Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Cuttlefish]

January 8, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 455

Orders: Await further orders.

[Cuttlefish]

January 9, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 454

Orders: Await further orders.

[Cuttlefish]

January 10, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 452

Orders: Await further orders.

---

Ensigns Izu and Handa are seated at a small table in a bar on Kwajalein. Since the incident during the combat class the two men have discovered that they have many things in common. One of these things is their unmarried state. Both men have courtships that were interrupted by the war, and both are worried whether their prospective brides will still be available when they return to Japan.

“I agree, the most important thing is to show the father forthrightness and respect,” Handa is saying. “But it is also important to show tenderness to the woman you are courting. There are two reasons for this. First, she will be favorably impressed. Never underestimate the powers of persuasion some young women have with their families. Second, it will show the father that you are capable of treating his daughter well.”

“But you don’t want to show that you are indecisive,” argues Izu. “You want to show that you will be firmly in control of your future family.” Handa shakes his head.

“It is a lot like being a good officer,” he says. “Take Lieutenant Miharu, for example. Have you ever heard him raise his voice? Yet every order he gives is instantly obeyed. Being in control, whether of a ship or a family, is not just about demanding loyalty, but about giving it too.”

“Run a family as you would run a ship?” asks Izu. Handa grins.

“Well, except for making them chip paint all day,” he says. Izu is about to reply when Petty Officer Third Class Takahashi enters the bar. He looks around, spots the two ensigns, then walks swiftly over to their table and salutes.

“I beg your pardon, sirs,” he says, “but I am to tell everyone ashore that all crew are to report aboard the Hibiki immediately.”

“Do you know why?” asks Izu. Taiki shakes his head.

“No sir, I do not. Only that...well, look for yourselves, sirs.” He gestures around them. Only now do the two ensigns notice that the bar, packed full when they entered, is now more than half empty. Other men are quickly finishing their drinks and leaving.

“Thank you,” says Handa. “We will head back to the ship at once. Carry on, Petty Officer.” Taiki salutes and heads off in search of more of the Hibiki’s crew. “Come on,” says Handa, and the two men leave and head for the docks.

As soon as they can see the water both men know that something big is happening. The lagoon is being plied by dozens of boats, their wakes criss-crossing as they ferry men to their ships. Out in the anchorage several big warships are already moving. There is no air of panic, but no one is wasting any time, either.

“What do you think?” asks Handa. Izu looks out at all the activity.

“I think we had better get aboard,” he says. Handa nods, and the two men head down to the docks.

[tocaff]

1943 and the USN is up to something?

[1275psi]

YAH!

Action pending at last!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![:)]

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: tocaff

1943 and the USN is up to something?

Well, they should be -- since the Lightning and Corsair are now available for effective fighter cover. To give Wolffpack due credit, he's already been raising a rumpus in the Northern Pacific.

Applause once more on the marvelous ongoing story!

[Cuttlefish]

January 11, 1943

Location: 350 miles west northwest of Kwajalein
Course: West by northwest
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 417

Orders: Proceed along designated course.

---

Hibiki is the third ship in the port screen of the carrier task force, following light cruiser Isuzu and destroyer Murakumo. Destroyer Shiratsuyu brings up the rear of the column. Off to the right steam Ozawa’s three carriers, Soryu, Zuikaku, and Shokaku, and there are other ships ahead of them and beyond them. The task force is making good speed and heading west by northwest. There are three other task forces in the area, moving along the same general course.

No one aboard the Hibiki has any idea where they are going, or why. For once operational orders have outrun rumors and gossip. The only thing most people are sure of is that this is not a training exercise or a drill. The Imperial Japanese Navy is too careful with its fuel reserves to send 60 warships someplace without a very good reason.

The biggest puzzle at the moment is the course they are on. At the moment they are headed more or less towards Truk, or perhaps beyond that to Palau or even Mindanao. It is unthinkable that any enemy force could have slipped undetected so deep into Japanese territory, so where they are actually headed remains a mystery. Not that there is any lack of speculation on the subject, of course.

The enlisted men perform their duties and trust that the officers know what they are doing. The officers in turn look to Captain Ishii. The captain does not actually know any more than they do, though it is possible his guesses are better. He has to hope that Admiral Ozawa, at least, has some idea what is going on.

What Admiral Ozawa knows or thinks is anybody’s guess.

[Cuttlefish]

January 12, 1943

Location: 300 miles east of Truk
Course: West
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 363

Orders: Proceed along designated course.

---

“Sir, signal from the Shokaku,” calls a lookout. “All ships change course 20 degrees to port.” Lieutenant Sugiyura gives the order and watches as Hibiki alters course, then orders a small correction to keep the Hibiki in position relative to the rest of the task force. Captain Ishii enters the bridge from the chart room.

“Course change, Captain,” says Sugiyura.

“So I heard,” replies Ishii, nodding. “That puts us on course straight for Truk.”

“No surprise there,” says Sugiyura.

“No,” says Captain Ishii. “Anything from the radio room?” Sugiyura shakes his head.

“No sir,” he says. “Routine radio traffic out of Truk. A bit heavier than usual, but that’s all.” Captain Ishii looks forward at the spray thrown up by the bow of the Hibiki as it slices through the waves. The task force is not at full speed, but at 27 knots they are not dawdling, either.

“Have you inspected your torpedoes recently, Lieutenant?” he says at last.

“Yes sir!” says Sugiyura. “Just three days ago. We replaced the oxygen tank in one of them, but otherwise they checked out fine.”

“Good, good,” says the captain. He turns and looks out towards bow again, hands clasped behind his back.

[Cuttlefish]

January 13, 1943

Location: Truk
Course: West
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 474

Orders: Proceed to Amboina.

---

Ozawa’s task force is the first to reach Truk. As they approach the islands Hibiki receives the same directive as the other ships; get in, refuel as quickly as possible, and get out. The other task forces are not far behind and Ozawa wants clear the refueling docks and be headed west again before they arrive.

Despite the hurry Captain Ishii goes ashore while Hibiki is refueling. There he has a very informal meeting with Admiral Ozawa, a couple of his staff, and several other ship captains in the shadow of one of the fuel storage tanks.

Captain Ishii did not know Ozawa well prior to being assigned to his command, but already he has come to respect the remarkably ugly little admiral. Ozawa is a thoroughly competent professional and a man who leads his men instead of driving them like cattle. He welcomes Captain Ishii to the group with a nod and then resumes speaking, apparently in response to a question that had just been asked.

“Four days ago,” he says, “powerful enemy forces were detected approaching Koepang on Timor. I don’t know the details, but Imperial Headquarters seems to have had some idea that this might happen. Powerful surface forces were nearby to meet the invasion. They reacted quickly and caught the enemy off guard. They inflicted heavy damage before being forced to retire by a powerful American carrier group.” He pauses briefly as the men digest this information.

“The enemy then managed to land in force. We have identified at least one American and one Australian division, as well as supporting elements. However, enemy efforts to neutralize the garrison through bombardment and aerial bombing were blunted by our ships and our aircraft, and the last we heard the garrison was holding. While there is no doubt the enemy has suffered heavy losses in ships, troops, and planes, our resistance hasn’t been without cost. I very much regret to say I have received word that battleship Yamashiro has been lost, though most of her crew was saved.” There is a stir of dismay at this, and the officers exchange a few comments among themselves.

“That is what I know of the situation,” Ozawa says after a moment. “We are to make for Amboina, and from there proceed to take back control of the waters around Koepang from the enemy. We still control the harbor and airfield there, apparently, but beyond that the battle is still ongoing and the situation very much subject to change. We will find out more when we get to Amboina, and we will then plan accordingly.” He looks around at his ship captains. “Does anyone have anything to say about this?” No one does. There are many things that they wish to know, but they know that if Ozawa had the answers he would have told them already.

With that the admiral sends the captains back to their ships. He wants to be underway towards Amboina as soon as possible.

---

Battleship Yamashiro

[princep01]

Run hither, run yon....first to the far north, now to the far south.  The strategic initiative has shifted to the Allies, while KB sat at anchor in Kwajalean.  It was bound to happen.  Good luck to Hibiki.

[Capt. Harlock]

I very much regret to say I have received word that battleship Yamashiro has been lost, though most of her crew was saved.”

Up until now the IJN had only lost one ship larger than a destroyer; a light cruiser. What will be the effect on morale of having lost a capital ship? Ishii must be tempted not to inform Hibiki's crew -- but the rumor mill will probably take the decision out of his hands.

[HMS Resolution]

No! No the Yamashiro, the best-looking IJN battleship!

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: HMS Resolution

No! No the Yamashiro, the best-looking IJN battleship!

[X(] [&:] You're kidding, right??

[kaleun]

Things heat up!

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Up until now the IJN had only lost one ship larger than a destroyer; a light cruiser. What will be the effect on morale of having lost a capital ship? Ishii must be tempted not to inform Hibiki's crew -- but the rumor mill will probably take the decision out of his hands.

The crew doesn't know yet, but you're right, they will soon. I imagine the effect on morale will depend on the outcome at Koepang.

ORIGINAL: rtrapasso

ORIGINAL: HMS Resolution

No! No the Yamashiro, the best-looking IJN battleship!

You're kidding, right??

It all depends on whether you think that towering, pagoda-style superstructures are cool or just odd-looking.

[Cuttlefish]

January 14, 1943

Location: 220 miles west of Truk
Course: West
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 443

Orders: Proceed to Amboina.

---

“Koepang? Where is that?” asks Riku. Shiro informs him that it’s in Timor, but Riku just makes an impatient gesture. “I know that,” he says, “or rather, I heard that too, but where is Timor, exactly? Isn’t it down around Australia someplace?”

“Somewhere around there,” says Shiro. “It was a Dutch possession, I think.”

“I heard it was Portuguese,” says another sailor. “But I thought it was west of Java.”

“No, I’m pretty sure it’s east of Java,” says Shiro. The talk continues for a moment but is interrupted by the arrival of Petty Officer Takahashi, who has come over to break up the discussion.

“Of course, Petty Officer, our apologies,” says Riku cheerfully after Taiki tells them to get back to work. “Could you answer a question for us first, though? You know the charts and maps as well as anyone on board. Where is Koepang, exactly, and why does anyone want to fight for it?” Taiki inclines his head briefly in acceptance of the request and then puts his hands behind his back as he begins to speak. Though he does not know it this is a habit he has acquired from Lieutenant Miharu, who at the moment he very much resembles.

“It is the major port at the west end of Timor, which is a large island about four hundred miles from Australia,” he says.

“That means it’s east of Java, right, Petty Officer?” asks Shiro. Taiki shakes his head.

“South of Java, actually,” he says. “Before the war it was divided into two halves politically, the Dutch controlling the west and the Portuguese the east. Now, of course, it is all Japanese. As to why anyone wants to fight for it, I have never heard that it is a place that holds much of interest to anyone except the inhabitants. But it is a barrier between Australia and the southern resource area, which is why I imagine the enemy is eager to take it away from us.” He stops and looks at the sailors. “And that is all we really need to know. More than we need to know, actually. Back to work, you can jaw at each other about it on your own time.” The men acknowledge this and move away, except for Riku.

“I guess all the time that Chief Shun spent making me memorize those maps paid off, eh?” Taiki tells him. Riku looks at him.

“Yes, Petty Officer,” says Riku. “If I may ask, does he still push you as hard as he used to?”

“Oh yes,” says Taiki. “I don’t think he thinks much of me being a petty officer.” They have started to walk off, but now Riku stops and turns to Taiki in surprise.

“You are kidding,” he says. Taiki looks confused. “You really don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?”

“Taiki-san,” says Riku, falling into their old habits of conversation, “it was Shun who recommended you to the Captain for promotion.” Taiki looks more confused than ever.

“That can’t be right,” he says.

“You are one of the smartest people I know,” says Riku, shaking his head, “but sometimes I don’t think you understand people very well. Back when we were ordinary seamen together the rest of us all knew that Shun thought you had potential. That was why he pushed you harder than anybody else. Did you ever see him make anyone else study things the way he made you do?”

“I thought it was because he disliked me! But…how do you know it was Shun that recommended me?” says Taiki. He still looks puzzled, but more thoughtful now.

“Who else knew about your memory, or your skill with numbers?” asks Riku. “It had to be Shun. I’m the only other person who knew, and it wasn’t me.” He shudders. “I like my friends too much to try and turn them into officers. No offense, Petty Officer,” he adds hastily. “Besides, I know it’s true, I have it from a reliable source.” What Riku does not add is that he probably knows more about Shun than anyone on board except for Captain Ishii. Studying the Chief Petty Officer has become a project of his. If he is ever to turn Shun into anything other than an enemy, he feels, he needs to understand the rather difficult and rather complex man.

Taiki is standing lost in thought. “Hm,” he says at last, “that is very interesting. It does explain a lot of things.”

“I thought you would want to know,” says Riku. Taiki eyes him.

“Thank you, Seaman Ariga,” he says. “And now I think it is time we both returned to our duties.”

“Yes, Petty Officer,” says Riku, and promptly does so.

[HMS Resolution]

ORIGINAL: rtrapasso
[X(] [&:] You're kidding, right??

I'm serious as a heart attack. They look absolutely awesome.

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: HMS Resolution

ORIGINAL: rtrapasso
[X(] [&:] You're kidding, right??

I'm serious as a heart attack. They look absolutely awesome.

Beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder. [:D]

[princep01]

Yamashiro as BB poster girl.....hummmm, not in my book.  I always thought her to look like a haphazard house of cards leaning awkwardly toward the bow.  How some of those oddly stacked control, command and observation "decks" stayed attached to the vessel in a heavy sea is beyond belief.
 
But, each to their own.  Apparently, for an older BB she was effective.

[Feinder]

It all depends on whether you think that towering, pagoda-style superstructures are cool or just odd-looking.

 
Seems like some folks have Freudian issues.
 
[;)]
-F-