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RE: battle speed one! - 7/23/2011 12:57:23 PM   
1275psi

 

Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		7/9/42

2000 hrs

“this is the captain speaking”



How those words can still a ship

Throughout Zuiho, the men gather around the speakers

At the guns, they listen
In the hanger, the tools fall still
In the boiler rooms, the engine rooms, they gather in little bunches of humanity, and the noise of the fans will die away to them

In the galley, the special meals will lie un attended, and in the sickbay, the medics will lay down the scalpels, the bandages.
Through out her length, they will listen, to their Captain.

To the old man

To father, to some

“For too many months, we have hunted the enemy without success. Tomorrow, we will grip him again. Look out for your comrades, look out for our ship. Remember your oath to the emperor, to Japan, to your wives, your children

Fight like men of Japan that you are.”

The voice softens. ’it will be a long day men, action stations 0400 hrs, I suggest we get some rest”

Unbidden, spontaneously, it rings throughout the ship

Banzia!, Banzia! Banzai!






‘get some rest men…………..’’

it is 0001 hrs, exactly when the first submarine attacks………………..



(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 541
THE battle begins - 7/25/2011 10:23:41 AM   
1275psi

 

Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		Hasegawa literally stumbles again to the bridge.
His limbs literally tremble, and a brain crying for sleep, struggles to grasp the situation.

‘report!’
he means it to come out strong, instead, it’s a croak.

A chair, my chair, heavens, where has my strength gone?

“submarine attack, port side of the group, a destroyer is engaging…….”
And in the dark, a voice mutters…….”bloody miles away from us”

But close enough to remove our rest……..and at this stage, this is enough….




Hirate, Okano, who have just been relieved from Forenoon and first, fight there way through the crowded passageways, through the hanger, to forward repair
They exchange smiles, its all one can do, every minute at this action station is another minute that they will not sleep…..

They quietly prepare the gear, the crude breathing apparatus, the crowbars, the fire hoses, the voice powered portable phones…….there is a lot of gear, even by Japanese standards.

Then they settle in, slipping to the deck……….and try to doze ..Nobody tells them anything, they are at action stations , and here they will remain, until whatever happens, happens.

Lurch too takes his Action station position. It is a position he would prefer to be anywhere else in.
Damage Control central, DCC talker.

He settles to his chair, the damage control board in front of him, his pencils lined up neatly. He takes his head set, contacts fwd repair, aft repair, machinery repair.
He turns, Minobe sits there, brooding.
“All stations closed up sir, ship at damage state one”

Minobe grunts, scowls. “Another truking false alarm I bet…”

Lurch turns back to his board, it is best, definitely best not to draw attention to oneself now……..and just quietly, wishes something, anything would happen.




DD Maikaze hunts the contact for two long hours……….before giving up.
Two hours, nearly thirty miles………and another 20 minutes of packing back up after fall out is piped.
Few. However will go to rest, at 0300, action stations is again piped.
But this is different, this is programmed

“Hidaka speaking. Prepare airgroup for action. Ship to flying stations, ship to flying stations.”





Pre Dawn
Hidaka gathers his men. They gather around him, these men. You have seen this sight a million times, on a million sporting fields,.
It does not matter what nation, what creed, what cause, what game.
Your leader speaks, and you listen, as if those very words have magical power, as if they will carry you , alone, to the victory.
Hidaka’s are simple.
For this is war, what motivation can a man give when life itself is at stake?

‘Zuiho sends three zeros..Ogawa, Diogawa, Ako. The other carriers also will provide only three. Every other zero is CAP..

murmers………a dozen fighters on the strike…………thin ney?
‘Bomber will target the runway, any grounded planes. Bomb carefully, bomb true. Close the field..”

He looks at them all. ‘You know your job. Good hunting”

And they all stiffen, and salute
And as it must, it returns to this.
The courage of individuals in their machines.
Without hesitation, they run to them, and prepare to launch.



Admiral Yamaguchi takes the message

CA’s Chokia, Takao have bombarded Tarawa. Enemy fighters sighted overhead, ships not attacked. Am retiring

He nods. Tarawa is not closed..yet.
He takes his tea. The weather, he notes, is turning foul

(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 542
RE: battle speed one! - 7/26/2011 9:09:16 AM   
1275psi

 

Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		0400 hrs


The flight deck trembles, 30 great blades spinning, shimmering in the soft pink dawn light.
Men, still shadows, dart beneath the planes. Lining her flight deck flanks, a hundred silhouettes ……..any man who can get away, want to be here now, to wish them well.

It is, as always, a grand moment

Zuiho begins to swing into the wind, and below, the Charge too has something to say

“All spaces………gentlemen, this is not a day to make a mistake, stand to your stations.’

And our little ship works to full speed.

LT Ako is looking down at his board –the little note pad lashed to his upper thigh, covered in the briefing notes for this mission, when Nashiguchi abruptly appears at his shoulder
His face is wild, and grimaces with a detirmination, and a fear, that Ako could never expect, not from a pilot such as he.
‘What is wrong Nashiguchi?’
Nashiguchi’’s eyes blaze…….”You will take my place on the CAP, I am going with the strike……’
What?..who says?’
‘I say!.and you will not argue!………”
Nashiguchi hesitates, glances aft, aft, and Ako turns too, and see’s his eyes fixed on the leading Kate, Kurihama’s kate.

Nashiguchi almost spits it out………’Kurihama needs a special escort……”

And then he is gone, running to his zero, and Ako has too little time to wonder what a “special escort” could mean, for the green light flashes, and war calls.


For a moment the world swims, and Hasegawa struggles to focus. The pain, dormant the last few days, is back, a searing rod up his spine, in his gut.
He fights it..and this time, wins
‘You may commence launching Hidaka








(more after dinner i hope)

(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 543
RE: battle speed one! - 7/26/2011 9:22:52 AM   
1275psi

 

Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		0530 hrs

The weather, frankly, is not good.
A low ceiling, 5000 feet, heavy scattered clouds, most with rain below them.
Cloud tops at 8000 feet, mostly a great white carpet, but for the mile wide or so holes that occasionally break it up.
The wind too, is brisk……..30 plus knots now, and the sea, still grey, is building its crop of white horses.
It is also, surprisingly cool

It is a day for staying inside beside the radio, with a good book, not thundering north, seeking a tiny coral rock in the middle of nowhere.

Nashiguchi checks his position, flying easily and confidently. They are thin, 10 strong only, 2 eagles have failed to launch today. One fighter for every three bombers.
It will be enough, confidence tells them that.

It is more than enough for him, he has eyes for only one………for that murderous baku Kurihama flying so serenely ahead on his port quarter.

He has no hard proof…………other than a knife, blood, trophies…………is that enough?
And if it was……..what can he do about it?
Anything?

So he does what he has always done.
Leave it to God………….and wait for the answer

He looks around, sky still clear………….and his eyes are dragged back to the kate

Does his crew know?…………..another complication.

A green flare arcs from the leading bomber………..ahead, the carpet of cloud is ending, the edge of the front. And there, just beyond it, glinting in the early light, washed clean by the rising sun, the target.

God will give an answer..

Look about, get ready……….a last cockpit check, and peer again into that sun……..




And the wildcats get the perfect bounce.

(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 544
RE: battle speed one! - 7/27/2011 10:05:34 AM   
1275psi

 

Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		The zero in front of him explodes, one moment there, the next gone, but he is already rolling and corkscrewing up and over, even as the sounds of the guns, the growl of the cats thunder past, and down .

There are six of them, and two zeros are gone already, and they are flashing through the packed formation of vals and kates, impervious to the guns against them.

He pulls out of the roll, and follows them down and through, and it is all happening too fast, the wildcats are already wheeling hard right, to came again on the bombers flanks, he must cut the corner, must stop them.

Ocean below, the falling zero, images seared in the minds eye, and a second takes a life time.
He passes aft of Kurihama’s kate –and the eye takes it all in , in that infinite moment, the jagged holes in it, aluminum rude on the green, and the spray of blood on the shattered canopy, the two slumped figures, and Kurihama’s face –cold, hard..and focused only on the target below.

And then he too is swinging in with the zeros, the wildcat coming across his bow so hard, so close, the bank hard, fast, and That shattered kate is entering the picture………..and how easy to just peel underneath and let it happen.– and he hesitates, , for a second, for a moment………………………..
for a lifetime … the wildcat is almost in front, bank up, line him up ……….

And the Wildcats wingman, using this new move, the Thatch weave, nails Nashiguchi, , the zeros wing fluttering away, the pilot dead already…………..


In war, God plays no favorites.




Kurihama bombs: .vaguely aware of fighters coming in hard on his flank, grateful for the interference………. He yells in savage satisfaction as the bombs strike Tarawa field cleanly and truly.

His craft is hit, this he knows.
It does not matter
Only the kill does…




The strike is good.
3 zeros fall
3 wildcats go down, Ogawa claims one –he has four now, Diogawa also one.
There can be no celebration.
Once again, they return from a mission, and let the rain that covers the fleet all afternoon, hide their secret tears









T

(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 545
falling cherry blossoms.......... - 7/28/2011 11:21:38 AM   
1275psi

 

Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		Hasegawa leaves the bridge.
Nature calls. Surely now, with the strike recovered, he can attend to this at least?
No, even as he begins that most human of tasks, the war calls…….even here, he can hear the underwater shocks…depth charges by the sound of it.

Zuiho rolls hard, and he has to steady himself against the toilets walls. a steady stream of curses emitting from him., some things, some things just cannot be hurried.

Finally, he finishes, returns to the bridge.
Zuiho has already resumed her course due east., and Hidaka awaits

The submarine alarm, apparently, is over.

‘results Hidaka?’
‘We have lost three fighters sir, the squadron has 16 kills in total”
‘the pilots?”
Hidaka shrugs, gives the names.
‘Nashiguichi? –wasn’t he our Christian?”
‘Apparently sir………….not that it matters now, he is lost to us”
‘yes” Hasegawa raises his glasses, concentrates on the flagship “ and I suspect this is not over by a long shot”
‘You think so?’

Hasegawa turns to him………”Come on young man. Do you really think the Americans are going to let this poke in the ribs go un answered? –would you?’

Hidaka grins. It is the grin of the warrior, of a man seeking a fight. A desire they both share. “No, no I would not.”

For a few minutes they observe the fleet about them. Mutsu is manouvering , recovering her float plane “ So tell me Captain, truly, where would you rather be now ? –here, on this little tub, or on her –useless fat guns and all”
Hasegawa laughs ‘you know you have converted me Hidaka .But still…………”



Below decks, Kurihama rages.
The death and injury of his crewmen mean nothing. Nothing. The possibility of his damaged plane being unavailable however is intolerable.
Battle, real battle, is coming. He can smell it
To kill a carrier………….


Dusk
From flagship
Task force shall move to position 180 miles due east Tarawa
CV Hiyo shall strike Tarawa to suppress repair parties.
All other ships to prepare for possible anti shipping strikes.
In light of lack of contact by main body, consider use of torpedoes imprudent
Arm bombers with GP bombs, for possible further raids on Tarawa .
Invasion fleet due to land in 48 hrs
Continue maximum effort

Captain Abe

“he’s got a lot to say today” Hasegawa hands the signal to Hidaka
Hidaka reads it, shakes his head. GP bombs……..what in the hell is he thinking?

‘Sir…….I”
‘You don’t have to say it Hidaka…….if its going to be bombs –make them AP –I am sure a runway won’t know the difference”




2000 hrs
The men eat
There is little conversation, no laughter.
Just an act that must be done.
Weariness drags at them all now, that bone filling tiredness that sets limbs trembling, eyes reddening
For some, this weariness feels like a disembodiment……….they are here , yet, they are not. Spectators to a nightmare they dream
Others, others stumble, or head down, mutter long monotones…..Others just stare

Eyes everywhere are red.
They eat. The battle continues. It may continue for many days. It may end tomorrow.
They eat, and all , without exception, wish it would…..just for five minutes. Just for a moment, just for a chance at sleep.



In DCC, this enclosed stinking sweat box, Minobe takes up the phone………rings the controlling engine room
“Sitrep please charge”
‘we need to blow soot………..other than that………..we are good.”
‘And fuel?”
the pause is long., “we are down to 50%”

Minobe is about to hang up, then, as an after thought….. “and the men?’
‘To be honest sir, less than 50%.”

“tell them to hang in there. We are Japanese. I am sure this will end soon”

Minobe means well.

But he cannot be more wrong, for Zuiho, the battle is just beginning.





600 miles to the south east of Minobe,, an undetected American admiral, famous for his aggression, bends to his communications

‘Attack!, I repeat……..Attack!”





(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 546
RE: falling cherry blossoms.......... - 7/28/2011 12:14:28 PM   
1275psi

 

Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		Extract from ‘shattering the sword” a cantona production

In war, the only thing you can expect, is the unexpected
This, the mightiest clash of the war to date, would hammer this point home………..


9/9/42


0400 hrs------160 miles east Tarawa
Again, the action alarms crash through out the ship.
Zuiho responds. They have had two hours rest, .and it is like steady rain to a parched crop. Men no longer shuffle, they walk, or run as required.

0400 hours, and already, well before light, she is ready for battle, the growl of the zeros already vibrating her deck.
Below, in the hanger, 9 kates wait, 250 kg bombs strapped to bellies.
Three are already gone, winging south, south east, south by south east. small wedges of that most desired by flight officers –the perfect search arc.
In 30 minutes time, the first 3 zeros will go aloft, and join the umbrella over the fleet.

Churchill has already spoken it, but it is true here to, (and doesn’t that apply to all who serve?)
Never, have so many, depended on so few.

The bad weather remains……heavy clouds, scattered showers.
The wind, still strong, blows due south.


0430 hr

600 miles almost due north east.
Combined fleet announces her presence. In the space of thirty minutes, her searching Kates locate , and in two cases, attack three lumbering convoys.

It is a mistake

Over 1000 square miles, Yamaguchi’s plan begins to fall apart………



0445 (approx)
is it fate that puts Okura at the tip of the spear, at its very razor edge?
How is it, that one so full of hate for herbiesan, the one who has ruined all he holds dear, should be here, now, at the point of first contact?
Oh, how easy, to shirk this duty today, to fly into the sky, and hide.

Quiet philosopher, reader, deep thinker.
Pilot
Combat pilot.
Trained, indoctrinated.
And still filled with love for his land
For his land of cherry blossoms, of hills, green, and villages colorful.

But he does not shirk
He does not hide

Now, in a sky, seemingly filled with enemy fighters, he plays a deadly game of hide and seek in the clouds.

Greyness surrounds them, wet, cold, impenetrable.

He is bringing his bomber around, minds eye trying to think ahead, calculating his position, his position , the battleships below, and the fighters around.

‘have you sent!’
Hie!……message sent sir!”

Calm. Controlled. “good. Very good”

How easy to shirk. ‘we must continue the search……..i am heading east again…….. that cannot be all that is out here……….”

No, a single battle ship cannot. Not with so many fighters about.

0447

‘message from Po Okura .
“have sighted KGV class BB, many escorts, 120 miles south east . many fighters about. Am continuing search”

0500
Okura, briefly, bursts from a cloud, and travels but 10 seconds in brilliant sun, before plunging again into the safety of the clouds, the beating rain.
It is enough.

“Mother of God!”


0505

‘second message from Okura sir!. 80 plus bombers -our way sir!.”

Hasegawa stands on his bridge.
Strange. I feel no pain now. None at all.












< Message edited by 1275psi -- 6/29/2013 12:44:41 PM >

(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 547
RE: falling cherry blossoms.......... - 7/28/2011 7:40:05 PM   
CV Zuikaku

 

Posts: 442
Joined: 12/18/2008
From: Legrad, Croatia
Status: offline 		I checked the thread expecting nothing and then THIS

(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 548
RE: falling cherry blossoms.......... - 7/28/2011 8:06:53 PM   
Insano

 

Posts: 228
Joined: 7/23/2009
From: Joplin, Missouri
Status: offline 		uh oh, Insano HQ is $hit'n bricks right now - can't wait for the update!

(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 549
Midway moment?????????? - 7/29/2011 7:37:11 AM   
1275psi

 

Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		0510

Hidaka races across the flight deck, arms waving to the men about the three zeros still waiting………’Get them up!, get them up!, get them up!”

As he races towards the companion way leading below, mind already planning the process of getting the other birds up, his eyes momentarily lock onto the gunner of last week…………….and it comes thundering back…….
His promise. “they will not let them through!”

They won’t, they mustn’t.

80 plus…………..impossible.

His lead armourer, normally a steady man, meets him in the hanger.
News travels fast………….
‘Shall we change to torpedo’s sir?’
panic, fear race across his face

caught, caught with their pants down…………..
a decision.
‘NO!..as soon as the zeros are aloft…… if we survive whats coming, we must strike back!…we fight you hear!’
Hidaka stops .and repeats it. Loud, letting all in the hanger hear it, shouting it: ‘We fight !”!
‘get the bombers on deck as soon as the zeros are up!’

And then, it is back to the flight deck, back to his eagles.
Back to the shield so thin.






But the shield is thickening by the moment.
Captain Abe swings the fleet north, into to the teeth of the wind, and every ship pounds as fast as it can North, fleeing the hammer approaching.

The mathematics are brutal

Bomber cruise speed, 160 knots.
Less 30 knots wind
Less 30 in the fleet.

They may save ten minutes.
Ten minutes……you can launch, if you are good, a lot of fighters in ten minutes…..



0520

Charge glances for the hundredth time at the gauge panels.

They are truly, truly, holding nothing back.

The mental litany continues……….boiler pressure good, holding, fuel good, vacuum, holding, barely……….

About him, each face is stony, pale, each man consumed with the inner fear.
News travels fast
The bombers are coming…………

Surrounded by vibrating, howling machinery, and a hundred pipes, each containing instant death, how many thoughts now think about what surrounds them.
Steam about them, fuel tanks ahead and astern. . planes, and bombs too.

The hatches are shut. Bolted down, the escape scuttles screwed tight.

You must flee.
It is madness to stay here, to stay where escape may soon be impossible……

Zuiho’s stokers…………no different to any that have ever served below, and waited.
Stand to their duty



Zuiho shudders, healing slightly as Hasegawa unseen above, where there is light and life, brings her around closer to Mutsu…..and men glance at each other.

The gauges are good
“So boys, did I tell you about that time in Nagasaki with madam Ling? –you know, of the massive arse and …………..”













The enemy strike bursts from the clouds, and Abe’s fleet is there, around them, for hundreds of miles, the weather is foul.
But not here.
Here, it is clear.
Hasegawa see’s them, his glasses picking out the dots, black, tiny, coming out of the grey.
‘how many do you make!”
‘Forty plus sir!

Yes-.forty plus……….this is going to be hard……….

‘Sir!…….no fighter escort sir!”

he looks again…………and yes----------his lookout is right.
No escort.



“Extract from shattering the sword’ a cantona production

0550, and Hasley’s great “bushwack”, so carefully planned, begins to come undone
80 bombers, and nearly 50 fighters launched in a coordinated strike, planned to arrive before the japanese carriers can prepare any strike of their own.

Executed perfectly
Ruined totally by a variable not even he can control-the weather

Not a single fighter will arrive with the strikes. How this fiasco occurred, we will now examine in the next chapter.
For the Japanese, it must have felt like a miracle




15 avengers, 18 dauntless burst from the clouds, and the zeros pounce……….


0615

‘all the CAP fighters are clear sir………..”

Hidaka drags his eyes from the horizon. Planes, a great many planes, are plunging seaward there……
His eyes turn to Hiyo…..where 9 kates lumber aloft…………captain Aishii preferring to get them away now………

We must strike………we must.
‘get the bombers spotted!. Get them up!, I want to launch within the hour!”






0630….


Diogawa curse, banks his zero hard.
Ahead, a solid wall of cloud.

The last bomber is gone………..shot down even before he could race across the spread of the fleet, and now he joins the milling fighters, nearly 40 strong, wondering, waiting for what will happen next.

The fleet , he sees, is sliding under the clouds again .

He dives down, a great spiraling descent, and takes up circuit .

Cloud base, 5000………..and about, still patches of rain.


Ensign Nakahara joins him, his face, so youthful, is split by a tremendous grin.
He holds up three fingers……….
Zuiho has a new ace, that is six in total for the baby faced killer on his wingtip.

Nakahara points to his guns, empty!, and waves, and dives for home.

And another 6 bombers burst from the clouds……..racing across the sea towards the fleet.
And again, like wolves, the pack pounces.



0700
Six zeros are spotted on Zuiho’s deck now, right at her bow.
Just aft of them, the forward hanger ding, ding, dings, as the third kate is raised up, and a dozen men or more , sweating, cursing men, begin to push it towards the fantail.

A similar story is occurring on all the carriers, the dice has been rolled. The strike must be spotted.
Overhead, a mere 26 fighters circle under the blanket.




0720

Okura circles too.
Somehow, some how, he and his crew, have survived the most deadly game of hide and seek he has ever played.

Nine times!, nine!, wildcats have seen him, nine times he has made for the clouds…..and come out where the enemy was not.

The sky has been, literally, full of the enemy.
‘The deck looks closed sir!’
yes, yes it was. .Hidaka is getting a strike spotted……. At least 30 minutes.
Does he have the fuel?. Maybe?. Maybe not.

They fly in silence, circling at 1000 feet. Okura is grateful merely for being alive.
Grateful that the fleet is still even here...


“Extract from shattering the sword’ a cantona production

we know now, that over 50 bombers turned back that day, defeated by the weather, or deterred by the lack of escort.
That is the official story.
Of course, even now, we argue…….why did so many turn back?………when so many pressed on?


0742

The fleet now races east again…Captain Abe determined to close the range. Nobody questions him. This fleet includes two mighty battleships, and 4 heavy cruisers. Perhaps he thinks only of a surface engagement?

The strike is all but ready, only Hiyo lags, they need ten more minutes.

But again, the bombers come in

16 this time
16 avengers, low, hard, fast…….coming in from astern, in this terrible grey light, the light rain, you can barely make them out……….


Hasegawa stands at the binnacle………rock steady.
On each bridgewing, junior officers are relaying to him the battle, and for the thousandth time he curses the design of this ship, this see nothing, hindering bridge

‘three bombers coming up on the starboard flank …………..3000 yards, 2500, 2000,, the fighters are on them sir………….two still coming……….(and now down aft.the banging of the AA guns, the aft 4.7’s entering the battle at last)…one left…….YES!.they got him too!

Hasegawa issues the rebuke………..for it is needed. This is the navy after all. “just the reports please Midshipman, just the reports……if I want enthusiasm, I will go watch the baseball”

The midshipman, chastened, but still grinning (for this is a battle after all, and the horror is yet to begin).replies

“yes sir, I will try sir”
‘
Any more about?’

Obviously not. Now captain Abe……..”send to flagship. Recommend launch strike immediately!”

‘Concur. Turn into wind, commence launching”

0800

Three attacks
Three separate rolling brawls. Each one dragging the CAP down, expending ammunition, fuel, dispersing the ever fewer numbers of fighters over a greater, and greater area.

4 carriers, decks loaded with planes, turning into the wind.

Above, another break in the clouds…………

And in it…………attack number four
Wasps strike. 15 avengers, 15 dauntless bombers at 10000 feet.

The battle goes badly for America.

History prepares to pivot.




< Message edited by 1275psi -- 7/29/2011 7:39:24 AM >

(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 550
RE: Midway moment?????????? - 7/29/2011 5:54:03 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		WELL DONE!

_____________________________



Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.

Reluctant Admiral Mod:
https://sites.google.com/site/reluctantadmiral/

(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 551
RE: battle speed one! - 7/29/2011 11:48:32 PM   
1275psi

 

Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		Hi insano!



Captain Wallace eyes the carriers below, , rocks his wings, and adjusts his goggles, and pushes the bomber over into the dive.


And dies


Six zeros are amongst them, slashing through the formation from dead ahead
Six fighters
Six men, six disciplined men, who have resisted the temptation to follow the hunt
Who have obeyed their orders
‘protect the carrier.’

Six men
Combat hardened veterans

Zuiho’s men

Five bombers go down before they push over, the rest waver, and scatter

Over zuiho, but unseen by her, attention too riveted to the action about them, this latest attack is destroyed.

0812

It is japans turn now

“Commence launching”

Kurihama is a murderous son of a bitch
A sadist
But now, in this moment, who else to lead the attack?

He leads them into the grey skies, gathers with his wolves, and fades into the murk
Combined, 21 zeros, 22 kates, and 18 vals,.
Will it be enough?


The task force begins to recover its eagles, they bounce down.
Men race to the machines, ammunition belts trailing. Fuel hoses snake, and the stench of gas is whipped away.
The pilots wait, take fluid, and climb away again

Okura, running on fumes, comes in.
‘How many cariers?”
he cannot tell-------he has not actually seen them. But so many fighters, so many attacks.
Escorts he has seen.
Hidaka pats the exhausted man on the shoulders, it is enough. There are, must be, at least three of them out there.
Too many

Where in the hell was KB?


‘You have done well Okura….but I must send you again!”
“Hie!”
“we must know whats out there!”

Okura grins……’the whole bloody American fleet I should think!”







600 miles North, Yamaguchi receives the first message

‘Multiple carrier contacts to my east, my position……….

.am under heavy attack”

Abe



He remains passive, doing what his people have done whenever bad news comes
Stoicism separates them.
It is them

The trap has sprung…………but not on them.
Very well then. He must recover this mess.

‘Inform Captain Abe we are coming. Any ship that cannot maintain full power fuel wise for the next 24 hrs is to be detached. Come full south, full speed.
We will rendezvous with ABE …….here , 300 miles NNE of Tarawa, and Combined, effect the decisive battle”

And then, almost as an afterthought
‘tell the invasion fleet to retire to Truk”

it has achieved its aim, why risk it in this fiasco?


If any thing of ABE remains
If the Americans stay, and fight.
We are going to miss again Yamaguchi. Damnation. We are going to miss again!







0840

On the horizon, 13 Avengers (survivors from the last attack?) are turning away,

Hasegawa, Hidaka, his officers watch as the murder continues at a distance


Hidaka speaks..’Sir, if I may be so bold”
“Your mind please Hidaka.”
The captain turns to him

Hidaka see’s it
He is old, and grey…..and, dare he say it. Yes. Yellow, he see’s the tinges in his eyes, the pallor on the skin
His Captain is exhausted….but there is more. And the terrible thought rises, cannot be dismissed
My Captain is dying

But not now Not today. Not that way
“sir, I think that must be it for the enemy strikes………I recommend breakfast, a watch change.a rest.
This battle may have only just begun”

Hasegawa stares at his friend, glances at his watch
0840?
Is that all.?
Surely that is wrong, it must be nearly midday?

I must sit.
I must
This is his battle now, Hidaka’s. You must trust him now
The day of the battleship man is done, yes?
Yes.
“”You are right Hidaka.as usual. .Coxswain!, pipe fall out of action stations, commence action messing, watch change to be effected by 0930”






0945

port boiler room

“port Engine room, port boiler room”
‘Hi Hirate!, did you get some breakfast?”
“yes Okano, I did……….is the charge there?”
‘yes….where else?”
‘can I speak to him?”



“he says no, get stuffed, and where is his breakfast!”


Zuiho, still at high speed, thunders on



0946
It is not a KGV, but a new ship
The North Carolina.a big beautiful ship, steaming hard due west.

Kurihama see’s it immediately. Fast surface action group………maneuvering ahead under carrier air cover, ready to pounce on the invasion fleet, or worse……..

He scowls………….again.
250 kg bloody bombs against that?
Eggs on concrete…….

He looks at the still thickening sky, the water streaming across the canopy.
You take what you can get………….


‘Fire the attack flare!”
“lets see if we cannot ruin some ones day yes!”






Extract from Shattering the sword.a cantona production

……….Kurihama, acknowledged by many now, as “japans ship killer” leads the attack
14 wildcats, 7 kingfisher float planes defend

It is a brutal, long fight, both sides hampered by the weather, the battle ship and escort guns also handicapped.
There is no doubt, that if armed with torpedos, North Carolina would have been sunk today.
But her Armour, .today….. holds true
Nine bombs hit her, 4 cause no damage. Three destroy upper deck AA guns
One destroys her catapult
The last one, however, is critical
We now know that Kurihama deliverd it.
It strikes her new gunnery control radar, kills 37men.

America’s most modern battle ship will fight on in local control.
Unknown to anyone in the Japanese Fleet, it is this single hit, that will swing the battle………and as some argue still.
The war




Zuiho loses a kate
She loses 3 zeros too

All up the strike costs 15 fighters, the kate, 3 val

They turn for home, leaving the smoking, but still steaming hard battleship in its wake
By midday, they are home.











From 1275psi……This has only just begun.I have never fought such a battle as what is ahead.
SOOOOOOOOO much to tell!!!!!!!!


(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 552
RE: battle speed one! - 7/30/2011 1:28:07 AM   
FatR

 

Posts: 2522
Joined: 10/23/2009
From: St.Petersburg, Russia
Status: offline 		A great AAR, and a great moment! We're waiting for more.

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Post #: 553
Plunging into the dark - 7/30/2011 9:47:56 AM   
1275psi

 

Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		for those following, thankyou for the encouragement

The battle for Tarawa continues:



1330 hrs

Zuiho continues to steam hard due east.

But other than her plane guard destroyer, hanging on grimly astern, she may as well be the only ship on the ocean

The fleet is scattered…………too many violent maneuvers to avoid attack, or to launch aircraft, or to recover them.

The fleet, in nice parlance………is getting itself sorted again.

But principally Zuiho is alone because of the weather…….sheeting rain now covers her. The sort that turns the surface of the waters into beaten soup, that blinds you on the upper decks

It sheets down, and the clouds now hang wet and soggy, at a mere 1000 feet. In this rain, at this time, this is probably as good as her visibility is as well.


On her decks, a second strike sits now……..the great fish glimmering in the wet.
Her crew remain at action stations relaxed……….a state that allows a small trickle of men to leave stations, to eat, to relieve themselves. Many take this chance to grab some sleep..10 minutes, just ten minutes can see you through many hours yet.

In the hanger, Hidaka walks from one group of exhausted ground crew to another.
He thanks them.
His planes are ready again, and in record time.

And maybe now, for the first time, he really see’s these humble men, and how important they are to him.
He thanks them, and returns to his pilots.


The ready room.
They are all, with out exception, slumped against walls, or the passage way, or for the lucky ones, in the few chairs.
There is no speech, no banter.
many appear dazed, semi shocked. Some sleep, some simply sit, heads hanging
The grim reality of war stalks the room.

The intelligence officer has finished, ‘I will meet you on the bridge”.
Hidaka looks around.
Too many missing faces. Too many.

He needs to say something, anything………but cannot find the words.
What can he say?
They owe them their lives.







1630 Hrs

Zuihos bridge

It is still raining, hard.
But now, at least, when he looks out to port, there, vaguely there, he can see CA Kumano, great creaming bone at her bow.
Hasegawa gathers them around the chart

‘gentlemen, apparently the weather over Shoho is not nearly as bad as ours…..she launched a full strike an hour ago.”
His face becomes grim..”14 zeros, 8 kates. Shot down to a man. Whatever is out there has teeth.
Hiyo too has got some birds away…6 of her vals pressed an attack on that battle wagon…here. “

There are murmers. Here is a mere 120 miles to the south east.
Hasegawa raises a hand for silence..” yes, I know, too close, too bloody close. More important.- Mutsu was attacked by 15 avengers 30 minutes ago. Whatever faces us not only still has teeth, but is still fighting.”

He straightens, takes them in the eye,. “gentlemen, I am, as you know, a battleship man. It appears to me we are in the middle of a stand up and die carrier fight. What , in your opinions, will the enemy do?”

The intelligence Officer speaks. “preliminary figures sir. So far the fleet claims 28 Avengers, 21 dauntless, only 5 wildcats.
We have lost 20 zeros, a dozen Kates, a dozen Vals..
We believe three carriers are out there….Saratoga, Yorktown, Wasp. Even with losses, we face at least 200 a/c”

‘And us?”
“we have just over 100”

silence

“Where is Combined fleet?’ it is Hidaka who asks the obvious.
‘We should meet them mid morning………….here. Regrettably, several allied convoys to the north of us………combined fleet is spotted. “

“700 plus vs 200 by mid morning?’

“yes”

Hidaka swears, that single horrible word.

“The Americans will be long gone by then. They will retire to the south, and get away again”
Hasegawa nods in agreement
‘yes, a day late and a dollar short………again”

Hasegawa makes his decision. ‘I cannot see us launching again in this crud.
Hopefully Abe will have us all organized by morning, then…..well, who knows.
As soon as dusk falls, we will fall out. Get the men, and ourselves some rest. Hidaka…….keep the strike on deck for the morning .”

They stiffen…….salute
‘let the men know how proud I am of them. Get them some rest…….tomorrow is another day”





Abes fleet punches out of the weather just on 2000 hours.
The rain stops……..and visibility increases to miles. There is little moon.

Captain Abe continues to gather his fleet, by midnight he will have them all back where he wants them.

Midnight will be about three hours too late………………………

(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 554
RE: battle speed one! - 7/31/2011 6:47:47 AM   
1275psi

 

Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		OH, to be able to draw a picture and post……………







2200 hours

Hasegawa awakens from a disturbed sleep.
He has had two hours……….hours filled with fitful dreams of diving hell bombers.
For a moment, he stocktakes his body………….the pain, the tiredness.
The grainy eyes.
But something has awoken him.

Around him, Zuiho seems to be OK, the fans more muted now, the vibrations less.
The ship..feels asleep.

But something has awoken him

He swings out of his bed, slips on his slippers, his jacket, and makes his way to the quiet, darkened bridge.

And meets Hidaka.
‘Can’t sleep either/”
A silent nod of agreement

“Officer of the Watch, captain on the bridge……….what is the fleet disposition please”

He is only twenty, is this young man, but he has been trained well.

“ We lead Shoho, port column ..500 yard spacing. Hiyo leads Junyo, starboard column..1000 yards spacing. Single destroyer ahead, one each flank. CA Kumano port astern of us. Our speed is 15 knots, course due east.”

A single destroyer leading?…………

“the battleships?, the main body?”

“Mutsu , Nagato, the three cruisers, remaining ships, steaming hard sir, line ahead, about 3000 yards astern………..they will be here soon”
Still getting our S#it into a sock yes?’
‘apparently so sir………..”


Hasegawa moves to the starboard wing, reaches for his glasses. Something woke him, but what?

And then, abruptly, at 12000 yards, fine on the starboard bow, he gets his answer.

Battleship North Carolina opens fire



(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 555
RE: battle speed one! - 7/31/2011 6:59:12 AM   
John 3rd


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Post #: 556
RE: battle speed one! - 7/31/2011 7:55:38 AM   
Saros

 

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Post #: 557
RE: battle speed one! - 7/31/2011 9:11:08 AM   
1275psi

 

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believe it or not.........this ride has only just begun




Hasegawa, battleship man, reacts.

“Full ahead Flank!, hard to port!, All guns, action starboard, shoot, shoot, shoot!”

his ship leaps to action about him, the alarms crashing through the ship. No man lags, for the guns are already firing, and nothing, bar nothing, can drop the adrenalin as that sound can

below, the charge awakens, takes the throttles, and never is a steadier hand required .
Zuiho begins to tremble as she surges forward, begins the heal as the rudder bites.

Ahead of her, North Carolina leads the cruiser Honolulu and two destroyers, slitting the dark with crashing fire
Surprise is complete, and even as the formation begins to turn, the strikes begin

It is a destroyers shell that strikes her first. It hits one of the supports for the flight deck forward of the bridge, slices through it…………..fails to explode

The second is 16 inches round…………….it screams 2 feet across the flight deck., literally sweeping three zeros with it……………it does not explode.

The third ricochets from the surface , spinning wildly, it smacks her flank near the water line……….and does not explode

Junyo is not so lucky……………..nor Hiyo, each exposing their flanks as they frantically try to come about


Hasegawa , battleship man, does not panic. The seas erupt about him, towering pinnacles of whiteness in this dark
He stands.
And commands

The enemy are coming about too……..the range plummeting, and a million things crowd into his mind………..the sickening flashes and explosions from behind him as the other carriers receive,……..the onrushing shape of Kumano dancing just behind his stern……..guns replying in almost machine gun fashion…..and above all, the overwhelming need to keep Zuiho’s arse pointing at the wildly maneuvering battleship hunting him down.
He barely raises his voice, coldly, calmly directing his helmsman……...Wheel amidships, hard to starboard………Steady men……….order all destroyers….torpedo attack!

But there are only three destroyers……….

Three minutes in, heading due west now, hauling to turn to the North, Hiyo, Junyo on his Port flank now, OH God –they burn!…….Kumano behind…….charging the enemy

Where are the battlewagons!………GOD, ABE….come on!

North Carolina steams parallel to them, Honolulu right up her arse…..and they pour fire their way

And Mutsu, Nagato.great barrels searching, surge past in between. and the giants have at it…

“Wheel admidships!……he runs them, for they follow……the carriers at hard right angles to the storm erupting behind them.

A glance at the bridge display…….30 knots……….good…….a yell to the XO –to the gunnery officer –fire.for gods sake fire!. for slicing in comes a rogue destroyer………and again the air is filled with water, screaming shrapnel, and incredible near misses…..

‘Hard to starboard!…………enemy battlewagon last seen heading due west……..let us escape due east………….

And suddenly………..the firing is over…………..

‘damage report!”
“Sir, Junyo reports 4 hits……….afire aft, unable to maintain anymore than 20 knots”
Damnation!
Every one else?

The reports race in.Hiyo, a hit, Shoho, a hit…….and the rest……..the battle line?
Where the hell is that fool Abe?……..what the hell is happening?

‘report from DD Ashigari ….two torpedo hits on the enemy battleship………

Good, that will deter him………..surely.

Hasegawa takes in the horizon………Ahh.there is Mutsu, Nagato Coming on…….unharmed?………..no, Mutsu is ablaze admidships………damnation….a fire you could see a thousand miles away.

The carriers?……..
He races to the other wing……and the horror strikes.
Junyo does not burn, she sprouts fire………a towering crackling flame, a geyser of heat from her stern area………something highly inflammable, under pressure, wreaks hell upon her.

Even from here, in this night, he can see the figures on her flight deck, her superstructure stark and white.

“Minobe sir……we appear to be undamaged”

To think………my crew calls this the cursed ship………what could you think now?

“Sir, Mutsu signals .Maintain present course, I will catch you”

Honolulu catches them first

They are brave men, these Americans
And they know there job

This time there are two cruisers, the Honolulu, the San Francisco.

They race into the fleet, running parallel to them, and even as the Kumano, the Ashigara plant themselves between them and their prey, they do their job

They concentrate all fire onto the hapless Hiyo, and Junyo attracts streaking tracer as a fire attracts the moths………hit after hit…….
They ignore the incoming from the Japanese cruisers, .allowing them, and now the fast catching Nagato to fire undisturbed, unhindered.

San Francisco leaps into the night…….split by two long lances……….and again, the firing fades away.

So does Hiyo, the raging beacon of flame cannot keep up now, and Hasegawa cannot, must not wait for her.
His friends are dying behind him, in the night, in that horrible light……..and he must race into the darkness, and curse, and curse, at battleships so poorly handled, a fleet so badly commanded.

Hasegawa , battleship man, fights at close range, with out a decent gun.


The firing dies……….and silence has fallen
About him, men still work at their duties……. For it is the only way to stave of the fear that bubbles just below.
You cannot feel frightened.
You must not
You cannot, will not, let your shipmates down.

Zuiho, to a man, continues to do their duty.


Hidaka breaks the silence…….

‘I would rather take on 100 enemy fighters, alone, than do THAT again”
Hasegawa smiles….. see, young man……..that was navy work.

‘A bit rough Hidaka?…….I thought you said that truk of a battlewagon was sunk yesterday?’

Hidaka, somewhat hurt, Hrrumps…….’yes I did……..didn’t I?”
“yes” and the dryness of the desert comes from the Captain…”Yes, you did……….make sure next time will you?”
‘Now who is for some tea?………and I would be very pleased if someone, anyone could tell me where the hell our battle line is, .and where they want us to go”
He moves to his binnacle. Center of security. Obviously racing around the ocean like this, can be bad for ones health”




Extract from ‘shattering the Sword” a cantona production

….it is, of course, remembered as one of the most outstanding naval actions of the war

Honolulu has lead the North Carolina into the perfect tactical position against the Japanese fleet.
She has shot truly, and well, scoring multiple hits on the enemy carriers.
She has shrugged aside the collision with the DD Dayson
And, as North Carolina has staggered out of the line, she has toed to toed with the Cream of Japans battle line

Turned away, she has tried again, and again, and crossed the T, continued to wreak havoc amongst the enemy, watched her Companion cruiser plunge to the bottom
And continue to fight.

And then, incredibly, just before dawn, ammunition almost gone…her captain again takes the enemy across the T.

She fights to the last……literally daring the enemy battle line to drive over her in their flight to the east.
It takes an hour, with her stars and stripes still flying, before they do.






Incredibly, Hiyo puts out her fires.
Shoho too

Junyo sinks at dawn, her funnel literally sliding off her, her hanger burnt to the waterline. She will die alone, deep in the wastes east of Tarawa.
The dispatched DD will pick up just 200 men.
Her captain Ishii is not amongst them


They hope to meet Combined fleet just on Midday .Hasegaw, voice low with exhaustion and shock, sums up the
thoughts of all of them

“Too bloody late……….again”




< Message edited by 1275psi -- 7/31/2011 9:51:19 AM >

(in reply to Saros)
Post #: 558
RE: battle speed one! - 7/31/2011 11:03:31 AM   
Insano

 

Posts: 228
Joined: 7/23/2009
From: Joplin, Missouri
Status: offline 		wow awesome! Thanks for writing this for all our enjoyment 1275psi!

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Post #: 559
RE: battle speed one! - 7/31/2011 12:25:59 PM   
1275psi

 

Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		(I think we might let everyone catch up now..........and let the suspense grow a bit)


Dawn

How far can you push men?
How many days, how much action, how many close encounters with death?
How far can you push them………….until they break


“CMDR Korii………..bridge”

Zuihos medic arrives. He greets faces grey with fatigue, some still pale with post action shock.
This he is used to, has seen all morning through out Zuiho’s decks
He does not expect to find grief.
Instantly he sees them, the knot of men in the starboard corner, the prone figure on the deck.
It is, of course, Hasegawa.
He moves into the circle of men, expecting the worst.

Hasegawa smiles weakly……….”just a small turn My friend………..I, I slipped….I think.”

Korii nods………..encourage the patient, always encourage them. He sets to work. What little work he can do.
“You must rest captain., you must”
Hasegawa’s face slips its smile. Cold hard determination, annoyance, anger fills it. ‘rest!.now?!.with this battle not yet done! . We rest, when we have won……….or are dead.” He struggles to rise. “Korii……I am about done” he whispers viscously “if you have a shot of magic in that bag of yours, now would be a good time”

They stare, face to face.
“it may kill you”
‘And so?…….now maybe , or a bomb later,?. I prefer to go down fighting, not lying in some bloody bed!”
“Alright, I will do it….but you must rest”
“when I rest…we all rest. .Now give me that bloody shot!”


Around Zuiho, men gather in small groups. All have tales to share.
From the 4.7 inch AA gunners, bursting with pride……..how many of their Kin can say they fought a battle wagon? Fought one, hit one..and lived?
To others…….from the stokers, to the lowest steward. All have tales of near misses, of seeing shells……..of the sights they have seen

Many gather around the remains of the three fighters, and marvel at the carnage.
Then, casually, as if it happens every day, they help shovel the remains over the side, clear the decks.

Below, Minobe, the Charge, the shipwright, move methodically through her, seeking, seeking any hidden damage. They find some cracked welds around several gun mounts, little else.
The charge visits all his men.
Magically, his pockets are filled with many things
Cigarettes (although he does not smoke) , or chocolate bars, or sweets.

They seem deep those pockets this morning……..

He walks about the men, smiling, laughing, .and keeping secret Zuiho’s perilous fuel state.

Hidaka too talks to his men
His approach is different today.
He always has had steel in him. Today, it is razor sharp.

Incredibly, Hiyo may be able to launch Vals by 1000 hrs.
He intends to give them a target

11 kates, every one, will go out on search within the hour.
He intends to be at the controls of one.


The pilots gather.
It has been a long night.

They listen to Hidaka. He talks about duty, about japan, about family, honour.
I don’t think they listen
I think they think about only one thing.

Revenge

Let us finish this. Finish this battle, this war. Finish it, and let us go home!

How far can you push men
How far can you push them, before they crack?
A long way, a long, long way, it seems, if you give them a chance, a glimpse of a finish.

Moral, incredibly (or is it so incredible) soars through out the happy phoenix
They have survived the enemy’s worst.
Minds begin to turn to a better thought.
Dishing it out.



(We must, because we must.go elsewhere)

112th regiment are in position. Spread in a silent, stealthy arc, the men cover the hills surrounding Warizup.
1st Glouestershire regiment holds this insignificant village.
Why, Hosho cannot tell. But they do.
Tomorrow, his company will lead the attack




1000 hrs.
Zuihos decks are empty.
Above, 6 zeros fly CAP
5 have escorted Hiyo’s Val strike, where they will watch with relish a small destroyer duck, weave, and fail to dodge the cascade of bombs delivered against her.
A ship will die………another in this increasingly bloody battle

But in the measure of things to come………………….







Hidaka see’s her first……….right there, on the edge of vision.
He focuses on her with his beloved German binoculars, makes his observations
And escapes the rising wasps for home….

Kurihama too, see’s another, and he too, makes his observations, and comes home

As do most of them

One Kate, three men, is caught by the wasps.
Stung to death, they plummet unseen, into the sea






1600 hours

Hasegawa sits, half propped, in one corner of the bridge. Nobody thinks twice that he sits wrapped in a blanket, in his Pajamas and slippers.

He needs no uniform on THIS bridge now to state his Authority……
Hidaka, at his side murmers the thought so many think……
“bloody incredible”

Hasegawa should be resting. He should be asleep. But who could miss THAT!

THAT steams 500 yards on the Starboard quarter.

Combined fleet is here. Leading the way, arrogantly stating that the days of her kind are not yet done, battle ship Yamato carves the seas.
Yamato is a mere ship…………..yes.
But here..now………..in the context of this, of this battle, she is more.

This is Japan.
This is the might of Japan.
And we come to fight.











1800 hrs

Yamaguchi studies the map.
“your opinion Hara?”

Hara pauses ( my opinion Admiral…….do you really want my opinion?. A carrier sunk, two more damaged, the entire fleet hanging out here, running on bloody fumes. The invasion fleet vulnerable, and Tarawa between us,, the tankers, and…heaven help me.what a goddam mess…….the entire American navy out here between us and home. And you want my opinion? My opinion….this is a crap fight!)

“We are on a knife edge Admiral……but I think we have missed our chance..”

Yamaguchi looks at him sharply (and you would like that too ney?……like to see me fail………so you can take my place.not bloody likely Hara, not bloody likely)

“maybe, maybe not. Here is how I see it. We are 260 miles due east Tarawa.
The enemy , at least three carriers, 2 Battle ships strong, is 80 miles due east of this dot..ARORAE.. I believe they will retire………..must retire, for now.
I would……..
So…….we must refuel, get Hiyo home. We will do that. .
Maybe they will come into range again to defend Tarawa……..( I am groping, hoping. Damnation, we have missed again)

Nevertheless, prepare for carrier action in the morning………we can only hope……yes?







Yamaguchi will see in the night depressed, disappointed.
After all, he cannot see the future

But overnight, for reasons he will never understand, the enemy will not retire.
They will move north, towards Tarawa (perhaps to hit the invasion fleet?)
Not that it matters, they will be THERE.

And finally, his, Yamamotos’, Herbiesans dream , so many months in waiting,, and planning, scheming and frustration, will finally occur.

Japan will get her decisive battle.












(in reply to Insano)
Post #: 560
RE: battle speed one! - 7/31/2011 12:33:11 PM   
PaxMondo


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Post #: 561
RE: battle speed one! - 7/31/2011 3:38:08 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline

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Post #: 562
decisive battle - 8/1/2011 9:46:31 AM   
1275psi

 

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Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		11/9/42

0400 hours

Zuiho has 33 kills, of aircraft
She has certainly taken down more tonnage of shipping than she displaces.
System damage sits at a mere two.

Hasegawa remains on the bridge. If today is THE day……..the decisive day, he will act in only one way. His entire life has been bent to this moment. He will take it before death snatches him.
He greets the dawn. Strangely he feels no pain. In fact, right now, he feels like he did when he turned 16, and first strode upon the decks of his first ship, that piddling 250 ton excuse of a destroyer……….full of excitement, anticipation.. fear of what might lie ahead, is incomprehensible

Hidaka prowls the flight deck. He too, is filled with exhilaration. He has seen the enemy……..and his guts tells him, he will see them again, very soon.. He has pulled rank, and will fly again today. There can be no other honour he can think of.

Minobe …ah Minobe.
He sits quietly in the corner of the Damage Control central compartment., staring almost endlessly at the damage control marking panels. Nobody speaks to him, and he offers nothing.

There is nothing to offer. Unseen by those around him………..his mind is gone.
He has seen, that night, that torrent of fire from Hiyo. He has seen Junyo burning from end to end, her sides glowing red in the night.
Fire.
Fire on a carrier. Exhaustion, terror,..and that flaw that he has failed to hold back, quietly have combined.
Minobe sits……..but his mind is not here

Hirate sleeps in the forward damage control base. He sleeps easy. He is not afraid, but he is not brave. He simply cannot imagine what might come. He has been ordered to rest…..and that is an easy order right now to obey.

Okano rests too, leaning against his best friend Hirate. He too, thinks little of what is ahead. His mind flits from thoughts of home, to the forthcoming watch. But mostly he thinks about breakfast…………

Lurch dozes in DCC.
He is bored……….but also quietly fighting his fear. Not the fear of battle, of death, of those things. A simple fear. He faces a bank of phones. In battle, if damaged, so many will depend on him.
He fears above all, letting them down.

Ogawa dresses. Methodically he draws on each item, ensuring each detail is in place.
He once thought himself a coward, inadequate for what was entrusted in him. That he would never match the expectations placed upon him.
This morning, as he prepares, 4 kills under his belt, he feels at peace.
Ogawa, the boy, is gone
Ogawa the man, dresses in his place.

Diogawa dresses to……….in a panic worse than normal. He has misplaced his lucky charm (the nature of which we cannot reveal in a family friendly tale).and he tears the ready room apart looking for it.
His greatest battle of his life lays ahead, and it is the furtherest thing from his mind.

Okura does his duty. He briefs his crew, inspects his bomber in the cool pre dawn, tastes the salt breeze on his tongue. He feels little. What comes, will come

Kurihama seethes………what else would you expect?. Zuiho kates will all fly this day……on naval search. Zuiho is the main eyes for combined fleet.
Search……….means no fish.
Again.
Alright then……..if he has a bomb, then he has a bomb.
He intends to use it.

Cmdr Korii examines the sickbay. And prays he is ready enough.

0410
‘hands to flying stations. Prepare to launch search aircraft. “


how many days of battle now?
It does not matter.
Unknown, yet, to them………today it truly begins


(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 563
RE: decisive battle - 8/1/2011 5:30:28 PM   
a7v


Posts: 75
Joined: 3/18/2001
From: Germany
Status: offline 		Ok, then please let it begin

Thanks again for this really nice " Hibiki-style" AAR. It was already good at the beginning, but since then it became smoother and more polished with every entry. It is definitly one of my favorite 3 AARs.

Sincerely

Rainer

(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 564
carrier Battle! - 8/2/2011 10:58:23 AM   
1275psi

 

Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline 		Thankyou for the comments
I don't think much of my writing myself -its pretty overblown -but its fun. Rushed, never really edited, but fun to do.
Plus, what better way to share such a fab game!

OK, after all that creeping up to the battle......(and remember, waiting for Cantona to return, which, thankfully, he now has)

carrier battle........Tarawa


0516 hrs
Dawn truly has not yet risen, although a plane flying at 5000 feet would be glittering, the waters here remain grey…………and the great bulks of the warships still appear ill defined, vague….almost ethereal

Kurihama races across these dark seas, barely 20 feet above them………a dark swift eagle darting in at the stern of the great carrier in front of him

Saratoga……….how can you mistake her for anything else, that huge towering funnel.

The kate is a surprisingly fast bomber, and Kurihama has wrested every ounce of energy from the dive he commenced the moment this monster hoved into view.
Energy and speed perfectly timed

Surprise is complete………a few guns might have fired at him, he never notices, or cares. The great stern rushes closer, looming, and he eases, no zooms over it, climbing hard, engine howling over the beating roar of her packed flight deck, and his bomb smacks square into her aft quarter, shattering AA guns, flinging men and metal in a horrible mushroom.

He savagely howls a scream of triumph and dives for the deck again, weaving hard right, right again as the mad wildcats seek revenge.
The chase does not last long, for the fighters have other problems now.

Kurihama heads for home, it wont take long.
Both fleets are a mere 160 miles apart.


Yamaguchi watches the last plane of the first strike climb to join the mighty fist circling.
Excitement as he has never felt grips him

Contact, contacts……..so many, so close.
The reports have flowed in……..the search planes barrowing in at dawn, or even before dawn

A val from Soryu has hit a BB
The North Carolina crawls away a mere 80 miles hence
A val has reported a hit on the Yorktown
And a kate has hit the great Saratoga

A bad start for the Americans……..

The strike passes directly overhead, heading straight at the enemy.
His second, already warms on the decks


Hidaka watches them too.
Hasegawa has prohibited him from going………the correct decision yes. But…
..
Zuiho is empty of planes
They are gone…..escorting the strike, or circling as CAP.
He has nothing to do now, except wait.

0525 hrs

Diogawa looks down at the strike, his bird on the upper left flank of the formation.
The sun is up, and although it is still cold up here, it is going to be a beautiful day
Diogawa settles, and wings his way with history

He is still, to his annoyance, hungry

The flight does not take long.


Extract from “shattering the sword” a Cantona production.

60 zeros, 50 vals, 57 kates

they come straight in, the kates diving down to 300 feet, the vals arrowing ahead.
21 wildcats rise to defend……..
too few

The defense is short, not particularly bloody for either side…… a mere 4 fighters fall for each side, it simply does not have time or strength to slow this strike.
It happens frightfully fast.

12 vals arrive over the Yorktown, with out hesitation, one after another they dive,.
Their prey heels, twists, fights back
12 dive, 9 miss
The first bomb penetrates the flight deck, forward, explodes deep in a mess deck.
The second strikes the funnel, burrows deep, explodes out the side of the ship just above the water line, the explosion dishing plates, but little else
The third strikes the flight deck directly ahead of the bridge, exploding there.

Materially it does little damage, but the effect on the command team is catastrophic.

Leaderless, she straightens , and the Kates, hammer over her flight deck, scattering men.
Some pass so close that the fists waved in anger are personal.
Their torpedoes arrive moments later, 4 of them, she bucks, twists, and kicks under the hammer blows.
There is not a man on her who does not instantly feel or know that she is finished……3 minutes into the attack and Yorktown is already starting her plunge to the bottom…………………….

Wasp does better

20 plus torpedoes swarm her way, she dodges all but one.
Other than slowing slightly, she remains in the fight.

Other ships in this action are attacked, many other ships.
CL Nashville -a torpedo
CLAA San Diego, - a torpedo
CA Indianapolis -two fish
CL Phoenix- two fish into her……….and her two halves will separate by nearly 100 yards before they go down together.

The second strike arrives in the middle of this carnage, it is hard to tell when the first attack finishes, the second begins

This time it is Saratoga’s turn.
Kurihama’s bomb damage still smokes as the attack “develops’

Develops. What a terrifying word for her crew, as the bombers swarm overhead, the kates split, circle, and shark in.

Two bombs, three torpedoes.
She is finished

DD Duncan will come alongside to assist, and the sharks, waiting for this, come again.
Her few survivors scramble onto Saratoga, and face the fact that they have exchanged one sinking ship for another

CA Northampton dies: .almost unnoticed in this carnage
CL Raleigh too will take a torpedoe, her mortal struggle now begun, will be a long one.


Yamaguchi’s strike turns for home.

20 minutes.
This is all it has taken
Brutal is hardly a sufficient word.





Diogawa escorts them home
He has two kills, total four now. It’s a good thing, he thinks, that he did find his lucky charm.







0610 hrs

The counter strike approaches

Hasegawa can see them, they all can see them, the growing dots ahead, growing in size and number with every second.

Carefully, for there is little strength in him now, he stands. He takes his uniform jacket, carefully dons it.
Takes his captains Cap, so yellow, so battered, the inside so worn.
Dons it.
Makes his way slowly, deliberately to his Binnacle, the men quietly, reverently making room for him

Silence

They wait

“Are we ready men?’

HIE!”

‘Very good. Full ahead all.. Stand by for air action”

bring it on, you barsteds, bring it on.

26 dive bombers, 10 avengers, 21 wildcats.
77 fighters to defend.

Hasegawa does not have to maneuver at all with this attack, Zuiho steams on, and the streams of death , black streamers, flaming streamers, fluttering, glimmering streamers, fall steadily on the horizon.

Hidaka watches with him.
His men are racking up the kills………..and here he sits


In its horrible military parlance, the attack is broken up by 0730.
Only one dive bomber escapes.
They were brave, these Americans.
But the mathematics, the physics care naught for courage.


0745
‘Another attack sir”
‘very good”
They raise their glasses again, follow the action
Again, many planes fall, the fighters weaving in, about, through the ever dwindling formation.

It is not until their glasses are almost vertical, the dive bombers directly overhead, does it occur to them.

This attack has gotten through

Above them, at ten thousand feet, the defending fighters defeated or avoided, twenty two determined, suicidally determined men, push over, and dive into the attack.











< Message edited by 1275psi -- 8/2/2011 11:00:17 AM >

(in reply to a7v)
Post #: 565
RE: carrier Battle! - 8/2/2011 2:50:36 PM   
PaxMondo


Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline 		Wow.

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 566
RE: carrier Battle! - 8/2/2011 4:29:46 PM   
dr.hal


Posts: 3335
Joined: 6/3/2006
From: Covington LA via Montreal!
Status: offline 		I would call this a "pregnant pause" but I don't think that there is going to be a birth here, more of a death....

(in reply to PaxMondo)
Post #: 567
RE: carrier Battle! - 8/2/2011 5:39:41 PM   
House Stark

 

Posts: 184
Joined: 4/30/2011
Status: offline 		Cliffhangers so painful here...

(in reply to dr.hal)
Post #: 568
RE: carrier Battle! - 8/2/2011 9:41:51 PM   
pws1225

 

Posts: 1166
Joined: 8/9/2010
From: Tate's Hell, Florida
Status: offline 		The JFB in me is not liking this ...

(in reply to 1275psi)
Post #: 569
RE: carrier Battle! - 8/3/2011 1:27:17 AM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		BRING IT ON!



BANZAI: Zuiho!


_____________________________



Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.

Reluctant Admiral Mod:
https://sites.google.com/site/reluctantadmiral/

(in reply to pws1225)
Post #: 570
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