From what I've read Japanese treatment of POW's in the field varied wildly, from courteous to barbaric. It seemed to depend on who was doing the capturing, or even on what the mood of the captor happened to be that day.
In this case the crew would take their lead from the captain, and Ishii just isn't the type to mistreat prisoners. Once they leave Hibiki's deck it may be a different story, of course...
Sure [:)]
And I am with Onime about Letters. There is indeed much in common between some of the characters in the movie and yours - including that moving "east-meets-west" part [:)]
Late in the morning Lieutenant Miharu arrives to speak with the two men. The first is a junior lieutenant, apparently the commander of one of the destroyed torpedo boats. He has a strong jaw and tousled hair, and speaks English with an accent that makes him difficult for Miharu to understand. It could be a southern accent, Miharu thinks, but he cannot easily distinguish between regional American dialects. In any event the prisoner will only give his name and rank.
Does this mean the 35th president will be Richard Milhouse Nixon? I am afraid I can't picture Marilyn coming to visit him. [X(]
I can't wait to read his book, Profiles in Captivity, though!
PT-109 was sunk during the battle, that's all I'm saying for now...
Hmmm, wonder what Turnby Senior was demoted for? Miharu refers to him as "Captain Turnby" but the son says he's a Lieutenant Commander. I think that's two ranks lower.
Late in the morning Lieutenant Miharu arrives to speak with the two men. The first is a junior lieutenant, apparently the commander of one of the destroyed torpedo boats. He has a strong jaw and tousled hair, and speaks English with an accent that makes him difficult for Miharu to understand. It could be a southern accent, Miharu thinks, but he cannot easily distinguish between regional American dialects. In any event the prisoner will only give his name and rank.
Does this mean the 35th president will be Richard Milhouse Nixon? I am afraid I can't picture Marilyn coming to visit him. [X(]
I can't wait to read his book, Profiles in Captivity, though!
PT-109 was sunk during the battle, that's all I'm saying for now...
Pt-109 is Captained by W.M. Pawlak in the scenario editor. JFK is not even in the officers list.
"Square peg, round hole? No problem. Malet please.
Hmmm, wonder what Turnby Senior was demoted for? Miharu refers to him as "Captain Turnby" but the son says he's a Lieutenant Commander. I think that's two ranks lower.
I was wondering that myself.
Cuttlefish, you're aware that it goes:
Ens, Lt JG, Lt, Lt Cmdr, Cmdr, Capt...
An Army Capt (O3) is Navy Lt (O-3).
An Army Col(O6) is a Navy Capt(O6).
-F-
"It is obvious that you have greatly over-estimated my regard for your opinion." - Me
Hmmm, wonder what Turnby Senior was demoted for? Miharu refers to him as "Captain Turnby" but the son says he's a Lieutenant Commander. I think that's two ranks lower.
I was wondering that myself.
Cuttlefish, you're aware that it goes:
Ens, Lt JG, Lt, Lt Cmdr, Cmdr, Capt...
An Army Capt (O3) is Navy Lt (O-3).
An Army Col(O6) is a Navy Capt(O6).
-F-
Captain Turnby had been assigned to the MAGIC Codebreaking section at Pearl, but when the Redman brothers came in from Washington DC and threw out Rochefort, the leader of the section, Turnby was loyal to Rochefort. He was transferred and demoted for this - Rochefort was just transferred.
Hmmm, wonder what Turnby Senior was demoted for? Miharu refers to him as "Captain Turnby" but the son says he's a Lieutenant Commander. I think that's two ranks lower.
Yeah, I know better, I just wrote it backwards. Miharu was supposed to say "Lieutenant Commander" and his son was supposed to say "Captain." They obviously didn't have enough time to go over the script before I wrote the scene and muffed their lines.
ORIGINAL: okami
Pt-109 is Captained by W.M. Pawlak in the scenario editor. JFK is not even in the officers list.
I'll stand by this one. The game does not appropriately promote or reassign leaders as the war goes on (and I can't blame Matrix for that, since the players can at least do the reassigning themselves), but I think it's pretty well known who was actually in command of PT-109 at this point in the war.
[left]Nice to have all the nit-pick...upps, uh, that's editors, right Cuttlefish:)?[/left][left] [/left][left]Best get used to it so you'll be prepared when your start writing for big bucks. Then, we hanger-oners can say, "Hey, I knew Cuttlefish when he entertained us for nothing in a great AAR". "I used to point out every slight error in his scripts". "I guess I made him what he is today".[/left]
[left]Nice to have all the nit-pick...upps, uh, that's editors, right Cuttlefish:)?[/left][left] [/left][left]Best get used to it so you'll be prepared when your start writing for big bucks. Then, we hanger-oners can say, "Hey, I knew Cuttlefish when he entertained us for nothing in a great AAR". "I used to point out every slight error in his scripts". "I guess I made him what he is today".[/left]
Hey, at least I know people are reading carefully and paying attention!
The task force approaches Lunga late in the afternoon. There the survivors from Mikazuki and Kagero will be transferred ashore. Yugumo and Kasasagi will also be left there for temporary repairs while the other ships proceed on to Truk.
The two prisoners will also be sent ashore. Lieutenant Miharu goes to speak with them, and finds Riku and the senior of the two young officers in animated conversation.
“I still think,” the American is saying in his strange accent, “that most wars are ultimately caused by population pressure.”
“Yes, yes,” says Riku, “it is really what I am saying. Too many peoples, so not enough things. Not enough money. What people fight about is money.”
Lieutenant Miharu stops and listens. Ensign Turnby speaks to him in an aside.
“They’re talking about whether or not most wars are caused by economic factors,” he tells the lieutenant. “It’s been a pretty interesting discussion, really. Are all your sailors social theorists?” Lieutenant Miharu smiles.
“All sailors are, I think,” he says. “Certainly I have never met one who did not have strong ideas about what the admirals and politicians should be doing.” At this point Riku and the other American notice the lieutenant. Riku comes smartly to attention and salutes.
“We will soon be arriving at Guadalcanal,” Lieutenant Miharu tells the Americans. “You will be sent ashore there.”
“And what happens to us then?” asks the junior lieutenant.
“You will be turned over to the military police,” says Miharu. His face remains expressionless as far as the Americans can tell, but Riku notices a certain tension in the executive officer as he says this. “As you are both officers you will probably be sent to Japan, where you will wait out the rest of the war.” The Americans receive this news quietly.
“I regret there is no way to tell your father what has happened to you,” Miharu tells Turnby. “I would let him know, if I could.” Riku clears his throat, and Lieutenant Miharu turns his head to look at him.
“Yes, Seaman Ariga,” he says in Japanese. “You wish to say something?”
“Sir, it may be possible to send such a message,” says Riku. “If these men would care to write letters I believe I can see that they are delivered.” Hibiki’s executive officer fixes Riku with a piercing gaze.
“Indeed?” he murmurs. “Do I wish to know how you might do this, sailor?” Riku shifts uncomfortably. This is veering perilously close to secrets he hoped were safely buried.
“Sir,” he says, “as assistant to the quartermaster I talk to many people. Some of these people talk to other people. And so on, if you know what I mean, sir.”
“Perhaps I do,” says the lieutenant. “Tell me, Seaman Ariga, is there anything going on aboard Hibiki that would reflect badly on the honor of the ship or the crew?” Riku almost slumps in relief that the executive officer has phrased this question in the present tense.
“Sir,” he says, “I can tell you that there are no illegal activities taking place aboard ship.” He thinks for a second, and then adds “And, sir, I would be aware of them if there were.”
“Yes, I think you would,” says Miharu with almost a smile. “Very well.” He turns to the Americans again and switches once more to English.
“I am informed that if you would care to write letters to your families I can see they are delivered,” he tells them. “I will tell you now that I will read these letters before they leave the ship, and ask that you refrain from attempting to include any information of military value.”
The Americans accept these terms, and Lieutenant Miharu directs Riku to provide them with materials to write the letters.
---
Hibiki anchors off Lunga. Boats begin ferrying the rescued Japanese sailors ashore. Last to go are the Americans. Lieutenant Miharu, Riku, and an armed guard see them off. Miharu has their letters already safely tucked away.
“Goodbye,” he tells them. Ensign Turnby steps forward and salutes. Miharu returns it.
“Goodbye, Lieutenant,” Turnby says, and the two men shake hands. “It may sound a little strange, but…well, good luck.”
“Thank you,” says Miharu. “When you see you father again, after all this is over, give him my greetings.” Turnby nods.
“I’ll do that,” he says. The other officer exchanges farewells with both Riku and Lieutenant Miharu.
“Thanks for everything,” he says.
“Of course,” says Lieutenant Miharu. Riku grins.
“Perhaps I see you after the war, Lieutenant,” he tells him. “I look forward to continue our discussion.”
“I would enjoy that,” says the American. “And call me Jack. There’s not much point in being formal at this point, is there?”
The boat is waiting. The two Americans climb down into it and are soon on their way to Guadalcanal. If Riku notes the venomous look Lieutenant Miharu gives the Tokeitai officer in the boat he wisely says nothing.
“Lieutentant, if I may ask – where are we going?” says Turnby. Miharu turns back for a moment.
“Guadalcanal,” he answers, then leaves. Turnby shrugs.
“Never heard of the place,” he says to the other man.
Yet another brilliant touch! BTW, I managed to get "Letters From Iwo Jima" from Netflix as soon as the DVD was available. There's a "before the war" flashback scene that I think you'll enjoy comparing to your own.
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
Note: This is meant as a compliment
Cuttlefish, after reading your AAR I find it hard to post mine to the same forum.
Perhaps we should have two AAR forums. One for Cuttlefish and a couple of others, and one for the rest of us.
Fine work.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
No illegal activities aboard the Hibiki... No Sir, nothing to see here...[:D]
No current activities, and thank Amaterasu for present tense language. He didn't even have to lie. And note that the officer was intelligent enough not too ask that he be informed of future indesgressions. The mark of a good officer.
"Square peg, round hole? No problem. Malet please.
Location: 120 miles north-northeast of Tulagi
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 36
Mission: Surface combat
System Damage: 5
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 268
Orders: Proceed to Lunga
---
Note: I find the jump in system damage and fuel consumption this turn curious, since Hibiki only moved 3 hexes north at mission speed to clear the Solomons this turn. It's as if the AI suddenly realized there was a full-speed sprint 3 turns ago and just now applied the penalties.
---
Excerpt from a letter from Lieutenant Miharu to his wife, Kojima:
…but the ship and all the crew are fine. We have, in fact, even distinguished ourselves in action against the enemy.
I have a feeling lately, though. This war has changed, so slowly that it is easy to ignore it. But the enemy is growing obviously stronger, and the pressure against us grows slowly but steadily. So far our defenses remain firm. I have the feeling, though, that there are difficult tests ahead.
But you should not worry for me. If you had seen Captain Ishii during the recent battle, as calm as a rock in the midst of a storm, you would know that Hibiki is in good hands and likely to remain safe. And besides, we are headed into uncontested waters for the moment, though I cannot of course tell you where.
Now I must tell you of a strange thing. After the recent battle we picked up two Americans. One of them was the son of a man I knew in Annapolis, a friend of Ben Packard. I know you have heard me speak of Packard-san many times. How strange to have such a meeting in the middle of a war, far from either Annapolis or Kanazawa! The young man was well when we turned him over to the military police. I hope he remains so.
What you wrote in your last letter of your outing with your family made me smile, especially the part about your sister and the carp. I hope you might have a chance to visit with my parents soon. I have been gone a long time, and with my brother disgraced and sought by the police I suspect they are lonely. They did not say as much in their last letter to me, and of course Father did not speak of Morito at all, but I think a visit would do much to cheer them up.
You did not mention Morito in your last letter either, by which I know he has not returned seeking help. This is just as well, but I cannot help wondering about him…
---
Kojima Miharu taps four times at the door of the small shed at the back of her home’s neat little walled garden. She then pushes it open.
“Hello, Morito-san,” she says. “I have brought you some food for your journey.” As is proper her eyes remain downcast while she addresses the man inside. Morito is pale but healthy; there are no longer any bandages on his arm.
“I have been thinking,” says Morito. “It is not safe out there for me. I think that I should remain here for a while, to give the police more time to forget about me.”
“I understand your worries,” she says. “But your wound has healed and you have regained your health. It is not safe for my husband to have you remain.” She says nothing about the fact that her own risk is even greater.
“I am safe here,” declares Morito stubbornly. “I have decided I should remain.” Kojima smiles sweetly.
“You must do as you think best, of course,” she says. “But I think you will find it less safe here if a patriotic Japanese housewife were to do her duty and report the hiding place of a fugitive.” Morito’s jaw drops open.
“You would not dare!” he says. “Your husband…” Kojima cuts him off, and though her eyes remain downcast there is steel in her voice.
“My husband has told me not to shelter you. In doing as much as I have for you I have defied his wishes, and I must answer to him for that one day.” She raises her head and looks him in the eye. “By staying here you have endangered him and his career. I have done for you what I could because you are family and you needed help. But it is time for you to go. Now.” Morito’s fists ball in anger as he stares at her. He steps forward, hand raised. She flinches slightly but does not yield a step. Morito stops, then his shoulders slump and he drops his hands to his sides.
“Forgive me,” he says. “I have been hiding for too long, and I am afraid. It makes me weak. You are correct. I hope that someday I may repay your kindness to me.” He takes the food she has brought and places it into his satchel. “I will go now.” He lifts the satchel, then steps around her and leaves the shed. Outside it is growing dark.
“Farewell, Morito-san,” says Kojima quietly. “Good luck. Do not come back.”
“Farewell, sister in law,” says Morito. He slips out the gate and vanishes down the dark and quiet street.
Thanks, Cuttlefish, for this AAR. You have really sucked me in, even to the non-combat plot lines - very addicting. Cudos also for selecting a Matrix game monikor based on a WWII U.S. Submarine [;)] I hope the Hibiki continues to see action and avoid critical hits.
I think there is enough variability in history that we can believe in a decent mannered Ishii. Besides - this is a story and the best writers know how to make a protagonist that their audience will root for. I think most of the audience here would tire quickly of reading about a brutal ship captain that continually displayed a blatant disregard for human life.
Not to mention starting to root for Hibiki to catch one between the stacks. I agree with you completely FK.
"Mighty is the Thread! Great are its works and insane are its inhabitants!" -Brother Mynok
[left]Nice to have all the nit-pick...upps, uh, that's editors, right Cuttlefish:)?[/left][left] [/left][left]Best get used to it so you'll be prepared when your start writing for big bucks. Then, we hanger-oners can say, "Hey, I knew Cuttlefish when he entertained us for nothing in a great AAR". "I used to point out every slight error in his scripts". "I guess I made him what he is today".[/left]
Hey. If CF really does start writing for money (I'm assuming he doesnt yet), I'll gladly pay for the pleasure. I only have one condition, that I get a personally autographed copy....I mean I have to get something out of knowing you before you went bigtime, right? [:D]
"Mighty is the Thread! Great are its works and insane are its inhabitants!" -Brother Mynok
