|
Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (10/28/2008 12:34:44 AM)
|
September 7, 1944
Location: Osaka/Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 3
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Undergo refit at Kobe
---
“I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor, dumb bastard die for his country.” General George S. Patton, whose Third Army has just crossed the Meuse River in northern France, has never uttered these exact words, which will be made famous in a movie twenty-six years from now. He has, however, said things rather similar and there is little doubt that the quote nicely sums up Patton’s attitude.
Captain Ishii has never met or even heard of General Patton. He would, however, agree with the quote if he ever heard it.
---
“I would like to help sink an enemy battleship before I die,” says a lieutenant commander named Kaku. He and several other officers, Ishii included, are discussing the war situation at a reception at the Kobe Naval Headquarters. “Or better still, an aircraft carrier!”
“It is unlikely the enemy will offer you that chance,” says Lieutenant Commander Hajime, captain of Hibiki’s surviving sister ship Inazuma. “What is important is that we face death bravely, in whatever battle it comes.” The conversation continues in this vein for several minutes, until finally Ishii can stand it no longer.
“I hear a lot of talk about dying,” he says. “While I respect the spirit behind it, I must disagree. We are naval officers. It is not our job to die, it is our job to destroy the enemy.”
“You have been out there, Ishii,” says Hajime. “You know what we are facing. Tell me you are not among those fools who still talk of sweeping the enemy from the seas!”
“Of course not,” says Ishii. “Our resources are too limited and theirs too great. But that is why we must preserve our forces, not throw them away in some quest to die bravely. All this talk of dying, I hear it everywhere. Bah! I mean to keep fighting. If my ship is sunk I will find another and continue. Dying is what the enemy wants us to do! “
“Are you a coward, then?” asks Kaku. The gathering goes very quiet. Hajime, who knows Ishii fairly well, eyes him nervously.
Ishii tosses back his drink. “If you were a real officer and not a shore-bound pencil pusher I might take offense at that,” he says softly. “Instead all I have to say is this. I have the courage to face whatever comes, even defeat. Can you say the same?” He sets down his glass and walks from the room.
|
|
|
|
