The Story of Galloping Ghost... Subchaser Keep Out:)

[Przemcio231]

Well im inspired by the Voyages of Hibiki in this but decided to take up some different class of Ships Mainly (CA-30) USS Houston flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. She was Commisioned in June 1930. Armed with 9x 8inch Guns and 4x 6inch Guns plus numerus AA weapons she was able to steam at 32.5 knots. The commanding officer was Capt. Rooks but in the game the commander of Houston is Capt. Riker. Some features of the AAR might not be Authentic. You must also forgive me my poor English writing skills mainly loseing letters and such... but i can't overcome this difficoulty as im also experiencing it when writing in Polish[:)] hope you will like it.

[Przemcio231]

Ok and here she is:

(CA-30) Houston one of the six Northampton Class CA's all commisioned between 1929-31 Houston was Commisioned 17 VI 1930. She was build at Newport News Vn.

Displacement: 9050 Tons
Lenght: 600 ft 3 in (182.96 m)
Crew: 1020
Max Speed: 31

Ship's Captain: CPT. K.I. Riker

And here is the picture at the start. Hope the Radar will be mounted later.

[Przemcio231]

3rd December 1941
 
Location: Ilo Ilo
Course: Docked
Sys Damage: 0
 
 
 
 
Lt. Carlson's Diary
 
... so here i am on the Houston. At last some time to fill up my diary. Last week's went really fast for me. 2 week's ago i was on Astoria in the Atlantic it was chilly as Winter came. Then the brass asked if i would like to replace gunnery officer aboard the Houston in the Asiatic Fleet. Since i got some experience on Northampton's serving on Astoria i didn't hesitate (well at least i would not be freezing on the Atlantic i thought) , even my fiance Ann encoureged me to go. Well her two brothers are serving in the Pacific one in Naval and other in Army Aviation. I packed my stuff and boarded the Train to San Francisco where they put me in an Army 19th BG B-17 en-route to Philippines. First we flew to Pearl and suprisingly i meet Ann's brother Jake at Wheeler Field he is a Fighter Pilot in one of the Pursiut Squadrons based there. I was able to pass him a letter from his sister so he was relly happy. I also found out that Frank her other Brother Serving on the Enterprise is in the Harbor but i hadn't time to meet him. After a long Flight we reached Clark Field yesterday. The crew of the bomber were made up of young enthusiastic men not bothering that a War may be near... but they said that in case of one they will sink any Japanese ship that will come into range as they have some new "top secret" bombsight... well maybe that is true but im not convinced. I must say that im worried being here in the Philippines so close to Japan... well the politicians are still negotiating so maybe we can avoid a War. During my short stay at Cavite Base i saw many Submarines and some PT's im bit worried as this base as well as Pearl Harbor are totaly unpreapared for an Attack. Every one seem to be relaxed. On Hawaii Jake told me that Gen. Short ordered all planes packed up closely on the Strip to guard them ageainst Sabotage. Well if you ask me that is an grave error, but well i can't imagine Jap's hiting Hawaii... they are long way from Japan. I think Japanese will hit Phillipines hard and from what i saw enroute Philippino troops are poorly equiped and probably even poorly trained, one of them had no shoe's and a company we past on my way to Cavite didn't even had proper Uniform's. Then a PBY took me Ilo Ilo where Houston is Docked. Capt. Riker made and impression of cool headed professional able to influence the people he is commanding. From what i found out Adm. Hart dispatched Boise and Marblehead with handfoul of Destroyers to Borneo and we will probably follow. As for now apart from my Duty's im enjoying the Sun and i even took a swim in those Warm Waters. I heard some Crew members talking about Fishing... and i like that.

[racndoc]

Przemcio

Good luck on the game and the AAR. I will be looking forward to reading this one.....CA Houston was also one of my favorite ships. First I think that we need a better picture of her:

[Przemcio231]

7th December 1941
 
Location: Ilo Ilo
Course: Docked
Sys Damage: 0
 
 
Lt. Carlson's Diary
 
Well finaly some time alone last day's were really busy Capt. Riker asked me to attend a conference at Manila with British Admiral Tom Phillips. The news are preatty confusing as Brit as well as ouer Scout planes sighted japanse ships in Bay of Siam. Is it invasion force heading to Malaya or only a Demonstration? who knows any way Adm Hart Agreed to send coupple of DD's to the Brits as they poses only minimal nr of ships to escort their so called "Force Z". We are ordered to sail to Borneo as soon as we get the word from Asiatic Fleet HQ. When we got back to Ilo Ilo  i spend some time on aclimatisation on the ship meeting the crew and i even found time to swim in those Warm Waters... I promised myslef to do some fishing as crew told me that those waters are full of fish. But i will do it tommorow  now time to bed as its nearly midnight.

[Przemcio231]

8th December 1941 
 
Location: Ilo Ilo
Course: Docked
Sys Damage: 0
 
On the Bridge of Houston 2.50am:

"General Quarters" was  sounded just a while ago and Capt. Riker not fully dressed runs onto the bridge.

Capt. Riker - What the hell? Who sounded the Alarm? What's going on???
Watch Officer - Sir. We just got the Word that Pearl was hit by Jap's
Capt. Riker - Is it sure?? maybe this is some kind of Jap Radio Trick?
Watch Officer - Nope the comm people say it came directly from Cavite toghter with the Word to execut the Plan to head for Belikapapan

On the spot Chief Enginnier bursts on the Bridge asking what happend
Capt. Riker - Japs bombed Pearl we are now at War!!!! how long before we can get moveing???
Chief Eng. - 30 min Top's and we can get moveing
Capt. Riker - Great do you think we can sprint at around 30 knots until we reach Belikapapan?
Chief Eng. - No sweet Capt. the engiens are in great condition we can do it with ease, with your premision i will go below and speed up the Crew
Capt. Riker - Carry On.
Taking the Intercom Mic Capt. Riker Announces : This is the Captain Speaking... Gentelmen we are not at War, Japs hit Pearl and this is not A Drill...

[Yava]

So far so good...[;)]

[spence]

Best wishes to the Galloping Ghost...hope that Lt Carlson has a long and fruitful life.

[Przemcio231]

Sorry for the Delay but my Opponent is Digging throught Turn 2 as we played Historical Turn 1[:D] well if Houston Sinks we will figure out something[:)]

[Przemcio231]

8th December 1941

Location: 60 miles WSW of Iloilo
Course: WSW
Speed 30 Knots
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 1
Orders: Procced to Belikapapan to join up with the Rest of Asiatic Fleet and await Further Orders.

On the Bridge of the Houston Capt. Riker Reads current dispatch from Adm. Hart's staff.

-Lt. Carlson: So what's the news Captain? Any Idea what we are up Ageainst?
-Capt. Riker: The only sure message is that the japs landed On Luzon in Legaspi , Appari and Probably Vigan , they also captured Batan Island this one is 100% genuine as A PBY spotted jap ships near the island unloading.
-Lt. Carlson : So what about Pearl any news on the Damage??? i start to think Pac Fleet will not come to ouer Aid.
-Capt. Riker : Nope not a word but i agree that "Rainbow" Plan will not be carried out
-Lt. Carlson: I wounder how ouer British Friends are doing? One of the Officers we meet in Manila told me something about a plan called "Matador" a premptive strike on Siam to size important route's into Malaya.
-Capt. Riker: Well the only thing i know is that japs landed in Khota Bharu on the Coast and their Air Force Raided Singapore, but no word on the damage.
-Lt. Carlson: With your premission i will run some drill's with the Gun Crew's to speed up Loading as we might need that soon...
Capt. Riker: Good Idea Lt. Carry on with the drill.

Excerpt from a book "Hell over the Pacific" by Jerzy Pertek Lampart publishing 1994

... when the Japanese planes were leaving Pearl Harbor Area the crew's were jubilant, benetch them they could see Port Covered with Smoke and many enemy Ships on Fire. All US airbases were hit hard with many planes destroyed on the ground, but they did not knew that their Raid was a failure alrought only around 20 US planes sufferd no damage in the attack and all major bases were heavyly damaged their main target, the US Battle Fleet wasen't smashed, no Battleships were sunk and 2 of them Maryland and Arizona suffered only minor damaged wich could be quickly repaired while the most Damaged BB California would only take few months of Yard Time to rach full operational capacity. Unknown to many US fleet was saved by only two people Mr. Obata owner of a small comercial plane and Lt. Wagner an Air force Controler. both of them were aviation enthusiasts the later served on Wheeler field. In the Early Morning of DEC 7th they flew on Mr. Obata's Plane to watch B-17 sheduled to fly in form the States. Lt. Wagner agreed with the watch officer that he will contact the Newly set Radar Station and guide them to their location. At the End those to found themselfs in middle of Japanese Raid being quickly shoot down, but were able to pass the Warning. Alrought it gave only 10 minut's time to the defenders, not sufficient to scramble the planes it allowed to Rise alarm in the Harbor and BB Crews were able to preapare their ships to incoming Damage.

[Yava]

I like the way this AAR is written... waiting for more...[:)]

[Przemcio231]

Sorry for such slow rate in posting but it seams we are experiencing some problems with Replay and other stuff we turned it on and still nothing[:@]

[Yava]

Take your time... just don't get Houston sunk...[:D]

[Przemcio231]

Ok we had to restart as we had problems with combat animations and summaries[:D] now everything is ok and we did the 1st turn;)

[Przemcio231]

9th December 1941
 
Location: 160 miles E of Belikapapan in the Macassar Stait  
Course: W
Speed 30 Knots
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 1
Orders: Procced to Belikapapan to join up with the Rest of Asiatic Fleet and await Further Orders
 
 
On board of the Huston just as the Gunnery Crew completed a test Fireing of the Main Guns.
 
Capt Riker: Good work mr. Carlson all the salvos landed in good grouping and the rate of fire was excellent you did a good job drilling the crew during the night they cut 10 secounds of the reload time.
Lt. Carlson: Well Capt. you should thank the Crew they really put their harts into this...
Capt. Riker: Well i have a strange fealing we will soon test their skill's in Combat as i think Japs will hit Borneo soon enough, now that Clark Field is neutralised they can sail in south china sea without fear of an Air attack.
Lt. Carlson: Clark's Hit when??? i didn't hear that
Capt. Riker: Well Asiatic Fleet HQ send it this night when you were resting after those drill's they also said that Appari and Vigan Fell and enemy foces appear to have secoured Legaspi but this one is not Certain.
Lt. Riker: That's bad news i think we could have done something to prevent it... but they ordered us to leave
Capt. Riker: No worries Lt. we will have a fight on ouer hands soon enogh...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
In the mean time inside Turret A
 
Seaman Lewis: Demn this new gunnery officer the bastard keept us awake nearly whole night and now he figured out some damn firing excersizes.
Seamen Clark: Well we beet the record in reloading time so i think you will be thanking this guy when some Jap ship will come arond to play...
Seaman Lewis: Maybe but he could do those during the Day...  

[Przemcio231]

PS im opening a contest on Houston Banner for me[:D] any one interested in participating[:D]

[Przemcio231]

9th December 1941
 
Location: Belikapapan Harbor
Course: N.A
Speed: Docked
Sys Damage: 4
Orders: Await Further Orders  
 
 
On the Bridge of the Houston Capt. Riker assambled all of the Officers 
Capt.Riker: Gentelmen we have new orders from Adm. Hart we are to proced to port of Palambang and Join Up a joint squadron of British/Dutch ships there so we may counter any japanese move on Borneo.
Chief. Eng: Hope this time the voyage will be slower as the engienes as well as those below had a really hard time during ouer trip from IloIlo
Capt. Riker: No Sweet Jack the plan is to cruise at 16 knots and arrive in Belikapapan in 3 Day's we will be accompanied by Parrott and Pope while Marblehead and Boise with the rest of those DD's will depart to Soreboja later today the will team up with some Dutch ships and form a Striking force somewhere south. XO you will commander the ship as Adm. Hart ordered me to take this lovly Dutch Flying boat you'v seen tied up next to us i think its about some kind of Joint Allied conferenc held at Palambang... Carlson wanna tag along i bet the ship will not see any action till the ship will reach Palambang.
Lt. Carlson: Sure Skip why not i may meet this Cooper fellow i meet in Manila before this all happend he was posted on HMS Repulse and i bet she is there now.
Capt. Riker: Ok XO take care of my ship and by the way i heard that Radio Tokyo Sunk as at Sulu Sea...
 
There is a sudded outburst of laughter from all that heard the Captain.

[Przemcio231]

10th December 1941
 
Lt.Carlson's Diary

... the skipper must liked me as he takes me on those staff meatings. We Left Belikapapan on a Dornier Flying boat and the flight was pleasent with only scattered clouds above us.The sight of Palambang harbor was breath taking 2 Battleships and few crusiers were anchored while some DD's runed some ASW screan around. You must hand it to the Brit's when they build their ships they really look nice. Upon Arrival we were greated by Adm. Hart and some Dutchmen Adm. Helfrich then we ware taken to some Luxiurius hotel but i can't even spell it's name and there we were introduced to the Allied Strategy's. Im impressed and encoureged despite Operation "Matador" didn't worked out weary well and the Brit's lost Khota Bahru. AVG squadrons brought from Burma shoot down many Japanese planes over Malaya. Sad new's from the Philippines as ouer Air force sustained heavy losses and the remnants were send to China to compensate Chang Kai Shek the loss of AVG sent to Malaya. We are to form up a squadron codenamed FORCE Z toghter with British and Dutch Ships ouer Job will be to Defend Norther Borneo and Southern Malaya, the other force consisting of US and Dutch ships will guard Celebes and Southern Borneo. Dutch want to hold Java at all cost so they say they'r in the process of pulling out all small garrisons from unimportant places to Java, Brit's do the same with they'r troops at Brunei. The worst thing is the lack of proper Air Support, Dutch Air Force is flying old plane's as well as the RAF on Malaya but here they count on they'r Famus Hurrican wich will be delivered in 3 week's they also promise to send a Division of troops to the Area...

[Przemcio231]

11th December 1941
 
Location: 360 miles E of Soreboja
Course: W
Speed 16 Knots
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 4
Orders: Procced to Palambang and Join up with Force Z ships assambling there.

Houston sails peacfouly trought the Java Sea. Any way how do you like my AAR?? i hope its readable[:D]

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

I like it, and have subscribed it. Keep up the good work, and watch out for that LBA!