You might not want to put your current plans into the heading of this thread, as your opponent will read it as well. It is displayed on the main WitP forum if this thread is the latest in the AAR subforum.
For this time I fixed it for you [8|][:D]
P.S. I hope there were no plans to take Hawaii?! [;)]
Since he is a month ahead in actual events in his game, not much to worry about...
You might not want to put your current plans into the heading of this thread, as your opponent will read it as well. It is displayed on the main WitP forum if this thread is the latest in the AAR subforum.
For this time I fixed it for you [8|][:D]
P.S. I hope there were no plans to take Hawaii?! [;)]
Since he is a month ahead in actual events in his game, not much to worry about...
You know, this had never actually occured to me. Even though rtrapasso is right, the time delay does blunt the usefulness of any information I might accidentally give wolffpack, there's no point in hanging out a sign telling him what I'm up to. Maybe l should start changing the names of my posts to things like "Raid on Seattle." Anyway, thanks for the heads up.
Location: 420 miles west of Nauru
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 79
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 7
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 349
Orders: Proceed to Kwajalein.
---
Captain Ishii encounters Lieutenant Miharu in the companionway outside the Captain’s cabin. It is early in the morning; Miharu has had command of the ship through the latter half of the night. He stops and salutes as Captain Ishii approaches.
“Good morning, sir,” he says.
“Good morning,” replies the captain. “Has everything been quiet?”
“Yes sir. Steaming northeast at 24 knots, no contacts or problems. Lieutenant Sugiyura has the bridge.”
“Excellent. We should make Kwajalein in four days at this rate,” Ishii says. “Perhaps we will get to spend a little time there. Luganville was a nice break, but I think the crew needs more time ashore. I hear they’ve set up a baseball field near the airbase on Kwajalein itself,” he says wistfully.
“You are quite a fan, aren’t you sir?” asks Miharu.
“I am,” says the captain. “Oh, I never played much, but I have always enjoyed the game.”
“Did I ever tell you I saw an American baseball game once?”
“What! No, you never told me that. When was this?” demands Ishii. Lieutenant Miharu is secretly rather pleased at the Ishii’s reaction. The captain is a fair man, but it is difficult to impress him.
“It was during the year I spent at Annapolis,” says the lieutenant. “My hosts took me to see a game played by the team in Washington.”
“The Senators, yes! Tell me, who did they play?” Miharu’s brows contract as he tries to remember.
“It was the team with the same name as our own Hanshin team,” he says after a moment. “The Tigers of Detroit.” Captain Ishii’s eyes light up.
“Then you must have seen Hank Greenberg!” he says.
“Hm, I did. I remember my hosts talking about him. He hit a home run, as I recall.” Captain Ishii sighs.
“Ah, I envy you, Exec,” he says. “He has always been my favorite among the American players. A great player and a man of conviction. I would love to see him play one day.”
“It was an odd thing, watching American baseball,” says Miharu. “I am no expert on the game; the play on the field did not seem different to me from Japanese baseball. But the experience was very different from watching a game in Japan. The spectators were all very vocal. They did not sit politely and watch as Japanese do. Instead they made a great deal of noise. I even heard some very dire insults yelled at the umpires.” Ishii smiles.
“I have heard about that,” he says. “Yes, it is very different.” He pauses for a moment. “I wonder what Hank Greenberg is doing right now. What irony it would it be if we were to meet in battle!”
“America has no lack of men,” says Miharu. “Perhaps their baseball players are being kept with their teams to keep up the morale of the citizens during the war.” Captain Ishii snorts indignantly.
“I do not think Hank Greenberg is the sort of man who would fail to serve his country,” he says.
---
Note: Hank Greenberg was the first major league baseball player to enlist following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He joined the USAAF and after graduating from Officer Candidate School made repeated requests to be allowed to serve overseas. These were finally granted, and he spent the latter part of the war helping to scout and establish bomber bases in China and Burma.
Location: 300 miles southwest of Kwajalein
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 79
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 7
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 287
Orders: Proceed to Kwajalein.
---
Late in the afternoon the task force is delayed briefly when a D3A returning from a scouting mission makes a bad landing aboard the Akagi. The plane goes over the side. The pilot, though a bit battered, is successfully rescued.
Such mishaps are inevitable, but they are surprisingly uncommon. Right now there can be little doubt that the Japanese carrier pilots are among the finest pilots in the world. They were highly trained when the war started, and in the nine and a half months since they have acquired a great deal more experience with few losses. The fighter pilots have achieved a kill ratio of better than 10 to 1, and there are many aces among their ranks. The bomber pilots have sunk over 60 enemy ships, everything from tramp steamers to aircraft carriers.
Even the sailors aboard the Hibiki are willing to acknowledge that it is this handful of pilots who are the cornerstone of the Japanese defense of their Pacific empire. The enemy is unwilling or unable to challenge them, and as long as they and their carriers remain intact Japan can counter any serious attack.
No one in the rank and file can see any reason this state of affairs should not continue indefinitely.
Yelling "dire insults" at umpires is an American right so ingrained in our culture that many believe it should be in the US Constitution. Besides, everyone knows that umps are as deaf as they are blind.
Very funny, Mr. Cuttlefish. I laughed outloud at that one!!
Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: TF 79
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 7
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Take on fuel and supplies.
---
Kwajalein remains a very active base despite the end of the effort to recapture Wake Island. It is the administrative and military nerve center for a series of bases ranging from Eniwetok down through the Marshalls and the Gilberts to Baker Island, and many ships and supplies pass through here on a daily basis.
There are over a dozen freighters in the anchorage when Hibiki arrives. A tender is busy servicing a pair of minelayers, and submarine I-174 is coming into the lagoon following a patrol to the northeast. Near the islands a task force of several escort and seaplane carriers is preparing to depart. Fourteen destroyers and light cruisers are anchored in neat rows nearby.
Hibiki takes on mail and supplies while waiting for her turn to refuel at the docks. Late in the morning Captain Ishii is summoned to a meeting at fleet headquarters on Namur. He turns command over to Lieutenant Miharu and goes ashore.
---
The assembled officers meet in a converted supply hut next to naval headquarters. Captain Ishii takes a seat with the others in the long, low building and waits to hear what Admiral Shimizu has to say. The Admiral clears his throat and the officers fall politely silent, waiting.
“First of all, let me congratulate you on a successful raid to the south,” Shimizu begins. “Half a dozen tankers may not seem like a large return for weeks at sea, but let me assure you that the effect your attack had on our enemies goes far beyond tonnage sunk. They have been reminded that our forces and can strike anywhere, at any time, and they cannot conduct even routine operations in safety.” To Captain Ishii it sounds as though the Admiral is preparing his audience for unwelcome news. He is not wrong.
“To maintain this feeling of uncertainty and fear among our enemies,” Shimizu continues, “we are sending you out again immediately.” There is a stir among the ship captains, though in typical Japanese fashion no one says anything. It is apparent, however, that they are not pleased.
“I know that your crews are tired, and in many cases your ships need repairs,” says Shimizu. “However, it is important that we strike again quickly. The enemy appears to believe our carriers are still in the south, and their appearance elsewhere will deepen his uncertainly and confusion. This in turn will cause them to waste time and effort, giving us more time to prepare for the battles ahead.” He pauses and looks out at the listening men. “Does anyone have a comment to offer before I proceed?” For a moment there is silence, then Captain Tametsugu, commander of the heavy cruiser Tone, slowly rises to his feet.
“I do not wish to question the wisdom of those in the Imperial Navy responsible for this decision,” he says. “But I believe I speak for many of us when I say that our ships are in need of work, and our crews in need of rest. To be perfectly honest, I am not certain that we are in the best of condition to meet the enemy. Our spirits are high and we are more than willing to do our duty, but there are limits to what can be accomplished with spirit alone.” He sits down to a murmur of approval from the others.
“There is truth in what you say,” says Shimizu. “But you are not being sent on a long mission. We are confident that there will be no encounter with significant American fleet elements.” Captain Ishii, unable to contain himself, now rises to his feet. Admiral Shimizu, who is somewhat familiar with Ishii’s temper, looks at him a little askance but asks him to speak.
“Have we contacted the Americans about this?” asks Ishii. Admiral Shimizu looks a little confused.
“I do not understand,” he says.
“Have we contacted the Americans?” repeats Ishii sardonically. “Since we are counting on them to do as we expect, should we not enlist their cooperation?” He sits down. Shimizu gives him a strained smile.
“Jests aside, are there any further comments?” asks the Admiral. There are none. “Very well. Here is your mission: reconnaissance aircraft based on Baker Island have detected increased American shipping between their bases at Canton and Palmyra, with a number of vessels currently present at Canton. You will attempt to penetrate the gap in their search coverage between these two bases and attack shipping in the area.
“If you are successful,” he continues, “well and good. If you are detected, that also serves our purposes. In either case an attack on enemy shipping at Canton before you return here might prove useful.”
“No,” says Admiral Nagumo firmly. Admiral Shimizu, taken aback, asks him what he means.
“I mean that such an operation will not take place while I remain in command of Kido Butai,” says Nagumo. “Our enemies have tried such an operation against shore installations twice. The Americans used two carriers, and both were damaged. The British used four; two were sunk and two more at least heavily damaged. I will not risk our carriers in order to sink a handful of freighters.”
“But you yourself lead the attack on Pearl Harbor!” protests Shimizu.
“Yes, and some may recall I had grave reservations about that attack,” said Nagumo. “As it happened, we were successful. But that time has come and gone. Such an attack now could achieve nothing compared to what we would risk.”
Admiral Shimizu hesitates. He has his orders from Yamamoto himself. Yet while he is technically ahead of Nagumo in the chain of command here he knows he does not have the clout to force Nagumo to do this. He decides not to push the issue. Yamamoto can take it up directly with Nagumo if he wishes.
“Very well,” he says. “I defer to your experience and judgment, Admiral. Take what action seems good to you at the time regarding such attacks.”
With face thus saved on both sides, the meeting gets down to more technical matters. Admiral Shimizu is relieved to turn things over to the staff officers. All in all, he feels, the briefing really could have gone much better.
Location: 175 miles southeast of Kwajalein
Course: Southeast
Attached to: TF 79
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 7
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 443
Orders: Take on fuel and supplies.
---
Excerpt from a letter to Ensign Izu from his father:
News of your promotion to Ensign has finally reached me here in Manchukuo. I know I opposed your entry into the Navy, but allow me to express a father’s pride in your accomplishment. While your letters home have been vague as to details (I approve of that, by the way, there is no point in worrying your mother) I can tell you have been tested in battle. And despite what disparaging remarks I may have made about the Navy in the past, your commanding officer would not have promoted you had you been found wanting.
As for me, things have been quiet here. My regiment continues to keep an eye on the Soviets, but they are not bothering us in the least. We hear that the Germans are pushing them hard at the city of Stalingrad. Stalingrad, what a vainglorious name! Can you imagine the Emperor renaming Osaka after himself? Or even that devil Roosevelt changing the name of Chicago to Roosevelt City? The Russian leader is mad.
We can hope that the Germans will break the Russian defenses there and then finish them off. If we were able to free up forces here for other fronts in the war it would be a good thing. And I admit I feel guilty about being on what amounts to garrison duty while my son and many others face danger.
But enough of my ramblings. If you will accept my apology for opposing your choice of a military career, this old soldier would very much like to receive a letter from you. We hear many rumors about what is happening in the Pacific, but I know better than to believe everything the news reports tell us…
Location: 60 miles east of Majuro
Course: Southeast
Attached to: TF 79
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 8
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 411
Orders: Attack American shipping between Canton Island and Palmyra.
---
Excerpt from a letter to Chief Petty Officer Shun from his daughter:
…and then the chicken fell into the well too! How we all laughed, especially once the cat was safely rescued.
That is really all the news here. Okinawa is as quiet as ever. Life goes on much as it did before the war, except that so many of the young men here are gone right now.
I have recently become concerned about Grandmother, though. She has been coughing for the last month, and does not seem to have as much energy lately. I have tried to go get her to see the doctor, but she just tells me that she feels fine and not to worry. I know she is only 74, but I can’t help being concerned. Perhaps if you wrote her and encouraged her to see the doctor she would listen.
I must go down to the market now and get some fish for dinner. Thank you for writing to me, it means so much to hear from you! If you would, please, tell me how the nice shipmates of yours that I met this summer are doing. I would not be so bold as to ask you to tell them that I sent them my good wishes, but I do wonder about them and everyone on your ship and I hope they are safe and well…
Location: 365 miles east-northeast of Makin
Course: Southeast
Attached to: TF 79
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 8
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 349
Orders: Attack American shipping between Canton Island and Palmyra.
---
Note: There has been a little confusion over the name of Taiki’s brother since I inadvertently gave the brother a female name at the very start of the AAR. That’s not a mistake I would make now; writing this has been rather educational. At any rate, the brother’s name is Noburo. Further, through the magic of the computer age I have gone back through the entire AAR and made it so that it has always been Noburo. There was no error. It never happened.
---
Excerpt from a letter from Noburo Takahashi to his brother Taiki:
…I will admit to you what I won’t admit to our parents or to the doctor; the leg hurts a great deal when I have to exert it. Exercises help to strengthen it, so I do them every day until I can no longer bear the pain. I hope to pass the medical examination and be ready to return to action when the Mutsu is.
The ship is still undergoing repair. They say it will be a month or two yet before she is ready for sea again. This would ordinarily distress me, but I need the time for repairs too. If I am not ready by the time Mutsu is repaired then I will have to take whatever assignment the Navy feels like giving me.
You said nothing about my face when I was home last. That was kind of you, but I know I look frightful. Not even time will help that. But I don’t need to look good in order to do my job, and for an officer a set of disfiguring scars has its advantages. But as I said before, you are now the good looking brother. Perhaps I should not have called you Ugly Monkey so often when we were growing up together...
