War and Remembrance by barb

[Barb]

48 years old stucky LtCdr. Paul Edward "Bulldog" Robertson was reading reports of day-long work of his navy inteligence service deparment. He was responsible for tracking Japanese capital ships by their call signs.
Robertson cannot concenterate fully this day, because he was still with his younger son James in mind. James is somewhere over the pacific en route to Asiatic Fleet and alarming signals were recieved about Japanese naval activity on main bases over the Pacific.
As he was reading the report, something forced him to stop and to try find call signs of Zuikaku, one of the new IJN carriers. He found not. So he tried to find Shokaku, Zuikaku sister ship. A misgiving seized him. Akagi, Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu call signs werent there as well. Robertson hoped they will appear next day, but they have not.
Cdr. Rochefort was in his office in HYPO station on Oahu when Robertson invaded his office, saluted and shows the reports. Rochefort readed them slowly and looked up on him with question settled on his face...

[Barb]

Lt(XO) Simon Thomas Robertson, elder son of "Bulldog" Robertson was standing on the bridge of surfaced SS-211 Gudgeon for three hours yet. Three lookouts were also there combing sea and air by binoculars. They were cruising near Lahiana Roads from december 4th on a special drill. Numerous dives, fire or flooding drills torpedo runs and gunner practising were occupated them at those days and night.
LtCdr. Elton W. "Joe" Grenfell a CO of submarine was uncompromising man. Even a smallest slip means that whole drill to be redone from the beggining. Gudgeon was a relatively new sub, commisioned only on 21 April, 7 months ago. The crew trained hardly from the first days so now you cannot say who suffered seasick on the begining.
As his second 4-8 watch this day was closing to the end, the sun beguns drawing beautifull images over the sea. He imagine similar sunset a week ago at Oahu beach. Sea sings, sky looked the same way and the sand was fairy warm and a beautifull girl was walking towards him. His girl. Matsuoko Kuritsu was her name as her parents origin from Japan. Just as he was thinking about her cute breasts, brisk voice disturbed him.
LtCdr. Grenfell(CO): *from the deep of conning tower* "XO, show me a perfect emergency dive this time!"
Lt(XO): "Aye Aye, sir." *then he turned and shouted to stile* "General quarters! Emergency dive!"
Lookouts perished from the bridge with lightning speed and Robertson was the last to descent as the sub begins to dive into calm wathers...



SS-211 Gudgeon
Builders: Mare Island
Class: Tambor-class
Displacement: 1,475 tons (surfaced); 2,370 tons (submerged)
Length: 307 ft 8 in (93.8 m)
Beam: 27 ft 3 in (8.3 m)
Draft: 15 ft (4.6 m) surfaced trim
Speed: 20 knots (37 km/h) surfaced; 9 knots (17 km/h) submerged
Test depth: 250 ft (75 m)
Range: 12,000 nautical miles at 10 knots (18,000 km at 19 km/h) surfaced
Endurance (submerged): 48 hours
Fuel capacity: 93,993 to 96,365 US gallons (356 to 365 m3)
Patrol endurance: 75 days
Propulsion: 4 x 1350 hp (1 MW) Fairbanks-Morse diesel engines; two 1370hp (1020kW) General Electric electric motors
Complement: 6 officers, 54 enlisted
Deck Gun: 1 x 3inch (76 mm)/50 calibre, 2x0.5" (12.7mm), 2x0.3" (7.62mm) machineguns
Torpedo tubes: 10 x 21 in (533 mm) (6 forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes)

[Barb]

The voyage of Lt(jg) James William "Will" Robertson beguns two weeks ago on the US East coast. He travelled from New York to San Francisco by civilian airlines, there he boarded the China Clipper.
At Pearl Harbour he mat his father LtCdr. Paul Edward "Bulldog" Robertson, but his elder brother was at sea aboard SS-211 Gudgeon at that time. Robertsons were ald navy family. His Father and grandfather both served in US Navy in WWI and grand-grandfather died aboard of CSI blockade-runner in American civil war.
Then he contunued aboard the same clipper through Midway, Wake and Guam to Manila. There he was introduced to Thomas C.Hart, Commander of Asiatic Fleet.

Adm. Hart: "Welcome here Lieutnant Robertson. How the world goes with your father? Is he still in the inteligence service?"
Lt(jg) Robertson: "Thank you admiral. Yes, I saw him 3days ago. He let remembered you."
Adm. Hart: "Thats fine. I havent seen him for years, but some rumors reached me about him rarely. Now lets come back to you. You have been assigned as a 2nd officer of the DD-216 John D. Edwards, Destroyer Division 57. Previous officer was assigned elsewhere. As i remember, you served aboard of another flushdeck at the east coast, so the ship is the same. DesDiv57 sailed for Balikpapan yesterday morning so you will met them there. We talked over one pilot of the civilian airlines to make a stop in Balikpapan on his flight to Soerebaya. The plane is departing tomorrow morning at 0800."
Lt(jg) Robertson: "Thank you sir. Ill be aboard."
Adm. Hart: "Those yellow monkeys are cooking something so good luck lieutnant."
Lt(jg) Robertson: "Ive heared something about renewed negotiations, sir..."
Adm. Hart: "Dont believe everithing the press produced, boy. Dissmis!"
Lt(jg) Robertson: *briefly saluted and departed*

As Robertson get out at Balikpapan airfield his spotless dress whites shined among civilian passanger clothes. Nobody else get out of the plane. Young man in dresswhite uniform awaited him in the bamboo airport building.
Sailor: "Sir, aren't you Lieutnant Robertson?"
Lt(jg) Roberston: "Yes I'm. Are you from J.D.Edwards crew?"
Sailor: "Steward assistant Brooks at your service. Our division arrived just few hours ago and Chief Steward sent me to make some buyings and to bring you aboard."
Lt(jg) Roberston: "So, what we are waiting for?"

Four destroyers of Desdiv 57 were anchored near a tanker, from which one was replenishing that time. There were few ships in Balikpapan Harbor, few merchants loading or unloading their cargos, DUtch minelayer remembering WWI, and some native fishing boats slowly sailing here and there. Motorboat takes them to destroyer lazy idling 200 yards off the tanker. 216 where the white numbers written on the fore. There was small deck force on the deck, few lookouts on the bridge and small but stocky boatswain standing near the gangway. Anchor chain clunged a little as they batten aside.
Lt(jg) Roberston: "I request permission to come aboard."
Boatswain: "Permission granted, sir"
As Robertson climbed the ladder, Boatswain piped him aboard
Boatswain: "Walcome aboard, sir. Captain is in his cabin, requesting you to met him as soon as you arrive."
Lt(jg) Roberston: "It looks like we have to hurry..."



DD-216 USS John D. Edwards
Clemson class Destroyer
Displacement: 1,190 tons
Length: 314'4"
Beam: 30'8"
Draft: 9'3"
Max. Speed: 35 knots
Armament: 4 4"/50, 1 3"/23AA, 4 3x21" torpedo tubes
Crew: 6 officers and 108 enlisted man
Geared turbines with twin screws, 27,000 h.p.
Built at Wm. Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, and commissioned 6 April 1920

[Barb]

7/12/1941

Bows of four ships were ploughing heavy the waves in rough Makassar strait. Many clouds were fastly flying over them as first rain drops begin to drop. It was early morning and it was time of watch changing. Aboard DD-216 John D. Edwards a young Radioman sky-rocketed from his Radio room and swiftly toss aside two sailors in the passage, clenching a paper in his hand. Officer of the deck of 4-8 watch Lt.(XO) Dermot turned his head back on the Radioman as he gaspingly entered the bridge. Without the word Dermot readed the paper, his face lose colour and quickly runs down to capitains cabin. Capitan Bren swiftly waked up as doors slammed in...

DATE 7 DEC 1941
FROM: CINCPAC
TO: ALL SHIPS AT PACIFIC AREA
INFO: URGENT

AIRRAID ON PEARLHARBOR X THIS IS NO DRILL

Later that evening another message was engrafted by J.D.Edward radio.
DATE: 7 DEC 1941
FROM: ABDACOM
TO: DESDIV57
INFO: URGENT

ENEMY TROOPS LANDING AT BALIKPAPAN AREA X TWO BATTLEWAGONS SPOTTED X MET WITH MARBLEHEAD WITH DESDIV58 30NM S BALIKPAPAN X INTERCEPT IMMEDIATELLY

All aboard the ship were excitet. The war was here and their first combat action as well. But two battleships were also there. Will they give a chance to light cruiser and 9 destroyers? They are veterans of the Asiatic fleet and they trained for this moment for so long. But are they trained enough? Many "what ifs" appeared among the crews. And the bows of DesDiv57 begin to turn back north. The speed was limited due to high seas to 20kts only and neverthless huge masses of water were tumbling over the bows.

They arrived late. When they were on the meeting point, only mild flashes were appearing on the northern night sky. Battle was already there. The sea calmed down a little allowing now 30kts. As DD 217 Whipple (flagship) goes through one rainy wall enemy ships were spotted. Four destroyers in line formation continues straight to enemy ships yet unobserved by the enemy. On the port side few miles away DD 213 Barker was burning and slowly sliding into the sea. Marblehead with other four destroyers were trying to escape from heavy rainfall of enemy shells. Leading destroyer just fired his torpedoes and sway left to allow Edsall to fire japanese search-light catched Edsall. Soon a water boiled around the ship from the salvos fired by enemy guns. At least 24 shells hit the small ship which rapidly begun to burn. One stray shell hitted Whipple also, but inflicted only minor damage. J.D. Edwards, third ship in the line turned left immediately after Edsall was enlighted failing to fire their torpedoes as Edsall was in the line of fire. Fourth ship in the line Alden turned right, fired their torpedoes against Naka, but missed, and retreated back into the rain. Not only US ships were damaged, Edsall scored ine hit on Natsugumo, Whipple and J.D.Edwards scored 1 hit on Kongo and Haruna before they retreated. Marblehead with four destroyers tried to intercept japanese landing force once more that night but were stopped by Kongo and Haruna guns.
Barker, Bulmer, Stewart and Edsall were sunk by enemy gunfire and torpedoes. Parrot and Paul Jones were damaged seriously.

[Barb]

LtCdr. Paul Edward "Bulldog" Robertson was working hard to the deep night trying to find those damned call signs of Japanese carriers. This sunday morning he was waked up an unexpected way. A B5N crossed over his house with roaring motor in height of only few feets. He looked out from window and what he sees let him astonished for a moment. But explosions along the battleship-row quickly assured him what happened. He finally found those carriers...

Lt(XO) Simon Thomas "Tommy" Robertson was sleeping at that time after another 12-4 watch aboard of Gudgeon. But all round noise of running sailors waked him up and shove his head from the cabin. Soon he was climbing the ledder to bridge. Picture presented to him was so unbelievable. Smoke was seen at the north-western horizon. There is only one thing that could burn like that...

DATE: 7 DEC 1941
TIME: 1400 PACTIME
FROM: CINCPAC
TO: SS GUDGEON
INFO: URGENT

PATROL AT POSITION 60NM N LAHIANA ROADS X ENEMY INVASION CONVOY SPOTTED 120NM N OF OAHU X ENEMY CARRIERS SPOTTED 120NM NNE OF OAHU X NO FRIENDLY SHIPS IN YOUR AREA

[Barb]

8/12/41

Enemy cariers stayed near the Oahu island and continued to batter US ships in Pearl Harbour for another day. All battleships were hardly damaged together with few other ships. Lucky, US carriers were not there. All of the subs dispatched for hunt of enemy invasion fleet and carriers. At the airfields there were burning wrecks of remains of Hawaiian Air Force. Few of the fighters taked off to protect the ships, but were shot down to the last. Only patrol planes managed to fullfill their duty reporting moves of enemy ships. Hospitalls were full of wounded sailors, that they must lay on the grass around and smoke was visible for many miles...

From SS-211 Gudgeon log book:
8/12/41
2 Patrol planes spotted in the morning, dived, remained under surface until nightfall, then surfaced and charged batteries.

After night battle two task forces were sailing together to Soerebaya. Three destroyers of Desdiv57 together with Marblehead and Paul Jones. New orders arrived to attack troop ships at Balikpapan once more with undamaged ships. Paul Jones was sent to Soerebaya by his own. At dusk Marblehead lead three destroyers of DesDiv57 back into the battle.
This time they managed to get closer to the enemy. Kongo, Haruna, Naka and five destroyers were patroling near the entrance of the Balikpapan port when suddenly closer than anoyne aboard the japanese ships expected US ships emerged from the rain. Search lights aboard Kongo were immediatelly lighted up and aimed on Marblehead. This attracted fire of US Task force scoring four hits causing little damage. Enlighted Marblehead attracted japanese fire instead, but japanese gunners misirected and achieved only 4 hits. Meantime, DesDiv57s guns fired a salvo after salvo on surprised Japanese destroyers. DD Asashio was set on fire by 4 shell hits, DD Oshio was also set afire by 2 direct hits. DD Michishio had a more luck this night and managed to escape behind battleships after one hit. DesDiv 57 together with Marblehead managed to achieve two more hits on Haruna. All torpedoes fired by Japanese and US ships missed and exploded harmlessly in the shallows of the coast. Whipple and Alden were each hitted by one shell, and John D. Edwards becomes lucky ship with no enemy scoring on it in two night naval battles. It was not only luck but also skillfully handling by Cpt.L.J. Bren and his crew.

As the allied ships cleared the scene of nigh battle some minds were thinking about renewing tha battle. But with Marblehead disabled, all torpedoes expended and another enemy task force heading south to Balikpapan it was soon abandoned. Next day crews had a good time with resting after two days of action.

Lt(jg) Roberston sits on the bunk writing a letter to his father:
"... Dad, I'm so proud about the ship and the crew. We were in two night battles and came out undamaged! It seems our capitain is very skilled as he leads our ship between stakes of water erected by enemy shells. Our gunners distinguished themselves too with some hits on enemy ships.
Other our ships havent that luck. we have lost five others destroyers, with half of their crews, cruiser and another two destroyers are damaged. Our quarterdeck is fullfilled by almost 30 sailors rescued of Barker and Edsall. How awfully they look like! Many of them have opened wounds, few of them swallowed mazut and now they are slowly dying in pain. How the war can be cruel ..."

[Rapunzel]

Nice beginning. Keep up the good story telling

[rogueusmc]

Agreed.

[Barb]

9/12/1941

SS-211 Gudgeon was cruising norh of Lahiana Roads all the night and this sunny mornning. No signs of enemy invasion convoy were spotted and lookouts were alternated after two hours on the bridge. Inside the Submarine hull, sailors in non-regulation dresses were weary. Those not on the shift, were amuseing leisure with sleep, writing the letters, or playing dice in forward torpedo room. Of course there was much noise there as players were winning and a lot more when loosing. Aft was filled with another kind of noise, by continuous beat of 5400hp duesel engines.
Lookout: Smoke on horizon, sir! 0-4-0 to port.

Cdr. Grenfell: "Sound general quarters. We will dive as soon as we made a visual contact. Helmsman, rudder 10 degrees port, get us on 2-4-0."

Ringing wides through the submarine, dices and bets were abandoned immediately and mens were running along the hull to their combat stations. Rumors spread out what the contact should be. Hydrophone was trying to "hear" the noise of unknown ships propelers. Torpedomens were loading torpedoes into tubes in a hurry - 24 of this leathal "cigars" were on board.
Soon ships appeared on a horizon. Binoculars were aimed at them trying to find out what is their heading.

Lookout: "Plane!"
Cdr. Grenfell: "Emergency dive! Hurry!"

Crew at the bridge rapidly jumped into hatch. Water begin to flood forward deck and soon only conning tower with periscopes were sticking up over the surface.

Cdr. Grenfell: "Planesmen, give me 150ft, full right rudder to 2-7-0, 2/3 ahead!"
Lt.(XO) Robertson: "Did he saw us?"
Cdr. Grenfell: "We will find out in a while. Up scope!"
Scope shifted up smoothly.
Cdr. Grenfell: "Three, not four escort ships, heading - Mark!"
Lt.(XO) Robertson: *looking on the numbers shown at the other side of a periscope* "2-2-0"
Cdr. Grenfell: "Range - Mark! Down the scope!"
Lt.(XO) Robertson: "14,000"

Lt(jg). Sanders (Third Officer) sets the numbers into TDC to get fire solution. Capitin with officers in the conning tower underlined over the maptable. The black line is the Gudgeon, red dots are enemy vessels with theyir calculated heading shown. They are far to fire torpedoes yet, but with little luck they could close the sub.

Cdr. Grenfell: "Up scope! They there are... Heading - Mark!"
Lt.(XO) Robertson: "2-3-0"
Cdr. Grenfell: "Range - Mark! Down the scope!"
Lt.(XO) Robertson: "10,000"

New data were set into TDC and new dots appeared on the map, with line showing their heading.

Cdr. Grenfell: "They are closing us. Maybe we should put a fork on few of them. Rudder 10 left, to 2-5-0"

Two minutes passed and hydrophone finally catch the ships propelers.

Hydrophone operator: "Sir they are closing us rapidly."
Cdr. Grenfell: "Up scope!" *Everyone in the bridge holded breath* "Damn! Down the scope! Rudder full right, to 0-1-0, flank speed! Dive to 250ft"
Lt.(XO) Robertson: "The plane must signal them we are here."
Cdr. Grenfell: "Yes, exec. They are heading right on us, now some 5,000 away."

Continuous sound of propellers was now able to hear by ears. PIIIIIIIIIIING.

Cdr. Grenfell: "1/3 ahead, rudder 10 degrees left to 0-0-0. They are searching for us."

All faces in the sub were lookung upward in the side of the oncoming sounds of propelers. PIIIIIIIIIING.

Cdr. Grenfell: *with lowered tone* "Hydrophone?"
Hydrophone operator: "6 screws in high speed, somewhere aft, distance 3,000, moving right"

PIIIIIIIIING.

Cdr. Grenfell: *with little smile on his face* "They have missed us."

After some time pings become distant together with screw sounds. Gudgeon crew gasped out. Once more the scope was get up only to see enemy ships hurrying back to disappear soon on horizon.

[Barb]

11/12/1941

DD-216 USS John D. Edwards is laying at anchor next to USS Whipple in the Soerebaya Navy base. There are six cruisers spread out in the port, together with seven british, Four Dutch destroyers, Minelayer together with few other ships. New torpedoes were loaded this morning and ammunition replenished from the port. Crews were sleepy resting here and there, fresh air is let to come into all part of the old ships. New orders were just delivered from the ABDA command. Two US flushdeckers will depart this evening together with Vampire, Tenedos, and Electra to hunt enemy submarine spotted in the Lombok strait.
As the dusk closed the harbor, last arrangments were made, boilers were heated few hours ago and now they are prepared for hard work. One ship after another leaves the harbor, Electra is in charge.

USS DD-216 John D. Edwards crew before the war.

LtCdr. Paul Edward "Bulldog" Robertson is walking between two Naval base buildings with his helmet on. Sandbags, were liing here and there together with barbed wire, barrels of machine guns were aimed against the sky, patrols were clinging with gas-masks aside. He is worried about both of his sons. The older one was on Lahiana Roads with his sub when Japs came, and he havent had any news about him. The younger son was allright, as some news arrived about night battles near Balikpapan, but his ship luckily wasnt hit. Cdr. Rochefort just leaved one of those buildings.
LtCdr. Robertson: "Morning, sir."
Cdr. Rochefort: "Morning, bulldog. Are you worried about your boys, arent you?"
LtCdr. Robertson: "How did you guess it?"
Cdr. Rochefort: "Its written on your face clearly. I have no news about them, but I just heared another good news for you."
LtCdr. Robertson: "Sir?"
Cdr. Rochefort: "Our two carriers catched 4 Japanese heavy cruisers near the Midway Island with pants down. Maybe you will have to scratch few of them from the tracking list."
LtCdr. Robertson: "Great news, sir. As they have only 18 of them in service, loosing of each one of them will cost them heavily. But what about Japanese carriers in the area?"
Cdr. Rochefort: "Be calm. They will need two days to reach Midway."
LtCdr. Robertson: "Sounds good sir. May I dine you?"
Cdr. Rochefort: "Of course, but you are the payer."

[Barb]

12/12/1941

At the break of the day, five allied ships are cruising in the Lombok strait, waiting for any signs of enemy submarine in the area. Around 1000 friendly patrol plane is spotted on horizon. In a low level flight Dutch DO-24 dropped a message aboard Electra about Japanese submarine 20 miles southern. Task force increased the speed and headed south. But when arrived on the place enemy sub should be, only an uninterupted calm sea surface was all-round...


USS Gudgeon is shadowing enemy invasion convoy returning from Lahiana Roads for three days now wihout a chance to fire a torpedo. Everytime they tried to close the convoy in night hours, it simply vanished in the dark. Only after sun wakes up, allied patrol planes will find the convoy and give them a chance to renew the contact. But this day any enemy planes wasn't spotted. This savoir that enemy carries are gone now, and they could stay on surface all the time. Wouldn't be great if they will return with Jolly Roger flying over the bridge?

[Barb]

14/12/1941

After two days of cruising near the Soerebaya to clean out the japanese subs operating there with sun shining over their heads sailors of the John D.Edwards were lagging around the deck. When they arrived at the place enemy submarine should be, ships begin to cruise the strait in sqare search with US ships near the Java coast and british ships closer to Bali island. Methodical search returned the luck. British destroyers hydrophones located enemy sub and depth-charged her. Oil fleck appeared on the surfrace, but no wreckage was spotted when the contact was lost. Next day the group spent in approaches to Soerebaya harbor to clear the watters of enemy sub activity.

[Barb]

16/12/1941

Aboard the USS-211 Gudgeon the nervosity rises up. Another day passed without any shot on the Japanese fleeing ships. They are just hidden by the horizon, but everytime they tried to get to shooting position ships changed heading suddenly, and the whole night effort disapears. Capt. Grenfell hasnt sleep for enormous nubmer of hours as he tries to get to fire position. But with no result yet...

USS Whipple and USS John D. Edwards are slowly sailing through the waters of Indian ocean. Sun is heating day after day. With no air-conditioning the both ships altered to cookers. Crews are trying to hide from the heating sun, but inside the ship the air is almost unbreathable. No one has a regulation uniform dressed on...

East Asia Allied Radio broadcast:
"Yesterday, allied efforts was struck by another blow. Prince of Wales, the most modern and powerfull battleship in the waters between East Africa and US West coast was sunked by enemy surface task force in a tryout to sneak out of Singapore harbor. The ship, severly damaged by air raids from 7th december, with 5% listing to port, super-structure ruined and speed lowered to 6 knots was intercepted in the night hours of 15th december between Singapore and Palembang. Of the complement of 1,521 men and officers only 231 were rescued from the water by our forces to this day. Captain John Leach, capitain of the Prince of Wales went down to the bottom with his ship..."

Tokio Rose Broadcasting:
"Allied soldiers among the Pacific ocean, listen carrefully to words of mine. After 8 battleships destroyed in the Pearl Harbour, another battleship was sinked yesterday! Where are your obsolete Air forces when you need them most? Destroyed on your airfields! Where is your coward Navy? It is hiding somewhere far far away or lying on the bottom of the Pacific ocean!
Your goverments sent you into this war and what do you think your girls are doing at home? There are many free man around sitting at home. And you know how the hamlet can be serious. Dont be surprised much if you find your young girls and womens in the hug of another man..."

[Barb]

17/12/1941

LtCdr. Robertson entered CINCPAC building in the early morning. Crowd of officers was walking here and there in what looks as a total chaos. Telephones were ringing on all sides here and there and number of telephonists stenographed messages. He was not allowed to enter to CINCPACs office yet so he sits in front of the office with some papers in hands.
Young adjudnant opened the door, few higher officers come forth *Bulldog saluted promptly*, and nodded to Roberston. One more deep breath and he entered the office. New CINCPAC, Chester W. Nimitz kindly show him a map of the whole pacific ocean lying on his table.

Nimitz: "Good work Lieutnant Comander. Your accureate reports about Kido Butai positions allowed our carriers to strike hard near the Midway."
Robertson: "Thank you admiral. We must thank also to our patrol planes, sir."
Nimitz: "Yeah, I know. So what can you tell me about known japanese forces positions?"
Robertson: "I have made a report for you, sir. We know where Japs Carriers are, but we have lost track of their Light carriers few days ago. We know that Japs has their Fleet dispersed over a very large area...

Imperial Japanese Navy ships known pozitions:

Ship - position, date of last positive identification

CVs:
Kaga - expected 94,60, 300nm NE of Midway Atol, 17/12/41
Akagi - expected 94,60, 300nm NE of Midway Atol, 17/12/41
Sorju - expected 94,60, 300nm NE of Midway Atol, 17/12/41
Hirju - expected 94,60, 300nm NE of Midway Atol, 17/12/41
Shokaku - expected 94,60, 300nm NE of Midway Atol, 17/12/41
Zuikaku - expected 94,60, 300nm NE of Midway Atol, 17/12/41

CVLs:
Hosho - somewhere near Balikpapan, 15/12/41
Rjudzo - somewhere near Balikpapan, 15/12/41
Zuiho - somewhere near Balikpapan, 15/12/41

CVEs:
Taijo - unknown, maybe near Balikpapan

BBs:
Kongo - Balikpapan, at 31,64, 9/12/41
Hiei - unknown, expected to accompany Kido Butai, 94,60
Kirishima - unknown, expected to accompany Kido Butai, 94,60
Haruna - Balikpapan at 31,64, 10/12/41
Fuso - Mersing at 26,49, 8/12/41
Yamashiro - 22,54, 15/12/41
Hyuga - Kota Bharu, at 24,45, 15/12/41
Ise - Kota Bharu at 24,45, 15/12/41
Nagato - Amboina, at 40,74, 11/12/41
Mutsu - Kendari, at 33,71, 16/12/41

CAs:
Furutaka - sinked at midway
Kako - sinked at midway
Aoba - last seen near Midway, at 97,63, retreating to Wake/Japan 11/12/41
Kinugasa - sinked at midway
Myoko - Davao, at 43,61, 10/12/41
Nachi - Kendari, at 33,71, 8/12/41
Haguro - Kendari at 33,71, 8/12/41
Ashigara - 22,54, 15/12/41
Takao - 31,64, 11/12/41
Atago - 31,64, 11/12/41
Maya - 24,53, 16/12/41
Chokai - Kota Bharu, at 24,45, 15/12/41
Mogami - Kota Bharu at 24,45, 15/12/41
Mikuma - Kuching at 27,56, 10/12/41
Suzuya - Johore Bahru at 22,50, 17/12/41
Kumano - Davao, at 43,61, 9/12/41
Tone - unknown, expected to accompany Kido Butai, 94,60
Chikuma - unknown, expected to accompany Kido Butai, 94,60

CLs:
Tenryu - Wake Island at 85,72, 8/12/41
Tatsuta - Wake Island, 85,72, 7/12/41
Kuma - 43,55, 16/12/41
Tama - Lahaina at 115,73 10/12/41
Kitakami - 22,54, 15/12/41
Oi - Kota Bharu, at 24,45, 8/12/41
Kiso - position unknown
Nagara - Amboina, at 40,74, 8/12/41
Isuzu - 120nm SW of Bataan at 41,53, 11/12/41
Yura - position unknown
Natori - San Fernando at 45,47, 11/12/41
Kinu - position unknown
Abukuma - position unknown
Sendai - Jolo at 39,59, 10/12/41
Jintsu - Legaspi at 45,54, 16/12/41
Naka - Balikpapan, at 29,66, 17/12/41
Yubari - Wake Island, 85,72, 8/12/41
Katori - positon unknown
Kashima - position unknown
Kashii - Balikpapan at 31,64, 11/12/41

Nimitz: "Hmm good. What do you expect they will try to do?"
Robertson: "There are many cargo ships spotted near Midway so i think they will try to support their troops at Lahiana Road, or capture some other positions near Pearl Harbour."
Nimitz: "What about Midway, do you think they will try to seize it?"
Robertson: "In my own oppinion sir, they had to do it yet."
Nimitz: "That is what Im thinking too, Lieutnant Comander. And what about Philipines and Dutch East Indies area?"
Robertson: "It looks like allied ground forces are slowing Japs advance on the Philipines and in DEI they do not tried nothing new for a week, sir."
Nimitz: "I heared that Tommies are retreating towards Fort Singapore in Malaya peninsula."
Robertson: "Yes sir, they are under pressure from four infantry divisions and many other units, but they will keep a fight for a while."
Nimitz: "In other words we are on retreat everywhere...."

[Barb]

18/12/1941

Under the sunny sky of Indian ocean two ships are sailing to south undisturbed. Glenn Millers Chattanooga Choo Choo is reverberating over the deck from the ships amplions. How the ship can vanish in the large Ocean. Two lonely ships sailing in a line day and night and nothing else violate the horizon. Maybe they loosed heading and are sailing in circles, or somewhere, where is no ground to land on. They may hide on the ocean for the rest of war. It is like a balsam on the crew shattered by war few days back. This is what their nerves needed the most...
Lt(jg) Roberston scare away his cogitations and returned to the map lying in front of him. Chart of the Barents Sea ("This will be a very long war" noted his cabin inmate, 4th officer Krakowski). From the early morning he is trying to clear his navigational charts. His predecessor on this ship must be a slob. Navigational charts mixed up with directives, mussyed sextant, with all of this he must finish. Whistle
reports that another abominable dinner is ready...

[tanksone]

Hi Barb, great read...hope you don't burn out. Is this against the AI or human? Either way looking forward to reading the tale.
 
 
 

[Barb]

Me vs Elladan PBEM, BigB mod, ABs 6.2 extended map ... will continue until end of the world, or further [8D]

[Barb]

20/12/1941

It is first time aboard the John D. Edwards that the crew has got their tickets to go ashore from the start of the war. Only few mens remained board. Chief engineer Johnson, an old navy warhorse saddled with almost 50 years, dressed in oil-splashy dungarees nudge his head from the machine room to look on the Fremantle Harbor( 12 miles southwest of Perth city in the mouth of Swan River). There is not much to see, only another merchant harbor, with 4 piers, some cargo-cranes and warehouses here and there. Lucky for him, in the local yard he has found what he needed for small boiler repairs. The engines are quite old and the ships last overhaul was a year ago, so there is often something to repair.
Officer of the deck, Lt(jg) Robertson remained aboard too. The captain must go ashore for new orders, First and Fourth Mate are ashore on the ticket, so the responsibiliti falls to him. He was a little nervous in the begining, but as all was going well, his nervosity vanished. Fuel, ammunition and torpedoes were loaded in the morning, and now its a lazy evening.

CE Johnson: "Evening, sir!"
Lt(jg) Robertson: "Evening, engineer. Is that boiler fully operable now?"
CE Johnson: "Of course. But it was a bit complicated, but its fine now."
Lt(jg) Robertson: "That is I am lucky to hear engineer."
CE Johnson: "How are you enjoying the ship, sir?"
Lt(jg) Robertson: "In fact I haven't time to walk around much yet."
CE Johnson: "Maybe we should walk it together, sir."
Lt(jg) Robertson: "Well, engineer, lead me."

Four 4inch guns, one 3inch AA gun, two 0,5in MGs, twelve torpedo tubes, two Depth charge rails on the stern and one another discharger at each side of the ship. Thats all this tin can use against its enemies.
Its narrow, V-shaped stern would “squat” at speed, giving them a large turning radius. Maneuvers in combat are slow, and against submarines absolutely unfit. The bow is always wet even on the calm sea and ventilation is non-existing on the ship. Crew is scrunch in the crew's quarters, as on the other destroyers everywhere on the world.

CE Johnson: "There is nothing much to see, sir."
Lt(jg) Robertson: "I know, but its a goog ol'piece of ship. As I see, first of our sailors are coming back from the city. It would be better if i'll be on hand."
CE Johnson: "Can we expect a mail, sir?"
Lt(jg) Robertson: "I think yes, we will probably spend some time here."
CE Johnson: "Im will be looking for a letter from my son, he is aboard of Yorktown."
Lt(jg) Robertson: "You have a son? I don't know it."
CE Johnson: "Yes, sir. He is in your age. A bomber pilot, sir."
Lt(jg) Robertson: "You must be proud of him, engineer."
CE Johnson: "I am, sir!"

[Barb]

21/12/1941

Aboard SS-211 Gudgeon an ill-mood spread out. The orders arrived few hours ago. They must return to the Pearl Harbour letting the damaged ships from invasion convoy to escape. First war patrol without a single shot on the enemy. They will not hang on the Jolly Rogger flag when they will enter Pearl Harbour. But After few hours the good mood returned to the men. They will be allowed to go ashore for some time, thei will get their mails and some of them could see their wifes or girls.
Lt(XO) Robertson is also looking to the future with smile. He will see his father and with a little luck he may see Matusoko also. But then he remembered that she is a Japanese origin girl and the Japan is now their enemies. Two parts of his soul started to fight each against the other few days ago for Matsuoko. One part says she is a kind girl and loves him truly, but the other is saying that she may be a spy. He must speak with her as soon as possible to be sure which part of him was right.

[Barb]

22/12/1941

LtCdr."Bulldog" Robertson is disturbed by number of engines roaring in the sky. He quickly take cover in the nearest trench. Then he spotted a star on the aircrafts flying over his head to the east. Many people raised their heads looking to the skies. Lowest, the B-18 Bombers are flying covered with some fighters, higher 30 B-17s and highest rest of the fighters. There is only one place they can be flying to. Lahiana Roads, Japanese most exposed base in the Hawaii Islands. Midway has fallen yesterday, but it is too far to help Lahiana Roads. 7000 Japs occupiing the Lahiana Roads will be the dagger which Japanese shanked into own back. Than another thing assumed his attention. On the street just few houses further an army truck is beeing loaded with civilians. These are the civilians with japanese origin. They will be sent into concentration camps on the islands for a while. Then most of them will be sent by ships to mainland.
Suddenly he remembered for his older sons girl, Matsuoko Kamatsu. No, Kuritsu was her name. It should be better when he will know hers fate to tell his son after his return. So he turned into the street and begin to run...