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1275psi -> RE: rest (8/18/2005 12:33:04 AM)
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28/6/42
We arrive at rabual at dawn
Did you know that this place has a volcano?
And that it spews smoke nearly every day.
Our arrival was met by an explosion of activity.
Ports should not be measured by the size and number of wharfs -but there ability to support you.
And the Admiral at this place really knows his job.
Swarms of barges, and lighters and small vessels of every kind gather around us, seemigly to materalise from the trees and coconut groves surrounding the bay.
we arrived at dawn , and are ready for further operations by dusk.
I had a horrible day -of all days, I draw assistant Officer of the day.
1st the uniform -back into the tight whites -such a contrast to our comfortable flying rig
Then the dozens of Captains and the like that arrive -each to be saluted.
Supervision of security, of ship rounds -magazine inspections -ceremonial colours -and a 100 liason calls as the base personal swarm onboard.
I have enough to do with that, let alone co ordinate the ships boats.
Amazing sights -large lumps of machinery leaving the ship in the morning, and returning at night.
How busy the black gang is.
Such a sight.
And every minute the sky growls with large numbers of zeros on patrol above us.
We are filled again with ordinance, and fuel -and glory be -fresh food!
6CV,3CVL,4BB,5CA,5CL and 40 plus DDs ride at anchor here.
The 3rd war cruise of The Kido baru is completed
The 1st destroyed the Americans at pearl, the 2nd the British in the Indian ocean and at Darwin, and this one
The men add the totals to the bridge wing -
4CA
2CL
8DD
3ss
1AV
30 AK
1AP
1AO
65 aircraft
the rumour is that we sail day after tomorrow -and leave will be granted tomorrow.
Mail
many tender letters from home.
Things do not seem to be too bad, my father continues to catch fish in Kagoshima bay, Mother tends the garden, and sister continues to work down the street in the small workshop -fabricating the very nice trim wheel that I have in my zero -some 50 a week she says.
I miss them all.
They do not recieve much news on the war -it appears static.
China is strategic bombing, and Burma seems to be very quiet.
The allies failed to catch the troops at nome, but have bombed wake
he continues to raid Timor every day -training pilots, and the siege at Port moresby continues -where the allies have stopped shooting back at our bombers.
I am comforted.
Tomorrow I step ashore -ahh, I will enjoy some beer with my fellows, and some fresh seafood -crayfish are readily available I hear.
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