Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[HarryM]

Classic! 

[Capt. Harlock]

“I don’t have to tell you,” he says, “what a danger the enemy’s submarines pose. Few recent convoys have gotten through without encountering them, and losses to our fleet of tankers have risen alarmingly. They are big targets and they are easy targets. It is going to be our job to protect them, and I am determined that this convoy will get through unharmed.”

Why do I have the peculiar feeling that Ishii isn't going to get his wish?

[Onime No Kyo]

Hehe...the fresh fish are introduced to Shun.....[:D]

[HMS Resolution]

Hm. Perchance the Hibiki will become part of the escort force for the fleet based at Truk. A heap big fight may be a-brewin'.

[Mike Solli]

I agree.  I wouldn't use an Akatsuki class DD as a merchant ship escort in Aug 43.  That's left to the obsolete classes.

[DuckofTindalos]

Depends on how the war is going... And if there are any of the obsolete ships left...[;)]

[NormS3]

Fantastic work thanks for all the entertainment.  Just curious, how is your over all game going?

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Norm3

Fantastic work thanks for all the entertainment.  Just curious, how is your over all game going?

You are welcome! As for the overall game, I don't reveal much about that other than what Hibiki's crew would see or hear. Part of what I try to do here is give a "deck level" view of the war, which is a much different view than the high level perspective we usually see.

It's hard to do at times, because a lot of interesting things that happen in the game never come into the AAR at all. I plan to recap the war from a player's perspective after it is all over, but until then we will continue to see things from Hibiki's point of view.

[NormS3]

fantastic, I will eagerly await every word.

[Cuttlefish]

August 11, 1943

Location: 175 miles south of Tokyo
Course: South
Attached to: TF 46
Mission: Transport
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Escort tankers to Truk

---

As it turns out one of the tankers is delayed by mechanical problems. The convoy cannot wait, so six tankers and their escorts depart Tokyo Bay in the morning. The tankers form into three columns of two ships each, with one destroyer on each flank. The convoy is led by the escort vessel Hirado, a new Etoforu-class patrol craft. Though only 255 feet long Hirado has radar and better sonar than either of the destroyers carries.

The day is sunny and clear, and for some time Hibiki’s crew can see the hills of Japan receding behind them. Finally, however, the hills vanish below the horizon. Once again Hibiki is alone except for the other ships in the convoy and the wide sea surrounding them all.

---

Taiki springs lightly up the steps leading to the foredeck. As he does so he is hailed by Senior Petty Officer Aikawa, who is standing near the base of the tower. Aikawa beckons him over, and Taiki steps quickly over to present himself.

“I was looking for you, Takahashi,” Aikawa says. “You have a new man in your gun crew, correct?”

“Yes, Senior Petty Officer,” Taiki says. “Seaman Nonaka, a loader.”

“Lieutenant Kuwaki has asked me to remind all gun captains that it is important that the new men are quickly trained to achieve the same speed as the more experienced hands,” Aikawa says. “Especially with the Type 96’s it is important to maintain as high a rate of fire as possible.”

Taiki nods. “I had planned to start holding drills immediately,” he says.

“Good, very good,” says Aikawa. “Did you have a good leave, Takahashi?” he asks.

“Yes, I did,” says Taiki. “Though I had a little trouble buttoning my jacket this morning. My mother is an excellent cook.” Aikawa laughs.

“I know what you mean,” he says. “So is my wife. She insisted on making all my favorite dishes every day. But don’t worry, after a week of trying to gulp down ship’s food in a tilting mess we will be…” He is interrupted by the swift approach of an officer. It is Midshipman Tanabe, Ensign Handa’s replacement. Tanabe is fresh out of the Naval Academy and his uniform is spotless, pressed, and correct in every detail. Both petty officers turn to face him and salute.

Tanabe glares them, his young face set with anger. “What is this?” he says. “Two petty officers, standing idly about and gossiping like fishwives?”

“My apologies, sir,” says Aikawa promptly. “We will swiftly return to our duties.”

“See that you do!” says Tanabe sternly. “You are petty officers, you are supposed to set an example for the crew. I will not tolerate levity and chatter while you are on duty, is that clear?”

“Yes sir,” chorus both petty officers.

“I will have my eye on you both,” says Tanabe in what is intended to be an ominous tone, then he stalks away. Taiki glances at Aikawa. The Senior has been aboard Hibiki for more than five years. He is a tall, stern-looking man, no longer young, and it is impossible for Taiki to associate him with “levity and chatter.” Yet he betrayed no expression and made no protest while being dressed down by Tanabe.

Aikawa catches the look and gives the slightest of shrugs. Tanabe is new and will learn. Or he will not. Aikawa has seen them come and go over the years, and knows that trying to explain anything to a young officer determined to make an impression only makes things worse. This is the Navy, and if one expects things to be fair one is doomed to disappointment. Taiki responds to the shrug with a slight tilt of his head, acknowledging that he understands, and the two men go their separate ways.

[princep01]

Why not use it as an escort when it is outbound to a combat zone?? It makes a lot of sense, particularly in light of the high value nature of its charges....fat, slow, ignitable, but very much needed, tankers.

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

I agree.  I wouldn't use an Akatsuki class DD as a merchant ship escort in Aug 43.  That's left to the obsolete classes.

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: HMS Resolution

Hm. Perchance the Hibiki will become part of the escort force for the fleet based at Truk. A heap big fight may be a-brewin'.

I can deal with that. The AI doesnt seem to go for escorts in anything short of a surface engagement.

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: princep01

Why not use it as an escort when it is outbound to a combat zone?? It makes a lot of sense, particularly in light of the high value nature of its charges....fat, slow, ignitable, but very much needed, tankers.

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

I agree.  I wouldn't use an Akatsuki class DD as a merchant ship escort in Aug 43.  That's left to the obsolete classes.

I agree with Princep. Especially with whats left operational of the KB sitting around playing pocket pool....

[Skipjack]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

Aikawa catches the look and gives the slightest of shrugs. Tanabe is new and will learn. Or he will not. Aikawa has seen them come and go over the years, and knows that trying to explain anything to a young officer determined to make an impression only makes things worse. This is the Navy, and if one expects things to be fair one is doomed to disappointment. Taiki responds to the shrug with a slight tilt of his head, acknowledging that he understands, and the two men go their separate ways.

Great writing, as usual. This post took me back to my Army NG days, when it was time to break in a new Butterbar. The worst was an ROTC super-lieutenant who thought she deserved an active commission (despite getting beat out by someone else for it).

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: princep01

Why not use it as an escort when it is outbound to a combat zone?? It makes a lot of sense, particularly in light of the high value nature of its charges....fat, slow, ignitable, but very much needed, tankers.

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

I agree.  I wouldn't use an Akatsuki class DD as a merchant ship escort in Aug 43.  That's left to the obsolete classes.

In the situation you describe, yes, it does make sense. I was talking about the mundane convoy escorts that move back and forth from Japan to Truk, Palau, etc....

[Cuttlefish]

August 12, 1943

Location: 180 miles east-southeast of Tori Shima
Course: South
Attached to: TF 46
Mission: Transport
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 467

Orders: Escort tankers to Truk

---

The radioman steps briskly onto the bridge and hands Captain Ishii a message flimsy. Ishii reads it and frowns before thanking the radioman, who salutes crisply and leaves.

“Trouble, Captain?” asks Lieutenant Sugiyura.

“Yes,” says Ishii, “but not ours, at least not yet. A freighter has been torpedoed and is reported sinking off Iwo Jima.” That is well to the southwest of their current position. The convoy is beginning to enter the “submarine belt”, the region 300 to 600 miles south of Japan where enemy submarines congregate the most thickly.

Hibiki has been scouting on the port flank of the convoy all day, but so far there have been no sightings and no attacks. Captain Ishii looks out at the six fuel-laden tankers, plowing steadily and solidly through the swells. He shudders to think of the effect of an explosion aboard one of the vulnerable ships.

The six tankers are Arima Maru, Enoshima Maru, Itukusima Maru, Matsumato Maru, Nissho Maru, and Otowasan Maru. They are worthy enough vessels of their type and at least they are marginally faster than freighters or troop transports. Sugiyura follows his gaze.

“It isn’t quite the same as escorting battleships or carriers, is it Captain?” he says. “I doubt we will find much use for our torpedoes this trip.”

“Not unless we need them to deliver the final blow to a crippled tanker,” says Ishii. “Still, if this war has taught us anything it is to not take for granted what might happen next. Keep your crews sharp, Lieutenant. Who knows, maybe you will get the chance to try and torpedo a submarine.”

“Torpedo a submarine,” repeats Sugiyura musingly. “That would be an interesting challenge.” He falls silent, obviously working through various attack scenarios and possibilities. Ishii leaves him to it and goes to tour the deck. It helps keep the lookouts sharp if they know the captain might put in an appearance.

---

Otowasan Maru:

[trollelite]

I saw several times a destroyer torpedo submarines but it never hit.... However last time one of my Q ship did hit a submarine with torpedos and she did sink....[:D]

[histgamer]

What sized tankers are they? 9k? 16k?

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: flanyboy

What sized tankers are they? 9k? 16k?

This is a NikMod game, so the sizes are 6k and 11k. Itukusima Maru, Nissho Maru, and Otowasan Maru are 11k tankers, and the other three are 6k. The total fuel load is 51k.

[Cuttlefish]

August 13, 1943

Location: 180 miles east of the Bonins
Course: South
Attached to: TF 46
Mission: Transport
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 446

Orders: Escort tankers to Truk

---

It has been another day of quiet in the convoy. As night falls fresh eyes take on the tricky job of trying to spot enemy submarines or their torpedoes in the darkness. Riku and Shiro eat and then retire to their bunk area to get some sleep. Seaman Oizuma is there, already asleep, but otherwise they are alone. Before they drop off Riku finally has a chance to finish telling Shiro about everything that went on while the ship was in Japan.

When he is done Shiro shakes his head as he lies in his hammock. “What a time you had, Riku-san! You must be glad we are back at sea again so you can get some rest!” Riku chuckles.

“That is almost right,” he says. “What about you? What did you do while on leave?”

“I helped my father and uncle build a decorative bridge over a pond,” he says.

“That sounds nice,” says Riku. He thinks of his own father and cannot keep a little envy out of his voice.

“It was,” says Shiro. The two men are silent for a moment. “It is a good feeling to work with other men to build something of worth,” says Shiro finally. “Which made me think about something. Here we are, back in the war. And in this war millions of men on both sides are all working together to accomplish something, which is to bring our forces together so that we can try and kill one another.”

“It is a big war, all right,” says Riku.

“Yes,” answers Shiro, “and I cannot think of anything else where men work together so well for a common purpose. You know me, Riku-san, I am a man who loves peace and quiet. I like to make things. Yet here I am, doing my part in this war as hard as anyone. And do you know why?”

Riku is familiar with his friend’s philosophical side. Shiro seems to others to be a friendly, talkative man of simple needs and tastes. Yet Riku knows that Shiro’s mind works slowly but deeply, and that it is often worth listening to what he has to say.

“To preserve our essence as a people,” he says after a moment’s thought. “And because it is the wish of the Emperor.”

“Those are both true,” says Shiro. “Yet I think it would be far more efficient to have the Emperor and the American, Roosevelt, fight a duel to settle the questions between our nations. Think of the lives, the effort, and the money it would save!”

“It would not be fair!” says Riku. “The American leader sits in a wheelchair.”

“Then perhaps Admiral Yamamoto and Admiral Nimitz could fight,” says Shiro. “My point is, it seems wasteful to have so many men working so hard together to fight a war. Why don’t men ever work together so well to accomplish anything else?”

Riku chuckles. “I think men will work together when they clearly see there is something in it for them,” he says, then pauses. “Which does not explain war. The pay is bad and the most we can hope to gain is to live through it.”

“But there is something in it for us,” says Shiro. “You already said it yourself, it is to preserve the future of Japan, for ourselves and for our families. So I have to conclude that men will work together for a cause. It is just ironic that war is the only endeavor that brings them together in such numbers.”

“I see,” says Riku. “Three men may build a decorative bridge, but it takes a hundred thousand men to bring two fleets together for a battle.”

“Exactly!” Shiro says.

“These are deep thoughts,” says Riku. “Running my own small part of this war is hard enough work for me. I need to sleep.”

“Sleep is important too,” says Shiro. And thereafter the only sounds in the bunk area are the muffled pounding of the engines and the snoring of Seaman Oizuma.