Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Cuttlefish]

December 17, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 418

Orders: Await further orders.

---

The second (or third, depending on which side is doing the counting) naval battle of Paramushiro Jima takes place around 2 am local time, though word of the battle will not reach the Hibiki until much later in the day. When it does there is much jubilation on board, and the Tatsuta is considered suitably avenged.

A Japanese submarine had reported American battleships departing Kiska the previous day, and the Japanese forces in the area are patrolling in the fog and darkness off Paramushiro Jima to contest the expected bombardment. The seas are relatively calm, but visibility is atrocious. This suits the Japanese, who expect that once again they will be outgunned.

Contact is made at 0206 hours when the lead Japanese destroyer spots a strange destroyer looming out of the fog. The resulting battle can only be described as a knife fight in the dark. Nine Japanese destroyers and two light cruisers find themselves engaging five destroyers, two light cruisers, and two battleships at less than 2000 meters, virtually point blank range.

To the Americans Japanese ships and torpedoes suddenly seem to be everywhere in the darkness. The murk is illuminated by gun flashes and explosions. The Japanese do not attempt to use their searchlights in the fog, relying instead on the keen eyes of their lookouts. The US escort vessels, for their part, attempt to screen the two battleships, Oklahoma and West Virginia. The battleships swing around and attempt to retreat, but they fall back fighting and their gunnery, surprisingly good under the conditions, thwarts any Japanese vessel that attempts to close with them. Numerous torpedoes are launched at them, but none hit.

But the escorts pay a heavy price for their escape. Four of the five US destroyers are lost in the action, and both cruisers are heavily damaged. Two Japanese destroyers and both cruisers are damaged as well. The hardest hit ship, CL Agano, will limp safely into port at Sapporo several days later with a heavy list and her topsides wrecked. She will fight again, but not for many months.

Nonetheless, the battle is a solid victory. The loss of Tatsuta is finally announced, tied in with this battle as part of the heroic and successful defense of the Kuriles. The Japanese government boldly announces that this will be the fate of any enemy vessels foolish enough to contest Japan’s control of her Pacific empire.

[kaleun]

That's just great. A tidbit of information, and we are left hanging.
Just like the crew of the Hibiki.
I would give something for a peek at the strategic map. (Of course, it would ruin everythinng[8|])

Posted this before the previous post.
Still would like to see the map[;)]
This AAR is really addcitive.

[Rafael Warsaw]

It is just great.

One thing, by this time both navies used flashless powder for night time fighting. IJN was equipped with it before the war, USN started to issue about mid 1942 IIRC.

Thank You for a great AAR!
Thumbs up.

[tanjman]

ORIGINAL: Rafael Warsaw

It is just great.

One thing, by this time both navies used flashless powder for night time fighting. IJN was equipped with it before the war, USN started to issue about mid 1942 IIRC.

Thank You for a great AAR!
Thumbs up.

Flashless Powder is a relative term: USS Iowa BB-61 Broadside Muzzle Flash

Bravo Zulu to Cuttlefish for his outstanding AAR.

[Capt. Harlock]

To the Americans Japanese ships and torpedoes suddenly seem to be everywhere in the darkness. The murk is illuminated by gun flashes and explosions. The Japanese do not attempt to use their searchlights in the fog, relying instead on the keen eyes of their lookouts.

The Hibiki's torpedo officer must be green with envy . . . [;)]

[Feinder]

Hibiki and coffee, both necessary to start the day.
 
[:)]
 
-F-

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

To the Americans Japanese ships and torpedoes suddenly seem to be everywhere in the darkness. The murk is illuminated by gun flashes and explosions. The Japanese do not attempt to use their searchlights in the fog, relying instead on the keen eyes of their lookouts.

The Hibiki's torpedo officer must be green with envy . . . [;)]

That's funny, because I had the same thought while watching the combat replay. Lieutenant Sugiyura would have loved participating in this battle.

ORIGINAL: Feinder

Hibiki and coffee, both necessary to start the day.

While appreciated, that's going to make me feel even more guilty for the days I don't post!

Speaking of which, I'm falling behind the war again. So we are going to do some quick catching up. Not only do I not like falling too far behind, but (cue ominous foreshadowing music) we don't have to wait too long into 1943 before finding out a lot more about Allied intentions.

[Cuttlefish]

December 19-31, 1942

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 471

Orders: Await further orders.

---

The last days of 1942 are days of relative quiet for the crew of the Hibiki. They escort the carriers each day as they launch and recover search planes, but the waters around the Marshall Islands are devoid of enemy activity. During down time the crew run drills, perform routine maintenance, and are otherwise kept busy by the officers.

Rumors of all kinds continue to circulate about what the enemy is doing or might be up to, but little substantial news reaches the destroyer. Enemy ships have begun making bombardment runs against Port Moresby from bases in Australia, but this is dangerous business; two British Town-class light cruisers are reported caught and sunk by Japanese twin-engine bombers following one such raid.

Enemy activity seems to be centered on three areas: Port Moresby, Paramushiro Jima, and Timor. If there is evidence to suggest that any of this activity is the precursor to an invasion no one aboard the Hibiki hears anything about it. The general feeling aboard the ship is that an attack will occur someplace before too long, but there are still some who feel that the enemy has no intention of attacking. Their view is that the Allies are in fact just making a good show of things before agreeing to terms with Japan.

But these speculations are just a distraction from the daily business of operating a destroyer. Shift follows shift as the Hibiki plies the water around Kwajalein atoll, and the days blur as the ship and the rest of the Imperial Japanese Navy stand guard against whatever might come next.

[Cuttlefish]

January 1, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 469

Orders: Await further orders.

---

New Year’s Day is an important holiday in Japan. It is also a very family oriented day. The men of the Hibiki have not seen Japan or their families in seven months, and a certain melancholy settles over the ship. It is not that they grudge the sacrifices that the war demands of them, but they are very far from home.

The mood aboard ship brightens considerably when a tender arrives bearing a sack of traditional New Year’s postcards from Japan. The nengajô, as these are called, bear brief but cheery news of home to the sailors, and the officers allow duties to be put off while the men read them. And at any rate the officers are busy reading their own postcards.

Captain Ishii has also arranged for the cooks to make a supply of New Year’s rice cakes, called mochi, and these are distributed to the crew during the day. A ration of sake does not hurt either, and by the end of the day everyone on the ship is feeling somewhat better.

But they are still very far from home. It is now 1943, though so far only the year is different. The war goes on.

[kaleun]

Bites nails......

[Capt. Harlock]

Enemy activity seems to be centered on three areas: Port Moresby, Paramushiro Jima, and Timor. If there is evidence to suggest that any of this activity is the precursor to an invasion no one aboard the Hibiki hears anything about it. The general feeling aboard the ship is that an attack will occur someplace before too long, but there are still some who feel that the enemy has no intention of attacking.

Not if Wolffpack has anything to say about it!

But it's interesting that Port Moresby and Timor are essentially in the U.K. Commonwealth sphere of influence, while air operations around Paramushiro Jima are severely limited. No sign from the U.S. carriers. Although, Hibiki would not have heard about the launch of the first unit of a new, large class of American CV's . . .

[tocaff]

Typical war, boredom and brief sharp encounters.

[Cuttlefish]

January 2, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 467

Orders: Await further orders.

---

From the ship’s log of the Hibiki:

1235: Signal from Shokaku; launching planes, all ships come about west-northwest.

1300: Lieutenant jg Eguchi relieved, Lieutenant Sugiyura now on watch.

1322: Patrol aircraft reports shadow in water 1800 meters distant bearing 110 degrees starboard. Course changed to investigate, combat stations ordered.

1338: Shadow identified as whale. Former course and position resumed. Secure from combat stations.

1405: Signal from Shokaku; all ships to return to Kwajalein.

1430: Course change west, carriers recovering planes.

1440: Signal flag from Soryu; plane coming in with engine trouble, destroyers stand by to assist.

1453: Soryu signals plane recovered safely. All ships to resume course south.

1600: Captain off bridge: Lieutenant Miharu now in command.

1700: Lieutenant Sugiyura relieved; Lieutenant jg Nagaswa now on watch.

[Cuttlefish]

January 3, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 465

Orders: Await further orders.

[Cuttlefish]

January 4, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 463

Orders: Await further orders.

---

Chief Petty Officer Shun is not ordinarily a man of many words. Nonetheless it is rare that Captain Ishii has seen him surprised into speechlessness. The Chief struggles for a moment with his composure, then finally speaks.

“But, sir, how...how is this possible?” he bursts out. Captain Ishii lifts a sheet of paper and studies it.

“The Kwajalein Fund for the Relief and Assistance of Sailor’s Families,” he reads. “I haven’t heard of them either, but their donation combined with what the crew has raised is more than enough money to send you mother to the best specialists on the mainland.” He pauses and studies Shun for a moment. “You’re being helped, Chief. I guess you will just have to accept it.” Shun seems to struggle with this idea. Finally he nods.

“I would like to those responsible for this fund in person,” he says, then smiles crookedly. “I may be a stiff-necked old sailor, as you say, sir, but this means a great deal to me. I may not ever be able to repay this kindness, but the least I can do is acknowledge it.” Captain Ishii smiles.

“Very good, Chief,” he says. “We will make a human being of you yet.” He hands over the letter. “Here, this has all the information.”

“Thank you, sir,” says Shun.

“Please give my greetings to your mother and daughter when you write to them,” says the captain.

“I will, sir,” says the Chief. He salutes and leaves. Captain Ishii watches him go. The captain isn’t surprised by the donation – he has a lot of faith that the Imperial Navy will take care of its own – but he does wonder how this Fund heard of the Chief’s problem. Someone on the ship must have tipped them off. He wonders who and makes a mental note to ask Miharu about it.

[Cuttlefish]

January 5, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 461

Orders: Await further orders.

[kaleun]

Good. I was getting withdrawal!

[tocaff]

Await further posts...

[Cuttlefish]

January 6, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 459

Orders: Await further orders.

---

Chief Petty Officer Shun goes ashore and visits Lieutenant Yanagimoto, the man in charge of the Kwajalein Fund for the Relief and Assistance of Sailor’s Families. Yanagimoto is attached to Sixth Fleet headquarters and administers the fund mostly in his spare time. He listens politely as Shun stammers out his thanks and then attempts to put the man at ease.

“Really, Chief Petty Officer, no thanks are necessary,” he says. “Besides, I just send the money where it is supposed to go. The ones deserving of thanks are those who actually provide the donations.” The Chief ponders this for a moment.

“As you say, sir,” he says. “Still, you have my thanks. Would it be possible to know who made such a generous donation?” Yanagimoto makes an apologetic gesture.

“Truly,” he says, “there are a great many donors. I do not have time, alas, to keep records of each of them. I very much regret that you will not be able to extend your thanks in person, but I will be happy to extend your heartfelt gratitude where and as I can.”

Shun stands there for a moment. He is relieved that he is thus freed of the difficult job of saying thank you yet again, but the instincts that he has developed in over two decades in the Imperial Navy are telling him that he is being stonewalled for some reason. He wonders why. But not only is the man in front of him an officer, but to ask more questions in the face of such generosity would be tactless and rude.

“I would be grateful if you would do that, sir,” he says at last. Yanagimoto assures him that this will be no problem, and Shun salutes him, spins about, and leaves the office.

After he is gone Yanagimoto leans back in his chair. He had been told something about the Chief, but had still not been prepared for the sheer force of the man’s personality. He was glad that Shun did not press the matter further. It might have been awkward trying not to reveal that the fund was in fact less than two weeks old, and that its establishment and the eye-opening donation that started it was contingent on Shun’s mother being the first beneficiary. Shun would surely have wanted to know why.

For that matter, so does Yanagimoto. He has never actually met the fund’s true founder. But he believes in the work, and already he has been able to do quite a bit of good. The Imperial Navy already has such a fund, of course, but it is based in Yokahama and isn’t always in a position to help sailors on the far-flung outposts of the Empire.

He leans forward again and, pulling some papers towards him, gets back to work. While he is curious about the fund’s anonymous benefactor, he believes that to give so much without any desire for recognition is a true measure of greatness of spirit. He is happy to work with such a person, whoever it is.

[Cuttlefish]

January 7, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 457

Orders: Await further orders.

---

Kumiko Miharu is seated at a desk in her home in Kanazawa. She picks up a pen and with fine, firm strokes finishes the final characters of the letter she is writing to her husband.

“…you had asked me to write to you at once if I saw your brother again. I dislike worrying you when you have so many duties fighting the war, but of course I cannot do other than as you ask. Morito came to the house last week. He did not look well, and I gave him what help I could. I felt you would have wanted this, however much you disapprove of him. He then left the house, and he has not been back since.

I do not need to tell you how much I miss you. I am glad you are wearing your senninbari; I know you do not necessarily believe in them, but it is a comfort to me. I pray each day that you and your ship will return safely to Japan, but until it does I will wait patiently and keep your home ready for your return.”

Kumiko signs the letter and sets it aside for the ink to dry. While it does so she rises and goes into the kitchen, where she prepares some tea and a light lunch. She sets these on a tray and then goes and gets some linen bandages, which she also sets on the tray.

She picks up the tray and exits the back of the house into the garden. She gazes wistfully for a moment at her husband’s favorite bench, then walks calmly through the garden to a neat little tool shed at the back. She sets the tray on a shelf while she opens the shed, then takes the tray up again and slips inside.

The interior of the shed is dim and cool, and smells pleasantly of wood and growing things. Towards the back several wood and paper screens lean haphazardly against one another. Kumiko sets down the tray and moves these aside, revealing a makeshift pallet. On it lies her brother in law. He is thin and drawn, and there are bandages wrapped around one arm.

“Hello,” says Kumiko pleasantly. “I have brought you some food. Eat, and then we must change the bandages on that bullet wound.”