1275psi
Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005 Status: offline
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13/9/42 the great ship again trembles as we power south east as fast as we can, the whine of her turbines a constant presence around us.. I could not sleep , and found myself crowding into a corner of the bridge, to listen and watch the evnts of the night. Yamaguchi was there - A powerful prescence. he is not aloof from us, he frequently will enter discussions with all around him on the situation. Lt Sato was there as well. I think he will not be a Squadron Commander for much longer -Yamaguchi wants him for his staff. Promotion becons. He has earned it. All night the radio crackled with incoming messages, we of course are totally silent. The seas are calm, and the moon bright. Here, on the bridge, the sea is a long, long way down, and very, very beautiful. One hardly feels connected to the outside world -and it is almost impossible to envisange violence occuring on it on such a peaceful night. Yet some 100's of miles to our south many men are dying . The enemy sends a surface force into Port Moresby bay -how well i can picture it -and we listen as the merchant men call for help. they have done a good job- 4 heavily damaged ships deployed as pickets- easy targets -but they soak up time and ammunition - and the enemy do not deliver a bombardment. Finally the air waves fall silent, we have lost 3 MSW, and 4 already crippled ships - mines have damaged one of his. dawn breaks - now I want to sleep! But not today - Drills, more drills, and more drills All day we wait to hear if our bombers at Lea find the enemy carrier -but it has fled south. How hard it is to bring this Kiwi to battle! I will be glad for my bed tonight.
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