CHS Wobbly vs herb ENS "Mickey" Marshall

[1275psi]

6/12/41
On the desk of LT Henderson, squadron commander of VS -3, USS Saratoga:

Fitness report for ENS Luke Marshal 4/12/41

Report:
Ensign Marshall has successfully completed the last 6 months of duty as a pilot of this squadron.
His attention to duty has been satisfactory, and his flight record is good, with no incidents to note.
Ensign Marshall has attended to his secondary duties with however only a bare minimum amount of attention, and must be councelled that as much as he depends on the men who support his flying, they also in many ways depend upon him.
Further service, experince and time should see this officer progress satisfactorily over time.
I recommend him to you for service on his next posting

Signed
Capt Hartwig.
Naval station xxxxx


Below this a private note is attached

Jim,
I heard you were in a real pickle for pilots, so Im sending "Mickey"Marshall for you.
Now before you get all steamed up, I'm not unloading a dud onto you (I hope). With things the way they are, Im betting that soon you are going to need men who can do just one thing -and thats land the pickle in the bucket.
And Mickey can do that. Shocking divisional Officer -but hes Big,and detirmined, and he"s the best pilot I can spare.
Things are looking dark, I hope you and Sara can get in amongst em, Im betting the Phillipines before Christmas, and that means a big fast ship, with long, long legs.

Send my regards to your wife
regards
Capt "Scotty" Hartwig

[1275psi]

6/12/41

ENS Marshall

You are hereby posted to USS Saratoga, Capt D Ramsey in Command.
You are required to report onboard for duty no later than 0700, 7/12/41, at Number 2 Wharf, San Diego.
You will report to LT Henderson, Commanding officer of VS-3 dive bombing squadron upon reporting for duty.
You are required to bring full uniform issue, and all Divisional documents.

[1275psi]

Ma, Pa,

Ain't going to make it on leave.
I'm sorry.
The Navy seems to need me somewhere else in a hurry (just think of the fastest ship in the fleet pa), and I have to join tomorrow.
I suppose I just have to leave it to the lord and see what happens.
Got to go, train is coming.

your Loving son

Mickey.

[String]

Another pilot AAR by herbie \o/

[1275psi]

Yesterday, 7 December 1941-a date which will live in infamy-the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government had deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives were lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

(continued next column)



Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Wake Island.

This morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces-with the unbounded determination of our people-we will gain the inevitable triumph-so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, 7 December, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.



7/12/41

I swear I wont stop until every one of those little yellow @#@$%^%$ are dead

[ny59giants]

Was there a recent meeting on WitP mods and CHS won all those bets??  [:D]
Seems like there are a lot of CHS games starting in the last month (I'm at 1/22/42 as Allies using 2 day turns for 158c).

[UniformYankee]

I just started on versus the AI a few weeks ago. I played only stock until then.

[1275psi]

Psssst CHS is FANTASTIC! -matrix should buy it -and sell it on!

back to the AAR:

double PSSSSSSSSSSSt
NO WOBBLY allowed! (as dual inventor of the dual AAR way back in UV days, Im sure he would never peek any way [:'(])


Welcome aboard USS Saratoga -fastest ship in the fleet, Captain D. Ramsey Commanding.
Your bunk is :number 45, Ensigns mess, 2-22-4.
Your battle station is :Day: Pilots ready room
:Night: FWD Repair base Alpha
Your mess President is: LCDR Kiru
Report immediately to Military police cell upon joining draft in instructions -located 1-78-2 main hanger deck Port side.

You are reminded that Saratoga is a fighting ship, and all are expected to play their part equally.
Welcome aboard, and good luck.



Dear Ma, Pa

Not much time to write -obviously.
Ive joined my ship, got lost, been redirected, got lost again, met a million new faces, found my bunk (its the 5th one up -right under some damn noisy steam pipe or something) and generally walked in a great daze.

Briefly met the skipper _hes a bear alright -been scowled at by my squadron commander -and found out where the chow is -powerderd eggs and Ham today.
Im sure you are following the news -looks like the little yellow $%$#@ are spreading all over the pacific like a rash. Didnt know the Dutch had a Navy - but I bet the Japs do now!
And its good to see the British pull a good one at Samah -no I have no idea where that is -but those DDs must have had a picnic in that harbour full of shipping.
I reckon the Japs have no idea what they are getting into, we will stop em cold -pacific battleships or no Pacific battleships -although I can't believe that the japs even have planes capable of doing that much damage to a battle wagon..

Now don't worry about me too much -now that its started I feel privledged to be in a position where I can strike back, they call the squadron the Sara Smashers, and Im proud to be a part of it.
Just Hope i soon get a chance to do some Smashin"
Got to go -I have a million things to do yet -Im about to go off and be turned into a pin cushion by the Doc.
Your loving son
Mickey

[1275psi]

9/12/41

From
CENPAC
to
TF16

USS Saratoga and escorts to sail to position ***/###, and rendevou with alloted tankers.
Proceed to ***/### no later than 15/12/41 to join yet to be designated units in preparation for offensive actions against targets in Marshall/Gilbert islands.
Be aware of Submarine menace.
Position of enemy CVs now to North west of pearl.

KILL JAPS. KILL MORE BLOODY JAPS.

[1275psi]

9/12/41

Well I think Ive settled in
Sarah is a big, big ship -but the hanger deck sure is cramped.
The squadron is a good one -not a single green pilot amongst us -and I have been made very welcome -and we all can't wait to get at the enemy.

Land is out of sight now, and man, what a day -drill after drill, after drill.
Im a comms number in the fwd repair base -and I have'nt a clue -but thats OK -the Chief does -and he's teaching me fast.
The mess is cramped, hot, and goes up and down far more than I'd like.
The wardroom though is a beauty -its even got a piano -and I still cannot get used to the negro waiters -funny a farm lad from Nebraska being seved an orange juice just because he drives a flying truck.
Yet to meet my crew, looking forward to it.

Another thing I like is the Sarah whisperer -ships got its own newspaper of sorts, and the Captain apparently encourages it a lot.
Be nice to hear today how we are kicking Jap butt.
Scoot -there goes the alarm again!

[1275psi]

10/12/41


Dear Ma, Pa

Well Im back at sea, so heavens only knows when you will get this.
The good news is that I am not sea sick this tour, 15000 extra tons of ship seems to make a very big difference!
I haven't flown yet, but am due too soon.
Obviously I cannot tell you where we are headed, or what we are up to -but Im sure you will hear about us soon in the papers, the Captain strikes me as a very aggressive guy, and the whole ship is filled with a kind of quiet rage -we really mean to strike back as soon and as hard as we can, and teach those little monkeys a lesson they will never forget.

Still very busy -have some bits of kit to get yet, and the ship is still sorting itself out.
We did a AA firing today -impressive, but to be honest -same wieght of fire from a Jap carrier would not have deterred me.

Got to go
Your loving son
Mickey



Mickeys diary:
Skipper held a clear lower deck today
Quite a sight, 1500 plus guys on the flight deck.
The news was , well sobering
The pacific fleet really is no more -not a single Battleship is servicable at pearl ater the attack.
The Japs are running riot in the Phillipines, and despite quite a few battles, it seems they are winning at the moment.
Us, the Lex and Enterprise seem to be the only ships facing them, and Skipper is hinting we will be striking back as soon as we can.
He has faith in the ship, faith in our training, faith in our equipment.
I hope its enough, I hope we can hit back soon.

[1275psi]

11/12/41

Inaugral war edition of the Sarah whisper

Dedicated to kicking Japanese pootang.

Latest (and first reports of the fighting in the east:
The Japanese have landed at multiple points in the phillipines, malaya, and deep in the south at Kendari -but our brave boys, and the Dutch have been handing out stern punishemnt in return
P40es are reported as "smashing" enemy shipping of Naga
Cl De ryuter and attached destroyers have reported defeating a japanese task force of a heavy cruiser and destroyersnear Kendari -while 4 of our destroyers, Pope, Edsall, Alden and Whipple also engaged the same force.
Our PT boats have seen action near Bataan island.

Wake has fallen -we will retake it!
Hong Kong reports a failed Japanese attack, and "heavy fighting" at Khota Bharu
The situation remains confused, General Mac Authur reports that the Phillipine army"fighting with skill" is counter attacking at Naga, south of the main islands of the phillipines.

More reports to follow

Do you know your life jacket location?
Do you know the location of the nearest fire Hydrant to you?
If you do not -find out now!

The barber shop is now open for business.

[1275psi]

11/12/41

From Cin C CENPAC to
CO
USS Boise

Take command of remaining allied Naval Forces West of Guam
If at all possible Liason with British Fleet (position unknown)
Your TF now last remaining combat force east of Guam,(including Dutch naval forces)

Enemy Carriers last night intercepted south of Kendari -and east of Davao, regret intercepting ships now sunk.

You must attempt to delay enemy advance by use of uncertainty of your where abouts above desire to fight action with him until such time that allied shipping has cleared the area.

Attack when possible!

[1275psi]

The Flight control officers deck is quite some distance above the flight deck, jutting out some what from Sarahs huge Bridge and Funnel complex.
Lt Henderson is observing the planes starting up below with more than his usual profesional interest, as LCDR Kiru begins to manouver the great ship into the wind.
Although the war is now entering its 4th day, today really marks the start of operations for his squadron.
6 DBds are spotted below him, and today, for the first time, a real combat patrol is about to be launched
Real bombs, real bullets.

Capt Ramsey joins him, and the two men contemplate the pilots and gunners below in silence as the first motors roar into life.
Sarah is a trained up ship, and her crew are efficient -nervous yes -something practiced for years this has been -but this is for real now -and nobody wants to make mistakes.
The six planes of VS-3 launch for their first of what must certaintly be one of 100's to come ASW patrols with out fuss however, and soon drone away to the horizon, beginning the endless circle around Sarah, her escorts and the 2 fat tankers with them.

Captain Ramesy is a direct man , he nods in the direction of the last plane "Are they ready Herb?"
Lt Henderson contemplates the question carefully. "On paper yes sir........
lots of experience, long hours, the replacement guys all have previous carrier experience, the planes are all good to go........"
"But?".........
"But when the s#*t his the fan -thats when we will really know"
The captain nods his head in agreement "yes, we will all know -when the s#*t hits the fan"

Sarah returns to her original course -due west -and the two men stare at the vastness around them.
Quietly Ramesy speaks again " I hope they are ready Herb. The war isn't going too well, and we are getting our arses kicked. 8 seperate surface actions in 3 days, and we lost em all.
Houston is gone, marblehead is gone. the entire dutch navy appears to be gone. No sign of the british fleet -and other than Boise -there is nothing left."
The captain stares hard at Lt Henderson" Herb - this aint going to be no picnic -and I realy need you to get this across to your pilots -this is going to be a long, long war -and its not , repeat , not automatic that we are going to win. I know Admiral Wobblysan, he studied at our academy for several years. He's aggresive, and has a nasty habit of pulling major surprises.
"No herb -its going to be a long war, and Bloody"

[1275psi]

11/12/41


Flight Log

First combat patrol
6 hrs, ASW patrol
Good to be back in the saddle.
Sarah deck a virtual paddock compared to Rangers!

[1275psi]

Hi Ma, Hi Pa!

11/12/41

Things are good today -flew first flight off this big old Girl -no problems there.
We are a long way from the war, so no worries for you yet!
Scoot, the ocean is so big, it'll take forever to get to the war at this rate.
Met my new Gunner today - get this for a name -Skinner -CPO Skinner
Skinny by name -and skinny by nature -ma -he needs about a dozen of your pies into him a day -how he don't blow out of the plane in the slipstream is a mystery to me!
Pa -you'll know what I mean by this -fired guns for 1st time today to test em -as usual -but it felt wierdly different -you know?
Scoot -got to go -another drill!
Love
Mickey

[1275psi]

with regret this AAR on hold -Wobbly has a personal crises, I hope he sorts it out -but its far more important than a game -so Ill just lay this aside until he is ready.