Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Cuttlefish]

May 28, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: North
Attached to: TF 62
Mission: Bombardment
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Proceed to Wake Island and destroy enemy facilities and defenses there.

---

A number of officers are crowded around a table on Kwajalein. Among them are Admiral Ishikawa, Captain Ishii's current commander; Admiral Nagumo; Admiral Kobayashi, the recently arrived replacement for Admiral Goto; Captain Ban, commander of DesDiv 6; and Sixth Fleet commander Admiral Shimizu. Captain Ishii, other ship captains, and various staff officers are also present in the room.

Admiral Shimizu is briefing the officers on Operation Mi-Go, the long awaited plan to recover Wake Island.

"Admiral Yamamoto has directed that Wake Island be recaptured. To that end the operation has been divided into three phases.

"In the first phase the airfield on Wake will be completely neutralized. Fighters based on Marcus Island will sweep the skies over Wake clear of enemy fighters. This will allow bombers based here on Kwajalein to attack the airfield, destroying the enemy air forces there on the ground. Our carriers will follow up this attack with precision strikes on surviving enemy aircraft and air facilities. Are there any questions about this?" Admiral Nagumo shoots to his feet.

"As I told Admiral Yamamoto," he says, "I object most strongly to using my aircraft to attack the enemy ground forces. This is not going to be Pearl Harbor, with the enemy caught unaware. Reconnaisance show many AA guns protecting the airfield. My planes will take heavy losses."

"There is some truth in what you say," admits Admiral Shimizu. "But it is necessary that this be done. Unless that airfield is completely destroyed our plan cannot succeed."

"Foolishness!" says Nagumo, pounding his fist on the table. "If the Americans knew we were contemplating blunting the edge of our carrier air arm in this fashion they would cheer."

"I do not think it will be as bad as you suppose," says Shimizu. "But your objections have been noted. Only two of your carriers will participate in the strike on the airfield. The rest will hold their planes ready to counter American attacks. Is that acceptable?" Admiral Nagumo grumbles, but agrees and sits down.

"In the second phase," says Shimizu, "our battleships and cruisers will begin constant bombardments of the island. With the enemy bombers neutralized we should be able to maintain continuous pressure and turn the enemy defenses to rubble. This will also establish an unbreakable blockade around the island."

"The Americans may attempt to intervene," says Admiral Kobayashi.

"We anticipate they will," says Admiral Shimizu. "But with the surface forces we have present, and with Kido Butai remaining in the area, any such attempt will be met and soundly defeated."

"What of the American carriers?" says Kobayashi. Nagumo stirs again.

"We believe that the Americans have two carriers available for use, perhaps three," he says. "We now have five present with the arrival of Junyo, and Kaga should be departing Tokyo to rejoin us within a few days. If the Americans offer battle they will find we are more than ready." Admiral Kobayashi nods, satisfied.

"The third phase, of course, is invasion," says Shimizu. "The 18th Division, just arrived from Luzon, will spearhead the attack. The Americans are believed to have 35,000 troops on the island, but they have lost many ships attempting to deliver supplies and we think they cannot have much in reserve on the island. After several weeks of total blockade their ability resist our attack will be low.

"Are there any questions?" There are none. The admirals and their staffs get down to planning the operational details. Captain Ishii notes that because the Americans are known to have emplaced some shore batteries the initial bombardment will be carried out at a range too great to allow the destroyers to participate. He is disappointed, but does not doubt that before this campaign is over there will be plenty of action for the Hibiki.

[Cuttlefish]

May 29, 1942

Location: 40 miles north of Rongelap
Course: North
Attached to: TF 62
Mission: Bombardment
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 370

Orders: Proceed to Wake Island and destroy enemy facilities and defenses there.

---

The Japanese waste no time putting Operation Mi-Go into action. As Hibiki and the rest of the Yamato battle group depart Kwajalein and head north over 60 G3M and G4M bombers take off and head for Wake Island. Admiral Nagumo had flown back to rejoin his carriers the previous day, and by morning they are in position 250 miles south of Wake. Carriers Shokaku and Hiryu launch bombers, accompanied by over 60 fighters.

Aboard the Hibiki they monitor radio broadcasts that tell the details of the day's air strikes. As promised, the skies over Wake are clear of American fighters. The anti aircraft fire, however, is very heavy. By the end of the day 26 Japanese bombers have failed to return. They report, however, that dozens of enemy planes were destroyed on the ground and the airfield is heavily damaged.

Columns of smoke from several large fires rises into the air over Wake Island. As night falls the radio chatter dies down. Hibiki continues north, heading towards Wake.

[Cuttlefish]

May 30, 1942

Location: 475 miles southwest of Wake
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 62
Mission: Bombardment
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 331

Orders: Proceed to Wake Island and destroy enemy facilities and defenses there.

---

On the bridge of the Hibiki:

Lookout: Yamato is signalling! Aircraft approaching!

Captain Ishii: Combat stations! Helm, open up some distance. Put us 1000 meters from Haruna.

Chief Torpedo Officer Sugiyura: It looks like the airfield at Wake is still in business.

Captain Ishii: I figured as much. Damn pilots, they never think they drop a bomb that misses.

Appearing overhead are 15 B-25s. They remain at about 15,000 feet, but Captain Ishii gives the order to fire anti-aircraft guns just to give the crews some practice. The bombers concentrate on Yamato and Haruna, but the attack is pressed home without enthusiasm and no bombs fall even close to the two battleships. The bombers depart.

Chief Torpedo Officer Sugiyura: They weren't very aggressive, were they?

Captain Ishii: Don't worry. When they land they will no doubt report that they sank two battleships, a heavy cruiser, and a native canoe.

[Cuttlefish]

May 31, 1942

Location: 240 miles southwest of Wake
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 62
Mission: Bombardment
System Damage: 22
Float Damage: 2
Fires: 8
Fuel: 302

Orders: Proceed to Wake Island and destroy enemy facilities and defenses there.

---

Seaman First Class Taiki Takahashi is looking almost straight at the nose of an oncoming SBD Dauntless dive bomber. The plane is growing rapidy larger. Taiki shouts orders to his gun crew even as he is mentally calculating angles and velocity. The three barrels of his 25mm gun roar into life. Along the length of the SBD a series of holes appears. The Dauntless wobbles and releases its bomb early, then levels out and roars over the destroyer, trailing smoke. The bomb falls a good 200 yards short of Hibiki. The gun crew cheers, and Taiki surprises even himself by screaming at them to start tracking the second bomber.

The crew responds, but the Type 96 just does not track fast enough. The second SBD executes a perfect attack against the rapidly turning destroyer. Its 500 lb. bomb strikes the port side of the ship aft. It tears a hole just above the water line and knifes into the ship's innards, detonating in a storage locker just forward of the number three boiler room.

Hibiki shudders with the impact. In the number three boiler room steam lines snap, scalding to death one crewman and badly burning two others. The ship slows but maintains 26 knots as the attack continues.

Anti aircraft fire slackens for a moment as the guns and their crews are jarred by the explosion. On his gun platform Taiki reaches out and catches Shiro before his friend can topple over the rail. Shiro flashes him a grateful look and then turns and slams another magazine into place. The crew resumes fire.

The third Dauntless misses, its bomb whistling over Hibiki and detonating in the sea 50 yards to starboard. Taiki's gun and the port 25mm mount both focus on the fourth and last Dauntless. They score hits on this plane too. A chunk is blasted out of the trailing edge of one wing. The Dauntless slews wildly, but is able to pull out of its dive before hitting the water. It skims away over the waves, heading back to Wake.

Below decks fire blazes up in the storage locker where the bomb detonated. Damage control crews reach the area quickly and try to stop the flames from spreading. The steam lines in boiler room three are shut off, and medics race to help the injured men.

No other ships in the task force have been hit. Admiral Ishikawa orders Hibiki to drop out of the formation and return to Kwajalein. Captain Ishii refuses, and a heated argument ensues over the radio. When Hibiki, still trailing smoke, is able to resume her place and keep up with the rest of the task force Ishikawa relents.

Damaged but defiant, Hibiki continues on towards Wake Island.

[BlackSunshine]

[X(]

Quite the narrative!  I thought for sure Hibiki was doomed.
 
*wipes sweat from his brow*

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

The fires aren't out yet...

[Cuttlefish]

Here's a screen shot of the impact. My opponent, Wolffpack, is a good sport and is actually rooting for the Hibiki (though he invites the Yamato to come to a stop and present a good target for his submarines). His troops don't seem to have gotten the message, however.

In real life the Hibiki, while never sunk, was damaged four times. She was hit by aircraft at Kiska in June 1942 and again at the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, and survived mine hits in September 1944 and March 1945. The latter mine hit prevented her from joining Yamato on her final sortie, so you almost have to look on that one as a lucky break.

[cantona]

Hope she survives

[goodboyladdie]

Send her home CF. With her damage the game will see her as the most visible ship and she will become a bomber magnet. Good news for the Battleships, but bad news for our favourite AAR...

ps - please change her bitmap for Fremen's - the stock ship sides hurt my eyes...[;)]

[Onime No Kyo]

Aaaah! Say its not so! [X(]

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

RIP
[:(]

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: AU Tiger

RIP

You started the eulogy a bit early, I think. [:-][:D]

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

I don't think so. They are sailing into what will likely be a hotly contested campaign. The Hibiki is the only ship in that TF trailing smoke so every bomber and submarine will likely shoot at her first. I just hope some of our favorite characters get pulled from the burning sea.

Put a fork in her, she is done.

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: AU Tiger

I don't think so. They are sailing into what will likely be a hotly contested campaign. The Hibiki is the only ship in that TF trailing smoke so every bomber and submarine will likely shoot at her first. I just hope some of our favorite characters get pulled from the burning sea.

Put a fork in her, she is done.

Oh yea of little faith. He'll B fine. That's one bad-a$$ed little ship. Besides, the Thread will protect him (Japanes ships are male - right?). [;)]

[Cuttlefish]

June 1, 1942

Location: 300 miles southwest of Wake
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 62
Mission: Bombardment
System Damage: 26
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 3
Fuel: 179

Orders: Proceed to Wake Island and destroy enemy facilities and defenses there.

---

There are no further incidents on the way north. By midnight the Yamato battle group is in position off Wake Island. The battleships and heavy cruisers begin shelling enemy positions. To the onlookers aboard the Hibiki it soon looks as though the entire atoll is in flames. From a distance of several miles the destruction seems to be almost total.

For the rest of the night the group hurries back south. Aboard the Hibiki efforts to bring the fire under control are largely successful, though a few hot spots remain. Makeshift patching on the hole in the side of the ship is begun. In boiler room number three Chief Engineer Sakati and his men work to try and repair the damaged boiler, and by three AM the fire is relit.

Dawn brings a welcome sight. The carriers of Kido Butai appear on the horizon, and fighters are soon circling protectively overhead. Later in the morning a dozen B-25s and SBDs approach the task force, but the Japanese fighters shoot down several and the rest flee without dropping their bombs.

In the dispensary Engineer Second Class Yukinobu Hiroka dies of his burns, mercifully without ever regaining conciousness.

---

It is midmorning. In the officer's wardroom aboard the Hibiki Captain Ishii is holding a meeting with his senior officers.

Captain Ishii: Admiral Ishikawa has inquired rather forcefully once again whether we wish to leave the battle group and return to Kwajalein. I would like to have your opinions before I reply.

Chief Torpedo Officer Sugiyura: Sir, this ship is still battleworthy. Our striking capacity is unimpaired. I think we should stay.

Chief Engineer Sakati: I disagree. Part of this ship's offensive ability is its speed. If we are forced to go much faster than 25 knots that patch on the hull is going to start shipping more water than the pumps can handle.

Chief Torpedo Officer Sugiyura: Back to Japan before we fire a shot? It is unthinkable!

Captain Ishii: What do you think, Exec?

Lieutenant Miharu: Sir, I am reluctant to depart. But there is this: If we suffer any further misfortune at all right now, even a small breakdown, we will become a hindrance to the battle group rather than a help. In all conscience I think we must return to Kwajalein.

Captain Ishii: *sighs* Lieutenant Sugiyura, I understand your position. I feel the same way. But we must think of our duty to Japan, not just our desire to fight. We will withdraw.

[Cuttlefish]

June 2, 1942

Location: 545 miles south of Wake
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 51
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 26
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 150

Orders: Return to Kwajalein.

---

Hibiki proceeds slowly south, alone. In the morning Captain Ishii presides over a solemn ceremony on the foredeck. After a short Shinto rite he says a few words about the two wrapped bundles on the deck in front of him, bundles that two days ago had been shipmates.

When he is finished Chief Petty Officer Shun barks an order. The assembled crew snaps to attention. As gently as possible the two bodies are lifted up and slid into the sea. After a moment Shun gives another order and the crew slowly disperses.

After they depart Captain Ishii stands alone, gazing out at the sea. His face is set and sad. He remains motionless for a short time, then turns away and slowly returns to the bridge.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

Way to go Exec!

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: goodboyladdie

Send her home CF. With her damage the game will see her as the most visible ship and she will become a bomber magnet. Good news for the Battleships, but bad news for our favourite AAR...

ps - please change her bitmap for Fremen's - the stock ship sides hurt my eyes...[;)]

I just updated to the JWE standardized ship art set - that should help.

[Cuttlefish]

June 3, 1942

Location: 120 miles northeast of Kwajalein
Course: Southwest
Attached to: TF 51
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 26
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 120

Orders: Return to Kwajalein.

---

Excerpt from a report written by Captain Ishii for Imperial Navy Headquarters:

Despite the damage suffered in the attack, the ship's improved anti aircraft capability has already shown its worth. Two of the four attacking planes were damaged and their attacks disrupted; had this not been the case we might have suffered far worse damage. If this attack occured before our refit the enemy dive bombers would have been able to execute their attacks almost completely unhindered.

I must, however, respectfully suggest that further improvements should be considered. If we are to effectively engage all attacking aircraft additional guns will be required. I understand that limitations of weight and space are problems, but I have confidence that if the fine naval architects of the Japanese Navy consider the problem solutions might be found.

Finally, I must comment on some problems that are already apparent with the Type 96 guns. I know that they are highly regarded, and any problems they displayed in combat are no doubt attributable to deficiencies in the training and performance of the crew. May I suggest, however, that a study of captured British and American anti aircraft guns might be useful? Our enemies seem able to build AA weapons that are not steaming piles of ox dung.

[Cuttlefish]

June 4, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 26
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Return to Japan for repairs.

---

Battered Hibiki enters the safety of Kwajalein lagoon. Captain Ishii directs Chief Engineer Sakati to immediately begin doing what he can to improve the makeshift repairs made at sea. Fuel, water, 25mm ammunition, and provisions are to be taken aboard.

The atoll is busier than ever. As Hibiki arrives a pair of freighters are unloading the howitzers of the 17th Field Artillery Regiment. Just arrived from Japan are battleship Ise and heavy cruiser Mikuma, along with a trio of destroyers. These ships are already preparing to join in the blockade of Wake Island. Four large fuel tankers are refilling the island's new storage tanks in anticipation of heavy demand in the days ahead.

By all reports phase one of Operation Mi-Go has achieved success. Hibiki has been the only ship damaged, and American air power over the island seems to have been destroyed. There has been no response yet from the Americans, but scout planes and submarines are keeping watchful eyes turned in the direction of Midway Island, the expected avenue of approach of any attempt to relieve the island.