Oh, forgot to add,
Hiei got sunk, warspite got sunk, his invasion of rangoon was a disaster -now he is trying for moulimien, and run smack into a fresh div, with more coming!
If this fails I count 6 divisions wrecked in the east
He has taken advantage of the action in the central pacific, and invaded Shortlands -catching 2 fast transport groups at sea, carnage
The 3rd day of the central pacific battle saw my last 2 BBs and 15, thats right, 15 cruisers land a NB onto entiwok -sank the CVE nassua -with 50 planes, and this was the reason I got away, the field was nuked!
Now, we run away -and try to put the pieces together again -the solomons are gone!, the gilberts are gone -the 3 divs go to inner circle areas.
Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: BATTLE!!!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: BATTLE!!!
24/5/43
a long, long terrible day
there are many, many wounded men onboard.
they scream.
All day our battered fleet struggles north west, and we wait in fear for the sound of the enemy long range bombers, we are so vulnerable.
But nothing happens, and the last fires are put out.
It is terribly disconcerting to walk on decks that stay slanted 10 degrees to one side, there is so much water down below, and the ship stinks and stinks of smoke and damage
At dusk a mix of news
Admiral Abe has attacked Entiwok -and this time nothing stopped him
2 Bbs and 15 Cas closed the field , and has sunk 2 carriers, and many ships.
Banzia!
there will be no attacks against us.
We may get home yet!
a long, long terrible day
there are many, many wounded men onboard.
they scream.
All day our battered fleet struggles north west, and we wait in fear for the sound of the enemy long range bombers, we are so vulnerable.
But nothing happens, and the last fires are put out.
It is terribly disconcerting to walk on decks that stay slanted 10 degrees to one side, there is so much water down below, and the ship stinks and stinks of smoke and damage
At dusk a mix of news
Admiral Abe has attacked Entiwok -and this time nothing stopped him
2 Bbs and 15 Cas closed the field , and has sunk 2 carriers, and many ships.
Banzia!
there will be no attacks against us.
We may get home yet!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: BATTLE!!!
25/5/43
Nagato has been confirmed sunk
I have lost my brother.
I cannot believe that giant of a ship is gone, taking his smile with it.
I cannot face it.
We are not attacked today
The British have attempted to land at rangoon!!
And Tokyo rose tells us the Indian dead lie in droves on the wharfs, and the harbour is filled with burning ships.
But the enemy seem detirmined to try to cut our army off in Burma, landings are reported at moulimien -and our high command reports that this landing too is being smashed!
South pacific command reports Shortlands has been invaded, and this too is a harbour full of sinking, burning ships.
Rabual is being hit.
It is apparent all that effort to retake Lunga has been for nothing.
But we have hurt the enemy very badly.
The empire has hope yet.
This is all I can cling too -that my brothers death, all my friends death, have helped the empire live.
Nagato has been confirmed sunk
I have lost my brother.
I cannot believe that giant of a ship is gone, taking his smile with it.
I cannot face it.
We are not attacked today
The British have attempted to land at rangoon!!
And Tokyo rose tells us the Indian dead lie in droves on the wharfs, and the harbour is filled with burning ships.
But the enemy seem detirmined to try to cut our army off in Burma, landings are reported at moulimien -and our high command reports that this landing too is being smashed!
South pacific command reports Shortlands has been invaded, and this too is a harbour full of sinking, burning ships.
Rabual is being hit.
It is apparent all that effort to retake Lunga has been for nothing.
But we have hurt the enemy very badly.
The empire has hope yet.
This is all I can cling too -that my brothers death, all my friends death, have helped the empire live.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: BATTLE!!!
26/5/43
it is apparent that we are out of the danger zone.
I sleep all day, the crew is exhausted.
we buried our dead today.
And then the news.
The Indians have been thrown out of rangoon
The BB warspite is confirmed sunk
The army claims the valiant sunk as well
many enemy ships have been sunk off moulmien, and here the enemy is also evacuating the beaches.
A glorious victory is being claimed by our high command in Burma.
Tokyo rose announces that the BB mushia -has arrived home safely.
Amazing!
2 days to Siapan, and a chance to remove all the orphan planes we have onboard..
it is apparent that we are out of the danger zone.
I sleep all day, the crew is exhausted.
we buried our dead today.
And then the news.
The Indians have been thrown out of rangoon
The BB warspite is confirmed sunk
The army claims the valiant sunk as well
many enemy ships have been sunk off moulmien, and here the enemy is also evacuating the beaches.
A glorious victory is being claimed by our high command in Burma.
Tokyo rose announces that the BB mushia -has arrived home safely.
Amazing!
2 days to Siapan, and a chance to remove all the orphan planes we have onboard..
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: BATTLE!!!
27/5/43
A busy day -replenishment ships join us -what a tattered fleet we are -3 carriers, all smoke stained, and twisted metal here and there.
But we function, and given luck, we will fight again.
Shortlands has fallen
Our army is reported to be "cleaning up" the beachheads at moulmien.
And our army bombers and fighters are still active.
A busy day -replenishment ships join us -what a tattered fleet we are -3 carriers, all smoke stained, and twisted metal here and there.
But we function, and given luck, we will fight again.
Shortlands has fallen
Our army is reported to be "cleaning up" the beachheads at moulmien.
And our army bombers and fighters are still active.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: BATTLE!!!
28/5/43
Siapan
barges come alongside, and we crane off all the non kaga planes.
19 new pilots come onboard, and so do their planes.
We cannot operate them, but the squadron can start being rebuilt.
I am going to be busy, these young boys will be my responsibility now.
Morale soars
We are definately going to the home islands.
As if we could go anywhere else with all the damage we have!
Siapan
barges come alongside, and we crane off all the non kaga planes.
19 new pilots come onboard, and so do their planes.
We cannot operate them, but the squadron can start being rebuilt.
I am going to be busy, these young boys will be my responsibility now.
Morale soars
We are definately going to the home islands.
As if we could go anywhere else with all the damage we have!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: BATTLE!!!
Quick bump -wobbly on holidays -and now I have huge email problem
back ASAP!
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: BATTLE!!!
29/5/43
The struggle to get home to japan continues
Some of the ships with us are still in deep trouble, with flooding still being combatted.
Worse -the submarine packs are hunting us now, CVE taiyo was hit today north of us.
Again, I think i will spend the night above decks!
Good news from Burma -the enemy has been destroyed at moulmien, the route of the british is completed.
Also today the army airforce again hit many transports at Adaman island.
there will be no british offensive again this year!
Now that the clash appears over, and submarines allowing, my mind increasingly turns to home, and a certain young lady........
The struggle to get home to japan continues
Some of the ships with us are still in deep trouble, with flooding still being combatted.
Worse -the submarine packs are hunting us now, CVE taiyo was hit today north of us.
Again, I think i will spend the night above decks!
Good news from Burma -the enemy has been destroyed at moulmien, the route of the british is completed.
Also today the army airforce again hit many transports at Adaman island.
there will be no british offensive again this year!
Now that the clash appears over, and submarines allowing, my mind increasingly turns to home, and a certain young lady........
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: BATTLE!!!
30/5/43
our escorts chase of a submarine
we spend the day attempting to bring our airgroup to operational status.
In the wreck of the hanger, this is nearly impossible.
The hole in the flight deck is fully 20 feet acroos, and at least another 30 feet is displaced.
We are about 4 days from home, so they say.
Tokyo rose continues to tell of glorious victories -the one in burma sounds true -looking at out tatterd fleet, it is very hard to reconcile her words to a victory on our behalf.
our escorts chase of a submarine
we spend the day attempting to bring our airgroup to operational status.
In the wreck of the hanger, this is nearly impossible.
The hole in the flight deck is fully 20 feet acroos, and at least another 30 feet is displaced.
We are about 4 days from home, so they say.
Tokyo rose continues to tell of glorious victories -the one in burma sounds true -looking at out tatterd fleet, it is very hard to reconcile her words to a victory on our behalf.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: BATTLE!!!
31/5/43
An exciting day
just after the midday meal -a miserable affair -the galley did not escape the carnage, our intrepid leader gathered us onto the flight deck.
avery stiff head wind buffeted us, and we had to huddle close to hear him.
"we are in range of tokyo - and if this old barge gets taken out by a submarine i do not intend to go down with her, I intend to live to extract revenge"
i knew what was coming -and i had to glance aft, at the great hole in our flight deck -and the considerably shorter one left.
"This breeze more than makes up for our carriers reduced speed, we fly off in one hour"
poor rookies -their 1st launch from a crippled carrier -over a great distance.
But we did it.
It was tricky, we veterans -just us 6, leading the way with the shortest run.
then the struggle, a struggle we gave up on, to form up -eventually we flew north -27 zeros, 27 vals, a string across the sky, our rookies trying oh so carefully to stay in touch.
1 corsair could have shot them all down before they even noticed.
Japan
and a great field -and all one can see are our carrier groups - things truly must be bad now.
i sleep tonight on a solid mat, in a paper room.
how sweet to be in the homeland again.
An exciting day
just after the midday meal -a miserable affair -the galley did not escape the carnage, our intrepid leader gathered us onto the flight deck.
avery stiff head wind buffeted us, and we had to huddle close to hear him.
"we are in range of tokyo - and if this old barge gets taken out by a submarine i do not intend to go down with her, I intend to live to extract revenge"
i knew what was coming -and i had to glance aft, at the great hole in our flight deck -and the considerably shorter one left.
"This breeze more than makes up for our carriers reduced speed, we fly off in one hour"
poor rookies -their 1st launch from a crippled carrier -over a great distance.
But we did it.
It was tricky, we veterans -just us 6, leading the way with the shortest run.
then the struggle, a struggle we gave up on, to form up -eventually we flew north -27 zeros, 27 vals, a string across the sky, our rookies trying oh so carefully to stay in touch.
1 corsair could have shot them all down before they even noticed.
Japan
and a great field -and all one can see are our carrier groups - things truly must be bad now.
i sleep tonight on a solid mat, in a paper room.
how sweet to be in the homeland again.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: BATTLE!!!
1/6/43
a full day de briefing -a long day sitting around waiting to speak to intelligence officers
I spend a lot of it gaining intelligence of my own, speaking to all the other veterans.
It is disquieting -the fleet has 4cv, 3cvl -and all are badly damaged
We can account for only 6 BB left -and as far as i can tell -only 2 are at sea.
And yet all is not dark -in Burma the enemy has failed badly, no offensive possible there for 6 months, word of grumblings against the kiwi supreme commander reach even japan .
and finally all the sacrifice has not been in vain -the enemy is going to be very short of BBs to attack our fortifications in the days ahead.
i think of our rookies -some doubled their flying hours logged yesterday -i hardly bother now -we have a lot of work to do!
a full day de briefing -a long day sitting around waiting to speak to intelligence officers
I spend a lot of it gaining intelligence of my own, speaking to all the other veterans.
It is disquieting -the fleet has 4cv, 3cvl -and all are badly damaged
We can account for only 6 BB left -and as far as i can tell -only 2 are at sea.
And yet all is not dark -in Burma the enemy has failed badly, no offensive possible there for 6 months, word of grumblings against the kiwi supreme commander reach even japan .
and finally all the sacrifice has not been in vain -the enemy is going to be very short of BBs to attack our fortifications in the days ahead.
i think of our rookies -some doubled their flying hours logged yesterday -i hardly bother now -we have a lot of work to do!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: BATTLE!!!
2/6/43
Went ashore
hero pilot!!!
very drunk
very.
Went ashore
hero pilot!!!
very drunk
very.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
hung over
3/6/43
With a terrible hang over we went to the docks today
we await the arrival of the carriers -our mission, to salvage whatever we can from the kaga - if she makes it past the SS
I saw the mushia in dock -what a terrible sight -great holes all along her stbd bow, right back to the 2nd great turret.
It will be a long time before she sails again
We are trying to secure cranes, a warehouse, and trucks -a difficult task.
Much confusion with the airgroups, as high command tries to sort out the mess.
With a terrible hang over we went to the docks today
we await the arrival of the carriers -our mission, to salvage whatever we can from the kaga - if she makes it past the SS
I saw the mushia in dock -what a terrible sight -great holes all along her stbd bow, right back to the 2nd great turret.
It will be a long time before she sails again
We are trying to secure cranes, a warehouse, and trucks -a difficult task.
Much confusion with the airgroups, as high command tries to sort out the mess.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: hung over
4/6/43
We were up very early today -having secured a warehouse, and trucks ect.
The fleet crawled in today
How strange to see our brand new carrier, the taiho, surrounded by the blackened and bent cripples of our fleet.
Kaga- great holes down aft
Zuikaka -minus her bridge -steering from aft
Ryujo -still listing terribly
Shoho, great black streaks where the fires raged
and little zuiho -down terribly by the bow
Yet I look at the smiling faces of the sailors -so happy to be home -and I am so proud of them, getting them home.
We commence work -our units has been given some Soryu and Hiryu survivors -we are 46 pilots strong, some veterans -but too many rookies.
rumours have it -we will be moving to kagoshima for a training base
I DO SO HOPE SO!!!!
the war?
has gone deathly quiet.
We were up very early today -having secured a warehouse, and trucks ect.
The fleet crawled in today
How strange to see our brand new carrier, the taiho, surrounded by the blackened and bent cripples of our fleet.
Kaga- great holes down aft
Zuikaka -minus her bridge -steering from aft
Ryujo -still listing terribly
Shoho, great black streaks where the fires raged
and little zuiho -down terribly by the bow
Yet I look at the smiling faces of the sailors -so happy to be home -and I am so proud of them, getting them home.
We commence work -our units has been given some Soryu and Hiryu survivors -we are 46 pilots strong, some veterans -but too many rookies.
rumours have it -we will be moving to kagoshima for a training base
I DO SO HOPE SO!!!!
the war?
has gone deathly quiet.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: hung over
5th and 6th
2 heavy days of salvaging equipment from the Kaga
We are working very, very hard.
Little news from the front, Allies threaten "to take advantage of the Empires current carrier crises"
We will see.
Editors note
Wobblys computer has just fried!
Grrrrrrrrrrr -he's caught the herbiesan disease
2 heavy days of salvaging equipment from the Kaga
We are working very, very hard.
Little news from the front, Allies threaten "to take advantage of the Empires current carrier crises"
We will see.
Editors note
Wobblys computer has just fried!
Grrrrrrrrrrr -he's caught the herbiesan disease
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: hung over
7/6/43
As we work another day on the kaga -I contemplate how quickly the war has turned against us.
All those troops so painfully landed on Lunga were decisevly routed today, how sorry I feel that they are now so hopelessly cut off.
terrible news from the solomons -allied paratroops have siezed Emiru and kavieng islands!!
The Bismarks are already brocken!
How quick can we fix this great hulk?
it must be quick -I fear the allies are going to move very quickly.
better news though -we go to Kagoshima soon!
As we work another day on the kaga -I contemplate how quickly the war has turned against us.
All those troops so painfully landed on Lunga were decisevly routed today, how sorry I feel that they are now so hopelessly cut off.
terrible news from the solomons -allied paratroops have siezed Emiru and kavieng islands!!
The Bismarks are already brocken!
How quick can we fix this great hulk?
it must be quick -I fear the allies are going to move very quickly.
better news though -we go to Kagoshima soon!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: hung over
8/6/43
Our navy bombards adaman island
The news from the solomons is bad -despite tokyo roses boasts -i fear that rabual is going to be cut off!
Where will we stop the enemy? -Siapan????
i fear for japan.
But today more immediate issues -we finish with Kaga today -and the squadrons fly -and we -on a delightful day -heart soaring, and with great anticipation -we fly to kagoshima!
how sweet the city looks.
somewher down there -she is.
Our navy bombards adaman island
The news from the solomons is bad -despite tokyo roses boasts -i fear that rabual is going to be cut off!
Where will we stop the enemy? -Siapan????
i fear for japan.
But today more immediate issues -we finish with Kaga today -and the squadrons fly -and we -on a delightful day -heart soaring, and with great anticipation -we fly to kagoshima!
how sweet the city looks.
somewher down there -she is.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
serenity
9/6/43
A beautiful, yet also very stressful day
how strange to approach those familiar doors - the lone pilot in the quiet street.
How strange -too have faced the enemy so many times -and now to be afraid to knock on a simple door?
What if Kiso is not home?
What if she has left?
I gather my courage -and the door opens.
It is hanamatos father.
he greats me warmly -and invites me in.
Kiso is at work -she helps now to assemble Tony fighters at the great plant down near the harbour.
But her shift ends soon, and we settle in the quiet room.
Over delightful sake, we discuss the war.
I am amazed -he is not bitter, and I warm to him -and I hope him to me.
News is scarce at home.
I tell him what I know.
China seems stalemated.
Burma is secure for many months it appears
But in the pacific -well.
With difficulty I describe the battle, how quickly the horror fades!.
he agrees that with so few battle ships -the allies may have some problems.
I break some secrets -tell him how badly beaten our carrier arm is.
he smiles wryly -always thought the army ran the show son -and he leaves it at that.
The day proceeds slowly -but finally she comes in.
her beaty undiminished.
Lunch passed in a dream -i notice that nothing appears in short supply -this is good.
How sweet her smile is.
Tomorrow -tomorrow she has agreed to see me again.
A beautiful, yet also very stressful day
how strange to approach those familiar doors - the lone pilot in the quiet street.
How strange -too have faced the enemy so many times -and now to be afraid to knock on a simple door?
What if Kiso is not home?
What if she has left?
I gather my courage -and the door opens.
It is hanamatos father.
he greats me warmly -and invites me in.
Kiso is at work -she helps now to assemble Tony fighters at the great plant down near the harbour.
But her shift ends soon, and we settle in the quiet room.
Over delightful sake, we discuss the war.
I am amazed -he is not bitter, and I warm to him -and I hope him to me.
News is scarce at home.
I tell him what I know.
China seems stalemated.
Burma is secure for many months it appears
But in the pacific -well.
With difficulty I describe the battle, how quickly the horror fades!.
he agrees that with so few battle ships -the allies may have some problems.
I break some secrets -tell him how badly beaten our carrier arm is.
he smiles wryly -always thought the army ran the show son -and he leaves it at that.
The day proceeds slowly -but finally she comes in.
her beaty undiminished.
Lunch passed in a dream -i notice that nothing appears in short supply -this is good.
How sweet her smile is.
Tomorrow -tomorrow she has agreed to see me again.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: serenity
10/6/43
today our squadron initiated a new training program.very boring, mainly circuits and bumps for the recruits.
will take forever to bring them up to speed.
rabual being bombed today -little news from the front.
i cannot wait to get ashore again.
today our squadron initiated a new training program.very boring, mainly circuits and bumps for the recruits.
will take forever to bring them up to speed.
rabual being bombed today -little news from the front.
i cannot wait to get ashore again.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: serenity
11/6/43
i cannot seem to get a grip on the reality Japan sees here -with tokyo rose daily, and the goverment daily painting such a rosie picture on the war -and what little one can glean from the news.
A convoy heavily struck near the north coast of Australia -good.
But other news -the allies claim a large convoy of barges sunk near kavieng -confirming in my eyes the solomons lost.
But what can I do?
Nothing
Tonight I take Kiso to dinner!
i cannot seem to get a grip on the reality Japan sees here -with tokyo rose daily, and the goverment daily painting such a rosie picture on the war -and what little one can glean from the news.
A convoy heavily struck near the north coast of Australia -good.
But other news -the allies claim a large convoy of barges sunk near kavieng -confirming in my eyes the solomons lost.
But what can I do?
Nothing
Tonight I take Kiso to dinner!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt