War and Remembrance by barb

[Barb]

24/12/1941

Various ships sheds into the Fremantle Harbor in those days. Three Dutch cruisers, 5 dutch, 1 Aussies destroyer, dozen cargo ships with much or less damage. The USS Peary sailed in with two boilers flooded, super-structure leak and list of 7 degrees. It will take some time to make emergency repairs on the ship to make it to US West coast shipyards.
USS Peary, Paul Jones, Whipple and John D. Edwards and AD-9 Black Hawk. Thats all that left of DesRon 29 after two weeks of war. USS Marblehead, their bigger friend from Balikpapan night combats is lying in the Soerebaya harbor with half of his hull filled with water and super-structure broken into pieces.
The christmas is here, but the crew sits quietly in the mess listening the ships chaplains vote, remembering all of those man killed. And the number of killed will be raising day by day ...

[rogueusmc]

I'm enjoying your AAR Barb...keep up the good work.

Lee

[Barb]

27/12/1941

At yesterdays down USS Gudgeon silently snaked into calm waters of Pearl Harbor. Weak sun drawn colorfull pictures around the harbour, disturbed only by up-sticking superstructures of five battleships, lying in the mud of the harbor, screwed into bizare designs. ll-round the flags were flying half-staff and an unusual silence reverberated in usualy so swing harbour.
USS West Virginia, Nevada, Arizona, Pennsilvania and Oklahoma are almost completly sunk, only the upper decks are above water. Silent shodows of lookouts are keeping their eyes out for signs of enemy activity.
Two thirds of Gudgeon crew get ashore for leave. Among them Tommy Robertson. His first stepps aimed him for his fathers office. Both, father and son were lucky they are both alive and nothing happened to them... Qucik questons and answers were exchanged between them. Then a question of the son freezed the discussion:
Tommy Robertson: "Do you know something about Matsu?"
Bulldog Robertson: "I'm afraid i haven't good news for you son. Last what i heared was that she was transported with her family to internation camp somewhere on Oahu."
Tommy Robertson: "Why? She is not a spy! Her father was working for Navy dry-docks for 30 years."
Bulldog Robertson: "I don't know son. But maybe it is better for them now. There were some civil disorders down in the city about japanese-origin person. Some cars has been flammed and some stalls were sacked."
Tommy Robertson: "Maybe you are right. But I must see her as soon as possible to say her, that nothing changed in my feelings to her."
Bulldog Robertson: "You could start in the office i will show you. One old friend of mine is working there, he ows me a favor."
Tommy Robertson: "Thank you, father."
Two mens in white uniforms warmly shaked their hands and saluted before the younger one headed to the Honolulu city...

[Roger Neilson II]

Apart from the odd language inaccuracy this is very good reading.... and staggeringly good considering you are writing in a second language.

As someone who manages to just about communicate in his native tongue I am extremely impressed.

Roger
[&o]

[Barb]

I must say, i hated english grammar in the school [:D] so i think it is visible on the first sight  and the slovak-english dictionary is a must [8|]  You may try to  be a hero and write something in slovak [;)]

[Roger Neilson II]

I struggle with any foreign language.... even English has me foxed at times and I taught it for 25 years!

I envy your ability, and your patience!

Cheers

Roger

[Barb]

29/12/1941

Four officers are sitting in the captains cabin aboard of USS John D. Edwards. Boatswain knocked on the door and entered after invitation. A sailor with mass of bruise on his face entered too.

Boatswain: "Seaman 2nd class Grey, sir."
Cpt.L.J. Bren: "What do you have for your excuse of being 6 hours off ship after your leave ended, Grey?"
S2c Grey: "Sir, I was in a jail, sir."
Cpt.L.J. Bren: "How did you get there, by jingo?!"
S2c Grey: "Sir, there were a group of Aussies in the bar i was sitting at. They were speaking about the war and they called our sailors under ABDA command a cowards, sir."
Cpt.L.J. Bren: "What happened then, Grey?"
S2c Grey: "Sir, I must say them about those five hundred sailors we have left dead in the water near Balikpapan. Then we tackled together after more calumnys. Aussies MPs get me into jail and those others they have left free."
Cpt.L.J. Bren: "Seaman 2nd class Gray. Listen to your punishment. You will got three days of jail aboard the ship."
Lt(jg) Will Robertson: "Sir, If I may say something, he was defending the right thing..."
Cpt.L.J. Bren: "Thats all-right Will. The punnishment is not for the tackle, but for another reason. He is a crewman of US Navy ship and we are in a foreign country. When you are on a visit to your neighbours and they will outrage you, what will you do?"
Lt(jg) Will Robertson: "I would leave."
Cpt.L.J. Bren: "That is the thing, Grey, you must do for the next time. Did you understand, Grey?"
S2c Grey: "Sir, yes, sir!"
Cpt.L.J. Bren: "Dismiss!"

S2c Gray puts his cap on, regulationary salutes, turned back and walked out of captains cabin.
Cpt.L.J. Bren: "Boatwain, the next one..."
Boatswain: "Sir, Machinist Kuntz, sir."

Machinist Kuntz enetered the room, salutes and remained in attention.
Lt(jg) Will Robertson: "Accusation?"
Boatswain: "He sticked a chewing gum on aft main gun barrel, sir...."

[Barb]

31/12/1941

Tommy Robertson is sitting in the building filled with bureaucracy from the roof down to the cellar. He marvels that after all those forms he had to fill in, no form is requested on the entrance to toilet.
This form scramble begins just as he enters the building. From office 1A, he was sent with new form to fill in to office 14C, then with another one onto second floor office number 247, with another form back to first floor to office 7C. Next he was sent to third floor to office 34B, then right to the cellar to office 0R. And this only to get knowlidge that Matsuoko is in the internation camp 13 miles north of Honolulu. So now he is waiting in front of another office with filled form of request to visit interned person.
Sun begins do decline down on horizon when he finally get the permission. As it is later today, he must delay his visit until tomorrow - only two days before they new patrol will begin. It is not much time to equip the sub properly, so he will be working through the whole night to get leave from the ship tomorrow. More papers and forms are waiting for him to fill this night. Crew evaluation, observations about machinery, equipment and armament of the ship, supply and provision loading....
But this all will not to disgust him. If he can only seen Matsuoko and talk o her, hear hers voice....

[Barb]

2/1/1942

The soldiers most significant virtue is to know to wait. All soldiers spent more than two thirds of their lives waiting. They are waiting for orders, for enemy attack, for meal, for end of their watch. Those who dont know how to wait, largely met Mr.Grim...
Now the crew of J.D. Edwards is waiting in the Freemantle port for something to happen. Another lazy morning passes away with no clouds on the sky, with Indian ocean as blue as ocean could be. Yesterday they went on a short patrol against enemy sub spotted near the Perth, but those Aussies sitting in Hudson must have misidentified swarm of sardines for sub. Some of the crewmembers thinked that high command forgoted about them, and they will be sitting in the Freemantle until the end of war. Wouldn't it be a nice and safe way to spend a war?

[Barb]

5/1/1942

Sound of screeching air-warning sirene digs deep into head of Bulldog Robertson letting to know him that Japs carriers are back near the Oahu and their planes are heading towards Pearl Harbor and that another supply convoy is unloading at Lahiana Roads. Those stubborn Japs! Nimitz should to think something against them to discourage them or we will pay a heavy toll here on Oahu. But Enterprise and Lexington are sitting in the dry docks of West Coast after the long paper-chase near Midway and Aleutian Islands. Only Saratoga is now usful as the Yorktown still have not passed the Panama Canal.
But this reflections must retreat now as he runs down the stairs into air-shelter...

[Barb]

7/1/1942

Cablegram recieved by J.D.Edward this day.
DATE: 7 JAN 1942
FROM: ABDACOM
TO: DESRON29
INFO: NORMAL

DESRON29 REMAININGS WILL SAIL FROM FREEMANTLE TO SYDNEY X EVENING 1900 THIS DAY X HMAS VAMPIRE ATTACHED X SUBORDINATE TO SWPACCOM

SUBSCRIBED: ADM. T.C.HART

[Barb]

8/1/1942

They are heading to Japan home islands coasts! The orders were opened just half an hour ago. For five days they were heading to poind north of Midway Island without knowing where they are going. An now they finally knows. Japan! They will try to sink as many ships as it is possible at the entrances of Japanese ports! Three subs are on the way, together with Gudgeon, Tautog and Trout are the others. So for this those unusual security measures. Mood aboard is high as never was before, mens are proud that they will be the first so close to Japan. But commander Grenfell is not so warm. One new crinkle appeared on his face. Proximity of enemy ASW and Air bases is what is concerning him. They are still not equiped with radar, the miraculous box, exposing enemy ships and planes for longer range that lookouts can see. He knows that this patrol will prove him, the ship and the crew to the maximum limits, and maybe a little more...

[Barb]

11/1/1942

New York Times 11/1/1942

Panic in Sinagapore!

Last defensive positions between Japanese forces on Malayan penninsula and Singapore were abandoned after attack fo 120,000 Japanese at Johore Bharu positions defended by all allied combat-able units in the area. Allied highest command was evacuated last night by Dutch and british subs. Civilians and soldiers are trying to get aboard anything that could sail a little to get out of there. The last flyable Blenheim evacuated 9 wounded men this morning. The causeway was blown up as last of allied soldiers retreted into Fortress. This may give the time to reorganise some of the units to defend Singapore against Japanese attack which is awaited in few days...

[Barb]

13/1/1942

Peacefull sky over Great Australian Bight glazed by summer sun was uninterupted by any signs of clouds. Only sea-gulls screach was interfering with calm water splashing under bow of J.D. Edwards. Deck was so red-hot, that rabbets were going to stick on. Chief Engineer Johnson ordered his men to get out of the engine room after half an hour spent there. One sailor nettled his fistfull when he carelessly touched 4inch gun barrel. Sweat spots were on everybodys clothes. And no signs of mercy clouds or breeze werent on horizon...

[Procrustes]

Good stuff!

[Barb]

15/1/1942

Adm. Nimitz called him on a consultation. With all needed documents in a brief case, Bulldog Robertson entered big map room in PACCOM building. Nimitz, with more wrinkles, stood behind the table with Adm. Lockwood.
"Bulldog" Robertson: "Sir, at your order, sir!"
Nimitz: "Ease, Robertson, what do you have for me today?"
"Bulldog" Robertson: "There is another enemy attempt to get supplies onto Lahiana Roads on way."
Nimitz: "Carriers?"
"Bulldog" Robertson: "Yes, sir. Soryu, Shokaku, highly expected Zuikaku."
Nimitz: "Our four carriers has will leave San Francisco bay tomorrow. Should we attack enemy carriers or try to eliminate Lahiana Roads as an offensive base first? What do you think about it?"
"Bulldog" Robertson: "There are two things i remembered from lessons at Annapolis, sir. The first one is about power preservation sir. And the other one that this is a chance we will not have anymore."
Nimitz: "Three carriers agains our four. At fighters and torpedo bombers our forces are equal, we have only twice as much dive bombers. This could be considerable risk."
"Bulldog" Robertson: "Numbers are equal, but as i heared, quality of our pilots is lower than Japs one. We are also short on Wildcats and Devastators. Lexington is still equiped with Buffalos, sir."
Nimitz: "You know about our carriers as much as about the enemy ones."
"Bulldog" Robertson: "So it is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will win hundred times in hundred battles. If you only know yourself, but not your opponent, you win one and lose the next. If you do not know yourself or your enemy, you will always lose. Sun-Tzu, sir."
Nimitz: "Hmm, you are right. Have we some knowlidge about the second half of Kido-Butai?"
"Bulldog" Robertson: "No, sir, any signs about where they are. They may be with the supply convoy too, or in the Japan, or wherever else."
Nimitz: "I am expecting Hornet in two weeks, so we will have 5 carriers. But it is all that stands between Japs and US West coast."
"Bulldog" Robertson: "Decisions are in your responsibility, sir."
Nimitz: "Thank you, Robertson. Dismiss."
"Bulldog" Robertson: *salutes and departed*

[Barb]

19/1/1942

Five destroyers, one behind another, slowly entered Sydney harbor. Heavy cruisers Canberra and Australia are resting at anchors together with Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Sydney, few destroyers, korvettes and minesweepers. In the merchant harbor, there is almost 50 ships of various sizes. From large tankers to smallest cargo ships, hardly able to sail more than few miles from the shore.
HMAS Vampire, the lead ship in the line of five destroyers, slowly turned right, closer to HMAS Stuart, signalling "good hunting" to four american destroyers.
USS Whipple, the second ship in the line, headed to one of anchored tankers. Orders: Refuel as soon as possible and prepare to depart.

[Barb]

20/1/1942

"Dive, dive, dive!" sounded through the hull of SS Gudgeon. Lookouts, one after another, jumped into hack with commander Grenfell as last. Fizzle of air accompanied filling of balast tanks as bow of the submarine is diving into the waves some 40 miles south of Shimizu city. Robertson looked at capitain with question in his eyes.
Cmdr. Grenfell: "Float plane."
"Tommy" Robertson: "In this weather, sir?"
Cmdr. Grenfell: "I was surprised too. There is a normal tropic storm out there. I hope he hasnt spotted us. We will stay underwater for two hours at periscop depth, slowly ahead, then we will go surface. If anything happened, inform me immediately."
"Tommy" Robertson: "Yes, sir."

[Barb]

21/1/1942

"Tommy" Robertson: *shouting into horn mouth trying to shout out the storm* "Captain, four shillouetes starboard!"
Cmdr. Grenfell was at the in the conning tower in shortest time ever. And Robertson also dived through hack.
Cmdr. Grenfell: "Can you identify them?"
"Tommy" Robertson: "Not properly yet, sir. They are moving west, making 8 to 10 knots."
Cmdr. Grenfell: "No escorts?"
"Tommy" Robertson: "No."
Cmdr. Grenfell: "Damned weather. We cannot shoot torpedoes in this storm. So we will follow them like ghosts. We must wait for our chance, gentlemans."

[Barb]

21/1/1942

One explosion. Only one! After they fired six torpedoes from bow torpedo tubes against four enemy ships, only one exploded in its target! They were in almost perfect position to fire with enemy ships in line. First two srmy transports and then two cargos. The fire sollution was made for every ship with one torpedo and those other two few seconds later to be sure they will hit. Periscope shows the only hitted ship in flames and other three disappearing in the rain.
Cmdr. Grenfell: "Shit! Is that piece of wardrobe not functioning or what?"
"Tommy" Robertson: "Sir, I dont know whats wrong. The sollution was made so that minimally three torpedoes will hit."
Cmdr. Grenfell: "I have heared from other capitains in pearl that some of their torpedoes must be duds."
"Tommy" Robertson: "Do you mean ...?"
Cmdr. Grenfell: "I mean nothing, but someone will have a rough deal with me after return!"
Crew started to laugh. They know their captain. Poor that guy ashore, responsible for torpedoes....