Yamamoto stands erect, a pillar of strength on the bridge of Japans greatest ship.
240 miles to Iwo
9 hrs for his slowest ship.
Then what?
Will they be there -the elderly Nevada, the 5 cruisers?
Or the new battleship -the Iowa? -Iwoa -is that not the land of wheatfields? or corn?
Does it matter?
As long as they are there -and don't run.
Umeya has done well. No helldivers today.............
Tomorrow?
probably.
No, definately.
He is happy. being happy in war, is, he supposes, perverse. but when you train a whole life for a single moment -a moment that may never come............
Tomorrow, tomorrow, it just might.
The great ship barely quivers -even at 26 knots.
All is quiet, baring a ss, battle tomorrow.
A last chance.
"captain, if you don't mind -I'm going for an impromture walk about the ship. hold this course, hell or high water"
herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
And now , of course, cantona is getting ready to get married. Ever notice how real life always jumpsin just as WITP gets on a knife edge!
'Turns spotty -rain expected!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"""[8|][8|][8|]
'Turns spotty -rain expected!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"""[8|][8|][8|]
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
11/6/44
Midday
Half a dozen or so pilots are sitting in the shade of a fighters wing, each crossed legged, comfortable in full flying gear.
They are smiling and laughing, minds far away from the war. The distraction is I suppose almost universal - someone from somewhere (do we ever KNOW the answer to this -ever?) has found a small puppy. It is busy at the moment chewing away on one of Juni's boots, extracting much laughter and good humour from everyone.
Its a ragged little thing, of a varied and very dubious linage -but it is doing a good job on the instep at the moment.
At its present rate, Juni may need new boots some time before the war ends
Its a pleasant day -again no B-29's -they are continuing the campaign against Toyahara -a fruitless exercise the High command is actually keen to encourage -the Japanese airforce cannot give away Mitsubishi engines at the moment................
The pleasant day ends rather abruptly.
Once again, the signs come quickly - the call for Nakamura to the communications hut, the call for "Officer this, officer that" to Nakamura's hut in turn, the burst of activity at various areas - the fuel depot, the met office.
The decider for the men though, is the casual way Juni reaches into his pocket, and checks for his toothbrush.........
'buggar' moans Chizaburo -"just as I was nodding off too"
47th is moving again.
The rumours begin flying even before the first piston fires -the Navy -it seems -is fleeing helter skelter towards Japan.
47th -and just about anything that flies in Japan, is being ordered to greet any pursuit with a level of violence unseen before...........
10th to the 11th
12 hours prior ....................
Miyazuki rubs his eyes, puts them to the sights yet again. He is tired. very, very tired. And not a little afraid.
there is a great promise of action -soon.
Will he do well?. he must.
The hatch to the rear opens, and briefly moonlight and cool air flows in. The light briefly illuminates the entering figure -and men stiffen immediately.
Yamamoto.
'Ignore me men, I am just poking about"
An impossible order to obey -the men try to carry on, an intense lesson why commanders must never mix with men in battle, must remain aloof on bridges - nothing can get done smoothly until they bloody well leave then alone to do their jobs
Yamamoto allows his eyes to adjust to the red lighting, then to Miyazuki's horror, he makes his way to him.
"Anything to see?"
'Hosogawa's battleships just on the horizon sir -and still pulling away -probably 25 miles now -I can just see Kongo's tower"
The Admiral smiles "Good -very good, impressive opticals Ney?. And Kurita?"
The Lt in charge answers - "20 astern sir - and fading fast"
"Hosogawa is too fast for us, and we are too fast for Kurita"
Yamamoto place a friendly hand on Miyazuki's shoulder - what strength!
"The enemy are fleeing I feel men - do not be disappointed if we don't shoot today -the battle for Iwo has yet to truly begin. We will back up Hosogawa if he needs it. In the mean time -be alert, don't fail me. And if we can, when we shoot, be calm, and shoot well.
Japan is depending on us all now"
And then he was gone.
Miyazuki puts his eyes to the sights again - straining to see Kongo. But there is no difficulty now. like a light house, she pierces the dark. Even at 25 miles - the great flash is unmistake able .
Kongo is engaging somebody -with her main batteries..........
Extract from Shattering the sword. A cantona production
Third battle of Iwo
Hosogawa arrives of Iwo island at 0100 hours, 3 battle cruisers, 6 heavy cruisers and 6 destroyers strong.
He overtakes a fleeing fleet.
6 modern destroyers of the Fletcher class turn to tackle the charging fleet -and are instantly rewarded for courage with a torpedo hit on the Hiei -that slows her not at all......
The Japanese reply is devastating - at 8000 yards the entire line of Imperial grey fires -and the destroyers are blown apart, smashed, shredded.
CA Myoko staggers -and falls from line -a torpedo from god knows where.
And then -in an action impossible to trace - Hosogawa takes the line in a great lap around Iwo - sinking anything and everything in sight.
The action is less than an hour on, and he signals Yamamoto that"the nest is empty" -sending the remaining Japanese ships racing north again, unengaged, unneeded.
They are unneeded because there will be nothing left to sink - 14 AKs, 8 DD's, 2 DE's burn, sink, settle in his wake, and nearly 3000 bodies have been added to the butchers bill - a armoured unit sunk before it can land.
By dawn, he is racing North again, racing, because the allied carriers too are racing - a mere 160 miles behind.......
Myoko struggles North -at 10 knots. She cannot make it. As Hosagawa -slowed momentarily by a ss hit on Kirishima -races over the horizon, the Myoko turns south again -determined to sell herself dearly.
1000 hrs
Yamato
8 battleships race north west, Hiei down by the bow, Kirishima a list. The seas are calm. But the sky is not -again great sheets of rain dot the ocean, low clouds in a carpet.
Squalls. Mini storms.
Salvation.
All morning Yamamoto skilfully guides the task forces -dashing from squall to squall - frantically seeking cover.
Again, and again the fleet erupts into flame -as recon and search planes abruptly break into the clear.
It is hard to gauge who is more frustrated, the airmen, denied a clear attack, or the sailors, denied yet again a chance to fire the great rifles .
The rain helps -but only a miracle is going to prevent the coming strike from hitting them.
The miracle is, of course, the Myoko.
Nearly 200 aircraft attack -and she wears the lot.
but it takes 2 hours to force her down. Japanese cruisers are tough barsteds.
Mid afternoon, and the sky clears over the fleet -but not over the pursuing allies. No strikes come this afternoon.
Dusk - and Yamamoto flees north. Air cover is promised. Over him, at home. "By the very best"
Nagumo studies the situation map.
To the north of IWO - Yamamoto heading for home, his 5 CVE's entering port
To the south -nearing Siapan -a single red dot -Umeya, and his CV
And to the far east of him -mobile fleet one and two -still coming
And to the east of Iwo -a sight terrible to behold - a sea of green contacts -more ships than can be counted, scattered over literally a thousand square miles.
Panic is gripping many in Tokyo tonight.
Despair in many
But Nagumo does not see it that way
he looks at all those ships -so scattered, so spread -so thinly protected by CV's that cannot be everywhere -that can be lured it seems so easily.
No, Nagumo does not see despair. All he sees is golden opportunities....................
Midday
Half a dozen or so pilots are sitting in the shade of a fighters wing, each crossed legged, comfortable in full flying gear.
They are smiling and laughing, minds far away from the war. The distraction is I suppose almost universal - someone from somewhere (do we ever KNOW the answer to this -ever?) has found a small puppy. It is busy at the moment chewing away on one of Juni's boots, extracting much laughter and good humour from everyone.
Its a ragged little thing, of a varied and very dubious linage -but it is doing a good job on the instep at the moment.
At its present rate, Juni may need new boots some time before the war ends
Its a pleasant day -again no B-29's -they are continuing the campaign against Toyahara -a fruitless exercise the High command is actually keen to encourage -the Japanese airforce cannot give away Mitsubishi engines at the moment................
The pleasant day ends rather abruptly.
Once again, the signs come quickly - the call for Nakamura to the communications hut, the call for "Officer this, officer that" to Nakamura's hut in turn, the burst of activity at various areas - the fuel depot, the met office.
The decider for the men though, is the casual way Juni reaches into his pocket, and checks for his toothbrush.........
'buggar' moans Chizaburo -"just as I was nodding off too"
47th is moving again.
The rumours begin flying even before the first piston fires -the Navy -it seems -is fleeing helter skelter towards Japan.
47th -and just about anything that flies in Japan, is being ordered to greet any pursuit with a level of violence unseen before...........
10th to the 11th
12 hours prior ....................
Miyazuki rubs his eyes, puts them to the sights yet again. He is tired. very, very tired. And not a little afraid.
there is a great promise of action -soon.
Will he do well?. he must.
The hatch to the rear opens, and briefly moonlight and cool air flows in. The light briefly illuminates the entering figure -and men stiffen immediately.
Yamamoto.
'Ignore me men, I am just poking about"
An impossible order to obey -the men try to carry on, an intense lesson why commanders must never mix with men in battle, must remain aloof on bridges - nothing can get done smoothly until they bloody well leave then alone to do their jobs
Yamamoto allows his eyes to adjust to the red lighting, then to Miyazuki's horror, he makes his way to him.
"Anything to see?"
'Hosogawa's battleships just on the horizon sir -and still pulling away -probably 25 miles now -I can just see Kongo's tower"
The Admiral smiles "Good -very good, impressive opticals Ney?. And Kurita?"
The Lt in charge answers - "20 astern sir - and fading fast"
"Hosogawa is too fast for us, and we are too fast for Kurita"
Yamamoto place a friendly hand on Miyazuki's shoulder - what strength!
"The enemy are fleeing I feel men - do not be disappointed if we don't shoot today -the battle for Iwo has yet to truly begin. We will back up Hosogawa if he needs it. In the mean time -be alert, don't fail me. And if we can, when we shoot, be calm, and shoot well.
Japan is depending on us all now"
And then he was gone.
Miyazuki puts his eyes to the sights again - straining to see Kongo. But there is no difficulty now. like a light house, she pierces the dark. Even at 25 miles - the great flash is unmistake able .
Kongo is engaging somebody -with her main batteries..........
Extract from Shattering the sword. A cantona production
Third battle of Iwo
Hosogawa arrives of Iwo island at 0100 hours, 3 battle cruisers, 6 heavy cruisers and 6 destroyers strong.
He overtakes a fleeing fleet.
6 modern destroyers of the Fletcher class turn to tackle the charging fleet -and are instantly rewarded for courage with a torpedo hit on the Hiei -that slows her not at all......
The Japanese reply is devastating - at 8000 yards the entire line of Imperial grey fires -and the destroyers are blown apart, smashed, shredded.
CA Myoko staggers -and falls from line -a torpedo from god knows where.
And then -in an action impossible to trace - Hosogawa takes the line in a great lap around Iwo - sinking anything and everything in sight.
The action is less than an hour on, and he signals Yamamoto that"the nest is empty" -sending the remaining Japanese ships racing north again, unengaged, unneeded.
They are unneeded because there will be nothing left to sink - 14 AKs, 8 DD's, 2 DE's burn, sink, settle in his wake, and nearly 3000 bodies have been added to the butchers bill - a armoured unit sunk before it can land.
By dawn, he is racing North again, racing, because the allied carriers too are racing - a mere 160 miles behind.......
Myoko struggles North -at 10 knots. She cannot make it. As Hosagawa -slowed momentarily by a ss hit on Kirishima -races over the horizon, the Myoko turns south again -determined to sell herself dearly.
1000 hrs
Yamato
8 battleships race north west, Hiei down by the bow, Kirishima a list. The seas are calm. But the sky is not -again great sheets of rain dot the ocean, low clouds in a carpet.
Squalls. Mini storms.
Salvation.
All morning Yamamoto skilfully guides the task forces -dashing from squall to squall - frantically seeking cover.
Again, and again the fleet erupts into flame -as recon and search planes abruptly break into the clear.
It is hard to gauge who is more frustrated, the airmen, denied a clear attack, or the sailors, denied yet again a chance to fire the great rifles .
The rain helps -but only a miracle is going to prevent the coming strike from hitting them.
The miracle is, of course, the Myoko.
Nearly 200 aircraft attack -and she wears the lot.
but it takes 2 hours to force her down. Japanese cruisers are tough barsteds.
Mid afternoon, and the sky clears over the fleet -but not over the pursuing allies. No strikes come this afternoon.
Dusk - and Yamamoto flees north. Air cover is promised. Over him, at home. "By the very best"
Nagumo studies the situation map.
To the north of IWO - Yamamoto heading for home, his 5 CVE's entering port
To the south -nearing Siapan -a single red dot -Umeya, and his CV
And to the far east of him -mobile fleet one and two -still coming
And to the east of Iwo -a sight terrible to behold - a sea of green contacts -more ships than can be counted, scattered over literally a thousand square miles.
Panic is gripping many in Tokyo tonight.
Despair in many
But Nagumo does not see it that way
he looks at all those ships -so scattered, so spread -so thinly protected by CV's that cannot be everywhere -that can be lured it seems so easily.
No, Nagumo does not see despair. All he sees is golden opportunities....................
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
12/6/44
Setsuko sits in the sun at the front door of her little apartment, taking in the morning warmth before it became intolerable.
Life, she reflects, is funny
Only a month ago-it seemed –her life was precariously balanced, at the mercy of The Dictators goons, or the back of Mr Yashimotos hand.
Now, the Dictator was gone, and so too, it appeared, was Yashimoto. His little shop boarded up, dark and quiet.
Rats deserting a sinking ship.
Where he had gone, she neither knew, or cared.
Regardless –it was nice to be able to now once again literally and figuratively, sit in the sun.
The young men are still at the AA guns, no, that’s not correct –now there is only one young man, the rest are old men, grey, in ill fitting uniforms.
In fact –during her “bad times” it seems that nearly everyone is wearing a uniform of some sort –either military, or civilian.
The air defence people are the greatest nuiscance…endless interruptions to the day with drills –if forming bucket brigades can be termed a drill –(heavens knows what those unfortunate not to be near the river do for water), to inspections, and parades.
The parades are the worst – some inflated ego exalting them to marshal “fighting spirit” while they stand in lose formation.
How ‘fighting spirit” is going to stop a 1000 lb bomb is beyond her……….
There is no need for the exaltations anyway –everyone knows the picture now.
Toyahara is rubble –where will the B-29’s go next?. And then there are the transports –they rubble overhead –engines straining as they climb from Tokyo fields, turning south.
Iwo- the news from there continues every day, the radio extolling the courage of the defenders, their willingness to fight to the end.
Setsuko though, wonders what Mr Iwaya would have thought of the armada’s arrayed against it
More transports climb overhead, that is nearly fifty already, and then, glinting in the sun –what she has been waiting for.
The fighters circle briefly the city – low, hard, fast.
The Tigers on the tails easy to see.
“For the cities moral” he wrote
To see HIM, protecting her………………
The Tiger roars overhead –and she cannot help herself – she breaks into frantic waving, as her very heart leaps up to him.
Battleships slip into port under pouring rain.
Lines cross, gangways clang into place. Cranes almost immediately crawl into life, and long chains of men begin to restore the ships –oblivious to the rain.
Fat fuel barges push alongside, and the thick hoses begin to pulse with life
Hiei and Kirishima wait impatiently at dry dock gates, as the blocks are moved on the concrete floors. With luck, they will be docked down by tomorrows dawn.
A un countable number of rules are being broken today – ships being docked with magazines still full –fuel tanks still full.
Speed, speed now is everything.
“Mobile fleet will begin its attack on the twelve day of this month. The fleet must –must be ready again by then..All ships –including the Mutsu, will sail again on this date”
Yamamoto will hear no excuse. Ready or not - his side of the vice will be ready
Captains conference
CV Taiho
In the wardroom today there is no indication at all that Japans biggest carrier is plowing east at her best speed. The seas are smooth, and the temperature in the room is stifling, the equator is near –and today is windless.
Yamada again glances around the table. ‘gentlemen –the battle ahead”
Murmers, many here fear the battle for Iwo over before they get there…………
Yamada allows the murmers to die down, “ We have positively identified 3 new essex class, 3 independence class carriers –operating together, just east of Iwo.
Scattered to the south, to the south east – many, many other ships –including his tankers. There are several small CVE’s scattered amongst them.
Today LBA from Japan sunk 2 AK –east of Ichi chima.
Ulithi air sank 6 more coming north –how, why –I don’t know – knowing the numbers against us, an insignificant loss.”
He lets that sink in.
“We are still at least 6 days out from the battle –we are tired I know –but that is six days of attrition for him as well. Army swears Iwo will hold that long”
“Another Majuro offers” Hara grins
“yes – another Majuro –but I’m not sure the army has the strength to throw him off this time”
This, to a man, is news.
Yamada notes the frowns “ gentlemen, a decision is needed. Sink the carriers, this is the only chance for victory. His CAP is murder –what gets through must score on flight decks”
A big pause. Then the plunge “ many of my pilots wish to become special attack. How many of you agree –or do I deny them the honour?
Silence –a few sucking in of breaths
“Special attack, or not. This we must decide today”
Setsuko sits in the sun at the front door of her little apartment, taking in the morning warmth before it became intolerable.
Life, she reflects, is funny
Only a month ago-it seemed –her life was precariously balanced, at the mercy of The Dictators goons, or the back of Mr Yashimotos hand.
Now, the Dictator was gone, and so too, it appeared, was Yashimoto. His little shop boarded up, dark and quiet.
Rats deserting a sinking ship.
Where he had gone, she neither knew, or cared.
Regardless –it was nice to be able to now once again literally and figuratively, sit in the sun.
The young men are still at the AA guns, no, that’s not correct –now there is only one young man, the rest are old men, grey, in ill fitting uniforms.
In fact –during her “bad times” it seems that nearly everyone is wearing a uniform of some sort –either military, or civilian.
The air defence people are the greatest nuiscance…endless interruptions to the day with drills –if forming bucket brigades can be termed a drill –(heavens knows what those unfortunate not to be near the river do for water), to inspections, and parades.
The parades are the worst – some inflated ego exalting them to marshal “fighting spirit” while they stand in lose formation.
How ‘fighting spirit” is going to stop a 1000 lb bomb is beyond her……….
There is no need for the exaltations anyway –everyone knows the picture now.
Toyahara is rubble –where will the B-29’s go next?. And then there are the transports –they rubble overhead –engines straining as they climb from Tokyo fields, turning south.
Iwo- the news from there continues every day, the radio extolling the courage of the defenders, their willingness to fight to the end.
Setsuko though, wonders what Mr Iwaya would have thought of the armada’s arrayed against it
More transports climb overhead, that is nearly fifty already, and then, glinting in the sun –what she has been waiting for.
The fighters circle briefly the city – low, hard, fast.
The Tigers on the tails easy to see.
“For the cities moral” he wrote
To see HIM, protecting her………………
The Tiger roars overhead –and she cannot help herself – she breaks into frantic waving, as her very heart leaps up to him.
Battleships slip into port under pouring rain.
Lines cross, gangways clang into place. Cranes almost immediately crawl into life, and long chains of men begin to restore the ships –oblivious to the rain.
Fat fuel barges push alongside, and the thick hoses begin to pulse with life
Hiei and Kirishima wait impatiently at dry dock gates, as the blocks are moved on the concrete floors. With luck, they will be docked down by tomorrows dawn.
A un countable number of rules are being broken today – ships being docked with magazines still full –fuel tanks still full.
Speed, speed now is everything.
“Mobile fleet will begin its attack on the twelve day of this month. The fleet must –must be ready again by then..All ships –including the Mutsu, will sail again on this date”
Yamamoto will hear no excuse. Ready or not - his side of the vice will be ready
Captains conference
CV Taiho
In the wardroom today there is no indication at all that Japans biggest carrier is plowing east at her best speed. The seas are smooth, and the temperature in the room is stifling, the equator is near –and today is windless.
Yamada again glances around the table. ‘gentlemen –the battle ahead”
Murmers, many here fear the battle for Iwo over before they get there…………
Yamada allows the murmers to die down, “ We have positively identified 3 new essex class, 3 independence class carriers –operating together, just east of Iwo.
Scattered to the south, to the south east – many, many other ships –including his tankers. There are several small CVE’s scattered amongst them.
Today LBA from Japan sunk 2 AK –east of Ichi chima.
Ulithi air sank 6 more coming north –how, why –I don’t know – knowing the numbers against us, an insignificant loss.”
He lets that sink in.
“We are still at least 6 days out from the battle –we are tired I know –but that is six days of attrition for him as well. Army swears Iwo will hold that long”
“Another Majuro offers” Hara grins
“yes – another Majuro –but I’m not sure the army has the strength to throw him off this time”
This, to a man, is news.
Yamada notes the frowns “ gentlemen, a decision is needed. Sink the carriers, this is the only chance for victory. His CAP is murder –what gets through must score on flight decks”
A big pause. Then the plunge “ many of my pilots wish to become special attack. How many of you agree –or do I deny them the honour?
Silence –a few sucking in of breaths
“Special attack, or not. This we must decide today”
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
13/6/44
(Apologies if I have the wrong name for the rock)
47th spend a long, long day over Osaka Harbour on CAP.
The weather is fowl, which is good.
Below them, the harbours remain packed with warships.
Whether it is there presence, or the weather – no enemy planes appear today
Nakamura receives a secret signal.
It is not unexpected for the premier air unit for Japan.
“’standby for deployment to Iwo”
He is not surprised. How many times has 47th covered Navy arse. Why not now at the wars most critical moment?
The hardest thing, he thinks, will be facing the reaction of Juni…………
14/6/44
No matter how much gold braid a man wears, he is still a man. Subject to gravity like everyone else.
Admiral Takeda is moving swiftly down one of Ise’s ladders, when said gravity intervenes.
The broken leg is not pretty.
There is little time for Command changes, or shuffling. The men on the spot will sail.
Thus, this evening, Yamamoto transfers his flag to the slow BB group – Ise, Hyuga Yamashiro, and pitifully few destroyers.
Tanaka takes command of “fast strike group” –Yamoto, Mushuia, the 2 battle cruisers, and a good selection of CA’s.
Both groups refuel, tomorrow they will rendezvous with the 5 CVE’s., and begin to sail south again.
Timing, as always, will be everything……………
Yamamoto growls. Iwaya would not have allowed this…………..
“You mean to say over half my DD’s just went into refit? – now? –at the crises?”
Nobody can answer on the crowded bridge –after all –when things like this happen, finding blame is a pointless exercise –all are to blame, nobody is to blame………..
Yamamoto accepts the silence. “Well, cannot be helped now. Captain –is this old girl ready to go?”
“Sir!. Ready to sail”
“Alright then. Another round. Pawn to knight two………”
Umeya listens carefully. The radio hissles, crackles, fuzzes. But the tone of the voice cuts through clearly. ‘Enemy has attacked Iwo . My casualties 500. Enemy estimated 3000. ………….”
Oh there is no mistaking the tone. The defenders of Iwo are dearly satisfied with today’s work.
Extract from Shattering the Sword” a Cantona production.
We know what Iwo looks like. We know the allies seized half the first field day one. Cut of the stinking mount Surabaya on day two – swarmed to its peak day three.
Raised the stars and stripes
Three days – and progress was counted as good by the commanders. The process of clearing the small mountain fortress could begin.
But what they could not know, could not imagine –was the tunnel drilled ALL the way from the northern first line, to Surabaya rock.
Nor could they imagine a full regiment reinforcing, relieving its defenders, or the flow of supplies it allowed.
The allies attack –and are driven off the rock –the stars and stripes pulled down –replaced defiantly with a new rising sun.
For the Marines –here to revenge Majuro – it is a chilling sight. They cannot take this stinking rock –not now –not unless somebody comes up with something new, and something fast……………
(Apologies if I have the wrong name for the rock)
47th spend a long, long day over Osaka Harbour on CAP.
The weather is fowl, which is good.
Below them, the harbours remain packed with warships.
Whether it is there presence, or the weather – no enemy planes appear today
Nakamura receives a secret signal.
It is not unexpected for the premier air unit for Japan.
“’standby for deployment to Iwo”
He is not surprised. How many times has 47th covered Navy arse. Why not now at the wars most critical moment?
The hardest thing, he thinks, will be facing the reaction of Juni…………
14/6/44
No matter how much gold braid a man wears, he is still a man. Subject to gravity like everyone else.
Admiral Takeda is moving swiftly down one of Ise’s ladders, when said gravity intervenes.
The broken leg is not pretty.
There is little time for Command changes, or shuffling. The men on the spot will sail.
Thus, this evening, Yamamoto transfers his flag to the slow BB group – Ise, Hyuga Yamashiro, and pitifully few destroyers.
Tanaka takes command of “fast strike group” –Yamoto, Mushuia, the 2 battle cruisers, and a good selection of CA’s.
Both groups refuel, tomorrow they will rendezvous with the 5 CVE’s., and begin to sail south again.
Timing, as always, will be everything……………
Yamamoto growls. Iwaya would not have allowed this…………..
“You mean to say over half my DD’s just went into refit? – now? –at the crises?”
Nobody can answer on the crowded bridge –after all –when things like this happen, finding blame is a pointless exercise –all are to blame, nobody is to blame………..
Yamamoto accepts the silence. “Well, cannot be helped now. Captain –is this old girl ready to go?”
“Sir!. Ready to sail”
“Alright then. Another round. Pawn to knight two………”
Umeya listens carefully. The radio hissles, crackles, fuzzes. But the tone of the voice cuts through clearly. ‘Enemy has attacked Iwo . My casualties 500. Enemy estimated 3000. ………….”
Oh there is no mistaking the tone. The defenders of Iwo are dearly satisfied with today’s work.
Extract from Shattering the Sword” a Cantona production.
We know what Iwo looks like. We know the allies seized half the first field day one. Cut of the stinking mount Surabaya on day two – swarmed to its peak day three.
Raised the stars and stripes
Three days – and progress was counted as good by the commanders. The process of clearing the small mountain fortress could begin.
But what they could not know, could not imagine –was the tunnel drilled ALL the way from the northern first line, to Surabaya rock.
Nor could they imagine a full regiment reinforcing, relieving its defenders, or the flow of supplies it allowed.
The allies attack –and are driven off the rock –the stars and stripes pulled down –replaced defiantly with a new rising sun.
For the Marines –here to revenge Majuro – it is a chilling sight. They cannot take this stinking rock –not now –not unless somebody comes up with something new, and something fast……………
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
ORIGINAL: 1275psi
13/6/44
(Apologies if I have the wrong name for the rock)
Extract from Shattering the Sword” a Cantona production.
We know what Iwo looks like. We know the allies seized half the first field day one. Cut of the stinking mount Surabaya on day two – swarmed to its peak day three.
Raised the stars and stripes
Mount Suribashi is what you are looking for.
Still enjoy your AAR; thrilling !
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
yes thats it - but i suppose in this alternative universe............
Thanks for hanging in here !
15/6/44
The allied carriers -how many?-every day seems to reveal another one -continue to rest 60 miles east of Iwo.
Troops pour ashore still - matched by the air bridge japan throws across the blood soaked seas......
Val special attack planes deploy to Iwo -and sink a AK - base force and all.
Franks attempt to hold the sky -and hellcats try to wretch its control from them.............
Midway betwen Ulithi, Guam.
Captain Hara reads the signal.
one torp. How vulnerable the CVLs are. Shoho has been sunk in the mallacca straight - the ARs sent to her aid insufficient to help. Never mind, she has served well.
Again his thoughts turn to yesterday...........
No special attack -yet.
patience is the key. Iwo remains open - the allies cannot risk a naval bombardment so far from replenishment - nor airfield attacks -not with this task force not located..
patience.
And timing.
And not a little luck............
Umeya considers the tactical board. it is nearly dusk - to the north east - 500 miles -a mass of shipping -AK's, APs
Due north - 450 miles - tankers -but carriers -CVEs?
And the same distance, to the North west -the enemy main fleet.............
What to do.?
His men look at him, waiting politely for his decision. So many times they have risked all............
To hell with it.
'Fortune favours the brave ney?"
The men nod -maybe they are infected with his madness to fight the entire damn world again............
'Course due north -CAP - stuff it -minimal - lets attack!"
The battleships form attack formation. the two super battle wagons in the centre. Kongo leading. The elderly BB's in the rear. the CVE's scattered amongst them.
Bows begin rise and fall, white foam breaking as the great ships enter the open ocean again.
Yamamoto has quietly informed his captains, "the time for preserving a fleet has passed. Now is the moment of decision. let all fight with courage, for Japan, for the empire............"
Thanks for hanging in here !
15/6/44
The allied carriers -how many?-every day seems to reveal another one -continue to rest 60 miles east of Iwo.
Troops pour ashore still - matched by the air bridge japan throws across the blood soaked seas......
Val special attack planes deploy to Iwo -and sink a AK - base force and all.
Franks attempt to hold the sky -and hellcats try to wretch its control from them.............
Midway betwen Ulithi, Guam.
Captain Hara reads the signal.
one torp. How vulnerable the CVLs are. Shoho has been sunk in the mallacca straight - the ARs sent to her aid insufficient to help. Never mind, she has served well.
Again his thoughts turn to yesterday...........
No special attack -yet.
patience is the key. Iwo remains open - the allies cannot risk a naval bombardment so far from replenishment - nor airfield attacks -not with this task force not located..
patience.
And timing.
And not a little luck............
Umeya considers the tactical board. it is nearly dusk - to the north east - 500 miles -a mass of shipping -AK's, APs
Due north - 450 miles - tankers -but carriers -CVEs?
And the same distance, to the North west -the enemy main fleet.............
What to do.?
His men look at him, waiting politely for his decision. So many times they have risked all............
To hell with it.
'Fortune favours the brave ney?"
The men nod -maybe they are infected with his madness to fight the entire damn world again............
'Course due north -CAP - stuff it -minimal - lets attack!"
The battleships form attack formation. the two super battle wagons in the centre. Kongo leading. The elderly BB's in the rear. the CVE's scattered amongst them.
Bows begin rise and fall, white foam breaking as the great ships enter the open ocean again.
Yamamoto has quietly informed his captains, "the time for preserving a fleet has passed. Now is the moment of decision. let all fight with courage, for Japan, for the empire............"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
To battle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
16/6/44
first -before these great battles about to break -to Cantona! -may your wedding tomorrow be perfect in every way!, and you enjoy happiness with your new wife for ever!
Well done Oh great opponent!
47th do not fly today. They stand down, and prepare.
How? -quietly, but with conviction and confidence.
The moment for the supreme effort has arrived for Japan -and fittingly -for they feel they have earned it over these hard, hard years -they will be at the heart of it.
Tonight they deploy to Iwo - tomorrow they will be at the heart of "the decisive battle"
first -before these great battles about to break -to Cantona! -may your wedding tomorrow be perfect in every way!, and you enjoy happiness with your new wife for ever!
Well done Oh great opponent!
47th do not fly today. They stand down, and prepare.
How? -quietly, but with conviction and confidence.
The moment for the supreme effort has arrived for Japan -and fittingly -for they feel they have earned it over these hard, hard years -they will be at the heart of it.
Tonight they deploy to Iwo - tomorrow they will be at the heart of "the decisive battle"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
16/6/44
It is barely past the first inklings of dawn, and already Junyo, Captain Umeya fight for life.
he has punished the old ship - pushed her hard north overnight - and Mizuho's spotting reports have come in all night.
Disturbingly -its the Petes now reporting contacts...........
'carrier contact' -220 miles North by north west"
its a supflerious report -Umeya is busy -right now -with what ever is lurking there.
His strike is still outbound -these Avangers mean business.
Even as he prepares to meet them -another contact report..........
'Many carriers, battleships - 400 miles due west of us -course south east"
The enemy main fleet! -retiring from Iwo -probably to refuel at wake -or, yes, why not? - hoping to hit him coming north!
'Signal main body! -in the clear! -hurry man! - if its japanese out here we need them to know the enemy main body is on the move!"
And then there is no more time to worry about grand strategy -now its "purely tactical' -those kind words that hide the brutal fact of close killing combat.
9 avengers -only nine -but only 6 zekes aloft - pointless.
Umeya judges the moment..........
Junyo is a lucky ship. How many times has she faced this moment? how many times has she survived. ?
Maybe its the measure of the man -but Umeya would never think of this - but you make your own luck. And Umeaya makes a lot -for when it comes to ship handling, he is very, very good.
Juni turns not hard left -but just enough to avoid the first fish with out washing too much speed, and thus can dodge the next 5.
Mihuzo too dodges hers - and before the sun is up, Junyo has begun to play her part.
Her guns fall silent - and they wait for news.........
'Am attacking!'
"CVL princetown in sight!"
The long, long wait
"Am returning, 1 500lb hit -1 60 lb hit! -enemy carrier burning!"
The range is shocking -a mere 200 miles away -close enough for jakes to take part.
And now the strike returns -and still madly detirmined to fight -Junyo holds her course. The strike that returns is a shadow of what departed - and Umeya soon knows that this may well be his last gasp.
But nobody shirks, nobody flinches.
A mad confidence fills them. Junyo verses the world! At her mast the skull and cross bones still flies -but dwarfed by a battle flag so madly large it could double as a sail
the second strike leaves in record time - but this only shows how weak it must be.
10 zeros escort 4 dive bombers, 3 torpedo bombers nortwards again - and Mihuzo adds just 2 float planes to the mission.
The dwindle to the the horizon - one all expect at any moment to sprout greay death -and the waiting begins again.
'Am attacking!"
You make your luck
CVL princetown fights very, very poorly.
2 500lb bombs smash into her - a magazine explodes -and in the chaos a 60lb bomb strikes, a jake plants a 100lber, and two fish find her guts.
Umeya will recover what survivors he has.
Add yet abnother ship to Junyo's score -and turn and run like hell for Siapan.
he has won again.
But now he must fullfill a final mission.
Once again, he must be bait............
It is barely past the first inklings of dawn, and already Junyo, Captain Umeya fight for life.
he has punished the old ship - pushed her hard north overnight - and Mizuho's spotting reports have come in all night.
Disturbingly -its the Petes now reporting contacts...........
'carrier contact' -220 miles North by north west"
its a supflerious report -Umeya is busy -right now -with what ever is lurking there.
His strike is still outbound -these Avangers mean business.
Even as he prepares to meet them -another contact report..........
'Many carriers, battleships - 400 miles due west of us -course south east"
The enemy main fleet! -retiring from Iwo -probably to refuel at wake -or, yes, why not? - hoping to hit him coming north!
'Signal main body! -in the clear! -hurry man! - if its japanese out here we need them to know the enemy main body is on the move!"
And then there is no more time to worry about grand strategy -now its "purely tactical' -those kind words that hide the brutal fact of close killing combat.
9 avengers -only nine -but only 6 zekes aloft - pointless.
Umeya judges the moment..........
Junyo is a lucky ship. How many times has she faced this moment? how many times has she survived. ?
Maybe its the measure of the man -but Umeya would never think of this - but you make your own luck. And Umeaya makes a lot -for when it comes to ship handling, he is very, very good.
Juni turns not hard left -but just enough to avoid the first fish with out washing too much speed, and thus can dodge the next 5.
Mihuzo too dodges hers - and before the sun is up, Junyo has begun to play her part.
Her guns fall silent - and they wait for news.........
'Am attacking!'
"CVL princetown in sight!"
The long, long wait
"Am returning, 1 500lb hit -1 60 lb hit! -enemy carrier burning!"
The range is shocking -a mere 200 miles away -close enough for jakes to take part.
And now the strike returns -and still madly detirmined to fight -Junyo holds her course. The strike that returns is a shadow of what departed - and Umeya soon knows that this may well be his last gasp.
But nobody shirks, nobody flinches.
A mad confidence fills them. Junyo verses the world! At her mast the skull and cross bones still flies -but dwarfed by a battle flag so madly large it could double as a sail
the second strike leaves in record time - but this only shows how weak it must be.
10 zeros escort 4 dive bombers, 3 torpedo bombers nortwards again - and Mihuzo adds just 2 float planes to the mission.
The dwindle to the the horizon - one all expect at any moment to sprout greay death -and the waiting begins again.
'Am attacking!"
You make your luck
CVL princetown fights very, very poorly.
2 500lb bombs smash into her - a magazine explodes -and in the chaos a 60lb bomb strikes, a jake plants a 100lber, and two fish find her guts.
Umeya will recover what survivors he has.
Add yet abnother ship to Junyo's score -and turn and run like hell for Siapan.
he has won again.
But now he must fullfill a final mission.
Once again, he must be bait............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Admiral Yamada smiles
karma
tomorrow, it will be down to fate.
Mobile fleet tomorrow will be 60 miles north of siapan at dawn
If the enemy spot him -especialy if they take the bait of Umeya - they may react to him. Even if not, he should be in range, but the enemy not.
Siapan, the entire island chain -is now packed with fighters -all committed to covering his advance ......
the plan, is simple
bring the enemy south -to here - and kill him
Yamamoto to crash down from the south.
And the army tomorrow, to stage attacks from Iwo - and pagan.
What happens now - is to the fates to decide.
karma
tomorrow, it will be down to fate.
Mobile fleet tomorrow will be 60 miles north of siapan at dawn
If the enemy spot him -especialy if they take the bait of Umeya - they may react to him. Even if not, he should be in range, but the enemy not.
Siapan, the entire island chain -is now packed with fighters -all committed to covering his advance ......
the plan, is simple
bring the enemy south -to here - and kill him
Yamamoto to crash down from the south.
And the army tomorrow, to stage attacks from Iwo - and pagan.
What happens now - is to the fates to decide.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
47th sleep briefly under wings, in the dirt
The stink of sulphur fills their noses.
hell island it is called
they hardly notice, not after 2 and a half years of their personal hell.
tomorrow, escort missions - probably against the hardest shell of the enemy CAP.
One way or another, most feel that here, on this tiny dot in the pacific, the war will be finished for them.............
The stink of sulphur fills their noses.
hell island it is called
they hardly notice, not after 2 and a half years of their personal hell.
tomorrow, escort missions - probably against the hardest shell of the enemy CAP.
One way or another, most feel that here, on this tiny dot in the pacific, the war will be finished for them.............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Aurthors note
And now I too, will have to wait and see if my friends Juni, the miyazuki's, yamamoto, Umeya, tanaka, captain Hara even the young stokers Agarshi and Shimto, will see another dawn............
good luck men of the 47th!
good luck samurai!
And now I too, will have to wait and see if my friends Juni, the miyazuki's, yamamoto, Umeya, tanaka, captain Hara even the young stokers Agarshi and Shimto, will see another dawn............
good luck men of the 47th!
good luck samurai!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Very exciting, well told story!
"Cry 'Havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war" - William Shakespeare, "Julius Caesar"
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
well I must say that you fight very inspiredly these days mate ( same can be said for your writing for some while [:D])
it seems to be an adequate finale of a wondefully told story. hat off and may the luck smile on you and the samurai under your command!
P.S. all the best to cantona and his wife!
it seems to be an adequate finale of a wondefully told story. hat off and may the luck smile on you and the samurai under your command!
P.S. all the best to cantona and his wife!
the first ones are remembered
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Local Yokel
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RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
ORIGINAL: 1275psi
first -before these great battles about to break -to Cantona! -may your wedding tomorrow be perfect in every way!, and you enjoy happiness with your new wife for ever!
Well done Oh great opponent!
Same thoughts from me!
...oh, and a fine picture of Kaga. Greatly enjoying this tale!
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Its deep into the evening
Our interviews have gone all day now -far, far longer than I ever imagined, but the old man before me still seems to have endless endurance.
Where Nakamura gets it from, I will never know- and I feel not a little awe to think that I, a man only a child when these days happened, should feel more tired than he appears now.
But now, as we appraoch the days on Iwo -he really sems to strengthen even more -as if the past is entering this room, and feeding us with the passion, the excitement and the glory of these days.
'Oh, Iwo" Nakamura chuckles ' what a day, that first day.............."
History tells us - in cold, cold language -that between them , the 87th, and the 47th, shot down 31 wildcats, 4 hellcats on this day-for just 3 fighters lost.
47th - losing not a single plane, or man.
And we know, that even more vitally - the dive bombers staged in, struck leathly at the CVE's Fanshaw bay, Saginaw bay, and a the DD o brien.
But how? -how was the field kept open -how did they do it?.
What was it like?
'How did you do it then?"
That smile. that glint in the eye -still sparkling in the incredibly creased face 'It took a bit of doing ................"
Our interviews have gone all day now -far, far longer than I ever imagined, but the old man before me still seems to have endless endurance.
Where Nakamura gets it from, I will never know- and I feel not a little awe to think that I, a man only a child when these days happened, should feel more tired than he appears now.
But now, as we appraoch the days on Iwo -he really sems to strengthen even more -as if the past is entering this room, and feeding us with the passion, the excitement and the glory of these days.
'Oh, Iwo" Nakamura chuckles ' what a day, that first day.............."
History tells us - in cold, cold language -that between them , the 87th, and the 47th, shot down 31 wildcats, 4 hellcats on this day-for just 3 fighters lost.
47th - losing not a single plane, or man.
And we know, that even more vitally - the dive bombers staged in, struck leathly at the CVE's Fanshaw bay, Saginaw bay, and a the DD o brien.
But how? -how was the field kept open -how did they do it?.
What was it like?
'How did you do it then?"
That smile. that glint in the eye -still sparkling in the incredibly creased face 'It took a bit of doing ................"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
17/6/44
Dusk
Hara looks overhead.
The CAP, staged from Siapan, remains strong.
The skies remain clear.
His decks remain packed -ready to launch. The seas calm, forecast -scattered storms.
The enemy fleet -although it spotted him -HAS NOT MOVED. Has not budged.
refuelling?. Undecided?
They live another day.
'message from Yamamoto sir"
'All vessels in imperial fleet shall charge enemy shipping area Iwo. Attack, Attack, attack!"
Dusk
Hara looks overhead.
The CAP, staged from Siapan, remains strong.
The skies remain clear.
His decks remain packed -ready to launch. The seas calm, forecast -scattered storms.
The enemy fleet -although it spotted him -HAS NOT MOVED. Has not budged.
refuelling?. Undecided?
They live another day.
'message from Yamamoto sir"
'All vessels in imperial fleet shall charge enemy shipping area Iwo. Attack, Attack, attack!"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
17/6/44
Umeya enters the ready room.
Scattered about Junyo's heart, his few remaining men are scattered, all asleep to a man, still dressed in flight kit, faces still stained -but now relaxed in sleep.
Umeya's eyes water -so many missing .
so many
But they have done so well.
Junyo still flees to Siapan -another 2 DE's added to her score today.
Tomorrow mobile fleet must engage.
And despite the exhaustion, the losses - how he wishes they would be there.
Umeya enters the ready room.
Scattered about Junyo's heart, his few remaining men are scattered, all asleep to a man, still dressed in flight kit, faces still stained -but now relaxed in sleep.
Umeya's eyes water -so many missing .
so many
But they have done so well.
Junyo still flees to Siapan -another 2 DE's added to her score today.
Tomorrow mobile fleet must engage.
And despite the exhaustion, the losses - how he wishes they would be there.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Miyazuki joins the men under the tannoy
'This is the Admiral speaking"
Tanaka sounds grim -but detirmined
'This ship will sail south towards Iwo . All ships of the fleet have been ordered to attack. The fate of the empire rests upon us. Many are disapointed that our rifles have failed to engage so often. This, I warn you, may happen again tomorrow -this is not our mission now. Mobile fleet shall be within300 miles Iwo -at dawn. Every plane, ship, we distract from it -will count.
Do not stop fighting. trust in your ship, your comrades. We, if all do their duty, prevail. Good luck to you all.
Long live the empire!"
And through out her mighty length, Yamato rings to the banzia! calls...............
'This is the Admiral speaking"
Tanaka sounds grim -but detirmined
'This ship will sail south towards Iwo . All ships of the fleet have been ordered to attack. The fate of the empire rests upon us. Many are disapointed that our rifles have failed to engage so often. This, I warn you, may happen again tomorrow -this is not our mission now. Mobile fleet shall be within300 miles Iwo -at dawn. Every plane, ship, we distract from it -will count.
Do not stop fighting. trust in your ship, your comrades. We, if all do their duty, prevail. Good luck to you all.
Long live the empire!"
And through out her mighty length, Yamato rings to the banzia! calls...............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt