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Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (5/25/2007 11:38:59 PM)
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September 28, 1942
Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: TF 79
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 7
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Take on fuel and supplies.
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Kwajalein remains a very active base despite the end of the effort to recapture Wake Island. It is the administrative and military nerve center for a series of bases ranging from Eniwetok down through the Marshalls and the Gilberts to Baker Island, and many ships and supplies pass through here on a daily basis.
There are over a dozen freighters in the anchorage when Hibiki arrives. A tender is busy servicing a pair of minelayers, and submarine I-174 is coming into the lagoon following a patrol to the northeast. Near the islands a task force of several escort and seaplane carriers is preparing to depart. Fourteen destroyers and light cruisers are anchored in neat rows nearby.
Hibiki takes on mail and supplies while waiting for her turn to refuel at the docks. Late in the morning Captain Ishii is summoned to a meeting at fleet headquarters on Namur. He turns command over to Lieutenant Miharu and goes ashore.
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The assembled officers meet in a converted supply hut next to naval headquarters. Captain Ishii takes a seat with the others in the long, low building and waits to hear what Admiral Shimizu has to say. The Admiral clears his throat and the officers fall politely silent, waiting.
“First of all, let me congratulate you on a successful raid to the south,” Shimizu begins. “Half a dozen tankers may not seem like a large return for weeks at sea, but let me assure you that the effect your attack had on our enemies goes far beyond tonnage sunk. They have been reminded that our forces and can strike anywhere, at any time, and they cannot conduct even routine operations in safety.” To Captain Ishii it sounds as though the Admiral is preparing his audience for unwelcome news. He is not wrong.
“To maintain this feeling of uncertainty and fear among our enemies,” Shimizu continues, “we are sending you out again immediately.” There is a stir among the ship captains, though in typical Japanese fashion no one says anything. It is apparent, however, that they are not pleased.
“I know that your crews are tired, and in many cases your ships need repairs,” says Shimizu. “However, it is important that we strike again quickly. The enemy appears to believe our carriers are still in the south, and their appearance elsewhere will deepen his uncertainly and confusion. This in turn will cause them to waste time and effort, giving us more time to prepare for the battles ahead.” He pauses and looks out at the listening men. “Does anyone have a comment to offer before I proceed?” For a moment there is silence, then Captain Tametsugu, commander of the heavy cruiser Tone, slowly rises to his feet.
“I do not wish to question the wisdom of those in the Imperial Navy responsible for this decision,” he says. “But I believe I speak for many of us when I say that our ships are in need of work, and our crews in need of rest. To be perfectly honest, I am not certain that we are in the best of condition to meet the enemy. Our spirits are high and we are more than willing to do our duty, but there are limits to what can be accomplished with spirit alone.” He sits down to a murmur of approval from the others.
“There is truth in what you say,” says Shimizu. “But you are not being sent on a long mission. We are confident that there will be no encounter with significant American fleet elements.” Captain Ishii, unable to contain himself, now rises to his feet. Admiral Shimizu, who is somewhat familiar with Ishii’s temper, looks at him a little askance but asks him to speak.
“Have we contacted the Americans about this?” asks Ishii. Admiral Shimizu looks a little confused.
“I do not understand,” he says.
“Have we contacted the Americans?” repeats Ishii sardonically. “Since we are counting on them to do as we expect, should we not enlist their cooperation?” He sits down. Shimizu gives him a strained smile.
“Jests aside, are there any further comments?” asks the Admiral. There are none. “Very well. Here is your mission: reconnaissance aircraft based on Baker Island have detected increased American shipping between their bases at Canton and Palmyra, with a number of vessels currently present at Canton. You will attempt to penetrate the gap in their search coverage between these two bases and attack shipping in the area.
“If you are successful,” he continues, “well and good. If you are detected, that also serves our purposes. In either case an attack on enemy shipping at Canton before you return here might prove useful.”
“No,” says Admiral Nagumo firmly. Admiral Shimizu, taken aback, asks him what he means.
“I mean that such an operation will not take place while I remain in command of Kido Butai,” says Nagumo. “Our enemies have tried such an operation against shore installations twice. The Americans used two carriers, and both were damaged. The British used four; two were sunk and two more at least heavily damaged. I will not risk our carriers in order to sink a handful of freighters.”
“But you yourself lead the attack on Pearl Harbor!” protests Shimizu.
“Yes, and some may recall I had grave reservations about that attack,” said Nagumo. “As it happened, we were successful. But that time has come and gone. Such an attack now could achieve nothing compared to what we would risk.”
Admiral Shimizu hesitates. He has his orders from Yamamoto himself. Yet while he is technically ahead of Nagumo in the chain of command here he knows he does not have the clout to force Nagumo to do this. He decides not to push the issue. Yamamoto can take it up directly with Nagumo if he wishes.
“Very well,” he says. “I defer to your experience and judgment, Admiral. Take what action seems good to you at the time regarding such attacks.”
With face thus saved on both sides, the meeting gets down to more technical matters. Admiral Shimizu is relieved to turn things over to the staff officers. All in all, he feels, the briefing really could have gone much better.
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