Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Kane]

Great notice!!!

[Cuttlefish]

January 4, 1942

Location: 170 miles south of Takao
Course: North by northeast
Attached to: TF 118
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 24
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 400

Orders: Proceed to the naval repair docks at Okayama for repairs. Be aware that enemy submarines have been operating in the Luzon Strait, though vigorous anti-submarine efforts have reduced this threat recently.

---

On the bridge of the Hibiki:

Ensign: Sir, we are being signaled from Zuiho. A search plane reports a shadow in the water five miles ahead. We are being ordered to adjust our course 10 degrees to port.

Captain Ishii: Probably a whale. Better safe than sorry, though. Very well, signal message received and acknowledged. Helmsman, change course 10 degrees to port.

---

From the log of SS Pike, patrolling the Luzon Strait:

0612: Sighted a Jap carrier, possibly Taiyo class, with two escorts at range 12000 yards. Their course was angling away from us, ordered a pursuit course to attempt to get in firing position.

0645: Four Japanese destroyers observed approaching our position at speed from the southwest. Ordered emergency dive, depth to 220 feet.

0711: Depth charges dropped. Eight charges counted, none very close. No damage.

0830: Came to periscope depth. No enemy ships in area. Resumed patrol.

[Cuttlefish]

January 5, 1942

Location: 40 miles northeast of Taipei
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 118
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 25
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 340

Orders: Proceed to the naval repair docks at Okayama for repairs.

[1275psi]

Lt Oda, and Lt Hori in my AAR both started at 30 experience, and are now both in the mid 70's
All their class mates are dead.[8|]

ORIGINAL: buzzz123

Captain Ishii *neutrally* Captain Maeno is known as a promising and careful officer. He is best qualified to command a surface fleet.

love it!!

Now who wants to start an AAR from the perspective of a lowly pilot? Maybe pick some poor mug flying a Vildebeest - at least it would not be a long term project!!

[Cuttlefish]

January 6, 1942

Location: 50 miles south of Taipei
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 118
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 25
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 315

Orders: Proceed to the naval repair docks at Okayama for repairs.

[Cuttlefish]

January 7, 1942

Location: 35 miles southeast of Kagoshima
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 118
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 25
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 290

Orders: Proceed to the naval repair docks at Okayama for repairs.

[Cuttlefish]

January 8, 1942

Location: Okayama
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 118
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 25
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 266

Orders: Dock at berth 14, inboard. Commence repair work. Coordinate repair schedule with port commander and with the captain of repair ship Akashi.

---

On the bridge of the Hibiki. The ship is entering Okayama harbor. Hibiki is preceeding light carrier Zuiho north up the channel, while destroyer Natsushio brings up the rear. Lieutenant Miharu enters the bridge from the starboard wing.

Lieutenant Miharu: Sir, you should take a look at this!

Captain Ishii: *turns his gaze to starboard* What is...ah, I see.

A crowd is gathering along the docks. This is a Japanese crowd; they are quiet and polite, and there are no brass bands or banners. Nonetheless they are obviously excited to see the ships, and there is much pointing and waving. More people are arriving all the time.

Lieutenant Miharu: We are the first warships to return to this part of Japan since the war started.

Captain Ishii: Indeed. Exec, order the crew to assemble along the starboard rail, facing outward, in review formation. Let the them enjoy this moment.

Lieutenant Miharu. Yes sir. And give the people a look at their heroes, eh?

Captain Ishii: *nods* They are heroes, Exec. Every damned one of them.

[Cuttlefish]

January 9, 1942

Location: Okayama
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 24
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 266

Orders: Repair all damage and get back in the war. Individual ship's crew may be granted 24 hour leaves as they can be spared from repair duties.

[Cuttlefish]

January 10, 1942

Location: Okayama
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 23
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 266

Orders: Repair all damage and get back in the war.

---

From the diary of Seaman First Class Taiki Takahashi

Jan. 10, 1942

The repairs are keeping us very busy. The men are very motivated, though, and do not mind. While it is good to be back in Japan everyone is eager to get back into the war. There is much talk about where we will go next, but everything is changing so fast that there is no way to tell where we might be sent.

We have gotten caught up on the war news. Our troops have driven to the end of the Malay Peninsula, and we expect to hear word any day that the attack on Singapore has begun. To the east we hear that Amboina and Tarakan are in Japanese hands. I confess that I take some pride in the fact that the other sailors are starting to turn to me when they want to know where some obscure place we have occupied is. I do not tell them that it is fear of Shun that has turned me into this expert!

All of New Britain is in our hands, and Rabaul is being swiftly built into a major air and naval base. Perhaps they will rename the area New Japan? We also now control the Gilbert Islands. The Americans have been very quiet since the war started, it seems. Perhaps with their fleet smashed they are indeed helpless to stop us. Perhaps they will even surrender! With them out of the war our victory would be swift indeed. Our valiant carriers are said to be in the South Pacific, sinking enemy shipping at will. But no one knows for certain, and those who do know are quite properly keeping their mouths closed.

No more time for writing now. I must get some sleep!

[Cuttlefish]

January 11, 1942

Location: Okayama
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 21
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 266

Orders: Repair all damage and get back in the war.

[Japanese_Spirit]

I have just caught up with this AAR and I must say, I have thoroughly enjoyed the read! I wonder though if there will be anymore news from the English pilot that escaped? Perhaps a future possible encounter with the Hibiki? [;)]

Anyway, I eagerly await the next part of your saga. Oh, and I wonder how Lt. Miharu got on with his wife......

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Japanese_Spirit

I have just caught up with this AAR and I must say, I have thoroughly enjoyed the read! I wonder though if there will be anymore news from the English pilot that escaped? Perhaps a future possible encounter with the Hibiki? [;)]

Anyway, I eagerly await the next part of your saga. Oh, and I wonder how Lt. Miharu got on with his wife......

Thanks! I have thought that Frank Barnwell and the Hibiki might meet again some day, but we will see. As for the Lieutenant and his wife, we will with discretion avoid any details except to note that their reunion was a happy one.

[Cuttlefish]

January 12, 1942

Location: Okayama
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 19
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 266

Orders: Repair all damage and get back in the war.

---

In a bunkroom aboard the Hibiki:

Taiki, Riku, and a number of other sailors are relaxing and talking. Others are sleeping. Taiki is watching Riku carefully polish his shoes. Nearby Shiro is reading a newspaper.

Taiki: If you put as much effort into getting ready for inspection as you putting into this date, Riku, you would not get clouted by Shun nearly so much.

Riku: *holds the shoe up and examines it critically, then returns to buffing it* It is a matter of priorities, my friend.

Shiro: Hey, guys, listen to this article. The headline says "River of Madness?"

*This gets even Riku's attention, and they turn to listen to Shiro*

Shiro: "A strange story has developed in Luzon, where the valiant 48th Division is even now tightening their lines around Clark Field. Ten miles behind these lines is the Magat River, which was crossed in a daring attack over a week ago. Our engineers have constructed a bridge across the river to replace the one destroyed by the Americans in their cowardly retreat, and it is at this bridge where strange and puzzling events have been occuring.

Many supporting units are moving south from Lingayen Gulf to join the 48th Division in their campaign. As each of these units crosses the bridge, a madness seems to seize them. Screaming and yelling, they charge 10 miles down the road through the jungle and right past the positions the Army has established. They then proceed to hurl themselves upon the enemy.

Artillerymen, engineers, headquarters clerks, no one seems to be immune. Some have their weapons, but those who do not grab sticks or rocks or whatever is handy. At first the astonished soldiers manning the front lines were too surprised to do anything, but lately they have woven large nets with which they attempt to snare as many of the afflicted as possible. Those who are restrained, or who manage to survive their attack, calm down quickly. None have been able to explain why they acted as they did.

Several theories have been suggested to explain these events. The most popular seems to be that vapors wafting down the river from the swamps that infest the area cause some kind of brain fever. Army doctors are examining this. Others propose that the Americans have unleashed some sort of previously unknown chemical weapon in the area.

Whatever the reason, so far no way to prevent it has been found. General Homma, in charge of all Japanese forces in the area, said in regards to the problem 'The valor and eagerness of our soldiers to get in the fight is inspiring. We are, however, beginning to route new arrivals through San Marcelino. The extra 100 mile hike is excellent for training and conditioning the men.'"

Taiki: That is indeed very odd.

Riku: *snorts* It the Army, what do you expect. They are all insane, everyone knows that. *He puts on his shoes and stands up, then fits his injured arm into a sling*

Shiro: I thought you didn't need that sling any more, Riku.

Riku: *grins* I don't. But when I tell a girl that it is her sweetness and beauty that has restored me, and then take my arm out of the sling to demonstrate how much I am restored, well, my friends, the effect is gratifying.

Taiki: *shakes his head, smiling* You are a scoundrel, Riku.

Riku: Me? Not at all! I am just a poor hardworking sailor. Good evening, gentlemen. Don't wait up for me.

[Cuttlefish]

January 13, 1942

Location: Okayama
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 17
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 266

Orders: Repair all damage and get back in the war.

[Cuttlefish]

January 14, 1942

Location: Okayama
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 16
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 266

Orders: Repair all damage and get back in the war.

---

In a bunkroom aboard Hibiki:

Riku: Taiki! Wake up!

Taiki: *mumbles* Huh? Wazzit?

Riku: There's a card game starting up dockside. A couple of guys from town are there, and they are loaded! Please, Taiki, we can get rich tonight! Wake up!

Taiki: Go 'way. Besides, I'm broke.

Riku: *holds up a roll of yen* I have some, and I borrowed some more.

Taiki: I suppose you'll also tell me we already have permission to go ashore?

Riku: Yes! Now get up!

Taiki: *sighs* All right, all right, quit shaking me! I will go. But Riku, what if I lose?

Riku: If you lose then I am going to wish that bomb had landed right on my head.

---

A few hours later the two sailors are walking back to the Hibiki. Taiki hands Riku a huge wad of cash. Riku gleefully counts it out and hands half of it back to Taiki.

Riku: There you are, my friend! Wine, women, and song!

Taiki: Actually, I will probably give it to my parents.

Riku: *sighs* Yes, you probably will, won't you? I just don't understand you, Taiki. You are a true innocent. You like and trust everybody. I don't think you've ever even been kissed, and I've never seen you really drunk. But you are the best card player I have ever seen. How do you do it?

Taiki: *shrugs* I don't know, really. There are only so many possible ways the cards can fall, and I just keep track of the chances. I know what the numbers are, and in the long run the numbers always win.

Riku: Hm. And how do you know these numbers and odds?

Taiki: I'm not sure, really. They just kind of pop into my head when I think about it. And now I have really got to go get some sleep, Riku. We're tearing out bulkheads below decks, and every muscle I have hurts.

Riku: Go and sleep, my friend. You've earned it!

He claps Taiki on the shoulder. As Taiki turns and trudges down the dock towards Hibiki Riku looks after him for a long moment, a speculative look on his face. Then Riku turns and heads the other way, towards the nearest bar.

[Cuttlefish]

January 15, 1942

Location: Okayama
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 16
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 266

Orders: Repair all damage and get back in the war.

[Cuttlefish]

January 16, 1942

Location: Okayama
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 14
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 266

Orders: Repair all damage and get back in the war.

---

From the diary of Seaman First Class Taiki Takahashi

I saw my parents today! They are well. And they had news of Noboru. They have had one letter from him, which they showed me. It had been censored, of course, but it did say that he had been posted to the battleship Mutsu as an ensign, and that they were somewhere in the South Pacific.

I tried to give my father the money I won the other night, but even though I know they need it my father of course refused. He is a proud man. So I slipped it to my mother later. She is more practical.

With all of the new resources and territory we are liberating I have hopes that things will soon be better for my parents. As the Co-Prosperity Sphere becomes a reality the economy is bound to improve, especially as it looks as though the war will be a short one.

More news of places occupied, places with strange names. As I hear the names, though, I can see them on maps Shun made me study: Bougainville, Manus Island, Madang, others. The repairs to the ship are proceeding swiftly. I wonder to what distant place with a strange name we will be sent next?

[Fishbed]

Hello Cuttlefish

Nice AAR

Would you please tell us where you found the identification cards like this one?
Looks very much like my Task Force 1942 stuff, I'd love to find more date pictured this way

Thanks!

AJ

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Fishbed


Hello Cuttlefish

Nice AAR

Would you please tell us where you found the identification cards like this one?
Looks very much like my Task Force 1942 stuff, I'd love to find more date pictured this way

Thanks!

AJ

I found this schematic at a website called GlobalSecurity.org. At first glance it all their stuff seems to deal with modern military and weapons systems, but if you drill down far enough you can find some excellent historical material. Here is the direct link to the IJN WWII era ships reference, where I found the ship recognition card: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/japan/ijn-ships-ww2.htm. Select a ship class and then click "Schematics" from the menu on the upper right.

[Cuttlefish]

January 17, 1942

Location: Okayama
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 13
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 266

Orders: Repair all damage and get back in the war.

---

Excerpt from a report by Captain Ishii:

...except for the missing kiwi fruit.

In almost every respect the ship, it's weapons, and it's crew performed at the highest level of expectations. The crew was tested by a variety of combat situations and in every case their performance stands as a tribute to the training and professionalism of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

I fear I must, however, note one area in which the ship is in need of improvement. Two machine guns bolted to the foredeck does not constitute an adaquate anti aircraft defense. It is obvious from our first month of combat that Hibiki is vulnerable to attack by as few as two or three level bombers. Time and again enemy aircraft were able to make attack runs unhindered by our return fire and only the speed of the ship prevented the damage we suffered from being worse than it was. I most strongly urge a review of all destroyer anti aircraft armament with an eye towards making great improvements.

This will also allow us to provide better defense for the ships we are assigned to protect. As we saw more than once while escorting Hyuga...