Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Cuttlefish]

I made a fun discovery recently. This past fall a company called Pit-Road in Japan came out with a new 1/700 scale model of Hibiki. The model can be built full hull or waterline and in either the 1945 configuration or as an earlier version with the "X" turret in place.

I just got two of them. Neither of them has been assembled yet, but if I can avoid help from my cats or my granddaughter I hope to complete at least one of them soon. In the meantime here is one of the kits:

[Cuttlefish]

Here is a better look at the box art. It's a nice painting of Hibiki and a good look at the changes made during the latest refit.

[FeurerKrieg]

“The usual sort of thing. Resources, mostly,” says the sailor.

“Resources?” says Shiro.

“Yes, you know. Resources.”

“Ah,” says Shiro. “Please continue.”

Do I detect a little Mandrakian influence here?

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: BigBadWolf

[X(]

Oh boy....do I feel stupid now... I was under the impression that it was some Japanese sumo champion or something...even tried googling him...

The funny thing is, I do read this AAR.... Must be a memory failure thing [:'(]

You mean Small Ship....doesnt come up in Google? Thats a travesty!

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

“Thank you, sir,” says Shun, and gives another of his frightening smiles. “A nice sergeant gave it to me last night.”

[&o][&o][&o][&o][&o]

3 cheers for Shun and 4 cheers for Cuttlefish!

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: ChezDaJez

ORIGINAL: Terminus

Wonder what happened to the head that the hat was on...[:D]

I wonder what Shun did with the other eleven hats?

Chez

Toilet paper? [&:][:D]

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: princep01

Snap, crackle, pop!  Bring the pain.  The 56th Infantry my be mourning the violent passage of an NCO.

Nah. Not Shun's style. But he's probably in more dire need of a dentist than Okubo is.

[histgamer]

IDK shun can get in a murderous rage as we have seen. Hopefully none of those army guys said anything about his daughter, then one of them would be dead.[8D]

[Onime No Kyo]

Only where his daughter is involved. In all other cases he seems to be more, umm, creative.

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg

“The usual sort of thing. Resources, mostly,” says the sailor.

“Resources?” says Shiro.

“Yes, you know. Resources.”

“Ah,” says Shiro. “Please continue.”

Do I detect a little Mandrakian influence here?

Yes indeed.

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

ORIGINAL: princep01

Snap, crackle, pop!  Bring the pain.  The 56th Infantry my be mourning the violent passage of an NCO.

Nah. Not Shun's style. But he's probably in more dire need of a dentist than Okubo is.

I think Onime has it pegged about right here.

[Cuttlefish]

September 2, 1943

Location: Tokyo
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Await further orders

---

Lieutenant Miharu suggests to Riku that, since they are in the area, it might be a good idea for him to pay a visit to Kawasaki Camp 2-B to make sure that the money they are paying to help their two American friends is being well spent. Riku agrees and goes ashore to make some inquiries. He takes Taiki with him.

Taiki is aware of the basic arrangement, though he does not know that Hibiki’s executive officer is Riku’s co-conspirator in this matter. It is Taiki’s first visit to a prisoner of war camp and he does not enjoy it much, though to Riku conditions seem much improved from the last time he was there. Riku is also pleased to find both Jack and Ensign Turnby in better health.

Taiki is silent for a while on the way back. “I don’t think that any Japanese that the Americans capture are treated any better,” he says at last. He sounds to Riku like a man trying to reassure himself of something.

“I think they are,” says Riku.

Taiki looks at him in surprise. “Why do you say that?” he asks. It is well known that Americans are more likely to slit a throat than to bother to take care of a prisoner.

“It was their reaction when I first went to see them,” Riku says, indicating the Americans they have just visited with a tilt of his head. “They were shocked at how they were being treated. That tells me that they do not treat their own prisoners the same way. And I have since learned from someone who knows them that they are not as bloodthirsty and brutal as they are usually said to be.”

Taiki thinks about this for a minute. “Would you ever be taken prisoner?” he asks. Riku pauses and looks at Taiki. This is a very personal question, and for most people it would be an insult just to ask it But their friendship remains deep despite Taiki’s change in rank, and Taiki has more than earned the right to ask a question like that.

“Yes,” he says simply. “I think that if, for example, I was in the water and someone aboard an American ship threw a rope to me I would grab it.”

“I suppose,” says Taiki doubtfully. “If it was something like that, and there was no way to continue fighting, then maybe. It would be hard. I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to bring dishonor to my family, either.”

“I don’t think the Americans see it that way,” says Riku. “I get the impression that their families will be glad to hear they are alive.”

Taiki shakes his head. “That is hard to understand,” he says.

“I think it’s safe to say their ways are not our ways,” says Riku.

[tocaff]

WOW!  CF is not only entertaining us with his yarn, but also waxing philosophical.  

[Cuttlefish]

September 3, 1943

Location: Tokyo
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Await further orders

---

The heat and humidity of Tokyo in August linger on through the first few days of September. Hibiki rides at anchor in the bay with more than a dozen other destroyers, waiting for the next call to action.

The new crew members are enthusiastic as they express their hopes that Hibiki’s next assignment will take them into combat. They are eager to strike a blow against the enemy. The old hands are noticeably more quiet on the subject. They too hope to do their part against the enemy, but they have seen enough combat to know that it is a grim and unpredictable business.

Only Captain Ishii and Lieutenant Miharu are aware of recent intelligence reports showing that a substantial enemy force has been sighted in New Guinea making its way overland towards Lae. Perhaps even more significant are the intelligence reports that have not been received; no enemy surface force has been sighted in almost three weeks.

It seems obvious even from Captain Ishii’s limited perspective that if the enemy is going to undertake the effort to march several divisions through the horrible New Guinea jungle they are not also going to proceed with the expected amphibious assault on Lae. The enemy’s strength and confidence have been growing throughout the summer. Have they grown strong enough to attempt an amphibious attack somewhere else, somewhere beyond the range of their land-based air power?

Opinion among the officers that Ishii talks to is divided about this. Even among those who think an attack is likely there is little consensus about where the blow might fall. The Japanese defensive perimeter stretches from Rangoon through the Southern Resource Area, across western and northern New Guinea and down through the Solomon Islands. It encompasses New Caledonia and the New Hebrides, Baker Island and the Gilberts, the Marshall Islands, Marcus Island, and the Kuriles. It is a vast arc, and there are many places that the enemy could conceivably attack.

While he cannot help speculating along with the others, Captain Ishii is glad it is not his problem to worry about. These are matters for Admiral Yamamoto and the Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff. Ishii knows he has enough to do just to keep his destroyer and crew ready for whatever orders he receives next.

[Cuttlefish]

September 4, 1943

Location: Tokyo
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Await further orders

---

Petty Officer Second Class Taiki Takahashi sits in his bunk and attempts one more time to write a letter. The crumpled sheets of paper beside him attest to the fact that he is not finding this task easy.

He had not intended to write to Sayumi Komatsu at all. While at sea he had convinced himself that the war and his duties left no room in his life for courtship or romance. But he found that despite this decision he could not stop from thinking about her. And once Hibiki returned to port he realized that it was possible, just possible, that he was using his duties as an excuse to avoid having to make a difficult decision. Since that too would be an abandonment of his responsibilities he decided to do something about it.

Thus he finds himself trying to write a letter to Sayumi telling her that while he thinks she is a fine woman he cannot in all conscience continue to court her. Not that he ever really courted her in the first place, he thinks. He really only knew her for a few days, and only kissed her once. But he remembers her face as they parted at the train station in Okayama and thinks that maybe it all meant more to her than he intended.

But he is having a great deal of trouble writing the letter. His attempts come out sounding either far too formal or weak and flat. At last he gives up in disgust and goes up on deck to get some air.

In contrast to the warm day just past the night is pleasantly cool. Taiki wanders aft to the fantail and stands looking down at the dark water, hands clasped behind his back.

After a few moments he becomes aware that someone is standing beside him. The dim light reveals the lumpy silhouette of CPO Shun. Taiki wonders for the one hundredth time how a man of the Chief’s size moves so silently.

“Good evening, Chief,” he says. Shun nods in reply.

“Trouble sleeping, Takahashi?” he says in his low, grating voice. Taiki hears only curiosity in the Chief’s tone.

“I am trying to write a letter to a woman,” he admits, “and not succeeding.”

Shun grunts. “Hello or good bye?” he asks.

“Good bye,” admits Taiki.

“Eh,” says Shun. “Sailors practically have a form letter for such occasions. Why are you having so much trouble?”

“Because I think I am in love with her,” says Taiki, then stands amazed at his own words. He had not until this moment realized it was true. Even in the dim light he can see Shun raise one bushy eyebrow. He finds himself telling Shun the story of how he and Sayumi met and of their brief time together.

When he is done Shun remains silent for a time, looking out over the lights on the water. Finally he speaks.

“My marriage was arranged, of course,” he says. “And we were together for only a few years.” Taiki knows, as does everyone aboard, that Shun’s wife died tragically and young. And like everyone else, that is all he knows.

Shun continues. “But we loved each other. I would trade everything I have seen and done ever since for one more day with her. So I ask you, Takahashi. Are you a coward, or just a fool?”

Taiki opens his mouth, closes it, then opens it again. “I think maybe...a bit of both, Chief.” Shun nods.

“You’ll do all right,” he says. “You just think too much, that’s all. You don’t find what you want very often in this life. When you do, act. Don’t waste time.”

“Thank you, Chief,” says Taiki. He bids Shun goodnight and heads back to his bunk. He now knows what letter he needs to write.

Left alone on the fantail Shun stands there for a time, looking out at the darkness. What his thoughts are no one can say.

“Don’t waste time,” he repeats to himself in a low voice. Then he too goes below.

[John 3rd]

Well...it is Fall of 1943...this SHOULD mean that the Japanese Kaigun has a few new CVs entering service.  Perhaps our intrepid DD will become an escort for them!
 

[princep01]

Late summer to be a bit more precise, but that's just picking.
 
An offensive along the Lae-New Britain-New Ireland axis can be expensive and attritional for both sides, I'd think.  Sort of a landlubbers approach to things, but attrition favors the Allies, so it might be a wise approach by Wolfpack.  It also tends to isolate the Solomons and New Caledonia.  Another plus for the Allies.  Interesting appoach. 
 
Also interesting is how little the Allies have been able to take back by this date.  Even Baker Is. is still under the banner of the Rising Sun.  Perhaps some of Wolfpack's previous offensive strikes were a bit premature, resulting in heavy CV losses that are now retarding his ability to mount a renewed seaborne assault.
 
A game with so many viable strategies for both sides is a game destined to be played over and over.
 
To date has the IJN lost a CV?  I remember Akagi and Hiryu were seriously damaged, but I don't recall a CV actually sunk.  I's guess that both are back in service now. 

[FeurerKrieg]

Hey - it sounds like you are talking about some war game situation or something. This AAR is about a bunch of guys on a boat. Nothing more really. [:D]

[tocaff]

I smell a window of opportunity in which Shun has decided that a certain member of the crew just might be worthy enough for his daughter after a miraculous reformation.

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg

Hey - it sounds like you are talking about some war game situation or something. This AAR is about a bunch of guys on a boat. Nothing more really.

History is determined by decisions. Sometimes the decisions are made by people in luxurious offices or well-guarded command centers -- and sometimes they are made by guys on a boat.