ring.and 096 revolutions is repeated.
21 inches.........and from the bottom plates, "I have found it Petty officer!.its the drain tank float!"
"Isolate it.......!"
"All spaces fwd engine room, swinging all drains to the aft unit, open cross overs at baulkhead 99!
22, 23, 24 inches.........

The problem is solved, for now. It is a common one, in the drain tank there is a float. It has either gotten a hole in it, or collapsed in the vacuum
(I think we have seen this before!)
Its a common problem.

But its still going to be a bitch to fix

""Problem resolved Bridge, full power available."

"Get the spanners boys, I would rather get this done before the bitch starts bouncing too much"

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Post #: 3409

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/15/2014 6:00:25 AM

1275psi

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14 June 1945

Diogowa awakens bleerily......it is still half dark, the hour before dawn

Ogowa hands him a steaming mug, a great fat grin on his face
"get your crap together.......we are off"
Off?...again?"
"Again........seems like the Navy wants our services still.........we have to be at Naha before the day is out"

Ogowa's eagles are stirring again

By 0700, 100 plus strong, he leads them thundering south.

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Post #: 3410

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/17/2014 6:40:33 AM

1275psi

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15 June

South China sea

The Allied carriers race north
There is no mercy, no pity

CVE Hosho does not even have time to be heroic before the third 1000 pounder makes its way to the main magazine

CVE Taiho lies burning

7 AO's 11 tankers, a dozen E class, 3 old DDs sunk............a sea of flames.

Oil, drifting upon the waters
Colours, as bright as a rainbow
As bright as japanese blood
Fading, in the glare

Of the consuming flames.

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Post #: 3411

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/17/2014 6:51:16 AM

1275psi

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Ogowa's eagles settle into Takao.

The place remains almost the same as it was in 1942, wide expanses of concrete, the hard pens, the hangers.
But some things have changed.

About the field the AA guns are aimed at the sky, and the crews, if not on instant alert, are ready.
Over the field, the constant drone of CAP.

The enemy are expected any day, in China the allies are approaching each city in turn along the coast east from Hong kong.
Takao, soon, will be in fighter range...........

Ogowa sends his men to rest, he will risk it.
There are spare planes in the pools a plenty. Planes you can replace
Pilots, pilots you cannot.

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Post #: 3412

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/20/2014 6:50:02 AM

1275psi

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16th June

The allied carriers continue north towards Samar.
There is nothing left to sink.............

For now, the oil routes, the fuel routes south are cut.

Its hopeful words those, for now.................

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Post #: 3413

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/20/2014 6:58:19 AM

1275psi

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16 June
Susuzuki anchors at Shikuka, comes to auxilliary steaming while the transports begin unloading 91st division.

All is quiet, and here, in this beautiful bay, its hard to imagine a world at war.

Hirate leans against the guardrails, watching a small school of mullet feeding at the galleys drain
They eat anything, those fish.............probably bodies as well.............

It seems a dream, that moment, that journey.
But those crates were real enough, that track leading into the green wastes as well.

So, obviously, others know of the bay, of the mission..........of the crates and gold. But the trail?
maybe not.
Maybe so.
In his heart, he knows that he could find it again.

And there of course, lies the danger.

Almost reflectively, he glances up and forward towards the bridge

And Capatain Asada is on the bridge wing, looking straight at him
A smile , humourless, passes across the Captain face........yes, I know you know Hirate, that smile says, I know you know............

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Post #: 3414

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/20/2014 6:59:31 AM

1275psi

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Cantona has a very sick child, hospital, drips, the lot

Turns, naturally, are on hold...........

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Post #: 3415

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/20/2014 1:26:01 PM

kaleun

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Best wishes for his child, and him.

_____________________________

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

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Post #: 3416

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/23/2014 7:01:36 AM

1275psi

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18th June
Susuzuki remains at anchor, the days passing quietly while 91st's equipment is transported ashore
She lies still, the water mirror calm about about them, deep green, mysterious.
Both Hirate and Okano will spend no little time leaning on the guard rails, and thinking.
The ocean, of course, gives no answers

(in reply to kaleun)

Post #: 3417

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/23/2014 7:09:36 AM

1275psi

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Valiant heroism

the last stand
The battle against impossible odds

The heroiuc last stand, the battle against impossible odds.
how many times have you read of these things in fiction?, how many times?
South Java sea
19 fat transports desperately straining for Balikapapan.
Their escort.........a scratch group of rusty patrol craft, small escorts, patrol vessels

Coming over the horizon, 6 allied shapes.......the deadly Fletchers perhaps?
It does not matter, they must turn towards them nevertheless.......and buy time for the cargo ships while they die.

But this time, they are not fletchers, 6 DE's instead, still, compared to a PB, battleship in strength..........
Sometimes, sometimes, fact matches fiction...........

3 PB will be sunk, 2 SC as well.
3 others lie motionless now, burning
But the convoy escapes..........

For now.

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Post #: 3418

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/23/2014 7:12:23 AM

1275psi

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Enemy carriers of Kuching, sinking the SC task force, sinking the AV stationed there.
Surface task forces operating off Soerabaya
Overwhelming forces at Johore baru, gate to singapore

And the stake to the heart, pressing now against Japans life blood

Landings, un opposed.at Loemadjang

The reconquest of Java has finally, finally, began.

< Message edited by 1275psi -- 11/23/2014 8:13:23 AM >

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Post #: 3419

RE: The little ship that could. - 11/25/2014 7:01:45 AM

1275psi

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19 June

Captain Yakabe of I-184 takes a last sweep of the russian bay.
Again, no signs of life in the cold grey dawn

""take her down EX, to the bottom"
He descends the ladder into the foul smelling control room, trying not to catch the eyes of any of the crew.
How long, he knows, they are asking, do we hang around in these damn empty waters, what possible good for Japan can this mission be doing?

Captain Yakabe cannot answer.
His orders come from General Sugiyama, Imperial Commander in chief himself...........

Duty orders them to stay
Stay here, they will.

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Post #: 3420

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: The little ship that could.