Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Japanese_Spirit]

A very nice scene there, Cuttlefish. I do like how you have kept alot of the "we are invincible" belief of the Japanese in with the story. And, I did find something out. My friend in Japan did tell me that alot of the recruits, mainly the Army, at the start of the war pretty much joined up for the "adventurous" side. Alot wanted to gain wealth and glory, others were bored at home, etc. It wasn't until later on that it did become that "fight to the death" we hear about.

That was just the general attitude, anyway, unlike in Europe and the States.

Also, I though that Natsumu's name was "Natsumi" and not Natsumu? Well, his pet name? I thought I would ask although Natsumu is certainly a good name. [:D]

And one last thing. I can't remember if I mentioned this before but "Miharu" is actually, I believe, a girl's first name. I think it may be also a boy's first name, too, but like in Japan, I have noticed there does appear to be alot of uni gender names. Is there a story behind Lt. Miharu and his surname? That'd be pretty interesting.

Anyway, I look forward to your next piece! Oh, and is there any chance you might squeeze in some family time between Lt. Miharu and his family? I just find it fascinating to look into these people's lives.

[Cuttlefish]

April 7, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: TF 6
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Escort heavy cruiser Kako back to Japan.

---

Aboard heavy cruiser Suzuya:

Admiral Goto: Ah, Ishii. Good to see you. I have your new orders. You are hereby officially detached from my command. Effective immediately you will join task force 53 under the command of Captain Takahashi.

Captain Ishii: Yes sir.

Admiral Goto: I also wanted to extend my thanks for your service. You and your crew have performed honorably and well, and it has been a pleasure to have you in my command.

Captain Ishii: Thank you, Admiral. Perhaps when we return from Japan I may have the chance to serve with you again.

Admiral Goto: I appreciate the sentiment, but that seems unlikely. I have received new orders from Admiral Shimizu. It seems that I am being assigned to an important new post overseeing harbor facilities on Hainan. My replacement will arrive within a few weeks.

Captain Ishii: *pauses* I see, sir. Congratulations on your new assignment.

Admiral Goto: Heh. My new punishment, you mean. Well, I will serve my sentence and with luck will find myself on the deck of a ship again before this war is over.

Captain Ishii: *sincerely* I hope so, Admiral.

Admiral Goto: Thank you. Good luck, Ishii.

Captain Ishii: Thank you, sir.

[Cuttlefish]

April 8, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: West
Attached to: TF 53
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Escort heavy cruiser Kako back to Japan.

---

Before dawn a small force of five warships departs Kwajalein lagoon and sets course due west. They plan to sail a day west before turning north in hopes of avoiding the submarines that are known to be lurking around Eniwetok. As three of the five ships are damaged the task force has to move slowly and would be a ripe target for any submarines they encountered.

First in line comes destroyer Hibiki. Following her is light cruiser Kitakami, the recipient of a 500 lb. bomb while patrolling near Wake. In the center is heavy cruiser Kako, struck by a PT boat torpedo at Wake. Following Kako is destroyer Hamakaze, hit by a submarine torpedo while part of Kido Butai's screen in operations near French Frigate Shoals. Destroyer Oite brings up the rear.

At sea again the crew of the Hibiki quickly settles into their accustomed routine. These men have sailed together and fought together for over four months now and everyone performs his duties with efficiency, each knowing he can count on his shipmates to do the same. They chafe a little at the slow pace set by the damaged ships, but not too much. Not yet, at least. They all know it is going to be a long voyage home.

[Cuttlefish]

April 9, 1942

Location: 200 miles west of Kwajalein
Course: West
Attached to: TF 53
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 457
Orders: Escort heavy cruiser Kako back to Japan.

---

TF 53:

[Onime No Kyo]

Hamakaze caught a sub torpedo and only has 37 damage? [X(]
 
That's one lucky DD.

[histgamer]

HOMEWARD BOUND!!!

[Japanese_Spirit]

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

Hamakaze caught a sub torpedo and only has 37 damage? [X(]

That's one lucky DD.

I checked a transport that recieved a torpedo and deck gun fire from a Japanese sub today.....

.....Ended up with a similar amount of damage. Really, quite lucky indeed. So, it is indeed possible for even a Destroyer to get lucky once in a while.

And even ships. Some ships, planes can try to keep bombing them but they come away unscathed......

Their fates are with them, for sure.

[histgamer]

Well a transport is alot larger than a DD, in reality a DD to a destroy will in many cases completely destroy the ship and send it to the bottom in minutes. Thats pretty much always true if its a DE and a DD will be crippled most likely.

[histgamer]

Thanks to this AR I am considering doing a diary type AR from the Japanese side. However I warn anyone who reads it my spelling is generally ok however my grammar is not very good at all. I tend to have many run ons.

[rtrapasso]

Captain Ishii: Thank you, Admiral. Perhaps when we return from Japan I may have the chance to serve with you again.

Admiral Goto: I appreciate the sentiment, but that seems unlikely. I have received new orders from Admiral Shimizu. It seems that I am being assigned to an important new post overseeing harbor facilities on Hainan.

Ouch!! Seems like Adm. Goto is not in favor after almost getting the Kako sunk! [X(]

[goodboyladdie]

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

Hamakaze caught a sub torpedo and only has 37 damage? [X(]

That's one lucky DD.

In mine and Scout1s 6/43 game HMS Decoy took two 18" torps just off Johore Bharu. I expected het to sink, but she only has 47 system damage and the flooding is almost gone after just four days in Georgetown. She's the toughest DD I have seen...

I hope the Hibiki is as lucky when her time comes.

[HMS Resolution]

One of the "JKN" class destroyers had both her bow and stern blown off by torpedoes in the Channel and survived, although they're a good bit larger than the A-I class ships.

[princep01]

ORIGINAL: flanyboy

Thanks to this AR I am considering doing a diary type AR from the Japanese side. However I warn anyone who reads it my spelling is generally ok however my grammar is not very good at all. I tend to have many run ons.

So, you are a lawyer, right?

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: rtrapasso

Captain Ishii: Thank you, Admiral. Perhaps when we return from Japan I may have the chance to serve with you again.

Admiral Goto: I appreciate the sentiment, but that seems unlikely. I have received new orders from Admiral Shimizu. It seems that I am being assigned to an important new post overseeing harbor facilities on Hainan.

Ouch!! Seems like Adm. Goto is not in favor after almost getting the Kako sunk! [X(]

On the other hand, it looks like he'll survive the war -- which is more than he did IRL.

[histgamer]

No just a college student.

[Cuttlefish]

April 10, 1942

Location: 250 miles west of Kwajalein
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 53
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 445
Orders: Escort heavy cruiser Kako back to Japan.

---

Photo of an Akatsuki class destroyer at speed (DD Inazuma):

[Cuttlefish]

April 11, 1942

Location: 180 miles southwest of Eniwetok
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 53
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 427

Orders: Escort heavy cruiser Kako back to Japan.

[Cuttlefish]

April 12, 1942

Location: 250 miles west-northwest of Eniwetok
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 53
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 409

Orders: Escort heavy cruiser Kako back to Japan.

---

In the Captain's cabin aboard the Hibiki:

The captain and the executive officer are conversing when there is a knock at the door. Lieutenant Miharu opens the door, revealing Seaman First Class Taiki Takahashi. The young man is obviously terrified, but nonetheless manages a crisp salute.

Taiki: You sent for me, sir?

Captain Ishii: Yes, Seaman Takahashi. Come in.

Taiki does so, and the exec closes the door behind him. With three people in it the 10' by 12' room is slightly crowded.

Captain Ishii: Relax, sailor. You aren't in trouble. On the contrary. But the Lieutenant here has heard some interesting things about you lately, and we wanted to ask you a few questions.

Taiki: *still highly nervous* Yes sir.

Captain Ishii: Read this, please.

The captain hands Taiki a dog-eared, 10-page official Navy document, titled "Remount Instructions for Type 92 110 cm Searchlight". Taiki reads through it quickly, then the captain reaches out and takes it back.

Captain Ishii: Tell me, Seaman, what type of bolts are used to attach the sub-flange to the underside of the rail?

Taiki: Uh, five by forty millimeter bolts, sir.

Captain Ishii: That's right. Hmm, let's see...*he looks through the document* Tell me, what was the last date these instructions were revised?

Taiki: August 18, 1937, sir.

Captain Ishii: *raises an eyebrow* Indeed yes. What do you think, Exec?

Lieutenant Miharu: It's remarkable that there is nothing about this in his record, sir. May I ask him a couple of questions?

Captain Ishii: Certainly.

Lieutenant Miharu: Seaman Takahashi. Let us say that a ship is 5000 meters due south of a channel marker. We are 4000 meters east of that ship. How far does that make us from the marker?

Taiki: 6403 meters, sir.

Lieutenant Miharu: Hm. Yes. All right, we are traveling north at 10 knots. After one minute how close are we to the marker?

Taiki: Um...6165 meters, sir. 6164.7, really.

Lieutenant Miharu: *checks something he has written down* That is correct.

Captain Ishii: Well. Very interesting. Thank you, Seaman Takahashi, you are dismissed.

Taiki salutes and departs, trying unsuccesfully to conceal his obvious relief.

Captain Ishii: What do you think, Exec?

Lieutenant Miharu: A talented young man. Rumor in this case seems to be accurate.

Captain Ishii: Yes. Hmm...keep this to yourself for now, Exec.

Lieutenant Miharu: Yes sir. May I ask why? The Navy could be making better use of him than they are.

Captain Ishii: That's what I am afraid of. I want to use those talents. The Navy in its wisdom would doubtless put him to work counting cases of rivets on Saipan, or something similar. I will take some time and think about this.

[histgamer]

I sense a commission as an officer in the imperial navy coming for a certain young man.

[Japanese_Spirit]

ORIGINAL: flanyboy

I sense a commission as an officer in the imperial navy coming for a certain young man.

Or a "special" mission for counting.....[;)]