RE: The little ship that could. (Full Version)

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1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (7/27/2015 9:45:41 AM)

With a thunderous roar, the Allied artillery begins pounding across the Singapore straights.
For the second time in 5 years, an army will defy the mangroves, the open water, the mudflats.

And for a second time, they are successful

5 full divisions, 3 brigades of armour, 10 Artillery regiments.

Japan resists with the 18th division (still at full strength) , and 9 regiments of various strength
We cannot count the 3rd, the 39th divisions, they exist in name only.

japan bounced the straights with guile, daring, cunning.
The Allies simply blast an artillery road, set an exclusion zone that nothing can pass.
They throw no less than three pontoon bridges across.
And the armour leads the way.




They wake the Emperor just before dawn
"They have a bridgehead............and we have lost 14000 men"

So, Singapore is to fall........our great triumph......how do I tell the people?
He does not know.
Does any one?



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (7/28/2015 8:45:22 AM)

Oct 17
Hirate and Okano are sitting on a bench seat that overlooks the Bay of Kagoshima. The air is cold this morning
, but the sun is shining, and the water sparkles.
Before them, lying in rows, their Charges rock gently.
Both men can contemplate them today with a little satisfaction. All of them (fingers crossed) are at least
goers.
They are making progress.

Out in the bay, 3 carriers are at anchor, as are some eight destroyers. But both men barely consider
them, Carriers seem to be so long ago in their history, having a bed , and the chance of a beer
every evening seems so much more inviting

Shortly they will have to go back to work, but the sun is good........

A siren , somewhere in the city, begins to wail
A sound they have heard many times before, air raid siren
'A drill?......I thought it was due Friday?"
"So did I........"
Both men look up, and see them together...fighters rising. And high, high above, contrails.

B-29's

There is no sense of danger, just curiosity, as they track the flight, maybe two dozen strong,
ever closer to the city

Kagoshima's AA batteries begin to bark, apparently with no effect.

The shriek of the bombs falling, comes as a shock....bombers, over Japan?......over here?

Somewhere behind them, the thunder of the bombs.



The sirens sound for many hours this day.
Fire engines
Ambulances
Many others


The two men will not be having a beer tonight





(22 attacked, we shot down 6)



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (7/30/2015 8:03:09 AM)

Oct 18th

The B-29's come again to kagoshima.
But this time the citizens are spared. None of the small raid reach Japan, 4 of the 4 shot down well
before they reach Japan.

The allies must have 100's of the B-29 now, their absence in numbers anywhere baffles the Japanese
high command.
Clarke field in the Philippines is now in Allied hands, is it in range?


The Japanese Army continues to die
In Singapore the allies are firmly established, and on the island to stay.
And now, at Minando (Hosho's old armies last stand) the allies finally launch a real assault,
and shatter all resistance

Another great army begins to dissolve.


Hirate and Okano, still working hard on the MTB's note that the fleet of carriers have vanished,
hiding somewhere else, no doubt.

They have not moved far, Hiroshima bay.

Battleship Musashi still needs 43 days.
In japan there is no shortage of idle shipworkers to throw at her.

But pitifully little steel and materials......



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/3/2015 9:03:51 AM)

After what, 3 years of posting, and probably 10 on matrix forums, a rant.......

Please bear with me

Every Friday night, I work the streets with an organisation called Hands and feet,
Feeding the homeless.
We feed, and give blankets and warm clothing to about 460 people

That's not the rant

The rant is this...why, why, why, are so many of them our combat veterans...........
I am, at times, beyond despair.......


End rant, back to the war...



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/3/2015 9:10:23 AM)

October 19th.

The allies renew the assault in Singapore.
It costs 3000 allied casualties.

9000 Japanese fall. The fighting reaches the city limits

In Korea, the Russians enter Kanko
8 Infantry divisions, 4 guard tank corps, 4 tank Brigades, 5 SU regiments, 8 artillery regiments

And more coming...........
japan has 1 division there, and countless shattered refugees
They will not stand.......so they flee



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/3/2015 9:18:15 AM)

Hirate and Okano gather breath

Its been a long morning.

"If that's not the hardest thing I have ever done" Hirate sighs' if not the most terrifying"
Okano grins
'Worse than Minobe?"
'Worse, far worse"
"And think, brother, we get to do it all over again"
'Fuel pump timing?"
"Fuel pump timing"

100 young sailors. 4 intensive hours of classroom training and practical....

And yes, for Hirate, to face them , all those young faces......
he would definitely swap them for Minobe again



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/4/2015 8:31:45 AM)

Oct 20th
1945

The Russians attack Kanko Korea

104000 men, against 180000 Japanese defenders

This is not war in the Pacific
This is Verdun, all over again

14500 Japanese soldiers fall

The Russians do not pause to count their dead.
The endless hordes will continue to attack



Ogowa's eagles reach 29 fighters in strength.
They hardly dare fly any of them.
Put into the sky, land............and put it into the hanger, for repairs, again.



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/9/2015 8:11:58 AM)

Sorry no posts lately
Been busy finishing Yamato

Her maiden voyage slated 5 September

Been building a trolley for her


[image]local://upfiles/16290/45C413F4CFCE4562A2055C16D148B3F4.jpg[/image]



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/9/2015 8:15:21 AM)

another view (back to story soon, I promise, but this baby has been going longer than even this game!)

[image]local://upfiles/16290/1131C834C77B40D5A52C8AE74D236BF5.jpg[/image]



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/9/2015 8:18:30 AM)

and here he is, the evil Herbiesan

[image]local://upfiles/16290/3600D694C0814111B9EBF686FF0176BC.jpg[/image]



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/9/2015 8:25:48 AM)

Oct 21
1945

"From, Southern Command
to
His Imperial Emperor

The enemy have entered the City proper, Singapore.
We have fought to the last bullet, the last shell.

Tomorrow, I will order a special attack, and die valiantly for Japan
may she live a thousand years

This harbour, so gloriously taken in 1942, will forever remain as a reminder that
the British Imperial Rule is finished forever

Even in defeat, we cling to that.

The harbour will be rendered utterly useless, in our last duty

Long Live the Emperor
Long live Japan



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/9/2015 8:34:57 AM)

For a long, long time now, the Russians have been chasing Japanese troops out of Manchuria,
out of China,out of Northern Korea

Confident, arrogant, almost, 104000 Russians attack Kanko

japan has 180000 men here


SUPPLIED


Yamato and her Sister, her little brothers, has removed the Russian Navy from these seas,
and although she has pitifully few Supply vessels left, there are enough to run into Kanko

For the first time, in a long time, each man has a full magazine
And more importantly

A full belly


1 to 3

The attack is stopped

But Japan will not hold here, the army is ordered south, an attempt to take these sieges to even higher stakes



BBfanboy -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/9/2015 7:05:43 PM)

Awesome build of Yamato! Love the sand bag detail! [&o][&o]
How long is that puppy? Scale?
Do the guns fire pellets, as modeller sometimes build them?

Enjoying the read, as always, but completely understand why you are giving the launch of Yamato priority!



John 3rd -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/9/2015 9:37:44 PM)

Holy Bat GUANO! That is some ship...



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/10/2015 8:45:38 AM)

Hello BBfanboy

1/72 scale
No, the guns don't fire pellets, but are remote controlled, as are the directors
Port, stbd engine controls, and sound effects
about 12 foot long, 160 odd KGs all up

First model ship I have attempted..........

(the next one will be better!!!)



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/10/2015 8:54:16 AM)

October 21, 22, 23

The killing, the dying continues

The fighting in Singapore reaches the rubble of the city
The remaining defenders are now split into pockets, in the cellars, in the sewers, the rubble

The fight on.
There are no prisoners being taken in Singapore. Too many allied soldiers have lost comrades in the last
years past

The fight will be to the death

Japan abandons Kenko

But fights on.





Musashi continues her repairs, a month away now. So is Kaga

The weather is turning foul over Japan now........invasion season is over

Hunger season begins.................



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/10/2015 9:00:45 AM)

Hirate is in the baths when he gets the message
"Report to the commanders office, ASAP"

The office is busy. A harassed junior officer barely glances at him, hands a single sheaf of paper.
'You have 15 minutes...she is down at south dock"

She is T-25, fast APD
Breathless Hirate makes the gangway, barely missing its removal to the wharf.

Its happened too quick
CPO Hirate, emergency replacement, finds himself headed south, at speed.
Destination unknown



pws1225 -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/10/2015 11:37:44 AM)

quote:

(the next one will be better!!!)


That's difficult to imagine. That ship is beautiful!



CV Zuikaku -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/11/2015 5:58:37 AM)

what is the propulsion of your Yamato?



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/11/2015 8:07:46 AM)

October 24th
The captain of T-25 has barely passed from boyhood to manhood, he meets Hirate with a smile
"Apologies Chief!.I lost Engines to a bar room brawl last night......needed an engineer at the rush.
You should find she goes well.......enjoy the trip!"
Either this Captain is incredibly brave, or incredibly ignorant of how deadly the war has become
thinks Hirate.
As he watches his casual wandering about the bridge, he decides it must be the later.....

T-25 is almost new, 6 months maybe, and in this the Captain is right, she goes well
Hirate visits the small spaces, standard stuff...young men running her....there seems little point in making
friendships.
He returns to the upper deck, watches the waters rush by

If trouble occurs below, they will find him for sure.

T-25 is bound for Ishigaki, last island almost in the chain leading towards Tiawan, her hold
filled with medical supplies.

Trouble is not expected.
A bold prediction, with nearly 400 allied ships reported to be lurking east of Manilla.
But then, the boys tell him, they have been doing these runs for weeks....


Eventually, as they plow swiftly ever southwards, Hirate relaxes, even begins to enjoy the journey

After all, nothing is finer than a destroyer at speed, especially if you don't have to do the work.



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/11/2015 8:10:43 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: CV Zuikaku

what is the propulsion of your Yamato?

Hi friend

4 big gruber motors, couple of motor bike batteries........I think she will actually be reasonably quick.
Hope you like her
(Amazingly there are now three 1/72 Yamatos here in Sydney)

I have started a Kirishima..........



BBfanboy -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/11/2015 12:06:13 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: 1275psi


quote:

ORIGINAL: CV Zuikaku

what is the propulsion of your Yamato?

Hi friend

4 big gruber motors, couple of motor bike batteries........I think she will actually be reasonably quick.
Hope you like her
(Amazingly there are now three 1/72 Yamatos here in Sydney)

I have started a Kirishima..........

Better give Kirishima a heavy keel to provide some counterweight to that massive superstructure! Stability was always a problem for the Kongos after they were refurbished as battleships in the 1930s.



CV Zuikaku -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/12/2015 5:18:12 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: 1275psi


quote:

ORIGINAL: CV Zuikaku

what is the propulsion of your Yamato?

Hi friend

4 big gruber motors, couple of motor bike batteries........I think she will actually be reasonably quick.
Hope you like her
(Amazingly there are now three 1/72 Yamatos here in Sydney)

I have started a Kirishima..........


She is really outstanding! So detailed. Really great job! [:)]



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/13/2015 8:55:58 AM)

Oct 25
Singapore becomes a rabbit hunt amongst the rubble
By days end, resistance has literally ben snuffed out.


The stench of death will remain for weeks............



T-25 reaches her destination upon dusk
There is a nervous hour as the ships boats deliver the drugs, the bandages, and a doctor
(a brave man indeed, thinks Hirate).

But it turns out well. By dawn the small ship is again well on the way home

Hirate will wonder if this is his last day at sea..........a mixed feeling indeed.



zuluhour -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/13/2015 10:16:35 PM)

..........dumb struck



Major Shane -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/15/2015 10:30:58 PM)

I just want to say thanks for your posts. This AAR has read like a great historical fiction novel. It took me 3 weeks to read it all. I check in every day for a new post. I am sorry your opponent has slowed down. I have learned so much about ships and sailors. Please keep it going. I'm a loyal fan.



kaleun -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/15/2015 10:31:24 PM)

Finally got up to date.
Awesome work on the Yamato.
Also on the AAR



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/16/2015 4:15:08 AM)

Thankyou for comments
I will post pictures of her sail day probably in the war room or general area

I am glad you enjoyed the ride Mr perkins!

October 26th

T 25 returns to kagoshima,, nestles against the dock neatly
Hirate has been impressed, young as he is, her Captain has shown a flare for driving a warship
But he is still not dis appointed to return to the Motor torpedo barracks

Okano meets him in the evening full of gloom
"For one......don't ever leave me wondering what the hell has happened to you like that........but two,
bad news.......rumours of another posting......."
A shiver of fear runs through Hirate.........another one?......at this stage of the war?"

'Where?...........have you heard where?"

"There are only, I believe, 2 battle wagons left in the fleet......you get a fifty, fifty guess"

Truk.



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/17/2015 9:44:47 AM)

Oct 27th

It is late 1945

And finally the allies strike at the Jugular
Palembang is bombed

The jugular still pumps, right now 8 tankers are on the way home from Palembang, loaded with oil from this
lonely outpost
2 wont make it, killed near Siagon
6 left
How many engines, airframes can 6 tankers of oil power?
I am not sure.

Does it matter?
Right now we are making just one type of plane, and one type of engine.
Its that desperate

One type of plane, one type of engine

It would want to be a good one



1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (8/18/2015 8:45:37 AM)

Oct 28, 1945

With a small wobble the fighter touches down upon the strip, twitches (and causes a dozen sharp intakes of breath among
the dozen or so spectators watching) and then runs true
The pilot brings it to a halt, then taxi's over to the group of engineers, uniformed men.
With a shudder the engines fall silent

Lt oda slides back the canopy, wipes the sweat from his brow, and breaks into an enourmous grin
The senior engineer steps forward.' "and?"
"She is ready.......she is more than ready.....when can I have one?'
The Engineer smiles, the first he has shown for may , many months now.
This journey, this birth, is almost at an end, after so many trials...

'Soon Oda, soon....."

Oda leaps down from the wing, not waiting for the ladder......"466 knots., level flight....., and I thought I knew what fast was."

The engineer nods. faster than even he hoped for.
He turns, marches to a silent man standing watching.
'She is ready"

The silent man nods.
Good.
Very good
he, in turn speaks to his underling
"Commence Serial production"

The Shinden, slated for Ogowa's Eagles first of all, begins production.
106 units a month.



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