Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato

Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (Full Version)

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1275psi -> Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/12/2005 3:08:57 PM)
I have just started a new game against wobbly, after ghosting killed our last one[:(] So, being totally sick of turn 1, we are starting the May1 42 scenerio. I want to do an AAR, but not a huge one So, Im doing a quick pilot log of a single pilot, ENS Hanamato -assigned to the kaga He's been a pilot since 37 Flew in China, the pearl attack, and been on KB for the duration He has an exp of 92[:'(] Wonder how long he will last? So day 1 2 may 42 Tokyo harbour Recieved squadron replacements today, some 20 fellows, last of the latest graduation, some pretty green guys amongst them. Fleet looked magnificent in the bay 7 carriers, 10 battle ships, 15 cruisers. several pep talks today many admirals onboard -saw Yammato himself Yamaguchi -the devil, has assumed command We sailed at dusk, headed south, many , many ships also cleared the harbour squadron moral high It is painful to leave home again, but such is a sailors lot, I am sure we will soon tangle with the Americans again Our target is a secret, rumours abound. test flight today - 15 mins, weather clear 2515 hrs 15min, 93 deck landings

tabpub -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/12/2005 10:09:10 PM)
peeks in, looks around for useful information to transmit to the alternate Tabpub universe....finds nothing of note and closes time/space portal, disappointed but optimistic[:'(]

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/13/2005 12:34:15 PM)
2/5/42 combat air patrol over the fleet. 4 hrs , 15 mins, weather clear. no action, or sightings total to date 2520 hrs Shocking approach today, far too low. what a sight, KB steadily steaming south, 4CVs, 2cs, cruisers, and some dozen destroyers. destination has now been revealed - Truk here we are to join CV div 3, and with the combined fleet in support seek the enemy. rumour has it, an invasion of some place called port moresby is in the offing. We certaintly are bringing enough power, at the extreme edge of my patrol i could see the battle line, 10 batleships, and many, many other ships. rest of the day spent discussing tactics we might expect from the americans, and their planes. I saw a wildcat over pearl, tubby little thing. I hope to down one soon.

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/14/2005 12:12:16 AM)
3/5/42 Rest day today. I watch with anxiety the performance of some of our new pilots, we need better trained men than this weather clear today, and improving as we continue due south. An announcment today, our forces have occupied some place called Milne bay, and another called Lunga. Niether place means anything to us. Day spent in drills, and damage Control exercises

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/14/2005 3:19:36 PM)
4/5/42 Combat patrol over the fleet again today 4 hrs Boring, weather good. Captain Okada announced that our naval airforces operating from rabual had attacked and "sunk a battleship, and damaged many other ships" at port moresby. LT Sato -the aggressive barsted of a squadron leader we have, suggested that we should be practicing more formation tactics This is, of course, bullshit. Fighter pilots live and die on our individual skill, once in combat, the best men live, the lesser die. I believe the zero is invincible. I hope the betty boys leave something for us.

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/15/2005 1:35:13 PM)
5/5/42 ship sailing through heavy weather fronts, spent the day in my bunk. Ship in total radio silence -course still due south

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/15/2005 1:38:21 PM)
6/5/42 More bad weather Visited the bridge today Captain Okada was in his usual position, does he ever leave the bridge? Looked at the plot, somewhere to our west are the marianas. We seperated from CV Div 2 yesterday, but there they were this morning. No sign of the battle wagons. 3 days without flying - Ill get rusty.

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/15/2005 1:51:12 PM)
Tiring day -7/5/42 many reports of submarines ahead of us at truk Two missions today, 3 hrs CAP on each Total 2530 hrs, 97 carrier landings. Weather clear, and very hot. Still no news, radio silence continuing We had a briefing today from Yamaguchi. We are going to take KB and sit off the tip of Papua New Guinea, and seek decisive battle. We have a very heavy naval bomber prescence in the area, and we will act as cover as the battle line escorts the invasion troops to PM. Simultanously a new CV -The Hiyo, is going to cover an invasion of Baker island in the gilberts. Intelligence placed 2 enemy CVs in the south pacific a week ago, although where the enemy is, is unknown. A new Commander has been given command of the Allied forces. Incredibaly, its a new Zealander. ADM Yamaguchi believes his appointment reflects a new aggressive -almost over aggressive attitude. he rates chances of combat with the enemy CVs as low however -Port Moresby is of only low piority. Interestingly I heard we have several French interpreters onboard - why, I have no idea. I hope I do not fly tomorrow. Wonder when LT Sato will give some of the green horns a go. Truk probably tomorrow.

Cap Mandrake -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/15/2005 4:54:59 PM)
Fun approach. Be sure to give us all the details should young Hanamoto have a run in with a "comfort woman"

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/17/2005 1:46:31 PM)
8/5/42 Another boring 4 hrs today pretty pissed about this, why am I flying so much, while those who need the experience sit around on their arses Hrs now 2534, landings now 98 - only 2 to go, and I join the club! We passed a great big troop convoy today, it was going North - back home, the lucky buggars. They cheered us crazily, who would'nt, such a mighty armada to see. We should arrive at Truk tomorrow. The tension grows onboard, but its a quiet one, detirmined to do our best.

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/17/2005 1:51:59 PM)
9/5/42 we arrive at truk The battle fleet is here as well. What a place - a lagoon so big it just swallows the fleet No flying today, local fighters provide CAP Its truly a fortress As soon as we arrived, dozens of barges came out, and we refuelled. All day the ships boats shuttled back and forth, carrying the Admirals and captains back and forth. For all the activity everywhere -from the black gang trying to get spare parts onboard, to the supply chains as we get fresh food onboard, all is a blur of activity. Except for us pilots. We had nothing to do. felt like a fifth wheel

Alikchi2 -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/17/2005 1:52:36 PM)
quote: Interestingly I heard we have several French interpreters onboard - why, I have no idea. [X(][:D] I think I know.

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/17/2005 1:55:18 PM)
10/5/42 Some news today. The airforce is in heavy engagement in Burma - attacking India apparently. Snap inspection today we are as ready material wise as we can be Only battle will see how the men react, how i remember the fear over pearl,fear that turned to detachment. If we die, we die watched over a dozen transports loading with troops in the lagoon today, wonder where they will go.

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/17/2005 2:00:52 PM)
11/5/42 A crappy, crappy day The fleet sailed. 50% cap set, but on 5 minutes notice. Translation, I spend the whole day sitting under the wing, waiting for the call. Only the breeze down the flight deck cooled us. We are whipping along - south east as best i can tell, 6 fleet carriers, little shoho tagging along Seaplane tender sending out scouts all day No sign of the battle fleet, it went due south. At least the intelligence officer had some news, enemy ships near Gilli, gilli, OH, I know where that is now, we have spent all day ( well this evening) pouring over newly issued maps. The coral sea seems to be our field of destiny, I can feel it.

Alikchi2 -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/17/2005 2:10:50 PM)
I really like this format. Keep it up.

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/18/2005 1:34:38 PM)
12/5/42 The tension rises, you feel it in the men. we took photos today - just a group of us, our little group in front of our "offices", the wind fairly wipping down the deck. LTJG Kubota - 2700 hrs -serious and moody, yet always willing to help PO1 Kasai -2200 hrs - and a crazy prediliction to spin his plane PO2 masuyama -1800 hrs - baby faced, and a killer of 3 over pearl PO2 Asada - a simple farmers boy, and i love him as a brother, he is my wingman, he has 2200 hrs and last but not least, PO2 Sagara.c , last from the academy, he seems confident And of course myself I look at our liitle group, face into the breeze, tasting the salt we are carving up from the bow, and feel nothing but pride to be included in this little group defending our homeland. bring on the enemy! A test flight today, just 20 minutes would you like to visit my office? Getting in is not easy, always from the left hand side, there are 4 little pull out steps leading over the trailing edge to the cockpit, push a little button, and they pop out. Miss them, and you put a foot straight through the wing This is sure to earn LT Sato's wrath - and personally the crew Chief scares the **** out of me. You get in gingerly - the seat is very barren, and very fragile Unlike some, I now wear a chute - not for its use, it makes a good cushion. Then to work Its practiced, second nature yellow Tab in - wing tips locked Fuel tank selected, and on - 5 to choose from, 138 gallons max. Check voltage - 24 -too low, and you can burn out the starter -and this usually results in a fire set priming pump to on seat belt on - I never use the shoulder straps -too restrictive trim slightly tail down (my preference) - its a delightfully constructed wooden wheel, then vitally, set throttle friction tight! If it slips, it goes back to idle - fatal if the flight deck is still under you Then the battery switches, generator, pitot heater on Half inch throttle, guns checked, and then final cockpit check Control harness Airframe (flaps set, trim set, hatches and cowlings set0 Outside ( the steam streaming from the ports in Kaga's bow to indicate wind) trim - again Instruments canopy - close - if there is a flash fire, it will protect greatly Then start, 1000 rpm, priming pump off, don't over rev the noise is tremendous, and my plane feels alive She needs little warming up, and all eyes are on the flight deck officer Flag No hesitation, we must clear the deck in 5 minutes Throttle on, no vision, tale rises, the deck is gone 40 inch manifold, throttle two thirds. gear up Then, always, I roll the plane 360 on its axis - why -because I can The zero is a delight to fly, she stalls at less than 60 knots, and i can turn on a dime where i want to put her, she goes. And this is what makes the differensce between us , and the new chums Up there, there is no up I am comfortable flying inverted, flying with the horizon at 90 degrees - it is all the same to me. the key is orientation, situational awarness. If you need to think about your flying -need to think about your stick movements, you are lost. Vision in the cockpit is superb. So, 99 landings after today towards dusk, the ship shudders, we are going through the bismark straight - at full speed. I can hear the blowers scream deep in the bowels of kaga, and she vibrates from end to end. Evening meal, and the ship goes to action stations. Its going to be a long night in the ready room An announcement - many, many enemy ships -including BBs are near Port Moresby. We aim for the coast of some point called buna - have we been spotted. Will I be on CAP, or strike tomorrow? I am supremely scared -but will never show it how many of us will fall tomorrow, like cherry blossoms in the autumn

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/19/2005 1:02:59 AM)
The frustration 13/5/42 battle is joined! We powered through the straight , and were not attacked before dawn the planes were spotted on deck- and I drew the short straw. It was my fate to spend the entire day in the ready room, I was assigned to standby strike, in case we are surprised. A long, long day, listening to the radio rabual air apparently struck at dawn, Port moresby is packed with shipping. we have been told that at least 60 to 100 fighters were shot down by our compatriots over port moresby, but we lost at least 20 of our planes The nells did badly, scoring no hits Our 1st strike failed to cross the ranges, a massive thunderstorm blocking our path, the frustration of the Val pilots was palapable - how humiliating to be stopped by the weather! I think fortune smiled, to go into the bear pit unescorted is foolish After lunch we tried again 60 zeros and 41 vals crossed, and encountered about 40 fighters So far we count just 6 zeros lost, and claim 35 kills PO1 Kasai returned beaming, he got a kill, a P 39, it tried to out turn him results are being assessed, but were very poor, only a single large AP sunk, the enemy has scattered his shipping all over the area many, many troops spotted disembarking. As the afternoon wore on, a report - SS I-17 sinks an AO -the neasho, south of Gilli, gilli, and the glenns report a task force to its west - The carriers!!!???? yamaguchi tells us that tomorrow he will committ the kates - stood down today -until we find real targets -and we continue to hammer down the coast towards Milne bay As night falls, the tension eases, we have blooded many men, and no one is lost on this mighty ship today. Tokyo announces 100 fighters destroyed over port moresby, and our losses light. it also claims many, many ships sunk at port moresby The mess is riotious tonight, as we release the tension, and gird ourselves for the next round. This battle is far from over, our captain came and spoke to us , the enemy is making a stand here, this battle is only just begining. I pray that I will fly tomorrow.

Freddy Fudpucker -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/19/2005 3:55:01 PM)
Hi Herb, I like your AAR idea of writing from the point of view of an in-game combatant. I thought of doing something similar with half a dozen in-game characters but decided I wouldn't be disciplined enough to play a PBEM. Good luck vs your arch-adversary.

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/19/2005 11:46:09 PM)
We steam south today at high speed Rumours abound Tokyo rose reports big air battles over Dacca -the empire reaches everywhere I spend much of the day in the combat centre -listening to the radio intercepts Big air battles over port moresby Air attacks at Lea I regret to hear that we have lost several ships at lea In the evening, we slow down -I fly a CAP mission as KB weaves her way at 20 knots through channel near Deboynee island 100 landings Celebrations will have to wait - we are far too busy

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/19/2005 11:52:24 PM)
15/5/42 A mix of news The night and day is spent entering the channel, and debouching into the coral sea Still no sign of the enemy over KB The news is mixed - a small task force has entered port moresby harbour, and sunk many ships We , in turn have lost several at Lea, the enmy has landed many carrier planes at Port Moresby The briefing at midnight comes from yamaguchi himself, and a great growl of anticipation greets it in the ready room The enemy has deployed his air from the CVs to PM, and retired the planeless ships to cairns Tonight several BBs will crush those planes on the ground This ship will sail directly to cairns - where our submarines pin his CV's -and attack. The Samuri spirit of Attack, attack, courses through our viens

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/21/2005 12:23:26 AM)
I am still getting dates mixed up -15/5/42 A busy day KB steams due east at high speed, with the wind in our face, and the 27 knots , its almost hard to stand on the deck Your heart leaps as we launch a massive strike I was escort, with 40 zeros, 100plus vals, and 100 plus kates, a co ordinated strike We leap into the air, reports of Port moresby is closed ringing in our ears -our BBs have hammered the place -and caught his air on the ground We found some enemy short of the coast -6 dds hunting one of our subs how superb our bombers! I watch disspassionaly at 16000 ft as our glittering planes stream down The sea erupts, and bombs flash I feel sorry for our helpless enemy below All six are sunk We lose 1 kate We return. We rest, we debrief. Despite the victory, we are grim -I think we all realise -those ships could easily be us

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/21/2005 12:31:30 AM)
Briefing again Yamaguchi again briefs us the enemy Must have moved his CV air into PM. Our BBs pounded it It should be trapped there now The enmy CVs are somewhere on the Australian coast he guesses townsville As all his air went north -we attack the south. I do not fly today Misfortune dogs us - all the bombers launch, and we hit a solid weather front -only 9 zeros go with them And they hit cairns instead -no carriers The port is pounded. A poor result This evening another briefing many enemy planes at cooktown -and many, many CA's, BBs? at rockhampton The enemy is fleeing Planes to the north, ships to the south We will charge south further -and attack again! Moral is good

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/22/2005 12:25:18 AM)
17/5/42 hrs 2542 101 landings early morning vals on search launched, then a nerve wracking day sitting around awaiting for word to attack. It never came - terrible weather over the target We did fly CAP, and sometime after lunch we were attacked. Not much too see, 4 hudsons shot down almost at the extreme range of my vision No other news, the war is shrinking down to just this task force. At dusk we turn North east, still at high speed We are bitterly disapointed.

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/22/2005 12:30:28 AM)
18/5/42 102 landings 2550 hrs Tired, flew all day CAP over the fleet. We are refuelling some 500 miles east of Cairns. We were not attacked. I think many are grateful for the rest caught a catch of a conversation from the bridge near dusk - intense anti submarine actions near Gilli, Gilli, the area is infested with them Intense discussions LT Sato and ADM yamaguchi - where would you be, what would you do if you were the enemy CV captain. We must continue fuelling tomorrow, then - well lets just hope we live through tomorrow.

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/24/2005 11:37:40 AM)
19/5/42 I flew CAP again today, now 2554 hrs, 103 landings Saw nothing, just the KB steaming in a square, refuelling, refuelling The news from Tokyo rose was exciting - our troops in the face of fierce resistance are landing at Port Moresby -and in a life or death struggle with the Americans Later we went down to the fantail - the wake glowing in the dark -and tuned into the Australian radio - they are crowing about some major surface battle at an island called Baker. The men about us are confident that its not as bad as the enmy claim, silently I wonder -were we not to invade this place?

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/24/2005 11:48:24 AM)
20/5/42 106 landings 2562 hrs A long, long day Took off at dawn, CAP again Observed our 1st massive strike towards townsville -Yamaguchi has taken the bit between his teeth again The 1st strike reports many, many ships in the roads at Townsville - it is not a port proper -more of a sheltered anchorage. Just after this , I was called down, for a tank top up. At this moment the enemy attacked - now we test the theory of Carrier Vs land air. No contest - our zero's tear into them -I miss out again Masuyama - he scores 5, 5 beuforts! he is an ACE in one swift day We nock down the entire strike I launched again - as the 1st strike returned. There is no wasted moments, how vulnerable KB is at this moment But there is no need to panic -the second strike soon is winging west. I land at dusk after they return Kaga remains a lucky ship - Kasai too scores a kill over townsville The excitement is unbelievable -the bomber boys grin, and grin, and grin 21 merchant men have been hammered, plus 3 warships, all for only 3 kates lost How glorious today is And then Tokyo rose ends the day - CV Hiyo and her escorts have attacked and sunk several cruisers near Baker, the enmy is in dis array! We steam east again, time to refuel -again.

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/24/2005 11:59:19 AM)
21/5/42 No flying for me today I spend the day goofing off, watching the facinating process of refuelling at sea There is one alarm today - B17's so high, tracking us - one dropped bombs -they exploded far in our wake before we were even aware they were there Asada , my wingman, 4th of our group grins- he is keen to get one of the giants in his sights. No other news - rumours of fierce fighting to our north - how do people hear these things way out here!

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/24/2005 12:03:57 PM)
Asada is dead His left wheel collapsed as he landed, and he skidded straight over the side here one second, his smiling, country boy face gone the next. We could never hope to get through this war unscratched, yet , it still is a shock. So we are 5 now No action today, we steam east slowly, waiting on intelligence of the enemy. I have heard that the army is stalled at Port moresby - we must now ensure that the divisions coming arrive -and that the enemy gets no more in. Tension is terrible -where are the carriers?

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/25/2005 1:01:15 PM)
23/5/42 I tried my hardest to avenge Asada today - CAP today, and the B17's found us again - but it was just too fast, and high for me. To attack from the rear would have been fatal KB moved east today, we await tankers, having sucked our current ones dry This evening the news seemed -well -we seemed to have hit a wall Reports of air battles in burma - and china -but none of Port Moresby. is the invasion going well -or has something gone wrong. cannot dwell on the war. We have our own mission yamaguchi intends to refuel in 3 days time -then strike Brisbane wards. Hiyo intends to come across and blockade PM This, apparently is the plan. we do not even have a map of brisbane onboard.

1275psi -> RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato (7/26/2005 1:30:34 PM)
25/4/42 KB turns south, we got just enough fuel to make one more stab south I fly CAP all day again today -108 landings, 2566 hrs I am exhausted Tokyo rose reports that Changsa in China has fallen to us, apparently this is good No sightings today We spend much time tonight in deep reflection, the mess is very subdued. war is very different to how we imagined it. many of the crew are seasick today, we are heading south, the tropical waters of the coral sea are far behind us. KB still makes a magnificent sight as we slide silently along. We expect to attack the enemy again in 3 days time.

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