Niitaka Yama Nobore. Son of Heaven Vs Buttsworth

[String]

*In his best Mr. Burns voice*


Eeeexcellent!

[kaleun]

Showa 16 month 12 day 12

"Ensign Ito reporting sir" Ito saluted and stood at attention in front of Adm Yamamoto.

"At ease ensign" Yamamoto stood up and began pacing round the room.

"We need to stop this interservice rivalry between the Army and the Navy; I am sure that if it were not for that, we would have finished the stupid China incident years ago, and we would not be in this war now"

Ito bowed.

"I met with the prince on the 9th and told him so. I also expressed my view that it is imperative that the Army and Navy share information, both operational, planning and strategic if we are to defeat our enemies."

Ito remained silent. Yamamoto continued. "Prince Nobuhito agreed with me and promised to get an army officer to act as liason with us"

"That would be excellent sir" Ito agreed.

Yamamoto snorted "Kuso! The prince requested the Army send an officer to us for liason. He did not specify rank."

Seldom had Ito seen Yamamoto so angry. "They sent us a Lieutenant!" He sputtered.

Ito remained silent.

Finally Yamamoto regained his composture, sat down at his desk and took a sip of tea. He smiled and said:

"You are now a second lieutenant. You will liason with the Army. Dismissed"

Ito's duties, aside from being a messenger for the admiral included now to help in producing his daily, sometimes twicedaily briefing on the course of the war. Part of Ito's duties would now be to integrate whatever information they would get from the army, and to try and keep a mental picture of the war.

He sat at his desk composing his "aide memoires"

-American subs have been active off Pescadores and the west coast of Luzon. On day 11 one of the subs torpedoed a troop ship, Ozawa Maru. The ship managed to make it to the shore which was good because Gen Homma had decided to shift his HQ to Lingayen and, instead of flying there, he traveled there with his troops by ship. Yamamoto was not pleased, but I guess the morale of his troops is better by having the Taiso with them.

-The Hosho CVE training task force has continued its attacks along the South China sea and is now returning to Cam Rahn for refueling.

-Lingayen, Aparri and Tarawa fell on day 11. Baguio was taken by unoppossed paratroopers on the same day.

[kaleun]

Lieutenant Ryuji Mori was an earnest young man; at 22 he was only a few months older than 2nd lieutenant Ichikawa. When they met, they both understood the insult that each one’s service was trying to do the other’s. Fortunately they met late in the day, and politely invited each other to a nearby establishment for sake. After a few drinks they both agreed to cooperate, for the good of the empire, and despite their superiors’ efforts.

“We gave the Americans a surprise in China” Ryuji said.

“How so?”

“Their American volunteer P40s have been escorting the enemy bombers that were hitting Hankow. They fly out of Changsha. It was just a bother when they were just those dumb Ilushyin bombers, but now they managed to station some of those 4 engined Boeing bombers in Changsha, so we felt we had to do something”

“Tell me what you did” Ito said.

“I’m surprised you don’t know” Ryuju was slurring his words a little by now. “We borrowed some Zeros from the navy at Formosa, and when the P40s and Ilushyns came, the Americans concentrated on the hapless Nates, and were bounced by the zeroes. They lost 6 P40s.”

[kaleun]

“Well” Ito said “ On day 11 our Hyuga blocking force, Hyuga, Yamashiro, a light cruiser and escorts, met with an enemy destroyer force trying to exit the Sulu sea.

[kaleun]

Hyuga and Yamashiro sunk the enemy destroyers Pillsbury and Ford. The last destroyer, Pope was engaged only by the light cruiser and the escorts. It left the field a shambles, but may make it to Tarakan.
The army dive bombers from Jolo are also getting plenty of practice in attacking naval targets too.

[kaleun]

Both young men went to their respective beds later that night, in a good mood. Even though their bosses couldn't stand each other, they could at least try to help each other out, and maybe, just maybe, Japan could survive this war.

[kaleun]

Showa 16 Month 12 day 13

Ryuji and Ito were given a rather small work space. It consisted of a small room, and two attached “offices” the size of a large closet. They however had quite a lot of leeway on how to set it up. They decided to set up a large desk in the center, with each sitting across from the other. Each had his own “In box” where the data, signals etc to be analyzed would be placed; one was marked Army and one Navy. There were note pads, pencils and pens, as well as maps on the walls, and on each of their stations.

Their personal offices contained typewriters, and supplies, so that they could compose their reports to their respective brass with a modicum of privacy.

After setting everything up to their satisfaction they left the office very pleased with themselves.

The following morning, on the one week anniversary of the start of the war with the Americans, they met, bright and early at a soup stand near their rooms. Both of them being single, and trying to help their families as well they could, they lived in inexpensive boarding houses; because they went to work so early, they rarely could get any breakfast at the boarding house, so they would have their soup at the soup stand across from the Navy offices. This stand did a particularly brisk business with the Admiralty employees, who came here for breakfast and lunch in droves.

After they had their miso soup, they wento into their office, Ito opened the door and:

“Kuso!” he said

“Nani?” What? asked Ryuji.

Their previously spotless desk was now completely covered by all kids of papers: Message flimsies, carbon copies of messages and reports and such. There seemed to be no attempt to separate them by service branch, or geographical area. On one corner, the papers overflowed the surface of the table and dripped, like a white waterfall, on the floor.

They set to work, first dividing the papers on Army and Navy. By lunchtime they had made two large piles, and also thrown out those that were obviously not of interest. The “In” boxes were now visible. They set to work now, each one on his own pile.

“Look at this Ryuji: In one night, the Hyuga task force in the Sulu sea intercepted several enemy task forces. They sunk six cargo ships, in one night. Can you believe it? Some PT boats also attacked them, fired torpedoes and missed; they seemed to be in a hurry”

"Maybe they were carrying MacArthur out of the Philippines" Ryuji laighed.

[kaleun]

Later on that day, Ryuji picked up a memo, studied it and said:
 
“Ito: This is interesting. On day 11 two of our radio stations, one in the Kuriles and one in Hokkaido picked up a distress call, uncoded: ‘ZQ ZQ ZQ SOS SOS SOS AO Brazos 118.56 Am under attack by torpedo bombers. Sinking SOS SOS’ transmission ends. 118.56 That is the NW Pacific isn’t it?”
 
“Hai” Ito answers.
 
“Didn’t that Shokan of yours, Nagumo take those carriers up there? Looks like he sunk something” The lieutenant said.
 
Ito snapped up, realizing the significance of this. He picked up the message. “The Americans now know he is up there” and he rushed out to seek Yamamoto.

[kaleun]

Ruyjo picked up a report Ito was preparing:

Showa 16 Month 12 day 15
Sunk ships

Allies:

Class Name
DM Thracian
DD John D. Ford
DD Peary
DD Pillsbury
PG Tulsa
ML Redstart
MSW Bittern
MSW Kingfisher
MSW Penguin
MSW Bendigo
PC Genessee
PC Raub
PG Cicada
PG Moth
PG Wake
PG Tutuila
PG Luzon
PG Mindanao
PT MTB 8
PT MTB10
SS Cachalot
AR Dewey Dry Dock
AS Otus
AVD Childs
AO Brazos
AO Pecos
AO Trinity
AO Robert L Barnes
TK Ebonol
AP President Harrison
AP President Madison
AP Ariadne Moller
AP Basilan
AK Ulysses
AK Ben Nevis
AK Paz
AK Sagoland
AK Si Kiang
AK Capillo
TK Manatawny
AK Churruca
AK Lahaina
AK Hai Lee
AK Cynthia Olson
AK Ethel Edwards
AK Governor Wright
AK Mayon
AK Morazan
AK Wawa
AK Anakan
AK Bisayas
AK Candesa
AK Corregidor
AK Haraldsvang
AK Joan Moller
AK St. Quentin
AK Halldor
AK Chekiang
AK Kiangsu
AK Taiping
AK Princesa
AK Fortuna
AK Larut
AK Princess of Negros
AK Lanakai


"Hmm" He thought "Not a single capital ship; not even a cruiser.....What about our losses?" He picked up the next paper:

Japanese

APD Patrol Boat N 32
MSW Tana Maru #3
SS S-162
AP Nissen Maru
AP Nisho Maru
AP Taiho Maru
AP Tatsujin Maru
AP Kikukawa Maru
AP Tokuwa Maru

[kaleun]

Ito returned to the office.

"Is Yamamoto recalling Nagumo?" Ryuji asked.

"Iie. He said Nagumo can determine himself when to return."

"How are we doing in the PI? I saw the enemy losses list."

"Well, we are sinking a lot of ships, but the enemy bombers are concentrating there; they are not very good, but even a blind squirrel can find a nut in the forest sometime. A lucky hit by one of those TIVO torpedo bombers and one of our battleships could be out for a month"

"You think there is danger of that?"

"Look at this analysis report. A coordinated attack from three different airfields. In any case, most of the enemy ships are out of the area. Our ships are low on ammunition and fuel. They are returning to base to rearm."

[kaleun]

Showa 16 Month 12th day 17th

“Ohayo gosaimasu” Ito was late arriving. He had an early morning meeting with the Admiral, so did not get to his office until close to 0900.

“Ohayo Ryuji san”

“Any news on Nagumo?”

“Yes; submarines intercepted a small convoy sailing SW from America. Nagumo knew he had been discovered by that attack on the oiler, so he attacked the convoy yesterday and sunk everything in sight. The subs recovered some gear. It appears the Americajin had one of their RCTs in it. I’m sure they’ll feel this loss.”

[kaleun]

“In any case, He informed Yamamoto of his intention to withdraw. He will attack everything he can, but is returning to Osaka.”



“Probably a wise move” Ryuji concurred.

[kaleun]

“What is new in China?” It was Ito’s turn to ask.

“I’m not entirely sure. We have borrowed another of your Zero daitai to fight the P40s. The B17s are now coming in too high for our fighters, so we will probably return that Daitai in the next few days; the new Daitai is stationed at Changsha and already has surprised the AVG there"

[kaleun]

Ito sat on his chair and started reviewing the piles of messages and analysis on his desk.

“By the way” Ryuji started “I am going off to China for a few days. I am to attend a briefing in Shangai. I shall be able to tell you what is going on over there when I return…” He paused “At least, whatever the brass sees fit to let me hear. I’m sure they will try to keep me from learning anything they don’t want the Navy to know”

“I’m sure you’ll do your best” Ito answered “ki o tsukero na”

[kaleun]

[font="times new roman"]Text of Message:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Showa 16 Month 12th Day 17[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]FROM: Battleship Haruna[/font]
[font="times new roman"]To: Headquarters, Combined Fleet.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Hit by torpedo from American Submarine in Formosa straits. Putting into Taichu for emergency repairs.[/font]

[kaleun]

Showa 16 Month 12 Day 20

With his friend off in China, Ito had the small office for himself. The fate of Haruna on his mind, he inquired further. What was the ship doing in the Formosa straits? And why only Hibiki as escort? Digging through the message flimsies he finally found the report that explained it. Haruna had been hit by a torpedo off the coast of Malaya. One of those ridiculous Swordfish biplanes the British gaijin use had got lucky. The damage was not severe and he put into Cam-Rahn for temporary repairs, then was sent back to Osaka, escorted by Hibiki. Bad luck about that submarine. Ito telegraphed the harbormaster at Taichu for a report.

Meanwhile he continued to work on his report to Yamamoto. There were problems in Wake. The American submarines had mined the harbor and a troop transport, AP Kiyosumi Maru had been hit. The damage was minor, and he was unloading troops; a base force if Ito remembered correctly. Floatplanes were patrolling already from Wake.

An unconfirmed report from a submarine search plane indicates a small force sailing west from Johnson Island. The report describes 4 cruisers. Ito wonders what Yamamoto will make of that.

The report from Taichu finally arrives. It is worse than Ito thought. Haruna will be out for at least 6 months.

Picking up his papers and the report, he rushes to the morning briefing.

[kaleun]

At the morning’s briefing, Ito stands at attention close to a wall. Surrounding him are other junior officers who, like Ito, only speak if asked a direct question, which almost never happens since the admirals around the table know everything anyway. To Ito it seems like his purpose here is to hold up the walls to prevent them from collapsing on Kaigun’s top brass.

An admiral droned over the reports; Ito recognized some of his wording, which the admiral did not bother to paraphrase:

“In the Philippines Gen Homma ordered a reconnaissance in force on Clark airfield. His forces have been ejected twice from the airfield vicinity by well disciplined American and Philippino forces. It appears that the attack at Lingayen was not successful in preventing the enemy from withdrawing his forces from the north of the island.”

[kaleun]

A different general stood up: “In Malaya, Yamashita is finding no enemy resistance to his drive on Singapore. Air recon of Kuantan, found it deserted of enemy forces; also Malacca. A large concentration of forces have been detected in Johore Bahru. It appears the enemy will make his stand there. An air assault will launch against Malacca, and a seaborne invasion of Kuantan is on the way”

Yamamoto’s mien is serious as he thanks his admirals. As they get up to leave, he gestures to Ito to approach.

“No battle plan survives contact with the enemy” he tells him.

“Hai” Ito answers.

“Make sure you keep detailed notes of all of this” Yamamoto tells him “It will be important in the future” He looks out of the window at the gray December sky.

The great admiral returns his gaze at Ito “Winter is here, but the cherry blossoms will bloom in the spring” and he leaves.

[kaleun]

Showa 16 Month 12 day 24

Ryuji is back in the office when Ito arrives. They greet each other and Ryuji proceeds to brief Ito on the events in China.
“Good news my friend. The fortress of Hong Kong surrendered on the 23rd. That was a great victory, and it frees 2 divisions and several artillery battalions to operate against the Chinese rebels. They are trying to attack our forces in Nanchang believe it or not. They have succeeded in reducing our fortifications. A division is en route from Kiukiang and that should hold the place until our southern strategy takes hold”

[kaleun]

“And that would be?” Ito asks.
“Look at this map” Ryuji points at the different locations” NorthEast China is overrun with these Chinese guerrilla armies. We cannot advance and conclude the war if these Chinese dogs keep harassing our forces and lines of communication. They get their own supplies from the peasants who keep helping the enemy, despite our kindness to them.”