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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> War In The Pacific - Struggle Against Japan 1941 - 1945 >> After Action Reports >> RE: convoy cover

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RE: convoy cover - 10/4/2005 10:57:00 AM

1275psi

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16/8/42
now that the war for us has lost its edge, we again try to find out what is happening in the outside world.
news is always hard to come by, but it is amazing how "the buzz" can travel down the corridors of this old ship, almost as quickly as the smell of the galley can -especially when the menu includes dumplings.

there is of course little to actually do while in the ready room -unless of course one plays cards, or chess, or like i recently finished one had a million assignments to do.
now that i am finished, i have actively engaged in many of the discussions on tactics and strategy that occupy our lives.

the mighty battlewagon -the yammato - sailing so majestically with us is a good example.
the conversations on her use that we have!
Many here -even despite the string of victories we have had in this war -still argue that the carrier is so vulnerable.
i agree -to a point -but you have to get into range first!

today we had a good donny brooke of an argument -we recieved a combat report of a battle in Akyab waters.
the situation there is very interesting, the allied army is cut off 9in our view) although Im sure the troops north of Akyab feel that it is them cut off.
again Im glad Im not infantry
we are obviously trying to starve the place -and the enemy is using his carriers to deny us -big air battles over the base today
the army oscar does not appear to be much good

the army claims one enemy carrier burning and sunk - the illustrious -but I looked her up in the intelligence brief -her armour probably is a bit too strong for the water balloons the army calls bombs.
i gain a bit of comfort with the thought of all the armour this old girl carries.

In china the fighting continues -the enemy flees tlowards Kweiyang
Good news there.

We pass lunga, still retiring north and rest at truk.

(in reply to 1275psi)

Post #: 121

promotion - 10/5/2005 12:24:31 AM

1275psi

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17/8/42

I write with mixed feelings today
At 0800 I became a SBLT, no more gun room for me -i now enter the wardroom.
Mixed feelings, on one hand I feel i have deserved this promotion, on the other, I do not -especially since I have yet to really contribute to the war in serious battle.

Never mind.
There will be a celebration tonight.
promotion or not, i will remain close to my black gang friends below.

an interesting day.
met Lt sato in the ready room today, he smiled when he let me look at some sighting reports just recieved.
Although I hardly seem to know him, he seems to like me, and increasingly he lets me in on the intelligence that this ship recieves every day.
I think it has a bit to do with our joint attitude to this war.
last year in China, we both got drunk together after one of our missions over canton -I was a pure rookie then.
We both contemplated war against america -and both agreed it was very foolish to consider a victory likely.
despite all the territory we hold, all our real power seems to rest on these few ships, and our shoulders..

So, today some news, there is heavy fighting at dobadura -the B17s and B24s fly over the stanley rangesalmost daily.
In China the enemy attacks towards Chenting, and we attack towards Homan, and continue to advance towards Kwieang.

More disturbing -a full squadron of zeros was shot down in China today -rookies running into the AVG

But what made Sato really smile was the sheaf of submarine reports from the waters around noumea -the rats are scurrying back...

Maybe next time

(in reply to 1275psi)

Post #: 122

RE: promotion - 10/6/2005 12:38:01 AM

1275psi

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18/8/42
2 days and we arrive at truk -and leave I hope again
rumours abound -we may be rotating some squadrons off the ship, and going south to relieve some of the Port moresby squadrons.

I suspect we will be training bomber crews on the hapless kokoda track troops

battles reported on the kokoda track -the enmy tried to break out, defeated heavily at dobadura and on the track.

heavy air battles over akyab - the army claims a heavy cruiser damaged by its bombers

maybe a period of shore time wont be too bad.

(in reply to 1275psi)

Post #: 123

RE: promotion - 10/7/2005 12:37:03 AM

1275psi

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19/8/42

truk tomorrow
A very busy day today onboard, as new billets are organised, we are going to be recieving new planes and men tomorrow, all recently from Lae -so experienced men.
The empty bunks are going to be filled again.

A very large rumour that we are going to be detached for a special op continues.
Lt sato is not pleased, despite the lack of action on that cruise , we need a rest, need to re organise, not travel half way around the globe.

But ours is not to wonder why!

The enemy B17 and liberators attacked Gilli Gilli today, China fighting seems to be dying down again.

me -a few drinks to celebrate my promotion are ging to be very welcome tomorrow.

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Post #: 124

Angry and exhuasted - 10/8/2005 3:24:28 AM

1275psi

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20/8/42
dawn, and the speakers blare -all pilots to the ready room.
Lt sato is there -grim faced.
The news is not good.
The enemy will not come to battle here in the pacific, but is heavily engaged in burma. Thus will strike a sharp blow against him there.

the news unfolds almost un believably before our eyes -never, never have i left a ready room with a stomach knotted like this.

After a month of no flying, i am headed towards burma -1st stop kendari
Kendari!!!
The zero squadrons are departing, the Vals are going to Lae -I guessed partially right -training combat missions for them.
Our lucky kate pilots grin, they will remain onboard.

Within the hr, as the sun began to rise, and with Truk a grey smudge on the horizon we launch, 200 plus zeros.
Lt sato leads.
we settle down, and begin the job of squeezing every last drop of fuel from our fighters.

It has been so long, the launch was poor, far too much rudder, and i find myself snatching at the controls.
but after a while the feeling settles back, and I begin my favorite trick for these flights -tucking in as tightly as i can to masuyama's wing tip, and sticking there.

As the ocean slides endlessly below us we poke tongues at other, and make rude gestures.
the flight goes on and on, and ones back and arse become stiff and numb.
land -Biak -and several squadrons peel off, we plow on.
sorong, ambonia, and the sun is already getting low as the celebes begin to come into view.

a simple description, but how can one convey the stress of the navigation -the worry of crossing so many miles of empty ocean and jungle
To die in battle i can accept -to be killed by a mechanical failure is intolerable.
we are lucky, the weather at kendari is clear.
we land, heavens, to open the canopy, to stiffly remove ourselves from the cockpit
Ones legs literally tremble when one walks to the small facilities here
Dust, dust and more dust.

Nobody expected us -and we arrived totally by surprise, imagine if we were B17's!
never met such a feeling of complacency at a base -how different to rabual.
the night will be a nightmare -we will be sleeping under our planes wings tonight.
i am just grateful to be here -we did lose one pilot, a fellow I never knew enroute -no one knows where he went
Tomorrow we accept replacements -rookies all.
supplies and food at least are plentiful in this part of the empire.
Lt sato will decide tomorrow if we continue.
if it rains tonight I will be very annoyed.

(in reply to 1275psi)

Post #: 125

RE: Angry and exhuasted - 10/8/2005 1:23:20 PM

String

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hmmm.. you took the squadrons off? .. Will the airfields follow?

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Post #: 126

replacemants - 10/9/2005 10:11:56 AM

1275psi

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21/8/42
Now at 112 CV landings and 2590 hrs.

We remain at kendari -it did rain and I am annoyed , and its still raining
Fortunately the army comes to the rescue, we have comfortable billets in some old colonial building for the night, rattly old trucks are used to transport us through the still shattered town.

During the day today more zeros fly in, pilots recently blooded over Lae.
these fine fellows are distributed amongst our units, bringing us all up to full strength again -a welcome addition of experienced men, not rookies as we feared might happen.

We will try for singapore tomorrow -another tremendous flight.
I am welcome of the rain today, still so sore and still pretty tired.

Good radio reception here -the news unfortunately not too good, the British fleet has delivered what appears to be a stinging blow to our navy near akyab -sinking 3 DDs, and damaging others.

the news from China is still good -fighting around Homan.
tomorrow we fly again.

I bet the Kaga is feeling empty now.

(in reply to String)

Post #: 127

RE: replacemants - 10/9/2005 2:10:18 PM

1275psi

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my log book now shows 2594 hrs, and again i am exhuasted
how much jungle is there in the world?, borneo seemed to be just endless jungle
The squadrons have dispersed somewhat, we are at some piddling little field called Miri.
the stay at Kendari had a downside, both Kasai and masuyama, our top ace , fell sick at kendari.
Quite a few pilots remained behind, planes iether not available, or the men ill.
sagara and myself again are glad to be here safe, this long range flying still worries me.

(in reply to 1275psi)

Post #: 128

RE: replacemants - 10/12/2005 12:30:01 AM

1275psi

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23/8/42

thunderstorms here and at our destinations keep us at the rough field of Miri.
At lunch time Kasai and Masuyama flew in, stomach bug now OK.
having a bad case of wind at 25000 feet is nothing to dismiss.

No news at this little hole today.
For something to do we commandeered a old Ford, and motored to the fellows at the refinery, thought a look at the reason for this war would be worth it.
It was not.
so we motored back into the village, and managed a meal of Chilli Crab -absolutely delightful meal.
Actually it was hard to imagine a war going on today.

(in reply to 1275psi)

Post #: 129

made it!!! - 10/13/2005 12:44:58 AM

1275psi

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24/8/42
made it to raheang
here pleasantly surprised -a nice sized field, very well supported.
many, many fighters here, and quite a few Army bombers
these guys seem to be very good - the notion of torpedoe attack is not strange to them iether -some having already tangled with the british fleet.
maybe this trip may be worth it.

27 nells are at this base -and these guys make me smile -the BB Prince of Wales and Repulse already in their bags

We go into briefing almost immediately -the enemy is pounding mandalaby -cover for a supply run into Akyab.
All planes will attack ASAP -weather permitting
I will definately fly the next mission -at last -all planes are assigned to attack, the field can be more easily repared than a enemy ship or our bomber crews

I sleep well tonight -the base has a great mess, good food, a proper support arrangement.
Almost as good as the Kaga.

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Post #: 130

GRounded - 10/13/2005 12:46:29 AM

1275psi

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I spend the day writing mail, washing my single flying kit.
Ouside torrential rain, and more torrential rain.

the day is dull, dull dull, made for ducks.

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Post #: 131

RE: made it!!! - 10/13/2005 12:47:23 AM

String

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I've said it before and I'll say it again, one of the most (if not just the most) enjoyable AAR's on this forum. Great format which really gives a different point of view.

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Post #: 132

RE: GRounded -still - 10/13/2005 12:53:11 AM

1275psi

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26/8/42
Another day on the ground -at full alert -but the weather never lifts here.
rangoon does strike at Akyab.

The difference between our navakl pilots and the land based ones is eveident.
Only 3 naval pilots reported lost at rangoon today -27 others lost.

A savage day is reported over Akyab
104 zeros , 30 oscars escorted 11 sally and 62 helens, met 7 spits and 43 P40e

the reports are we lost 30 zero, 12 oscars, but only 1 helen, shooting down 25 confirmed P40e and 5 spitfires

the enemy ships were hit -
A CL, the emerald 3 bombs, 1 torp
dd express -1 bomb (maybe 2)
dd napier -1 torp
and 2 AKs hit -one exploding

The losses give us pause -the zero,it seems is starting to be matched.
tomorrow we will have our turn, please weather, let me have my turn.

The entire Chinese front is reported ablaze.
3 of our divisions march north towards Akyab
Now I know why we are here- the enemy is trapped at Akyab -he is to be crushed

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Post #: 133

Blooded. - 10/14/2005 12:01:31 PM

1275psi

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Im still shaking.
Its not much, just a steady trembling in the limbs, a tightness in the chest.
On the outside i still look the same, but inside, well im changed now.

first off Kasai is dead - he never had a chance to display his skill in aerial combat, and i think this is what has got too me the most -no matter how skillful you are, the sheer brutallity of war can simply claim you.

we lost 5 men as well as him today, our unit has been terribly hit.

The day dawned dark and threatening -again I thought we would not fly.
the briefing was confused, i still think that the orders had become confused somewhere down the line, some think we took this mission due to our known skill.

Im not so sure.
just after 9 we took off -82 zeros escorting 27 nell for Chandapur -a port on the Indian coast.
Slung under our planes we all -yes, we all carried a 60 KG bomb.
The flight was bad -heavy cloud, rain , and I admit it, alone we would never have found the target, but the Nells knew the way.
Somewhere we lost some of the fellows, as we approached the coast only 15 nells were with us.

We attacked -screaming into the attack at 200 feet.
on the horizon a line of grey shapes -enemy ships -spitting death at us.
you cannot manouvre at this height, especially with a bomb slung to your belly.
I saw the P 40's long before many others did -but lt sato was adamant -we must hit the target.
2 000 yrds to go -already i briefly saw the flash of a torpedoe hitting a shape ahead -but like lightening they were upon us -P 40's -some dozen or so of them.
I side slipped, tracer wildly flinging over me, and he was past.
A flash to my right -someone going in, other flashes.

Flak -god -how shocking it is up close.
kasai simply explodes -struk sqaure by something heavy.
A looming shape -a desperate sideslip turn -500 yards
I barrel role,desperate to throw of the flak, and pull the release, spraying the target.

Its the CL Sumutra -and as i pull away i see her burning -did I hit her.
I think so

less than i minute from sighting to leaving.
I breathe again
We reform -we have lost planes -yet the ships behind us reveal towers of smoke.

the flight home is grim -and the debrief seems to go on and on.

later -LT sato joins me on the veranda.
we share a beer for kasai -another good man lost.
Only Masuyama, Sagara and myself left now
Our intelligence officer states we hit the CA devenshire with one torp, the CL sumutra with 2 bombs, CL glascow with a torp, and the CA Maurituas with a bomb
he is pleased, 2 cruisers crippled for only 16 aircraft lost.

tell that to kasai - whos body will never return home.

(in reply to 1275psi)

Post #: 134

28/8/42 - 10/15/2005 7:12:10 AM

1275psi

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reinforcements flew into the field today, experienced men again.
we were rested today, and probably a mistake too.
A very very heavy raid is reported to have penetrated the thunderstorms and hit our nieghbors at rangoon, many planes damaged and destroyed.

but i really do not care.
today has been a frantic and frustrating day of trying to assemble some kit.
Zeros do not carry much luggage!
Besides this , my shaving kit and some spare socks i posses currently no other possessions in the world, what i wear is what I have.
hardly satisfactory affairs for an Imperial officer of lofty sub leutenant rank!

the news from the world is heavy fighting continues in china, our para troops landing for a surprise attack at sian
Also..

No time to finish - we are off -follow me says LT sato -Hopefully finish this soon...

We are in Wuhan, china!.
This place is 6 feet thick with dust!

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Post #: 135

RE: 28/8/42 - 10/15/2005 7:23:06 AM

1275psi

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29/8/42
2612 hrs
We are now in a huge field at Wuhan, china.
massive field, many, many squadrons are here, all covered in a thin film of dust.
I will plainly express that we are not happy, this magical mystery tour of the world seems to be for ill effect.
My plane is recieving a much needed engine change out today, as are many others in our units.
My back is again killing me
I watch the activities of the field from yet another ready hut -amaxing how no matter where you fly in the world, ready huts all feel the same.
Crummy coffee - or tea, magazines that have passed through a million hands, flys and the smell of mustiness.

Oscars fly off every 30 minutes -big business to the north at sian -where the sky is apparently black with those brave dakato fellows.
the enemy loves throwing them to the wolves.

Heavy bombers arrive in the afternoon.

the briefing this time is a good one.
Fighting at some place to the north east -Homan , is going very badly for us -we are to change this, escorting the bombers tomorrow.
Our opposition is expected to be large numbers of hurricanes -a general engagement is expected.
We have been given a hunting license tomorrow, others to look after the bombers.
more replacements today, raw recruits.
I feel sorry for them
i miss the still on the kaga, wonder what she is doing?, the rest of the war seems to be very , very quiet.

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Post #: 136

RE: 28/8/42 - 10/15/2005 7:27:31 AM

1275psi

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Still same day, a post script

LT sato spoke to us half an hour ago -he is aware that we feel we have been used poorly

he made an announcement
today the enemy attempted to run a convoy into Akyab -and our planes hit several ships, our companions of E-ii unit scoring very heavily.
Our presence has helped disperse the enemy air, allowing such a success
Now we must help here -clear the enemy air.

then -OH Magic! -a week at Kagoshima is looking good!!!!
Home!
could this really happen?

(in reply to 1275psi)

Post #: 137

In combat - 10/17/2005 12:16:49 AM

1275psi

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30/8/42
Air to air combat at last.
Over 100 of us took of today, our unit -A11-1 leading the pack, as we escorted 50 odd bombers to Homan

LT sato spotted the enemy CAP 1st - hurricanes -dead ahead, only 7 of them.
Our unit charged dead ahead into them, and again the speed of aerial combat astounds me.
I never had even a chance to lock onto a victim, before the sky was clear of enemy planes.

PO Masuyama was shot down -reports are though that he bailed out successfully, we hope to see him tomorrow.
An exciting day
After the attack on the shipping last week, my nerves are a lot better.
I now will just trust to skill and fate.

This evening was quiet, tomorrow we will remain on scramble alert.

more enemy ships reported hit at Akyab today in the news -the army reports a successful debut of a Tony unit -their new army fighter.
Im settling in slowly here -managed to get some bedding even today.

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Post #: 138

RE: In combat - 10/17/2005 12:18:42 AM

Alikchi2

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A week at Kagoshima huh? I hope Hanamato enjoys his leave if he gets it!

I agree with String. This is one of the best AARs out there, love the format, keep it up!

_____________________________

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Post #: 139

RE: In combat - 10/17/2005 12:24:45 AM

1275psi

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Spent all of today in the ready room, amazing how this place is so similar to kaga's ready room -the same smell, the same dog tagged magazines -the same stink.
Spent the day listening to the BBC -having English as a second language is very handy -not a skill I am eager to advertise in case the intelligence fellows snaffle me and I get taken off flying.

Very bad news today in Burma -it seems the Zuiho val pilots were destroyed over Akyab -the war in the air has turned sour there.
LT Sato and myself, with sagara, the last of our little band, discuss the last whirl wind weeks -we all agree this experiment to leave the carriers did more harm than good.
I feel we may be headed back soon.
Watched 63 oscars take off for a sweep over Homan today -they return all of them triumphant -many enemy planes -chinese mainly destroyed.

Its 2 pm - and we are off again!
A11-1 is ordered to KAGOSHIMA !!!!!
We go home -maybe for just 2 days -but we go home!!!!

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Post #: 140

home - 10/17/2005 12:33:11 AM

1275psi

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How to describe ones feelings?

The thrill that swept through me as the volcano that guards our port came into view -the green hills, and the city nestled into the harbour, its wharves packed with shipping.

Then the silence as i turn the engine of.
Japan
Home, its a dream.
Lt Sato gives a Jolly wave as I depart the base, how familiar the base still looks -except it is very quiet -few planes about.

The contrast to china!
I take a tram to the port, how green is the land -how green and clean- and quiet
Girls nod to me, and men bow discreetly -how strange -I do not feel the mighty warrior.
I am lucky, the ferry across the bay does not keep me waiting, it is a very short walk south from there -soon the little roof i so dearly love comes into view, and a little old lady is working in its gardens.
She drops her hoe in shock.
I smile, eyes suddenly blinded by tears.
hello mother, I am home.

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Post #: 141

RE: home - 10/18/2005 12:26:45 AM

1275psi

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2620 hrs
9/1/42

how sweet a day it has been.
Exciting morning of conversations with my sister, how fine a young woman she has grown to be.
father cancels his fishing trip for the day.
They can wait he says -they do not know a war is on .
Little has changed for my creased, wrinkled father -his boat remains its immaculate white self, although he complains time and again about the shortages os sisal for his nets.
he shows me a gift from the navy -4 flares -to be fired if he sees a periscope.

After lunch we all go into town -father is keen to show me off I feel.

I notice many things in town - food and the shops seem to be very short -I mention this, Mother re assures me -they have our little garden she says -and father always manages to hide a few fish.
The university where i learnt my useful, but hidden skill -is closed, how strange.
Nobody seems to know much off the war -news is limited.
The radio speaks of victories -today it tells of another big air battle over Homan, and I picture the oscars taking flight from that huge dusty field -was I really there only 3 days ago.

A dream
the radio confirms a suck enemy battleship -the mississipi.

The town is quiet mainly, empty of men gone to the war it seems.
We eat at a small place father has organised -how sweet to have fresh food.

later in the evening Sagara arrives on my doorstep, Lt Sato in tow
They have good news, masuyama has been found -wet a bedraggled -but safe.
We get drunk on Sake with father tonight -toasting at last my 100 Deck landings, My promotion, and our missing comrads.

I have returned with honour it seems.
My sister sits politely with us -I see clearly the looks she Gives Sagara, and he her.
War is brutal - let them have a moment of joy whlie it lasts.
We will rejoin the kaga as soon as the rest of the squadron gets here from China.
But tomorrow is another day at home, and I have many friends to catch up on.

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Post #: 142

RE: home - 10/20/2005 12:05:58 AM

1275psi

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2/9/42

reported in to the base today, several members of our unit still to return from China.
Big air battles still over Homan reported, 40 or more enemy destroyed for about 10 of ours.
The army seems to be doing well.

After reporting in, I went and visited a old school friend

She is still as pretty as I remember her

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Post #: 143

RE: home - 10/20/2005 12:09:38 AM

1275psi

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3/9/42
How pleasant to wake in a warm, quiet place, to listen to the song birds, to stare with pleasure at a pretty face beside ones self.
The war is so far away

I believe we are all as a family going out tonight to the cinema

The enemy appears to be attacking nanning, while we still bomb in homan.
We will probably depart tomorrow.
A long flight awaits us again.

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Post #: 144

deploy again - 10/21/2005 12:32:59 AM

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9/4/42
A funny evening -we did go to the pictures -a romance movie -but before it, a "special feature"
watched a re enactment of our attack on pearl harbour - funny little models of the BBs exploding everywhere, and model planes on string diving in.

It was hard to be polite -knowing it was nothing like that at all.
yet I suppose Mother and father were so proud.
We stayed up late -so much to talk about - father served under Togo, and Sagara, Myself and my Sister spent a long time talking
We drank too much

The farewells were painful, we all took the ferry across -and the tram.
Mother gave me a small gift, it joins the special one I recieved this week.
Then onto the field -and back to the war.

9 betties awaited us
A brand new Zero for me, and LT Sato - scowling today
All the zeros flew again -100 plus being led by the betties -almost straight south by south east.
A long, long flight, but a pleasant one today -at 6000 feet, clear skies, and warm air - with no chance of enemy planes one could relax.
Again I tuck in under some one wing -Masuyamas this time -he is not very happy -having only got 1 day at home.
I am so glad to see him back though, the old veterans are starting to dissapear, too many new, unknown faces amongst A11-1 daiti for my liking now.

Siapan.
One cannot but admire the impressive defences already built here -the place fairly bristles with forts -and many , many army camps -the place groans under the wieght of men.

Tomorrow we fly to the kaga -home again after our round the world wonder tour.
Where will we go next?

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Post #: 145

back to the kaga - 10/22/2005 7:45:30 AM

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5/9/42
We are back onboard the grey old girl.

all my stuff is the same, not touched
the ship is fully stocked with planes and stores -we are steaming North west
kaga, akagi, Hiyo, junyo and several CVLs and a CA TF make up this force.
The other CVs apparently are gathering for an OP in the gilberts.

The enemy have struck a convoy at tarwana with at least 1 CV.
We feel its a fient, but one is vulnerable to Shokaka and Zuikaka, they will hunt it with Hiryu and Soryu.

The word onboard is we are going to the indian ocean.

Tonight i get down below and re meet my black gang friends -and we all get gloriously drunk!

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Post #: 146

RE: back to the kaga - 10/22/2005 7:46:32 AM

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6/9/42

I have a hang over.

we continue to sail towards davao.

back to bed.

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Post #: 147

RE: back to the kaga - 10/22/2005 7:49:44 AM

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7/9/42

All the news is on China
Big air battles reported
Fighting on the road to Chungking
Fighting at nanning - where a single regiment has defeated a shock attack.
Fighting at Homan
Fighting near wuchow
Figting north of canton
A naval landing on the coast east of canton

Its all very confusing -one can only hope for a good outcome.

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Post #: 148

Flying CAP - 10/24/2005 8:09:08 AM

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8/9/42
A busy day flying CAP -as the ship conducts drill after drill after drill.

The BBC radio comes through loud and clear - We have bombed Sian heavily today, switching targets while the enemy air is occupied defending troops it seems to me.
I envy those oscars in China
Little else to report - the fleet slowly steams north east.

9/9/42
A change of plans -the fleet is headed back to Truk.
What the grand plan is seems to me to be very unclear.
The enemies is not -a war of attrition until he equals us in strength.

The war in Chian is reported as going well today, in Burma -the air war not so well.
but agreement here on board the Kaga has been reached -the m,ain enemy is the carriers -and as one is some where down south , this area will do for now.
To truk we go.

The black gang is not pleased - a generating plant shattered today -the explosion shook the ship -sending us to action stations.
For a moment i feared we had been struck by a sub -never have I gotten from the wardroom to the upper deck so quickly!
We are under strick instructions should we be struck -get out of the way -get to the uppers -pilots apparently are valuable.

Im not sure if its the right message to send -especially when one has friends below.

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Post #: 149

rested today - 10/25/2005 12:03:25 AM

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Another day of drills.
The day was spent not on Damage control -but on vital practice of loading and spotting strikes on deck.

A interesting exercise.
The alarm was given, and as usual 6 kates were loaded at the same time in the hanger, quickly loaded with bombs, and bought on deck via the fwd lift.
The next six were just half way through loading when yamaguchi threw his spanner into the works - change all aircraft to torpedoes -prepare for a naval strike.

Interesting, we did not clear the deck for exactly 96 minutes.

The day was exhausting.
After the launch we "attacked" a BB to our south west -the hyuga is hurrying south to re join the battle line.
I wish it was a enemy we attacked.

The BBC radio had disturbing news -the allies claim that a 100 bomber force pressed home the attack on rangoon - our air force there has been devastated on the ground.

In China the road to homan has been cut, the city is almost surrounded.
Kb is returning to truk.

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Post #: 150

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