RE: Small Ship, Big War

RE: Small Ship, Big War (Full Version)

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Terminus -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/16/2008 9:51:18 PM)
Well, that's pretty much everything the Japs have. Unless the Allies run away, this could be IT...

Feinder -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/16/2008 10:03:03 PM)
I'll bet the Allies bugger-out. I've to see the big ka-boom. But my money is on bugger-out. -F-

Capt. Harlock -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/16/2008 10:33:01 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish Hibiki’s task force consists of carriers Shokaku, Zuikaku, and Akagi; heavy cruisers Takao and Chokai; light cruisers Yubari and Noshiro; and seven destroyers, including Hibiki. Admiral Ozawa has his flag aboard Shokaku. The second carrier group consists of carriers Kaga, Hiryu, and Soryu, along with two heavy cruisers, a light cruiser, and eight destroyers. The third group is comprised of carriers Junyo and Hiyo and light carrier Ryuho. They have two heavy cruisers, a light cruiser, and six destroyers. The final carrier group is based around light carriers Ryujo, Shoho, and Zuiho. They have a heavy cruiser, two light cruisers, and six destroyers as escort. With them go the battleships Hiei, Haruna, and Kirishima and their escorts, plus a heavy cruiser division. Can't complain that the IJN hasn't brought enough food to the party! (With the possible exception of BB's if it comes down to a surface fight.)

cantona2 -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/16/2008 10:35:21 PM)
Will the US Navy grant the IJN the 'Decisive Battle'?

princep01 -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/16/2008 11:52:39 PM)
Doubtful, but the Americans have had a long time to land troops and supplies and will have a bit longer to continue before the Japanese CVs arrive. He may have a substantial AB or two operating by then. The author has not let us know a lot about the land air situation there.....it builds suspense:). However, if the Americans do decide to stay and fight, both sides may have a lot of land and sea air. This is going to be interesting, but I suspect this is the "Guadacanal" of this game. There may be a series of battles over a few months before victory can be declared. quote: ORIGINAL: cantona2 Will the US Navy grant the IJN the 'Decisive Battle'?

Xenocide -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/17/2008 12:44:39 AM)
Is there a support group for people who keep refreshing this page?

John 3rd -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/17/2008 1:22:01 AM)
Twelve CVs and CVLs! A true Fist of Steel descending upon the Americans... More Glory to the crew of IJN Hibiki! Banzai! Banzai!! Banzai!!!

histgamer -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/17/2008 10:48:14 AM)
I doubt this is a Guad type engagement. The location is more remote so it will take forces time to converge. There will either be a decisive battle or many air raids on allied convoys before the allies bring their carriers back for the decisive engagement... Or several raids and the Japanese withdrawing for fuel and supply reasons and then the Americans showing back up or... the Japanese raiding and the Americans pulling out.

Wirraway_Ace -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/17/2008 6:17:33 PM)
My bet is on the Japanese to win another major victory, but not the decisive battle. Wolffpack simply may not be able to successfully mass his new carriers and surface ships. He is an Army guy by training, and unless he has set the conditions by establishing extensive PBY recon of the approaches to Noumea, he is likely to get surprised by the entire IJN and lose a bunch of dispersed TFs. Of course, the good news is the crew of the Hibiki will be around to tell us the tale...

BigBadWolf -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/17/2008 6:35:16 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Wirraway_Ace Of course, the good news is the crew of the Hibiki will be around to tell us the tale... And with all those flat tops around, they are highly unlikely to become a target. [;)]

Capt. Harlock -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/17/2008 10:20:35 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: flanyboy I doubt this is a Guad type engagement. The location is more remote so it will take forces time to converge. There will either be a decisive battle or many air raids on allied convoys before the allies bring their carriers back for the decisive engagement... Or several raids and the Japanese withdrawing for fuel and supply reasons and then the Americans showing back up or... the Japanese raiding and the Americans pulling out. Hmm . . . that sounds quite a bit like Guadalcanal. And New Caledonia may be remote for the Japanese, but it's not that far from Australia and even closer to Fiji. IIRC the Allies have a presence there!

Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/18/2008 1:55:49 AM)
September 27, 1943 Location: 225 miles south-southwest of Kwajalein Course: South-southwest Attached to: TF 4 Mission: Air Combat System Damage: 0 Float Damage: 0 Fires: 0 Fuel: 436 Orders: Proceed south and engage enemy fleet off New Caledonia --- Within twenty-fours of leaving Kwajalein the Japanese task forces are strung out over 50 miles of ocean. The routine of the day’s voyage is broken only by occasional maneuvering to allow the carriers to launch or recover search planes. In truth the crew rather enjoys this part of the duty; it is interesting to watch the carriers going about their work. Hibiki and the other destroyers also know they must remain alert, as there is always the chance of a plane going over the side or having to ditch. Planes can be replaced, but every highly trained pilot is precious. As the task force travels south Captain Ishii ponders the war so far. Are they heading for some kind of climax, or will this just be one more battle in a long string of battles, the outcome of which no one can see? How much longer will they remain out here, contesting the wide reaches of the Pacific with their enemies? Ishii is not normally a very imaginative man, but these thoughts put him in a speculative mood. He imagines a thousand different wars, each following a different course because of different choices, or just because of the vagaries of fate. It follows that there would be a thousand different versions of Hibiki. In some of these realities the war might be over, with Japan already victorious. In some Japan might be facing defeat. There might be versions of the war where Hibiki had already been sunk. There might be others where someone else was now in command, or where his crew was much different than this one. These thoughts make his head hurt a little. He decides to leave such ponderings to philosophers. But enough of his mood remains by the time Lieutenant Miharu appears to relieve him that he lingers to ask his executive officer a question after giving him the ship’s current status. “Exec, do you remember when those Dutch torpedo planes hit Kongo with a dud off Singapore back in the early days of the war?” For some reason this incident has been on his mind today. Lieutenant Miharu gives him a strange look. “Yes sir,” he says. “It was the third day of the war. But it was off Khota Bharu, not Singapore, and they were British planes, not Dutch. And the torpedo wasn’t a dud.” Captain Ishii thinks about it. Of course Miharu is correct. “Are you feeling well, sir?” the lieutenant asks, looking at him carefully. “Yes, Exec, just fine,” he replies. “I’ve just been thinking about…shadows.” He gives the lieutenant a faint smile and leaves the bridge. --- Note: for more about Kongo, metaphysics, and other topics see my recent post in BigBadWolf’s AAR.

rtrapasso -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/18/2008 2:04:16 AM)
[:D] [:D] Kongo - the torpedo magnet in multiple dimensional realities!! [X(] [:D]

BigBadWolf -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/18/2008 10:21:43 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: rtrapasso [:D] [:D] Kongo - the torpedo magnet in multiple dimensional realities!! [X(] [:D] Much to the dismay of Admiral Kondo, I presume [:D][:D][:D]

Andav -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/20/2008 7:50:27 PM)
This will never do! Hibiki on page 2 of the forums!!?!?! No that will NEVER do! [:-] I bet the Americans run away. Andav

Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/20/2008 9:03:11 PM)
September 28, 1943 Location: 525 miles south-southwest of Kwajalein Course: South-southwest Attached to: TF 4 Mission: Air Combat System Damage: 0 Float Damage: 0 Fires: 0 Fuel: 397 Orders: Proceed south and engage enemy fleet off New Caledonia --- Seaman Hikaru Shoji is the bow lookout on a dark night. The moon is a waning crescent, just a sliver in the sky, surrounded by brilliant stars. The seas, fortunately, are fairly calm, so Shoji is not being constantly drenched by spray coming in over Hibiki’s high, flaring bow. Shoji’s job is not only to watch for signs of enemy submarines. The other ships in the task force, spaced 500 meters apart, are just shadows on the sea, and there is always the possibility of a collision on such a night. Shoji uses his ears as much as his eyes, and as he has been taught he never stares at the same area for more than a few seconds. The eyes can play tricks on you in the dark you if you focus on one area too long. From behind him he hears the faint sound of footsteps. He turns and can just make out the form of Captain Ishii. The captain! He braces to attention and snaps a crisp salute. “As you were, sailor,” comes the captain’s voice. “Keep your attention out there.” “Yes sir!” says Shoji. He turns and does so. Captain Ishii comes up beside him and also looks out at the darkened sea. There are some captains who are aloof and mysterious figures to most of the crew. They interact mostly with a handful of officers and are rarely seen in most parts of the ship. Captain Ishii is not one of them. He is apt to turn up here and there at odd times and places. Generally he just looks around, exchanges a few words with this man or that, and then leaves. If he sees anything that displeases him he rarely mentions it, though sometimes not long after such a visit the officer in charge of the section involved might appear with a slightly reddened face, barking orders. But such incidents are rare. Captain Ishii stands there for a moment, then turns towards Shoji and speaks. “Shoji, isn’t it? How is your hand?” “Just fine, sir,” says Shoji, slightly startled. “Healing well.” Few details, it seems, are beneath the captain’s notice. “Good,” says Ishii. “Well, good night.” He strolls off. Shoji keeps his attention on his duties, but as the captain leaves he has a flash of insight. He had always thought it would be glorious to be in command, to be the one dishing out orders for a change and watch everyone scurry to obey his will. But for a moment he has a glimpse of what it might be like to be responsible for the safety and performance of two hundred other men, of the pressure and isolation such responsibility must create. As Shoji is not by nature a thoughtful or introspective person it is just a glimpse, but even so it suffices to make him glad for the moment that he bunks with four other men in a narrow machine space instead of having his own cabin and someone to bring him his meals. Perhaps being at the bottom of the ladder instead of the top has its advantages, Shoji thinks. He maintains his watch in the darkness as the miles fall away and the Japanese ships draw ever closer to New Caledonia.

Durbik -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/20/2008 9:06:40 PM)
/\ \|\| tension is getting... heartburning? I was never to register but you Andav... OMG how could you! :D Hibiki gone up, I thought it might be IT. But no, it's some eager comment. Oh well. Time to lurk again (like I did past several months) and wait for the onslaught to come (or better: to be written about) So, hello everyone! \m/

Wirraway_Ace -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/20/2008 9:08:57 PM)
I never felt more relaxed than the day-after changing command...Wartime or peacetime--didn't matter. My bloodpressure dropped at least 10 points.

Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/22/2008 12:14:11 AM)
September 29, 1943 Location: 280 miles northeast of Stewart Island Course: South-southwest Attached to: TF 4 Mission: Air Combat System Damage: 0 Float Damage: 0 Fires: 0 Fuel: 358 Orders: Proceed south and engage enemy fleet off New Caledonia --- Shiro is not by any means a lazy man. But he does like to sleep. In his now dimly remembered civilian life he can recall getting eight hours of sleep a night, and more when possible. He can also remember pleasant little naps, often taken while sitting and working on some wood carving project beside the pond in his parent’s garden. His first morning of basic training was a shock; he still remembers trying to struggle awake to the sound of a bellowing voice at a horribly early hour and then being ruthlessly and impersonally dumped out of his cot by a petty officer. It would not be the last time he would end up unceremoniously upon the floor, but like everyone he adjusted quickly. He learned to get by on less and less sleep, and to awaken quickly. He learned to snatch a few minutes of sleep when he could, and to avoid falling asleep when it was necessary. But he never learned to like it. He is sleeping now, his hammock swinging with the motion of the ship. Every now and then he thuds gently against a nearby bulkhead, but this disturbs him not at all. He has been asleep for about two hours, and in about three hours more he will have to be awake again. He has just begun to dream when the sound of a klaxon reverberates through the ship. Shiro is awake in an instant; he rolls out of his hammock with a practiced flip. Within ten seconds he has unhooked one end and secured the rest in a tight bundle; before another fifteen seconds pass his tunic and shoes are on. He follows Riku and Oizuma out into the passageway. They turn right, while he goes left. He sprints up the metal stairs and out on deck, bounds up to the foredeck, and then swarms up a ladder. He steps into the gun tub ninety seconds after the klaxon sounds, and Taiki hands him a metal helmet. He straps it on. Other men pile in behind him, and within another twenty seconds Taiki reports the gun is manned and ready. They wait, peering into the darkness, for perhaps twenty minutes. Then combat stations are cancelled. Word comes down from the bridge that sonar picked up a strong contact, but it then turned mushy and faded; a school of fish, most likely. Shiro stows his helmet and then makes his way back below decks. The process is reversed. The hammock is again deployed, and Shiro flops into it. He is swiftly asleep again. He has time before he drops off, however, to think for perhaps the one thousandth time that he would give everything he owns for eight hours of unbroken sleep.

Sammer -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/22/2008 1:39:23 AM)
Thanks for the great AAR Cuttlefish. Would like to point out one possible error I just noticed in the 2nd last post: "Seaman Hikaru Shoji". Both Hikaru and Shoji are Japanese first names.

Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/22/2008 2:06:18 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Sammer Thanks for the great AAR Cuttlefish. Would like to point out one possible error I just noticed in the 2nd last post: "Seaman Hikaru Shoji". Both Hikaru and Shoji are Japanese first names. Welcome to the AAR and the forum, Sammer! Shoji is indeed a first name, but is a not uncommon surname as well. Check out this Wikipedia article, which in fact uses Shoji as an example of a surname and given name which are identical when romanized. There are a number of real Hikaru Shoji's out there.

Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/22/2008 2:10:18 AM)
September 30, 1943 Location: 240 miles east-southeast of Lunga Course: South-southwest Attached to: TF 4 Mission: Air Combat System Damage: 0 Float Damage: 0 Fires: 0 Fuel: 320 Orders: Proceed south and engage enemy fleet off New Caledonia --- Lieutenant JG Kuwaki watches a big H8K flying boat pass slowly high above the fleet. It’s a comforting sight. The plane is out of Guadalcanal, and now that the Japanese ships have cleared the eastern tip of the Solomons there is a chance of encountering enemy forces. It is good to know that the area is scoured by Japanese aircraft and that there is little chance of a substantial enemy force taking them unaware. Lieutenant Sugiyura comes onto the bridge, right on time. He comes over to Kuwaki and they exchange salutes. “I relieve you,” he says. “I stand relieved,” says Kuwaki. He makes a note in the log as Sugiyura looks around. “Where is the captain?” Sugiyura asks. “Down in the wardroom,” says Kuwaki. “He’s been there with Lieutenant Sakati for some time. I imagine they are making sure the ship is ready for the coming battle.” --- “You’re always going on about Greenberg,” Sakati is saying at that moment. “But don’t you agree, sir, that Johnny Mize is a better overall player?” Captain Ishii stares at him. “I don’t agree at all!” he says. “Mize is a good hitter, but he doesn’t have Greenberg’s power.” “But he is a better fielder and gets on base more often,” says Sakati. “That makes him more valuable to the team.” “Well, perhaps,” says the captain. “But Greenberg has worked hard to improve his defense.” “Aye, that’s true,” says Sakati. “I guess it doesn’t matter much at the moment who is better. If things in America are the way they are at home, both men are likely in the war.” “I’m sure Greenberg is,” says Ishii. “He stands by his principles.” He suddenly looks pensive. “You don’t suppose he’s with the enemy at New Caledonia, do you?” he asks with a worried look. “I suppose it’s possible,” Sakati says. --- Fortunately Captain Ishii will be spared a confrontation with his hero. First Lieutenant Hank Greenberg of the USAAF is at that moment very far from New Caledonia. Greenberg is in fact in Lashio, Burma. He and a team have recently arrived in Burma and are scouting out bases for the new B-29 bomber, due to arrive in the theater next spring. US Navy Specialist First Class Johnny Mize, for his part, is currently at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois. In total over 500 American major league ballplayers will end up serving in the war. Two of them – Elmer Gedeon and Harry O’Neill – will be killed in action. At least 110 minor league players will die during the war. Japan’s corps of professional baseball players will suffer even more heavily – 69 men will be killed from the eight major league teams alone.

marky -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/22/2008 2:37:19 AM)
cuttlefish ive tried to stay up on Hibiki in my absence, and i see that uve kept it up i love the metaphysics and the what ifs u added in great stuff!!!!! [&o][&o][&o][&o]

Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/22/2008 3:56:17 AM)
October 1, 1943 Location: 300 miles northwest of Luganville Course: South Attached to: TF 4 Mission: Air Combat System Damage: 0 Float Damage: 0 Fires: 0 Fuel: 475 Orders: Proceed south and engage enemy fleet off New Caledonia --- The Japanese force approaches Luganville as the enemy attack continues unabated at New Caledonia less than 750 kilometers away. Thus far there have been no signs of enemy aircraft or submarines. As far as the Japanese know their approach has been completely undetected. This is not to say the enemy cannot guess they are coming. There has been ample time since the initial invasion for the Japanese to gather their forces, and the American and British planners have to know that a powerful Japanese response is likely. The Japanese plan from this point is simple. Their force will move south from the Santa Cruz islands and slip past Luganville, approaching New Caledonia from the northeast. They will arrive off the north end of the Loyalty Islands in position to attack enemy forces along the length of New Caledonia. The enemy carrier force will have to move in to prevent a slaughter of their transports, and this will bring them within range not only of the Japanese carriers but of Japanese planes based at Luganville and Efate. Once the enemy carrier force has been crushed the remaining surface forces can be chased down and destroyed at will. Conditions are as favorable for the coming encounter as the Japanese can make them. The Japanese still control the big airfield at Noumea, though it has been bombed and shelled to the point where it is unusable. The enemy has overrun the tiny strip at La Foa, but there are no facilities there and there is no sign that the enemy has tried to land any planes. Destroyers in all task forces are refueled so that the fleet will have freedom to maneuver once battle is joined. This completed, the fleet starts south. There is a rendezvous to keep off New Caledonia.

kaleun -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/22/2008 5:05:50 AM)
Hmmmm. chews fingernails...[8\|]

ChezDaJez -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/22/2008 7:07:44 PM)
Gees.... can you draw out the drama any longer? This is like a good book that you keep wanting to flip to the last page to see how it turns out. Problem is that the book hasn't been finished yet! Chez

marky -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/22/2008 7:20:03 PM)
gnawing

HMS Resolution -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/22/2008 8:51:21 PM)
I feel like we are building towards a colossal anticlimax.

Terminus -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/22/2008 9:01:00 PM)
You too...?[:D][:D][:D]

Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/22/2008 9:20:14 PM)
October 2, 1943 Location: 75 miles northwest of Luganville Course: Southwest Attached to: TF 4 Mission: Air Combat System Damage: 0 Float Damage: 0 Fires: 0 Fuel: 443 Orders: Proceed south and engage enemy fleet off New Caledonia --- In the forward crew’s mess: “I heard we should be in range of Noumea tomorrow.” “Yeah, but what about the enemy carriers? Do we know where they are?” “Well, someone said…” In the aft engine room: “…that those big new fighters of theirs are still covering the transports, so they can’t be far.” “Then shouldn’t we go in more aggressively? They’re the targets that matter.” “Yes, but if we…” In the petty officer’s mess: “…go in too fast when we don’t know just what we’re facing it could mean trouble.” “You talk as if the enemy has a chance.” “Only a fool…” In the officer’s wardroom: “…assumes the battle is won before a shot is fired.” “I agree. If I was giving the orders I would have us swing further south before moving in, but I see nothing wrong with a cautious approach.” “I just wish…” On the bridge: “…that it was tomorrow already. It’s the waiting that’s hard.” “Do you think the crew is worried about it?” “No, they are ready for a fight. I imagine they’re talking about it, though.” “That’s true. Two hundred men aboard, and at times like this every one of them is an admiral.”

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