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RE: Small Ship, Big War

 
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RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/11/2007 11:38:21 PM   
princep01

 

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The Scharnhorst's mugger floats across the screen.

As 1943 draws near, an American fist begins to ball.  The days of fast and easy Japanese victories flow into a time of intense defensive preparations for Hibiki and the nation she fights for.

(in reply to Feinder)
Post #: 841
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/12/2007 12:09:41 AM   
kaleun

 

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I have this image of the Graf Spee cutting the waves, in black and white, while a deep voice narrates the introductory scenes of "The battle of the River Plate"

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Post #: 842
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/12/2007 12:17:00 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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November 3, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

---

Excerpt from a letter from Lieutenant Miharu to his wife:

…but as it turned out he only inspected one destroyer, and that one wasn’t Hibiki. Ah well, at least the ship is as clean as I’ve ever seen it. For the moment. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly and relentlessly the forces of the sea act on any creation of man; corrosion, the endless battering of the water, barnacles fouling every surface they can reach. In a very real sense we spend more time fighting against the ocean than we do the enemy.

The rest here has been good for us, though. The crew has more spring in their step, and most of the wear and tear of the last few months has been undone. We have had some crew reassigned to other ships, and have taken on new crew to replace them. The disruption is minor, though, and so far the command staff is unaffected.

The ship and the men are ready for battle again. The enemy has been unusually quiet, though. I have heard many opinions that the war is over for all practical purposes, but as you know I do not share that opinion. The only question in my mind is where will they strike, not if they will strike.

Of course not all the talk here is of war. A funny thing happened the other day. It seems one of the ensigns got hold of a bucket full of coconut crabs and decided the best place to put them was in Ensign Handa’s bunk…


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Post #: 843
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/12/2007 12:17:36 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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November 4, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 844
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/12/2007 12:17:49 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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November 5, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 845
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/12/2007 12:19:52 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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November 6, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

---

Captain Ishii leaves the radio room. He returns to the bridge and speaks to one of the new midshipman, who is recording the readings of some of the weather instruments.

“Midshipman Konada, please locate Lieutenant Miharu and ask him to report to the bridge as soon as possible.” The midshipman salutes and departs. Captain Ishii picks up the bridge phone and places a call down to the engine rooms. He speaks briefly, and as he is hanging up Lieutenant Miharu climbs onto the bridge.

“You sent for me, sir?” he asks. Captain Ishii nods.

“Yes, Exec. We are being placed on alert and need to be ready to sail on one hour’s notice. Please alert the crew and recall everybody ashore.”

“Yes sir. Do we know what has prompted this?”

“We do,” says Ishii. “At 0900 this morning a column of British warships was spotted off Gili Gili. They are under attack by our land-based air in the region, but their strength and intentions are unclear. Reports are still spotty and confused. The fleet is getting ready to sortie if required.”

“I see, sir. I will carry out your orders immediately,” says Lieutenant Miharu. He salutes and departs. Captain Ishii makes an entry in the ship’s log, then returns to the radio room to see if there is any further information.

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Post #: 846
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/12/2007 12:24:20 AM   
kaleun

 

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Good. War's on again!

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RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/12/2007 6:06:01 AM   
Knavey

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent


quote:

ORIGINAL: kaleun

quote:

I’ll tell you what. If the Hibiki gets sunk I will continue the AAR by having seven survivors end up on an uncharted desert isle. They can give each other nicknames like “Little Buddy” and try to repair their radio using coconuts and bamboo.


That's so hilarous!

BTW: In my new PBEM game, I'm playing Japanese, for the first time, and Hibiki got sunk by a submarine, on Dec 7th! off the PI. I am soooo bummed!


You missed an occasion of writing the shortest AAR in history..


I think he just did! That is...write the AAR!


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Post #: 848
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/12/2007 6:21:11 AM   
kaleun

 

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It ended up being the Hirakaze that was torpedoed. The Hibiki is safe in the gulf of SIam.
Phew!

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Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
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Post #: 849
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/12/2007 4:18:12 PM   
princep01

 

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Funny how things go in different WitP games.  In my PBEM game, the date is now April 9, 1942.  22 Japanese destroyers have been dispatched to Davey Jones' Locker.  However, as the Allies, I have seen Hibiki exactly one time in the game.  She was escorting an invasion force landing in NW Sumatra.  The ship was attacked, but not hit. 

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Post #: 850
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/13/2007 2:23:54 AM   
Capt. Harlock


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quote:

At 0900 this morning a column of British warships was spotted off Gili Gili. They are under attack by our land-based air in the region, but their strength and intentions are unclear


British rather than American warships? Too bad -- we're a week away from the historical date of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. It would have been interesting to have a surface dust-up with the USN on that day . . . On the other hand, my compliments to the Hibiki for reducing system damage to zero!

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RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/13/2007 3:30:08 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: princep01

As 1943 draws near, an American fist begins to ball.  The days of fast and easy Japanese victories flow into a time of intense defensive preparations for Hibiki and the nation she fights for.


Nicely put!

quote:

ORIGINAL: kaleun

It ended up being the Hirakaze that was torpedoed. The Hibiki is safe in the gulf of SIam.
Phew!



That was my worst nightmare on starting this AAR, that Hibiki would have a fatal encounter with an enemy sub on the first day of the war.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

On the other hand, my compliments to the Hibiki for reducing system damage to zero!


Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised by that. In a size 5 port with one AR, a fleet HQ, and about two dozen other vessels with light damage it took only 17 days to remove all 9 points of Hibiki's system damage.

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Post #: 852
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/13/2007 3:31:19 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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November 7, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

---

The Japanese fleet does not sortie from Kwajalein the day that the British ships are sighted near Gili Gili, nor do they sortie the next day. Reports come in that the British ships endure a heavy torpedo attack from Japanese twin-engine bombers based at Lae and Rabaul and abruptly reverse course. They vanish again from view, but Japanese pilots report four British heavy cruisers sunk or heavily damaged. This news is greeted aboard the Hibiki with a grain of salt.

“Four heavy cruisers, eh? What do you think, Exec?” asks Captain Ishii. Lieutenant Miharu gives a small smile.

“I would never doubt the veracity of our pilots, of course” says Lieutenant Miharu. “I have heard that one County-class cruiser was observed to sink, so my guess is one heavy cruiser and one destroyer sunk.”

“Not a bad guess,” says the captain. “Since there were two groups of pilots, my guess is that they each reported the same two cruisers sunk. So make it two heavy cruisers.”

“We won’t of course learn the truth until after the war, when we can examine their records,” says Lieutenant Miharu. “The more interesting question, of course, is what were they doing there. No enemy ship has approached Gili Gili since the enemy seized it months ago, at least that I have heard.” Captain Ishii shrugs.

“I imagine Imperial Headquarters has some idea, but they aren’t sharing their knowledge with destroyer captains if so,” he says. “Perhaps they were trying to get supplies past our blockade, or perhaps they were hoping to intercept our surface forces which routinely shell the place. Again, we probably won’t learn anything for a long time.”

“Still, it’s the first sign of enemy activity in the Pacific in some time,” says the lieutenant. “I don’t think things will stay quiet much longer, Captain.”

“Good,” says Captain Ishii. “If they are going to keep fighting let’s be at it and settle this war.” Lieutenant Miharu looks doubtful.

“Sir, with all respect…” he begins. Captain Ishii cuts him off.

“Yes, yes, Exec, I know what you think. When the Americans attack they will bring overwhelming force. Well, maybe so. But I will still wager the fighting spirit of Japan against the might of America’s factories any day.”

“I hope you are right, sir,” says Lieutenant Miharu. “I really do.”

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 853
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/13/2007 3:31:55 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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November 8, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 854
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/13/2007 3:33:20 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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November 9, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

---

Ensign Izu comes off duty. After eating a meal in the junior officer’s wardroom he heads wearily for his bunk. Unlike the enlisted men the officers have actual sleeping quarters, though they are small and cramped. Izu swings nimbly up into his bunk, careful not to hit his head. The deck above is less than two feet above him as he lies prone.

In this climate no one bothers with blankets. There is a pillow, however, and seconds before his head reaches it Izu catches a strong, fishy smell. His head thumps into the pillow, but instead of the usual comforting feel of buckwheat chaff under his head there is a loud and unpleasant squishing noise. The smell becomes much worse. Izu recoils with a yell and with a painful thump strikes his head on the deck close overhead.

Izu curses and rubs his head, then gingerly reaches into the pillow, which he now sees is slit open on one end. His hand encounters something slimy and with an expression of disgust he pulls out a freshly dead squid. The bulging eyes of the cephalopod regard him with an accusing expression. Izu flings the squid to the deck below with a splat.

“Handa…” he mutters to himself.

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Post #: 855
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/13/2007 8:39:54 AM   
String


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Post #: 856
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/13/2007 4:42:15 PM   
princep01

 

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Yummmmmm....calamari for a midnight snack.

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Post #: 857
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/14/2007 4:32:47 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
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November 10, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Perform routine maintenance and repairs and await further orders.

---

The Hibiki’s boat ties up alongside the destroyer and a group of crewmen swarm aboard, moving smartly despite being obviously disgruntled at having their leaves cancelled. As Lieutenant Miharu watches them he is approached by Chief Torpedo Officer Sugiyura. He returns Sugiyura’s salute and waits for the inevitable question.

“On alert again!” comments Sugiyura. “Tell me, Lieutenant, have you heard what the cause is this time? Have the British returned to Gili Gili?” Lieutenant Miharu shakes his head.

“No,” he replies, “It’s Paramushiro Jima, of all places. American warships have been spotted less than 200 miles east of the island, and they are moving west.”

“Paramushiro Jima! What could the enemy be doing up there?” asks Sugiyura. Lieutenant Miharu spreads his hands in a gesture of bafflement.

“I have no idea,” he says. “But we are back on alert.”

“Paramushiro Jima,” repeats Sugiyura. “I’ve been looking forward to a fight, but there? It’s getting on into winter up there.”

“I know,” says Miharu. “Fog, ice, storms – it’s a terrible place for ships to fight. But if that is where the enemy is going to make his move…”

“Then that is where we will meet him,” finishes Sugiyura. “That is true, Executive Officer, but couldn’t the Americans pick someplace warmer?”


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Post #: 858
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/14/2007 4:34:46 AM   
Onime No Kyo


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From the frying pan.....into the freezer.

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Post #: 859
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/14/2007 4:36:11 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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November 11, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Proceed to the Kuril Islands.

---

Reports come in that Paramushiro Jima was shelled during the night by enemy battleships. And now the area around the base has been completely socked in by heavy fog. Japanese planes can find no sight of the enemy, despite the fact that they must be close. This lack of information does nothing to ease Japanese bafflement as to the enemy’s intentions. Is this just a raid, a prelude to invasion, or something else?

At any rate, it is not a situation that can be ignored. The six fast Japanese carriers are formed into two task forces and ordered north. Hibiki is ordered to accompany carriers Shokaku, Zuikaku, and Soryu in task force 72 under the command of Admiral Ozawa. Akagi, Kaga, and Hiryu form the nucleus of the second task force. The light carriers, along with Junyo and Hiyo, are deemed too slow to make such a long journey and are left behind.

The ships are made ready to depart quickly but without any sense of panic. It will take at least eight days to reach the area, and by then the situation may be completely different. By midday the powerful task forces depart Kwajalein and head for Paramushiro Jima, some 2000 miles north.

---

Task Force 72:






Attachment (1)

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Post #: 860
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/14/2007 4:41:27 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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November 12, 1942

Location: 245 miles north-northwest of Kwajalein
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 437

Orders: Proceed to the Kuril Islands.

---

It is again night off Paramushiro Jima. Several miles off the southern end of the volcanic island, where the Japanese airstrip and fortresses are located, US battleship Oklahoma her escorts make a stealthy approach. Their orders are to bombard the Japanese positions at Paramushiro for a second night.

There is a stiff, cold wind blowing as the ships near bombardment range. Through occasional gaps in the scudding clouds the volcanic peaks rising behind the Japanese base show dark against the stars.

The gaps in the clouds do not, however, reveal two columns of Japanese ships moving in from the west to intercept the American vessels. Each column is composed of four destroyers led by a light cruiser. These ten ships, designated the Northern Force, are at the moment the entire Japanese naval presence in the Kuriles. It is a force, however, that the Americans are unaware exists.

They will not remain in ignorance much longer. The Japanese have already spotted the Americans and are approaching the American ships almost head on. As they close to within 20,000 meters the columns begin to swing to each side in preparation for a torpedo attack. After another few moments both columns launch torpedoes at the American ships. The range is long, still over 15,000 meters, but the Japanese have the advantage of surprise and a relatively slow enemy column.

American radar, meanwhile, has finally penetrated the high seas and flying spray and detected the Japanese ships. Star shells provide fitful illumination through the storm wrack just before a series of explosions rips through the American column. Destroyer Sands is ripped by a massive internal explosion and sinks swiftly. Destroyer Brooks, holed near the engine room, is left drifting and helpless. Light cruiser Detroit staggers under a torpedo hit and falls out of line.

A brief but vicious fight erupts between the two forces. The melee is wild and confused, with the high seas hampering both sides. The lightly armored Japanese ships have done what they came to do and have no intention of slugging it out with a battleship, but they cannot completely avoid the disorganized but angry US response. They briefly exchange gunfire with the American ships and launch more torpedoes, hitting and sinking US destroyer Humphreys. Light cruiser Sendai attracts Oklahoma’s attention and takes two 14” shell hits. Though badly hurt she is able to maintain enough speed to vanish into the darkness, followed swiftly by the other Japanese ships.

They leave behind three American destroyers either sinking or sunk. Several other US ships have sustained damage, particularly the Detroit. The remaining US ships rescue who they can from the icy waters and head back to the Aleutians.

---

The news of the victory reaches Japan in time to brighten the day’s newspapers and government news broadcasts. What is not mentioned to the public is that the enemy force was surprisingly undersized for its mission and composed entirely of older, slower ships. These facts do not escape the Japanese high command, however, and they ponder and debate them throughout the day as the Hibiki and the rest of the carrier force moves north.

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Post #: 861
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/14/2007 4:56:10 AM   
Onime No Kyo


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Hmm...the freezer is heating up.

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Post #: 862
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/14/2007 5:06:54 AM   
princep01

 

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This engagement smacks of American trickery and chicanery.  A few holes in a volcanic rock, a few lost US DDs and a damaged CL on each side in exchange for a long, long voyage by KB to the cul de sac off the middle of nowhere.  Hummmmmmm.  Me thinks I smell a Nimitz rat.

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Post #: 863
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/14/2007 5:19:17 AM   
Onime No Kyo


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quote:

ORIGINAL: princep01

This engagement smacks of American trickery and chicanery.  A few holes in a volcanic rock, a few lost US DDs and a damaged CL on each side in exchange for a long, long voyage by KB to the cul de sac off the middle of nowhere.  Hummmmmmm.  Me thinks I smell a Nimitz rat.


I dont think CF can take the chance. Up north is probablt the weakest area in his cordon, and they both know it. But hey, grand strategy isnt what this AAR is about. On with the show.

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Post #: 864
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/14/2007 2:36:02 PM   
tocaff


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Brrrr!  Waters that cold are a death knell to anyone "lucky" enough to survive a sinking ship.  Could the KB be running in useless circles?  Have the Japanese given the initiative over to the USN?  So many questions, so much FOG.

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Post #: 865
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/14/2007 3:20:11 PM   
kaleun

 

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Hmmm.
The war heats up.

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Post #: 866
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/14/2007 10:41:09 PM   
Capt. Harlock


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

After another few moments both columns launch torpedoes at the American ships. The range is long, still over 15,000 meters, but the Japanese have the advantage of surprise and a relatively slow enemy column.

American radar, meanwhile, has finally penetrated the high seas and flying spray and detected the Japanese ships. Star shells provide fitful illumination through the storm wrack just before a series of explosions rips through the American column. Destroyer Sands is ripped by a massive internal explosion and sinks swiftly. Destroyer Brooks, holed near the engine room, is left drifting and helpless. Light cruiser Detroit staggers under a torpedo hit and falls out of line.




Remarkably good torpedo performance considering the range and sea conditions. (You'd think some of the torpedoes would broach.)

And sending the KB into this area is a risk. What happens if a BB force surprises the carriers in a storm, when the aircraft can't fly?


_____________________________

Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?

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(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 867
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/14/2007 10:49:35 PM   
kaleun

 

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My thoughts exactly. Although maybe KB will stay further south, in a standoffish sort of way

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Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu

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Post #: 868
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/15/2007 2:00:53 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo


quote:

ORIGINAL: princep01

This engagement smacks of American trickery and chicanery.  A few holes in a volcanic rock, a few lost US DDs and a damaged CL on each side in exchange for a long, long voyage by KB to the cul de sac off the middle of nowhere.  Hummmmmmm.  Me thinks I smell a Nimitz rat.


I dont think CF can take the chance. Up north is probablt the weakest area in his cordon, and they both know it. But hey, grand strategy isnt what this AAR is about. On with the show.


It's safe to say that the two of you have almost exactly summed up the debate currently going on at Imperial HQ. But as Onime says, on with the show...

(in reply to Onime No Kyo)
Post #: 869
RE: Small Ship, Big War - 6/15/2007 2:03:39 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

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November 13, 1942

Location: 220 miles north of Eniwetok
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 399

Orders: Proceed to the Kuril Islands.

---

Riku and a warrant officer are going through one of the forward lockers doing an inventory of the Hibiki’s foul weather gear. No one has paid any attention to this gear in many months, and the jackets, parkas, and mittens are dirty and moth-eaten. Riku is counting and calling out numbers, which the warrant officer duly records on his clipboard.

“What about the footgear?” asks the warrant officer. In response Riku emerges holding up a pair of rubberized boots that look as though they might fit an ogre out of legend. He looks quizzically at the warrant officer, who smiles.

“The boots,” says the warrant officer, “are designed to ship as much water as possible. That gives you more traction on slippery decks.” He steps forward and picks up a heavy woolen mitten. “The mittens are designed to prevent enlisted men from being able to do anything with their hands, such as adjusting the focus on a pair of binoculars or picking their noses. These,” he says, indicating one of the jackets, “are meant to keep hard-working sailors from overheating by absorbing many liters of ice cold water.”

I see,” says Riku. He picks up the indicated jacket and, sticking one hand through a hole under the right arm, wiggles his fingers.

“This stuff is in deplorable shape,” comments the warrant officer. “How are you with a needle and thread, Seaman Ariga?”

“Warrant Officer, I will do my best,” says Riku. He gestures at the quantity of gear. “But if it is to be done by the time we get up north…” The warrant officer nods.

“Yes, you will need some help,” he says. “I will see to that. Carry on, Seaman Ariga.” He tucks the clipboard under his arm and strolls off, leaving Riku to begin sorting out the gear that needs repair.

---

Chief Petty Officer Shun addresses a line of ten sailors on the foredeck.

“I need two volunteers to do some sewing and mending,” he says. The line of sailors remains motionless, all eyes carefully trained straight ahead. Shun grins.

“What’s the matter,” he says, “are all of you too manly and bold to do women’s work?” There is no answer from the sailors, but an alert observer can detect a few nervous twitches among them. They are entering shoal waters here, and they know it.

Shun begins to stroll slowly in front of the sailors. “This is the Japanese Navy,” he says. “Here, there is no such thing as men’s work or women’s work. There is only Navy work.” He pauses and looks at each of the sailors in turn. “This is good,” he continues in a biting voice, “because I don’t think that any of you precious, soft little jellyfish are up to doing men’s work. Are you?’ he barks suddenly, right in one sailor’s face.

“Yes, Chief Petty Officer,” blurts out the sailor.

“Yes I am right or yes, you can do a man’s work? Which?” snarls Shun.

“You are right, Chief,” says the sailor hurriedly. Shun steps back and nods.

“Damned right I am,” he says. He resumes his slow pacing in front of the sailors. His voice is almost conversational. “So, ladies, who volunteers?” He stops and lets the silence build for a moment.

One sailor, perhaps a bit bolder or smarter than the others, suddenly takes a decisive step forward. To volunteer for such an assignment is humiliating, but the sailor recognizes that it may be nothing compared to what they are in for if Shun is allowed to work up a good head of steam. A friend of his hesitates, then follows his lead and also steps forward. Shun nods.

“Very good,” he says. “Report to the foul-weather locker, you will be shown what to do.” The men respond and hurry off. Shun steps back and addresses the remaining eight sailors.

“As for the rest of you…” he pauses and delivers the next word with contempt, “…men, since such delicate work is apparently beneath you I have another assignment. It seems that a corroded pipe has contaminated the bilges with sewage. You will repair the pipe and clean the bilges until they shine…”

(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 870
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