RE: January 3, 1942

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RE: January 3, 1942 - 5/11/2011 8:39:07 PM

Capt. Harlock

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quote:

Halsey remained alone in the room for a moment, standing over the table. He glared down at the map as if by sheer force of will he could force it to yield up the secrets of the Japanese.

Now *that* is something I could well see Halsey doing. Great writing as always.

_____________________________

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

--Victor Hugo

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Post #: 151

RE: January 4, 1942 - 5/12/2011 2:19:21 AM

Cuttlefish

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January 4, 1941

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 100 miles south of Port Moresby
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 1, engine damage 1
Fuel: 506 (96%)

Jake Reedy looked out over the barrel of his fifty-caliber and watched a Dauntless of Scouting Six come in for a landing on Enterprise, not far away to starboard. Beside him Gus Becken scanned sea and sky with a pair of binoculars.

It was almost sunset, and ahead of the task force the bottom rim of the sun shone red just above the horizon as it dropped below the bank of clouds to the west. Sunlight blazed a red and gold track across the ocean towards the ships. This was always a dangerous time of day and the ship stood at Condition Two, with half her weapons manned and ready. A Dauntless from Scouting Six had reported glimpsing a Japanese sub less than forty miles to the east earlier in the day, a reminder to everyone that they were both hunters and the hunted out here in the Coral Sea.

Reedy loved watching Enterprise launch and recover planes. It was more than just sightseeing, of course. One of Gridley's frequent duties was to stand ready to recover any pilot whose plane went into the water. So far this voyage they had not had to rescue anybody, fortunately.

Somewhere out of sight to the north was a place called Port Moresby. Reedy had never heard of it until a few days ago. By all accounts it was a small place and kind of a dump, but it was a dump that could give or deny access to Australia. No one knew if the Japs wanted Australia, but it certainly seemed possible. They sure seemed to be attacking everywhere else.

Word had reached them that there was fighting on the outskirts of Manila now. If they were going to help the guys in the Philippines they had better do something soon, Reedy thought. And the Brits had been overrun at a place called Typing or something like that in Malaya. Somebody needed to give the Japs a bloody nose and slow them down. Reedy hoped it would be them. Like everyone on board he was eager to begin hitting back.

But it didn't look as though anything would happen today. With her planes recovered Enterprise shifted course back to the northwest. Gridley matched the turn perfectly. Reedy kept watch until the sun dipped below the horizon and sea and sky grew swiftly dark. Condition Two was cancelled and Reedy and Becken secured their gun and gear and went down to chow.

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Post #: 152

RE: January 5, 1942 - 5/12/2011 6:43:06 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 5, 1942

Great Lakes Naval Training Station

Joe Beaumont burst out of the tunnel, accompanied by a rolling cloud of foul black smoke. The reek of it seemed to coat the inside of his mouth. He let out his breath in a huge chuff and bent over, hands on his knees. His eyes were streaming water which threatened to freeze on his cheeks. Beside him another recruit was on his hands and knees, gagging into the churned and black-flecked snow.

A petty officer looked down at him, clipboard in hand, and smiled with evil glee.

"Beaumont, right?" he said. Joe tried to speak, coughed, then straightened up and tried again.

"Yes sir," he wheezed.

"You seem to have come through that all right, Beaumont." the PO said admiringly. "That" was the squat block building behind him. A tunnel ran through the building, which was piled on either side with burning tires. A steady procession of recruits was emerging from the smoke at this end of the tunnel, most of them coughing and choking.

"Yes sir," said Beaumont. "I'm okay." He was touched that the petty officer had noticed his performance. You usually only got noticed if you screwed up.

"Good," said the PO, his smile widening. "Go back around and come through again."

"Sir?"

"Did the smoke clog your ears, son? I said do it again!"

"Yes sir!" said Beaumont. He trotted around the building and joined the end of the line of recruits being sent into the tunnel at regular intervals. A few others, like himself, already had smoke-stained faces and clothing.

Joe really didn't want to go back into that smoke-filled tunnel, but there was not exactly another choice. The Navy wanted them to know what it was like to breath smoke in a narrow space and so that is what they were by god going to do. Joe knew enough by now to understand this was not being done to them out of cruelty. Fire, it had been drummed into them almost from the first day, was the enemy, an enemy more implacable than any German or Jap. They drilled fighting fires, preventing fires, and now, withstanding fires.

Joe reached the front of the line again. He watched the man in front of him disappear into the tunnel, swallowed up almost immediately by the reeking smoke. After a short interval an instructor tapped his shoulder.

"Go!" barked the instructor. Joe heaved a deep breath and plunged again into the foul tunnel. Whatever they served for chow tonight didn't matter, he knew. It was all going to taste like burned rubber.

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Post #: 153

RE: January 5, 1942 - 5/12/2011 8:20:33 PM

perkinh

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Oh... tire smoke!!

Had my mind elswhere. I was wondering why the Petty Officer was hoding a clip board and not just the clip.

_____________________________

One of the serious problems in planning the fight against American doctrine.... is that the Americans do not read their manuals, nor do they feel any obligation to follow their doctrine

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Post #: 154

RE: January 10, 1942 - 5/18/2011 9:15:18 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 6 - 10, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 190 miles north-northeast of Cooktown
Course: Holding position
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 1, engine damage 1
Fuel: 472 (89%)

For six days Halsey keeps the three carrier groups steaming slowly between Port Moresby and the Australian coast. It rains most days. This helps conceal the Americans and the Australian cruisers nearby from prying eyes, but it also hinders the Dauntless dive bombers that are searching for the Japanese.

The Japanese are clearly not idle. A small invasion force lands in the Solomons and takes possession of Tulagi, a small island near the southern end of the chain. Halsey does not move against them. He does not wish to risk his command for so small a prize. He knows he will only have the chance to deliver one blow and wants to make it one that will hurt.

Word reaches the ships on January 7th that Manila has fallen. American and Filipino forces are apparently now holding a perimeter around Clark Field and the Bataan peninsula. Their status is unknown.

Finally, on January 10th, a worthy target appears. On the other side of the Torres Strait Japanese invasion forces descend upon Ambon and Kendari, as well as several smaller targets. Covering them are a pair of small carriers. Halsey ponders this news and quickly reaches a decision. He orders his ships west, into the confined waters of the Torres Strait. It is time to begin hitting back.

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Post #: 155

RE: January 11, 1942 - 5/18/2011 9:16:48 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 11, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 40 miles northwest of Horn Island
Course: West
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 1, engine damage 1
Fuel: 450 (85%)

Gridley steamed west under an unbroken layer of slate-gray clouds. The clouds were a good thing; Japan held the entire north coast of New Guinea now and the Torres Strait at that point was less than a hundred miles across. If the weather had been clear any Japanese search planes flying south over the strait would scarcely fail to see the armada of Allied ships steaming west.

The clouds would not hinder submarines, of course, and the task force was on high alert. So far, however, the lookouts had spotted nothing and sonar also revealed no threats.

Every man aboard Gridley was aware of the situation and a subdued feeling of tension and excitement ran through the ship. In the middle of all of this, though, Jake Reedy and Bill Bonderman found time for an important discussion.

***

"You're nuts," Reedy said. "Have you ever seen a slag heap? We have small mountain ranges of them all over the place."

"Have you ever smelled a stock yard?" countered Bonderman. "We have cows like you have coal."

"Scranton is grungy and smoky."

"Lubbock is flat and hot. Why, it gets so hot there in the summertime that the steaks grill up just fine while they're still on the cow!"

Reedy grinned, acknowledging the point. The two men were debating whose home town was the least pleasant.

"Flat?" he said. "In Scranton we'd love for things to stay flat. But there are so many mines under the city that parts of it keep falling into huge pits!"

"In Lubbock," said Bonderman, "we'd call that excitement. Lubbock is so dull that even the dogs pitch pennies."

"I had a dog once," said Reedy. "Had it five years and thought it was a black dog. Then one day it got out in the rain and all the coal dust washed off and I found out it was really brown." Bonderman smiled, a rare smile that lit up his long and bony face.

"Not bad," he said. "We might make a Texan out of you yet, you keep spinning tales like that. But that does remind me of an old yaller dog I had once. That dog was real smart but so ugly it made women faint and grown men cry. Well, one day me and Rickets...that was his name, Rickets...me and Rickets was..." His tale was interrupted by the blaring of the klaxon. It was the third general quarters of the day. Without further ado both men drained their cups of coffee and bolted from the mess room.

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Post #: 156

RE: January 12, 1942 - 5/21/2011 8:04:34 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 12, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 350 miles northeast of Darwin
Course: West
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 1, engine damage 1
Fuel: 336 (64%)

West of the Torres Strait lies the Arafura sea, a warm and shallow body of water. It is a spawning ground for cyclones, and in this part of the world it is currently cyclone season. But though clouds continue to cover the sky the humid air hangs heavy and still.

Halsey drives his carrier groups west. Though his ships make good speed he paces impatiently, fretting at each delay. The Americans are a long ways from home now and at this early date in the war their supply line is almost nonexistent. Available fuel must be shared among the ships, slowing the task forces.

At this point Halsey is less concerned about detection than he is that the Japanese will get away. According to the radio reports he is receiving the Dutch are doing what they can. At Ambon the Dutch garrison, though heavily outnumbered, continues to heroically resist the invaders. The news is less good at Kendari, which seems certain to swiftly fall. But Japanese warships and the two light carriers are still reported to be in the area. They are worthy targets - if the Americans can get there in time.

Of the main Japanese carrier force there has been no sign, no report. Halsey, his staff, and the men in the ships under his command would sleep a bit easier if they could be completely sure that they were the hunters and not the hunted.

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Post #: 157

RE: January 13, 1942 - 5/21/2011 8:06:24 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 13, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 40 miles east of Selaroe Island
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 2, engine damage 1
Fuel: 308 (58%)

Gridley escorts Enterprise to the Tanimbar Islands, which separate the Arafura Sea from the Banda Sea. Beyond these islands lie the enemy. Gridley's radiomen and signalmen are kept busy and more than busy. They are not only logging and decoding their own incoming messages, they are now also picking up Dutch and Japanese signals. There are desperate broadcasts from the base at Kendari, reports from Dutch search planes and submarines, and signals from Dutch and British warships which are approaching Kendari from the west. These ships have sortied from Java in the hopes of coordinating an attack with the Americans. With them is Admiral Phillip's Force Z.

Captain Stickney studies the latest group of dispatches and studies a chart of the Banda Sea. It is an outdated British Admiralty chart from the previous century, but it is all they have.

"The Japanese carriers are about...here," he says, indicating a point less than one hundred miles southeast of Kendari. "Halsey has ordered us to run in to here overnight." He taps another point, this one to the southeast of the first one. "That should put us within strike range by early morning. The Australian cruisers will screen us forward in case those Jap ships at Kendari try to intercept."

"The men will be glad to see some action," comments Fred Steubens, his exec.

"Yes," says the captain. "Have everybody ready, especially the gun crews. We can expect air attacks."

"Yes sir," says Steubens.

"Oh, and have you found anyone aboard who speaks Dutch yet?"

"Yes sir," says Steubens. "Rudy Bronkhorst. His parents were Dutch, he grew up speaking it around the house."

"Good," says Stickney. "Give him to Lieutenant Coszyk for the duration." He thinks for a moment. "Bronkhorst...wasn't he involved in that incident in Balboa last year?"

"Yes," Steubens says. "I don't think he's really a bad egg, though, sir. He just doesn't pick his friends very well. Giving him to Coszyk might separate him from the real trouble-makers."

"As long as he can translate Dutch," says Stickney. "All right, then. Pass the word. Tomorrow we go hunting Japs."

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Post #: 158

RE: January 14, 1942 - 5/22/2011 10:49:55 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 14, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 240 miles east-southeast of Kendari
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 2, engine damage 1
Fuel: 271 (53%)

The morning dawned clear and bright over the Sulu Sea. The three American carriers launched search planes at dawn, preceded only by the first wave of fighters on CAP. Excitement and tension ran through every ship. This was the day. At last, they would come to grips with the Japanese.

Aboard Gridley Captain Stickney sat calmly in his accustomed chair on the bridge, sipping coffee. He felt like pacing but suppressed the urge. If this was going to be his ship's first time in action he wanted to project the image that this was just like any other day, just like a training exercise. His crew had logged hundreds of hours in anti-aircraft drills, target practice, and anti-submarine drills. They were ready.

But as the morning went on it became more and more apparent that the Japanese were not following the script. The Sulu Sea was empty of Japanese ships.

Stickney sipped his coffee and tried to imagine Halsey's reaction to this news. On the whole he was glad he was on Gridley's bridge instead of aboard Enterprise.

Late in the morning word came from the Dutch that the Japanese carriers had been spotted well to the north. They must have retired there overnight. Had they known the American carriers were approaching, or had they just gotten nervous at being exposed and pulled back as a precaution? There was no way to know.

A very short while later the TBS crackled.

"Enemy planes approaching from the north," Enterprise advised. Stickney immediately ordered general quarters. The ship, already at Condition Two, reported all stations manned and ready in record time. The captain, informed of this by his exec, merely nodded. He expected nothing less.

The approaching planes were thirteen twin-engine "Betty" bombers. Wildcat and Buffalo fighters were vectored to intercept. The Betties turned out to have a delightful tendency to catch fire easily when hit. One by one they went down. None escaped, and none even came within sight of the carriers.

Not all Japanese ships had withdrawn; in the early afternoon four Japanese ships were spotted in the harbor at Kendari. Kendari was within Dauntless range. A strike was ordered, and for the first time American carriers turned into the wind and launched aircraft with hostile intent.

It did not go completely smoothly. There were problems getting the strike coordinated and under way. But eventually two dozen dive bombers and their fighter escorts reached the skies over Kendari, now a Japanese possession.

The dive bombers did not miss their targets, which turned out to be two freighters and two gunboats. All were hit by multiple bombs and reported to be sunk or sinking.

It was not the day the Americans wanted. But as a baptism of fire it had been a useful day. Perhaps, Stickney thought, it would serve the purpose of easing "opening-day jitters" among the men. The next day of battle might not be so easy.

Stickney wondered what Halsey would do now. If he chose to pursue those Jap carriers north, into enemy waters, then the next day of battle might come very quickly.

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Post #: 159

RE: January 15, 1942 - 5/24/2011 8:35:45 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 15, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 40 miles south of Roti
Course: East
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 2, engine damage 1
Fuel: 255 (48%)

"I don't know how to work this stuff," Bronkhorst complained, looking in bewilderment at the radio set in front of him.

"You don't have to," said Bonderman. "I've tuned it to the frequency the Dutch use. If you hear somethin' in the clear, just let me know. You translate, I'll write it down."

Bronkhorst grunted. He was good at grunts. In fact, with his heavy black brows and slightly sloping forehead he looked rather ape-like. Appropriate for a deck ape, thought Bonderman, though he was careful not to say this out loud.

"Hell, it beats chipping paint," said Bronkhorst after a moment.

"Don't it just," said Bonderman with a grin. Bronkhorst turned and squinted at him.

"You talk kind of funny," he said. "It ain't southern, exactly. Where you from, Bonderman?"

"Call me Bill," said Bonderman. "Texas. I'm from Lubbock."

"Huh," said Bronkhorst. Bonderman smiled to himself and handed a set of headphones to the other man. Bronkhorst slipped them on, a little clumsily, and Bonderman showed him the volume control. Then he turned back to his own set and silence descended in the stuffy little room.

Bronkhorst seemed okay, thought Bonderman. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, maybe, but not quite the jackass he was around that guy Tanner. His friend Jake had warned him about Tanner, but Bonderman had already figured that one out. He'd met men like Tanner before, hell, he used to pal around with men like him, back in the old days. Tanner was sly as a snake and full of meanness, but he was a coward. He made friends with stronger, tougher, and less intelligent men and used them to get his way. Fortunately Bonderman had little contact with the man, being in Communications while Tanner was part of the deck force.

The first couple of hours passed fairly quietly. Bonderman was busy with his own work. A couple of times Bronkhorst picked up messages and Bonderman wrote them down. It wasn't terribly interesting stuff. None of it, of course, was likely to be crucial to the operation of the ship. But Bonderman figured the captain liked to know what was going on around him, and he respected that. Ever since December 7th he was less fond of surprises than he used to be.

During a lull he slipped his headphones for a moment.

"Where are you from, Rudy?" he asked. Bronkhorst glanced around.

"Me?" he said. "Fresno. My dad runs a farm supply place there." He gestured at the radio with one thick-fingered hand. "It's kinda funny. I left and joined the Navy 'cause Fresno is duller than hell, a real pit, you know? Don't go back much. But listening to this, it kinda makes me miss it. Home, I mean."

"Hearing the language?" said Bonderman. Bronkhorst nodded.

"Yeah," he said. He frowned. "Some people back home thought it sounded like Kraut, but it ain't. It's Dutch. Damn Krauts."

"You got family back there? In the Netherlands?"

"Yeah," said Bronkhorst. "I got a grandmother and a couple of uncles. Some cousins. Never met 'em, except my grandma and one of my uncles. They came..." He paused for a moment. "Wait, something here. It ain't code." His lips moved silently as he translated to himself. Bonderman grabbed a message pad.

"This is Ambon," said Bronkhorst. "This is our final...broadcast, I think." His heavy eyebrows drew together in concentration.. "Those of us who are left have sent a flag of...peace, truce maybe...to the Japanese and stacked our arms. They are coming. We held out as long as we could. Tell them...tell them we fought well. God bless the Netherlands...God bless Queen Wilhelmina. Farewell." Bronkhorst twiddled the volume, then shook his head. "That's it."

Bonderman finished writing and the two men sat in silence for a moment.

"Hell of thing," said Bronkhorst after a moment. "Dutch were neutral, you know. Didn't want to fight anyone. So the Krauts took the country and now the Japs are taking what's left. Hell of a thing."

"Yeah," said Bonderman. There didn't seem to be much else to say.

"We'll get 'em, though," said Bronkhorst. "See if we don't. We'll give them hell."

"You bet we will," said Bonderman.

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Post #: 160

RE: January 16, 1942 - 5/26/2011 12:27:08 AM

Cuttlefish

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January 16, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 180 miles west-southwest of Darwin
Course: East
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 3, engine damage 1
Fuel: 228 (43%)

After doing a buttonhook around the west end of Timor the American carriers and their escorts head for Darwin. There has been no sign of Japanese reaction to their brief, disappointing foray into the Sulu Sea, and no sign of pursuit. The cruiser force lags behind to cover them, but they report no contact other than an unsuccessful submarine attack against cruiser Australia.

Darwin is a small town. The communications network there is poor, the base is undermanned, and the port facilities are inadequate. But it is the largest base under Allied control in the area. It does have one advantage; the harbor there is crowded with fuel-laden tankers, refugees from the Dutch East Indies. It will take time to refuel there, but fuel the American ships must have.

While there the American ships can also take on food and water. And perhaps, the crews hope, they will get a chance to finally see a bit of Australia.

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Post #: 161

RE: January 18, 1942 - 5/26/2011 12:32:39 AM

Cuttlefish

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January 17-18, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: Darwin
Course: None
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 3, engine damage 1
Fuel: 208 (39%)

Gridley was not one of the ships tasked to refuel. Instead the destroyer went on anti-submarine patrol outside the harbor, protecting the carriers and cruisers while they topped off their tanks one at a time. It was a slow process. done mostly under an unrelenting and heavy rain.

There was no opportunity for any kind of shore leave. The men gazed wistfully towards the rain-shrouded shore and talked about what they had heard about the exotic "land down under," especially the women, the climate, and the wildlife. Mostly the women.

"If the weather was better maybe we could see some women on the beach," said Gus Becken wistfully, gazing shoreward for a moment through his binoculars. He and Reedy were manning their machine gun while Gridley steamed in slow figure-eights, looking for submarines. Rain dripped off the brim of his helmet.

"Maybe one would go swimming and you'd have to dive in and rescue her," suggested Reedy. The two men were interrupted by the approach of Chief Petty Officer Odell. Odell was an old navy hand and a good enough guy if you did your work.

"Enjoying the weather, gentlemen?" he greeted them as he strolled up. Like Reedy and Becken, he was wearing an oilskin poncho that was streaming with rainwater.

"You bet, Chief," said Becken morosely.

"We were just wishing we could go for a swim," added Reedy. "Couldn't get any wetter, after all." Odell grinned and spat over the side.

"You don't want to do that," he said. "Not unless you can see the water really well."

"Why not, Chief?" asked Reedy. "Because of the sharks?"

"Sharks, hell," said Odell. "They got sharks here, you bet, some damn big maneaters too. But it ain't the sharks that scare me." Reedy and Becken exchange a look.

"What is it, then?" Becken asked, taking the bait.

"They got these little jellyfish," Odell said. "Sea wasps, they call 'em. Small, hard to see, and their sting is the most painful thing you can imagine. It can even kill you. They've got these fish, too, stonefish, step on one of them and you're dead. And these little tiny octopuses with blue rings, same thing. They touch you, boom, you're gone."

"Christ," said Becken, looking apprehensively down at the water.

"And they ain't the worst," said Odell. "They've got these saltwater crocs around here, huge things, big as the ship's boat. They're killers, and hard to see until it's too late." Now Reedy sneaks a glance down at the water as well.

"Get ashore and it ain't any better," Odell went on. "About half of the most poisonous snakes in the world live right here. And spiders, too, red-black spiders and funnel spiders. They make black widow spiders look like amateurs."

"But they have things like kangaroos, too, right?" said Becken. "I'd like to see a kangaroo." Odell spat again.

"Sure," he said, "but get too close and they can kick your head clean off. Dangerous. Hell, they've even got poisonous birds here."

Reedy searched Odell's face for signs that the veteran sailor was pulling their leg. The chief had a glint in his eye but gave no sign that he was kidding. Reedy looked at the water again and shuddered. He had a horror of stinging creatures.

"I have an idea," he said after a moment. "Why don't we just let the Japs have the place?"

< Message edited by Cuttlefish -- 5/26/2011 12:33:27 AM >

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Post #: 162

RE: January 18, 1942 - 5/26/2011 8:47:02 PM

thegreatwent

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quote:

"I have an idea," he said after a moment. "Why don't we just let the Japs have the place?"

_____________________________

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Post #: 163

RE: January 19, 1942 - 5/26/2011 10:01:59 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 19, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 220 miles east - northeast of Darwin
Course: East
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 3, engine damage 1
Fuel: 186 (35%)

Message from CinCPAC to Commander, US carrier force in Arafura Sea, received at 0955 hours local time:

Large Jap surface force, including battleships sighted in Solomon Sea, course south. Fleet intelligence indicates that a large Jap carrier force may, repeat may, be located 200 nm northwest of New Ireland, course also south. Proceed east and engage only if, in your judgment, you can do so on favorable terms. Good luck and good hunting.

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Post #: 164

RE: January 19, 1942 - 5/27/2011 7:46:21 PM

Admiral DadMan

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"Rock 'em, Sock 'em, but don't lose your shirt..."

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Scenario 127: "Scraps of Paper"
(\../)
(O.o)
(> <)

CVB Langley:

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Post #: 165

RE: January 21, 1942 - 5/27/2011 7:49:45 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 21, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 40 miles east of Horn Island
Course: East
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 3, engine damage 1
Fuel: 160 (30%)

A thick overcast produces a steady, heavy rain. It stipples the wakes of the three US carriers and their escorts as they steam slowly east. The rain covers the ships from any Japanese planes that might be watching the Torres Strait but it also leaves the American carriers blind. groping their way forward into what might be a den of tigers.

Japanese forces are landing at Lae and at Buna, the Americans know this. And radio traffic from the Solomon Sea indicates that there are many Japanese ships there, though exactly what ships is unknown. Fleet intelligence continues to believe that the main Japanese carrier force is with them, however.

The Allied ships slow their pace to a crawl. A game of blind man's bluff spanning hundreds of miles is not a comfortable way for the Americans to risk the only significant naval assets they currently possess.

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Post #: 166

RE: January 22, 1942 - 5/27/2011 7:52:18 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 22, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 75 miles west of Horn Island
Course: East
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 4, engine damage 1
Fuel: 133 (25%)

Halsey holds a message flimsy in his hands and reads from it slowly, his face grim. Around him the members of his staff sit or stand silently.

"We are under attack," Halsey reads. "Position 11 degrees 42 minutes south latitude, 145 degrees 52 minutes east longitude. Many enemy dive bombers and torpedo planes. Ship dead in water. Heavy fires aboard. Abandon ship ordered. Repeat, we are under attack, position..." Halsey lowers the flimsy.

"The message ends there," he says. "This came from one of two Australian gunboats escorting three freighters in the Coral Sea. They had been delivering supplies to Port Moresby."

"Well," says one staffer, "we know that the Jap carriers are here." Captain Browning stares down at the map of the Coral Sea spread in front of them.

"Landings are occurring at Milne Bay, here," he says. "The Japs hit those freighters here." He indicates two points on the map. "That puts there carriers...somewhere in here." He circles an area to the south and southwest of New Guinea's eastern tip. "I'll bet you any amount of money you care to name that there is a Jap invasion force heading for Port Moresby right now."

"That's the sort of move we came here to prevent," someone says.

"Damn right," Halsey growls. "It looks like they've brought the entire goddamn Imperial Navy with them, though. What do you think, Miles?" Browning frowns.

"Sir," he says, "the Japs aren't stupid. They may not know where we are, but they know we were in the Sulu Sea a few days ago. They have to figure we might be in a position to hit them. So they'll have their bases covered."

"Right, yes," says Halsey. "But...if their carriers move south, we might have a chance to nip in and clobber any force at Port Moresby before they know we're around. It might be a risk worth taking."

"That would not be smart," declares Browning. Halsey looks up at him, bushy eyebrows climbing. "Sir," appends Browning belatedly. "Look, the Japs have us at probably two to one odds. If we fight we might do some damage, maybe bag one or two of them, but we stand a good chance of losing all three carriers. It's not a good risk. We should head back for Darwin, right now."

Halsey glares at him. Browning looks uncomfortable but stands his ground. The other staffers remain silent, no one daring to interrupt this clash of wills.

"We're not going to win this war by running away," Halsey heatedly. "Before I head back to Darwin I want to give the Japs every chance to make a mistake. And if they do, by God, I'll make them pay for it."

"Yes sir," says Browning. "I just hope they're the ones that make the mistake." Deep lines appear between Halsey's brows. Those who know him well know what this means, and they hold their breath.

"Noted," is all Halsey says, however, though his voice is like cold iron. "Gentlemen, you are dismissed."

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Post #: 167

RE: January 23, 1942 - 5/29/2011 8:46:20 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 23, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 150 miles west of Horn Island
Course: East
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 4, engine damage 1
Fuel: 124 (23%)

The Japanese do not get careless. The Japanese carriers park themselves right off Port Moresby as the large invasion force begins to come ashore. And not just carriers; from the reports what Halsey referred to as "the entire goddamn Imperial Navy" seems to be present. It is not a force that three American carriers and a handful of Australian cruisers can handle.

In fact the American carriers are in a perilous position, not far outside detection range by the Japanese. If some wandering Japanese plane does spot them it will be difficult to avoid battle. And the Australians are in no position to provide significant air cover over the Torres Strait.

He has already lingered here longer than he should, and it is clear that there is nothing to be gained by remaining. Port Moresby is doomed. In a low voice Admiral Halsey gives the order for all ships to return to Darwin. He then retires to his cabin.

The Allied task forces swing around and head back into the Arafura Sea. Not only have they failed to stop the Japanese advance, they are now on the wrong side of the invaders. There are a lot of Japanese between them and home.

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Post #: 168

RE: January 23, 1942 - 5/29/2011 10:39:05 PM

Capt. Harlock

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quote:

Not only have they failed to stop the Japanese advance, they are now on the wrong side of the invaders. There are a lot of Japanese between them and home.

And it will only get worse when Netties start flying from Port Moresby. The Gridley will need some of Hibiki's luck!

_____________________________

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

--Victor Hugo

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Post #: 169

RE: January 24, 1942 - 5/31/2011 2:09:58 AM

Cuttlefish

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January 24, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 220 miles north-northeast of Darwin
Course: South
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 4, engine damage 1
Fuel: 97 (18%)

"And the fuel level?" asked Captain Stickney.

"It's low," said Steubens, the XO, "but we should make Darwin without having to refuel as long as we maintain this speed."

"We should," said Stickney, "unless the Japanese come looking for us."

Gridley and the other ships of the task force were moving a steady 24 knots. Currently they were rounding the northwest corner of Australia and heading back down to Darwin. Less than two hours ago a pair of Wildcats from Saratoga had reported chasing away a snooper. It had to be assumed that the Japanese were aware of their position.

"That, however," continued the captain, "is out of our control. Anything else, Fred?" Steubens frowned.

"I'm a little worried about morale, sir," he said. "The Japs are overrunning everything in sight and we can't stop them. In fact, we're running away. I understand the reasons for it, but...well, the men want to fight."

"Hell, Fred," said Stickney. "I want to fight. Halsey wants to fight. Everyone wants to fight. But we'll do it when we're ready, not when the Japs hold all the cards." He sighed. "I know, I'm aware of the problem. Keep the men busy. Drill them, organize boxing matches, have them chip paint, whatever it takes."

"Yes, sir," said Steubens. "A little time ashore would help, too. It would help a lot."

"Don't count on it," said Stickney. "Don't count on it any time soon."

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Post #: 170

RE: January 25, 1942 - 6/2/2011 1:02:25 AM

Cuttlefish

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January 25, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: Darwin
Course: None
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 4
Fuel: 525 (100%)

Jake Reedy leaned on the rail, arms crossed, and watched the hoses that snaked across the dock fill Gridley's hungry tanks with fuel. Wooden dock and Gridley's steel deck both steamed in the sun, which was shining now following a brief but violent rain shower. Gus Becken came strolling along and stood next to him.

"Seen any girls?" Becken asked. Reedy shook his head.

"I've seen fuel tanks," he said, "a couple of dozen men, some buildings, and a truck." The sad thing is that it was the most interesting scenery any of the men had seen in weeks.

"Damn," said Becken in discouragement. "Any kangaroos or kookaburras or anything like that?"

"There was a spotted mongrel dog," said Reedy. "It's gone now." The two men stood in silence for a few moments.

"Maybe we'll get some shore time while we're here, anyway," said Becken.

"Nope," said Reedy. "I just heard. We're pulling out tonight, soon as all the cans refuel."

"My god," said Becken. "If I don't get some shore time soon I'm going to start growing gills! Where are we going?"

"I don't know," said Reedy. "Getting out before the Japs get here, I imagine." He sighed. "Maybe we're just doomed to wander the seas forever, like the Ancient Mariner."

"Yeah," agreed Becken gloomily. "That ancient mariner guy, he never got to kiss any girls either, did he?"

"Nope," said Reedy. "Not a one."

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Post #: 171

RE: January 25, 1942 - 6/2/2011 8:31:48 PM

Capt. Harlock

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quote:

He sighed. "Maybe we're just doomed to wander the seas forever, like the Ancient Mariner."

Technically, the Ancient Mariner was pretty much 'on the beach' after his adventure:

I pass, like night, from land to land;
I have strange power of speech;
That moment that his face I see,
I know the man that must hear me:
To him my tale I teach.

But able seamen couldn't be expected to choose the Flying Dutchman instead.

Since our lads are in port for a little while, have they picked up any news of the rest of the war?

_____________________________

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

--Victor Hugo

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Post #: 172

RE: January 25, 1942 - 6/2/2011 9:53:55 PM

Cuttlefish

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

But able seamen couldn't be expected to choose the Flying Dutchman instead.

Since our lads are in port for a little while, have they picked up any news of the rest of the war

I actually rewrote this to make it wrong after realizing that sailors correctly discussing Coleridge just didn't sound right. And your wish for news is granted...

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Post #: 173

RE: January 25, 1942 - 6/2/2011 9:58:35 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 26, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 230 miles south of Darwin
Course: South
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 4, engine damage 0
Fuel: 506 (96%)

Headlines and news from copies of the Sydney Morning Herald, brought aboard ship while refueling:

Japanese Attack on Tarakan

Communiqu�s issued in Melbourne and Batavia announced a large-scale Japanese attack on the port of Tarakan, on the north-east coast of Borneo. Dutch forces there are reported to be offering fierce resistance.

Imperial troops in Malaya have withdrawn to the island fortress of Singapore and are preparing to withstand a siege. The Japanese invaders have reached Johore Bharu, on the other side of the narrow Straits of Johore, and their way has been barred by destruction of the Johore Causeway, which formerly connected the island to the mainland.

Oversea News

Burma Withdrawal - Our forces have withdrawn from Pegu, 80 kilometers from Rangoon, after destroying all stores and equipment. The city of Rangoon is being prepared for defense against Japanese attack.

Philippines - Saturday's Washington communiqu� said that determined attempts to infiltrate General MacArthur's lines around Clark Field on Luzon were frustrated. Japanese air raids continue against Clark field and targets on the Bataan Peninsula.

Chinese Movements - It is officially stated in the Chinese capital of Chunking that Chinese forces have escaped encirclement in the north and are retreating in good order to the city of Sian.

Libya Campaign - The Axis forces which are moving north-east along the roads leading from Benghazi were engaged west of Maraua on Saturday. Fighters attacked enemy mechanized transport in the Benghazi area. A Rome communiqu� claims that the Axis forces have reached and passed Barce on the coast, 65 miles from Benghazi.

Ukraine Gains - Red Army advances near the Sea of Azov, where a strategically important town have been captured, and towards the Dneiper Bend, are reported from Moscow.

Britain's Dollar Needs - Reports from Washington of discussions of Britain's acute need for dollar exchange have had a depressing effect in London financial circles.

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Post #: 174

RE: January 27, 1942 - 6/4/2011 3:29:25 AM

Cuttlefish

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January 27, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 25 miles west of Broome
Course: South
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 4, engine damage 0
Fuel: 475 (90%)

The voyage that would, forever after, be remembered by Gridley's crew as the "great Australian walkabout" entered it's second day under sunny skies. The three carrier task forces were separated by between ten and twenty miles each. Ahead of all of them went the Australian cruisers, leading the way into far southern waters.

Everyone aboard Gridley knew that the plan was to sail all the way under Australia and back to the sub-continent's eastern side. What would happen after that was unknown. What was known is that there were no ports of call planned in the days ahead. The next port that could conceivably handle even a fraction of the ships making the journey was Perth, some four days away. The ships had plenty of fuel, though, and the crew glumly doubted that Halsey would have them stop there just so the men could stretch their legs.

The optimists among the crew offered the opinion that they would almost certainly have to stop at Sydney, famous among sailors as an outstanding liberty port. It was a prize worth waiting for but most of the crew were taking a wait and see attitude about that. There had been too many disappointments already during this long voyage.

Meanwhile the coast of Australia continued to slip past, usually too far away to be visible. Not that there would have been a great deal to see anyway. The ships were quickly moving past lands that would be generously described as "sparsely inhabited" to lands aptly described as "howling wilderness."

Behind them, baking slowly in the sun, receded the doomed town of Darwin.

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Post #: 175

RE: January 27, 1942 - 6/4/2011 8:03:55 PM

Capt. Harlock

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quote:

Behind them, baking slowly in the sun, receded the doomed town of Darwin.

Yes, we've been reading Cribtop's posts about unpleasantness in that area . . .

_____________________________

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

--Victor Hugo

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Post #: 176

RE: January 28, 1942 - 6/5/2011 9:44:48 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 28, 1942

Pearl Harbor

Apprentice Seaman Joe Beaumont and half a dozen of his fellow recruits jumped down off the back of the truck when it lurched to a stop in front of the Bureau of Navigation building. The driver returned their calls of thanks with a friendly wave and pulled away with his load of empty oil drums.

Joe took a moment to look around before heading into the building. They were all literally just off the boat and the sprawling tangle that was Pearl Harbor was very new and a little overwhelming.

Cranes and ship's masts towered on every side. The harbor was a hive of activity, both in the mazy waterways and on land. Scars from the attack a month and a half ago were still visible but were being rapidly erased by repair crews, new construction, and hard work.

Joe took a deep breath. The air here was completely different from the cool, clean northern Michigan air he was used to. The principle smells were dust, creosote, oil, and fresh lumber, but the occasional breeze brought other smells, a rich subtropical mix of flowers, sugar cane, and vibrant plant life. And permeating it all was the smell of the ocean. Joe had never really grasped before what could motivate someone to leave home for a life at sea, but the first time he had looked out over the Pacific Ocean and smelled that smell he had suddenly understood. That had been back in San Francisco, a week and a lifetime ago.

Joe exhaled, turned, and followed the others up the steps and into the building. Signs and a couple of inquiries brought them to the correct office. Joe patiently took his place in line and waited his turn.

When it came he presented his orders to the petty officer behind the desk (the same man, had he known it, that Bill Bonderman had dealt with a few days after the attack). Without looking up at him the PO extracted the orders and looked them over.

When he was finished he glanced up, and then up a little more, one eyebrow quirking slightly as he took in Beaumont's size.

"Gridley, eh?" he said. "Well, your ship isn't here."

"Where is it, Petty Officer?' asked Joe. "Can I find transport to wherever it is?" The man grinned.

"Eager to get into the war?" he said. "Well, good for you. But I don't know where it is or where it's going. I'd send you if I knew - they need men on those ships, out there. But your best bet is to just stay here and wait. Gridley will show up or we'll figure out where to send you. Meantime you'll go into the labor pool here. You won't be bored, anyway." Joe wasn't sure, but he thought the petty officer's smile was slightly sinister.

"Yes, petty officer," he said. He was disappointed. He had hoped to find his new ship today.

"Step on down to room 241, get your work and bunk assignments," said the PO. "Check back here in a week. Next!" Joe stepped aside to make room for the next man. Hard work didn't bother him, he liked it, but just one week aboard a transport had given him a taste of life at sea and he wanted more.

As he went in search of room 241 he wondered where Gridley was and what her crew was doing. He hoped he wasn't missing out on anything too exciting.

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Post #: 177

RE: January 29, 1942 - 6/7/2011 9:02:02 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 29, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 80 miles south of Carnarvon
Course: East
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 4, engine damage 0
Fuel: 419 (79%)

Darkness had fallen over the Indian Ocean but night did little to dispel the hot, turgid air below decks. Two small, wire-caged fans in the upper corners of the Communications division bunk room labored with little success to create a breeze. The upper bunks right below the fans were considered prime real estate, though.

Bill Bonderman had not been aboard long enough to rate one of the fan-kissed bunks, so he reclined in his skivvies on a lower bunk, reading. He tried to get in some reading every evening before lights out.

Signalman Jerome "Marbles" Jenks plopped down on the next bunk forward with a groan and began removing his shoes. He glanced over at Bonderman.

"What'cha reading, Bill?" he asked. Bonderman slipped a finger into the book to hold his place and held it up so Marbles could see.

"Ah, the Good Book," said Marbles. He peeled off his socks and leaned back. "Did I ever tell you fellows how the Bible saved my life one time?" There were several groans around the bunk room but most of the men leaned forward. Every ship had its share of liars and braggarts. Jenks was in a category by himself, though. His lies were works of art, his stories worth listening to even though no one believed a word of them. Back in Bonderman's native Texas the telling of "tall tales" was considered an art form, and Bill had rarely met a better practitioner. He nodded towards Jenks.

"Ah don't believe you have," he said.

"Well, it happened like this," said Jenks. "Back when I left dear old Baltimore to become a seafarin' man, my mother..."

"I thought you said you were from St. Louis," said somebody.

"I was born in St. Louis," Jenks said. "But my last year in school my ma moved to Baltimore. She had to, you see, because my step-dad turned out to be an old crony of John Dillinger and her wedding ring was part of a bunch of stolen diamonds. The Pinkertons were on the trail of the diamonds and there was no way my ma was going to give up that ring, so we changed our name and moved. Anyway..."

"So Jenks ain't your real name?" asked somebody.

"No," said Jenks without missing a beat. "It's actually Lugengeschichte."

"Lugen what?" somebody said.

"Rumpelstiltskin?" said someone else. Jenks waved a dismissive hand.

"Not important," he said. "What is important is that when I left Baltimore, my mother gave me a bible. 'Son,' she said, 'keep this close to your heart always, for it will guide you through the wicked world out there and keep you safe from harm.' So I carried it in the left inside pocket of my jacket." Jenks looked around, but no one interrupted him this time.

"I made my way to New York city," he went on, "where I intended to become a sailor. But the city was full of wicked lures for a young man away from home for the first time. Folks, I'm afraid I fell in among evil companions."

"No!" said someone.

"Shocking," said another. Jenks nodded.

"I met a woman named Janelle LaPeur," he continued. "She was a raven-haired woman with a sultry air and the largest, most beautiful brown eyes I've ever seen. She was from New Orleans, and I suppose I should have guessed what she was from the fact that I met her in a place called the Voodoo Lounge. But I was young and inexperienced. Guys, let me give you a piece of advice. Don't get involved with women who carry little pouches of grave dirt around or who like to make creepy little dolls."

"Ah'll keep that in mind," murmured Bonderman.

"Things went pretty well for a while," Jenks said. "She was hot and passionate like no other woman I'd ever known. Then one day she found out my last name wasn't really Rockefeller. I've seen angry women before, but not like this. She raged at me and screamed something fierce. I was trying to calm her down before she clawed my eyes out when she started chanting in a language I didn't know and making weird gestures with her hands. I wasn't too worried, though, until she brought out one of her little dolls." The only sounds in the bunk room now were the occasional squeak of a bunk as a man shifted position and now and then a cough.

"She held that doll up," Jenks said, "and then bent one of the legs sharply backward. I tell you, folks, it felt like someone had shot me in the knee. My leg buckled and I went down in a heap. I grabbed my leg and looked up at her and I could see that the little doll was dressed a lot like me. I don't mind telling you guys that I was suddenly scared spitless. There was fire in her eyes and I knew that I was looking through those lovely orbs into the fires of hell that awaited me. Then that woman bent the left arm back and I heard a snap as my own arm broke. I groveled on the floor, screaming.

"She laughed at me, then, and while she was laughing I suddenly felt something warm against my chest. It was the bible my mother had given me. It was in my jacket pocket under me and it was so hot it almost burned my skin. I fished into the pocket with the one working arm I had left to me and brought it out. It was glowing with holy light, and when Janelle saw it she screamed and dropped the doll.

"I dragged myself forward, still holding up the bible, and Janelle backed up against the wall behind her, holding her hands out in front of her. I got a little closer and, I swear I saw this with my own eyes, that woman suddenly burst into flame! She went up like flash paper, whoosh! In less than five seconds she was gone, leaving only a little bit of ash on the floor. That evil doll burned up in the same instant.

"Well, suddenly I felt fine! My arm and leg didn't hurt at all. I stood up and got out of there in a hurry, let me tell you. The next day I enlisted in the Navy and that was that."

There was silence for a moment.

"You still got that bible?" someone asked. Jenks nodded.

"I sure do," he said. He rummaged around and dug out a small, battered, black leather book and held it up. Men leaned forward.

"It looks a little...scorched around the edges," someone said.

"Yeah, it does, doesn't it?' said Jenks complacently. He put it away and said nothing more.

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Post #: 178

RE: January 29, 1942 - 6/8/2011 12:42:17 AM

DTurtle

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

...

"No," said Jenks without missing a beat. "It's actually Lugengeschichte."

...

"You still got that bible?" someone asked. Jenks nodded.

"I sure do," he said. He rummaged around and dug out a small, battered, black leather book and held it up. Men leaned forward.

"It looks a little...scorched around the edges," someone said.

"Yeah, it does, doesn't it?' said Jenks complacently. He put it away and said nothing more.

Brilliant! Have to love somebody with that dedication for setting up a story.

Now you just have to do the same in-game :)

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Post #: 179

RE: January 30, 1942 - 6/9/2011 10:04:20 PM

Cuttlefish

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January 30, 1942

Aboard USS Gridley

Location: 60 miles southwest of Geraldton
Course: East
Attached to: TF 406
Mission: Air combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 3, engine damage 0
Fuel: 397 (75%)

Captain Stickney stood on the bridge, looked at the dispatch in his hand, and grunted. His gunnery officer, Lieutenant JG Cameron G. Cameron, looked over at him curiously. Cameron was an eager, engaging young man with freckles who seemed unable to acquire a tan even in the heat of an Australian summer, though he was permanently sunburned. He was known as "Cam-Cam" to his fellow officers. Stickney looked over at him.

"The Jap carriers," he said, "are in the Sulu Sea, heading towards Darwin."

"If they're looking for us," said Cameron, "they're about five days late." Stickney nodded.

"Probably not," he said. "They probably just want to flatten the place."

"Well, sir," said Cameron, "if they want to do that they won't have much trouble." The paucity of the town's defenses had been abundantly clear when they refueled there. "Only a few small AA guns and no fighters."

"Yeah," said Stickney. He frowned, perhaps thinking that the American carriers were the only chance to stop the Japanese and that these were now fleeing across what seemed like the underside of the world. "Poor bastards."

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Post #: 180