The enemy fleet sail south of Takao, course due East towards Naha, Okiwana
We attack
80 zeros, escorting just 8 Judy bombers
The enemy fleet is not even sighted.........and only 13 fighters return.
a 500 plus CAP
Doom, my friends, the final doom, approaches
The little ship that could.
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: The little ship that could.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
From
First fleet
to
CARDIV 1
BATDIV 1
You are to be ready to sail, no matter what material state, within 3 days.
Any non essential personal, including Midshipmen, are to be put ashore.
First fleet
to
CARDIV 1
BATDIV 1
You are to be ready to sail, no matter what material state, within 3 days.
Any non essential personal, including Midshipmen, are to be put ashore.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
I never do this, but allied fan boys might enjoy
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ishigaki at 89,68
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 27
A6M5c Zero x 36
A6M8 Zero x 34
D4Y2 Judy x 8
Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 61
Corsair IV x 27
Hellcat I x 66
Hellcat F.II x 31
Seafire IIC x 17
Seafire L.III x 87
Wildcat V x 18
FM-2 Wildcat x 100
F4U-1D Corsair x 160
F4U-4 Corsair x 26
F6F-3 Hellcat x 21
F6F-5 Hellcat x 199
F8F-1 Bearcat x 101
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 11 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 9 destroyed
D4Y2 Judy: 6 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Hellcat F.II: 1 destroyed
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ishigaki at 89,68
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 27
A6M5c Zero x 36
A6M8 Zero x 34
D4Y2 Judy x 8
Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 61
Corsair IV x 27
Hellcat I x 66
Hellcat F.II x 31
Seafire IIC x 17
Seafire L.III x 87
Wildcat V x 18
FM-2 Wildcat x 100
F4U-1D Corsair x 160
F4U-4 Corsair x 26
F6F-3 Hellcat x 21
F6F-5 Hellcat x 199
F8F-1 Bearcat x 101
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 11 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 9 destroyed
D4Y2 Judy: 6 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Hellcat F.II: 1 destroyed
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Looks like a kami trap to me. The CV's are loaded with just fighters. You would need +1000 AC strikes to penetrate that. Your surface TF is likely going to be a brilliant move as he won't have any bombers loaded .... so heavily CAP your surface TF and send them in. A couple of good rolls and you might really hurt him. Depends upon how he setup his shielding surface TF ... and you might approach from a blind side.
BANZAI!!!!
[&o][&o][&o]
BANZAI!!!!
[&o][&o][&o]
Pax
RE: The little ship that could.
What Pax said
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: The little ship that could.
The enemy carrier fleet loiters near Naga
japan does not take the bait.
But in Hiroshima harbour, a hundred turbines are being warmed through
Musashi's damage Control central is deep within her bowels, buried under
feet after feet of steel.
Hirate cannot but think of it as anything else but a steel tomb
Tan looks up as he enters, smiles. Sweat sheens his young brow. About him, yet again,
papers piled high
"I am still losing the damn war" he groans
"I am giving you your battle positions. Hirate......aft damage control party, hanger deck.
Okano..aft steering."
his eyes skip around the compartment, to the roof, to the open air so, so far away
"Good luck to you........we are going to need it"
Musashi, ready to sail, 2 days
Combined fleet, what is left, is forming up again
japan does not take the bait.
But in Hiroshima harbour, a hundred turbines are being warmed through
Musashi's damage Control central is deep within her bowels, buried under
feet after feet of steel.
Hirate cannot but think of it as anything else but a steel tomb
Tan looks up as he enters, smiles. Sweat sheens his young brow. About him, yet again,
papers piled high
"I am still losing the damn war" he groans
"I am giving you your battle positions. Hirate......aft damage control party, hanger deck.
Okano..aft steering."
his eyes skip around the compartment, to the roof, to the open air so, so far away
"Good luck to you........we are going to need it"
Musashi, ready to sail, 2 days
Combined fleet, what is left, is forming up again
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
26th
The carriers depart Hiroshima, bound for Nagasaki, where kaga is 3 days away from
a sort of readiness.
Task forces are being formed
Signals cross the waves
Final preparations, and a great many final farewells...........
The carriers depart Hiroshima, bound for Nagasaki, where kaga is 3 days away from
a sort of readiness.
Task forces are being formed
Signals cross the waves
Final preparations, and a great many final farewells...........
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Ogowa and Diogowa are in Ogowa's office, discussing the advance of the enemy carriers
The question is simple, is the Shinden suitable for the plans the high Command
has ordered?
With its short range, probably not.
But until it is activated, Hiroshima bay must be covered.
Tomorrow, CAP will be 60%
There is a knock on the door, a staff officer...who is rudely shoved aside
Kempati Officers...
"Officer Ogowa, Diogowa?"
"yes, what is it?"
"You are under arrest'
Shock. Horror..........confusion, and anger,,,,,,,
"ON What Charge?."..must keep calm, must
"The Charge is theft, theft of vital supplies"
'Eh?"
"Food. theft of food"
The question is simple, is the Shinden suitable for the plans the high Command
has ordered?
With its short range, probably not.
But until it is activated, Hiroshima bay must be covered.
Tomorrow, CAP will be 60%
There is a knock on the door, a staff officer...who is rudely shoved aside
Kempati Officers...
"Officer Ogowa, Diogowa?"
"yes, what is it?"
"You are under arrest'
Shock. Horror..........confusion, and anger,,,,,,,
"ON What Charge?."..must keep calm, must
"The Charge is theft, theft of vital supplies"
'Eh?"
"Food. theft of food"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
"Are you mad?
Ogowa stares at the two secret police man, anger boiling just below the surface
"Do you mean, with this unit about to deploy to fight the Americans in final battle,
you are arresting us?"
"Yes"
Behind them, one of Ogowa's officers slips into the office, see's the drama, vanishes silently again
"I thought" inserts Diogowa "it was our job to protect civilians, not starve them for our own aims"
The Policeman sneers,, and places a hand upon his holstered gun.
Ogowa pauses, and nods
"Very well" Ogowa speaks slowly, through gritted teeth "lead the way"
The four men leave the office, move across open ground towards the waiting black car.
There are twenty of Ogowa's men waiting there
LT Oda, he of 14 kills, steps forward....
"Where are you taking our squadron leader?"
"He is under arrest, for theft of food......"
Oda laughs
"Theft?......you do know that we are on an airfield?
The policeman hesitates.
"A grand target for American bombers.........a target under orders to "disperse
all vital supplies"......we are merely dispersing vital supplies to surrounding areas"
"Surely you jest"
"I jest not"
A gun appears by magic in Oda's hand......"Our Commander will lead us into battle...you
will not be stopping him"
Stand off
Retreat
The siently snarling policeman retreat to the car, it vanishes into falling snow
Oda salutes
The gun has vanished, and it is as if the policeman have never been
(but they do not give up THAT easily ney?)
They will be back, no doubt.
"Orders just in sir.......Yamato Task force is sailing, we are to initiate "winter blanket"
'Now?"
Now.
Ogowa smiles. These days ahead may solve all problems, yes?..........
'very good.......all to your planes, alert all units, you know what we have to do"
Hiroshima airfield bursts into action
And soon the fighters are flowing south
Ogowa stares at the two secret police man, anger boiling just below the surface
"Do you mean, with this unit about to deploy to fight the Americans in final battle,
you are arresting us?"
"Yes"
Behind them, one of Ogowa's officers slips into the office, see's the drama, vanishes silently again
"I thought" inserts Diogowa "it was our job to protect civilians, not starve them for our own aims"
The Policeman sneers,, and places a hand upon his holstered gun.
Ogowa pauses, and nods
"Very well" Ogowa speaks slowly, through gritted teeth "lead the way"
The four men leave the office, move across open ground towards the waiting black car.
There are twenty of Ogowa's men waiting there
LT Oda, he of 14 kills, steps forward....
"Where are you taking our squadron leader?"
"He is under arrest, for theft of food......"
Oda laughs
"Theft?......you do know that we are on an airfield?
The policeman hesitates.
"A grand target for American bombers.........a target under orders to "disperse
all vital supplies"......we are merely dispersing vital supplies to surrounding areas"
"Surely you jest"
"I jest not"
A gun appears by magic in Oda's hand......"Our Commander will lead us into battle...you
will not be stopping him"
Stand off
Retreat
The siently snarling policeman retreat to the car, it vanishes into falling snow
Oda salutes
The gun has vanished, and it is as if the policeman have never been
(but they do not give up THAT easily ney?)
They will be back, no doubt.
"Orders just in sir.......Yamato Task force is sailing, we are to initiate "winter blanket"
'Now?"
Now.
Ogowa smiles. These days ahead may solve all problems, yes?..........
'very good.......all to your planes, alert all units, you know what we have to do"
Hiroshima airfield bursts into action
And soon the fighters are flowing south
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Dusk
28th November
The massive allied task force creeps east
Closer, closer......
Ogowas eagles settle on the chains of islands leading to Okiwana
His Shindens, near the very tip of Southern japan, the georges further south
Many other fighters from Japan join them
Winter Blanket: Every fighter we have or can support on LRCAP
The carriers to charge ahead, fighters dedicated on only one thing, covering the battleships...
Everything: to cover the battleships.
We commit.
Let the gods of war decide our mens fate.
28th November
The massive allied task force creeps east
Closer, closer......
Ogowas eagles settle on the chains of islands leading to Okiwana
His Shindens, near the very tip of Southern japan, the georges further south
Many other fighters from Japan join them
Winter Blanket: Every fighter we have or can support on LRCAP
The carriers to charge ahead, fighters dedicated on only one thing, covering the battleships...
Everything: to cover the battleships.
We commit.
Let the gods of war decide our mens fate.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
'Bridge, one Engine room"
"Bridge"
Tan takes a deep breath. Saviours the moment
150000 shaft horsepower at his finger tips
"12 boilers connected, all departments ready.to proceed to sea"
"very good'
A minute later, deep in the heart of Musashi, the telegraphs ring
"Slow ahead all"
"Bridge"
Tan takes a deep breath. Saviours the moment
150000 shaft horsepower at his finger tips
"12 boilers connected, all departments ready.to proceed to sea"
"very good'
A minute later, deep in the heart of Musashi, the telegraphs ring
"Slow ahead all"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
two women, and an old man stand on a cold beach
5 miles away, two giant grey mountains move slowly to sea, dwarfing the cruisers and destroyers
about them.
The old man murmurs what all of Japan believes
"As long as Yamato lives, Japan will be safe"
5 miles away, two giant grey mountains move slowly to sea, dwarfing the cruisers and destroyers
about them.
The old man murmurs what all of Japan believes
"As long as Yamato lives, Japan will be safe"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Damn it man! I'm a AFB and can't put this down.[;)]
RE: The little ship that could.
29/11/45
"Bombs gone'
The B-29 does its usual lurch as the tons of bombs drop away, Longpig struggling
with the controls momentarily before he wins over.
"turning to Port...watch for fighters men, the little rats are about"
They are too, a scattering of long nosed Tonies, some elderly zeros.
But none will come near them this flight, and Amani Oshima seems to be lightly defended on the
Flak front
In short, another milk run.
3 missions in 5 days, and barely an enemy fighter seen.....
he shifts easily in his seat, grins at Bigglesworth
1 more mission, and that was it...........tour done.
Just more milk run...........just one more.
"Bombs gone'
The B-29 does its usual lurch as the tons of bombs drop away, Longpig struggling
with the controls momentarily before he wins over.
"turning to Port...watch for fighters men, the little rats are about"
They are too, a scattering of long nosed Tonies, some elderly zeros.
But none will come near them this flight, and Amani Oshima seems to be lightly defended on the
Flak front
In short, another milk run.
3 missions in 5 days, and barely an enemy fighter seen.....
he shifts easily in his seat, grins at Bigglesworth
1 more mission, and that was it...........tour done.
Just more milk run...........just one more.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
29/11/45
Musashi passes a quiet night.
But few will sleep.
Deep in her bowels many drink, drink, and live, for tomorrow we die...
Others write letters, letters that will never be delivered in all likely
hood. But thoughts of love and family and despair are better put on paper, to
be written, to be released, than to remain trapped in hearts forever
Hirate has no time for this
Musashi has 4 Pete float fighters, they have to be bought out of the hangers,
craned up onto the deck, placed on the Trolley, pushed into position.
Then there is the fuel, and bullets.
Hirate observes the young men who will pilot them, and quickly decides that not one of
them would be on par to those he knew on Zuiho, would never be like that fine fellow Ogowa.
Okano has little to do, so he prowls the decks, learning locations of fire plugs, of the doors,
of the station he will command.
He has 24 men, young men. But enthusiastic.
And all utterly confident in Musashi's ability, in her strength, her armour.
Dawn rises
The seas are calm
Kanoya lies a smudge upon the horizon.
Japan
Home, kirth, Kin.
Eternal
Land we are sworn to defend.
Musashi passes a quiet night.
But few will sleep.
Deep in her bowels many drink, drink, and live, for tomorrow we die...
Others write letters, letters that will never be delivered in all likely
hood. But thoughts of love and family and despair are better put on paper, to
be written, to be released, than to remain trapped in hearts forever
Hirate has no time for this
Musashi has 4 Pete float fighters, they have to be bought out of the hangers,
craned up onto the deck, placed on the Trolley, pushed into position.
Then there is the fuel, and bullets.
Hirate observes the young men who will pilot them, and quickly decides that not one of
them would be on par to those he knew on Zuiho, would never be like that fine fellow Ogowa.
Okano has little to do, so he prowls the decks, learning locations of fire plugs, of the doors,
of the station he will command.
He has 24 men, young men. But enthusiastic.
And all utterly confident in Musashi's ability, in her strength, her armour.
Dawn rises
The seas are calm
Kanoya lies a smudge upon the horizon.
Japan
Home, kirth, Kin.
Eternal
Land we are sworn to defend.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Ogowa faces his men
A bitter breeze sweeps Okiwana field,
'We have just one mission........to locate Yamato, to cover her fat arse. She is going
to make for here...........if she survives the day"
he pauses
Tomorrow, my brothers, we face their best.
Hellcats, bearcats, those gull winged barsteds"
We are better than them..........we are better than them.......
Let us show it"
A bitter breeze sweeps Okiwana field,
'We have just one mission........to locate Yamato, to cover her fat arse. She is going
to make for here...........if she survives the day"
he pauses
Tomorrow, my brothers, we face their best.
Hellcats, bearcats, those gull winged barsteds"
We are better than them..........we are better than them.......
Let us show it"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Captain Ariga, Commander of this task force, nods
The reports are good
From Kanoya to Okiwana, every airfield has been occupied during the day with every
fighter available.
All ordered to cover him tomorrow come hell or heaven
Operation winter blanket.
Kaga, Taiho, Unryu and Ibuki racing to join him. Fighters only.
Planes enough, surely, to cover him from whatever the allied beast carried.
The enemy is 100 miles from Okiwana
And theoretically..........in striking range.
All in position
I have done all that I can, its in the roll of the dice now.......
"Signal all units........we attack, follow me"
"Navigator, all ahead flank!"
150000 shaft horsepower
Musashi will need every one
The reports are good
From Kanoya to Okiwana, every airfield has been occupied during the day with every
fighter available.
All ordered to cover him tomorrow come hell or heaven
Operation winter blanket.
Kaga, Taiho, Unryu and Ibuki racing to join him. Fighters only.
Planes enough, surely, to cover him from whatever the allied beast carried.
The enemy is 100 miles from Okiwana
And theoretically..........in striking range.
All in position
I have done all that I can, its in the roll of the dice now.......
"Signal all units........we attack, follow me"
"Navigator, all ahead flank!"
150000 shaft horsepower
Musashi will need every one
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
"All in position
I have done all that I can, its in the roll of the dice now....... "
they have no idea[:D]
I have done all that I can, its in the roll of the dice now....... "
they have no idea[:D]