Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: Feinder

From Forgotten Fleet, right Feinder?

Yup. It's funny, I'm almost disappointed to have finished it. Was a good book. I've got Toland sitting on the shelf. I guess he's next.

-F-

I still say that the "little yellow bastard" episode is one of the funniest war-related things I've ever read.

[DuckofTindalos]

ORIGINAL: Feinder

Actually, there's an interesting question. Does Matrix actually "own" it, since it's a part of their forums? Just curious what the legality is.

-F-

This AAR is no more owned by Matrix than a piece of X-Files fan fiction is owned by Chris Carter.

[Onime No Kyo]

I sincerely hope that if CF ever wants to make a buck off this AAR he will be able to do so without interference. I will be right there in line for the book signing. [&o]

[histgamer]

That was absolutely mind blowing. [&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o]

[Cuttlefish]

October 17, 1943

Location: 60 miles west of Luganville
Course: None
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Protect evacuation convoy arriving from Kwajalein

---

Hibiki is cruising just astern of heavy cruiser Chokai. The two ships are close – less than thirty feet separate Chokai’s stern from Hibiki’s bow. Both ships are barely making six knots.

Two lines support a heavy black hose snaking back from the cruiser. Hibiki is taking on fuel oil from the hose. It is a long and nerve-wracking process. Not only do the two ships have to maintain a precise distance apart, but the slow speed makes them vulnerable to any submarines that happen along. Earlier that same morning an enemy submarine was spotted and attacked by destroyers from one of the other carrier groups only about twenty miles away. Depth charges were dropped, but the submarine is believed to have escaped.

Captain Ishii curbs his impatience as he keeps a careful eye on things from the bridge. Chokai’s pumps are doing their best, but they aren’t as powerful as the pumps carried by tankers and oilers. Fortunately the seas are fairly calm.

Finally the phone on the bridge buzzes. It is answered by Lieutenant JG Kuwaki. He listens for a moment, then says “Thank you, sir, I will inform the captain.” He replaces the phone and turns to Ishii. “Sir, Lieutenant Sakati reports that the tanks are full.”

“Excellent,” says Ishii. “Let Chokai know that they can stop pumping. Tell them to be ready to take in lines and hose at our signal.”

“Yes sir,” says Kuwaki. The end of the operation goes smoothly. The hose is detached from Hibiki and reeled back aboard Chokai without incident. The big cruiser picks up speed. As it pulls away it flashes a signal to Hibiki: “Well done”.

Ishii acknowledges the signal. Though he expects nothing less from his ship, it is always nice to have the crew’s professionalism recognized. As soon as Chokai has opened up some distance he gives the orders that send Hibiki back to her accustomed position on the screen.

[Cuttlefish]

October 18, 1943

Location: 60 miles west of Luganville
Course: None
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 443

Orders: Protect evacuation convoy arriving from Kwajalein

---

The transports from Kwajalein reach the north end of New Caledonia’s main island and begin to move south along the coast towards Noumea. They have arrived none too soon. The American attack during the day gains more than a mile of difficult, hilly terrain and leaves their forward positions less than four miles from the town itself. The Japanese continue to resist fiercely but most of their prepared defenses have been overrun and it is by no means certain they can stave off another major attack.

The Japanese carriers prepare to move south to cover the transports while they embark the embattled Japanese soldiers. The battleships and cruisers have replenished their ammunition and will pound American positions to help cover the operation.

While the American forces ashore are continuing their offensive there has been as yet no sign of interference from enemy surface forces. That may change, however. The enemy now has reconnaissance planes at La Foa and they are bound to spot the Japanese transports, if in fact they have not done so already. Whether the Japanese are bringing in reinforcements or evacuating their troops, the enemy may well risk battle to prevent the operation.

The fate of 20,000 Japanese troops hangs in the balance. No one can say with any certainty what the next few days will bring, either at sea or on the ground.

[Capt. Harlock]

System Damage: 1

Maybe that hose from Chokai broke something as it was being hauled back?

Tension factor is high, as usual . . .

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

System Damage: 1

Maybe that hose from Chokai broke something as it was being hauled back?

Tension factor is high, as usual . . .

Scratched the paint on the railings. Sounds like someone needs to make another comment about Babe Ruth. [:)]

[Cuttlefish]

October 19, 1943

Location: 55 miles west of Koumac
Course: West-southwest
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 407

Orders: Protect evacuation convoy arriving from Kwajalein

---

“I hope they do try and stop us,” says Yoshitake. “Then we could crush them once and for all.” He is rigging his hammock for the evening. Oizuma, already in his hammock, looks over the side at him.

“I thought we did that already,” he said. “Didn’t we smash their carrier force at the Phoenix Islands, and then again at Timor?”

“Yes,” answers Yoshitake. “And now it’s time to finish the job!”

“I think they are scared of us now,” says Shoji. “They won’t come out to do battle now that they know our carriers are on the scene. Everyone knows the Americans are cowards.”

Riku speaks from his own hammock. “I don’t think the Americans are the cowards you suppose,” he says. A year ago he would have agreed with Shoji, but his opinion of Americans has changed since then. “They will fight us when they are ready.”

“And when will that be?” says Shoji. “They can’t have many ships left.”

Shiro, who is seated on the floor writing on a notepad, looks up. “I don’t think you’ve thought that through very well,” he says.

“What do you mean, Kuramata?” Shoji asks.

“We’ve all heard the rumors,” replies Shiro. “The enemy has four carriers out here, the enemy has six carriers, the enemy has eight carriers, whatever. Right?” Shoji nods. “Then think about this,” continues Shiro. “We sank just about every carrier they had left at Timor nine months ago. That means that all the ships out there, however many there are, have all been built since then.”

“I suppose so,” says Shoji.

“Well,” says Shiro. “I’m not very good at math, but that makes it sound to me like the Americans are launching a new aircraft carrier at least every other month or so.”

“That’s ridiculous,” comments Oizuma. “It’s impossible.” The others, except for Riku, agree.

Shiro shrugs. “I hope you are right,” he says.

[Cuttlefish]

October 20, 1943

Location: 55 miles west of Koumac
Course: Holding position
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 375

Orders: Protect evacuation convoy arriving from Kwajalein

---

Not long after midnight Japanese warships begin another ferocious bombardment of the American positions on New Caledonia. Under the cover of this barrage the first Japanese troops begin to silently pull out of their positions and move down to the docks at Noumea. There six large troop ships are waiting in the darkness.

Noncoms and officers keep men and equipment moving towards the docks all night. As morning nears the level of tension rises. If the Americans realize what is going on and launch an attack they might be able to break through the weakened Japanese lines and enter the town itself. The orderly evacuation could become a rout, and the transports themselves would be in danger.

But the Americans do not attack, either because they do not yet know what the Japanese or doing or because the bombardment, which continues at intervals throughout the day, has created too much disruption and chaos in their ranks. Whatever the reason, the Japanese soldiers count their blessings and continue to file aboard the ships.

Not every soldier departs. Three thousand troops will remain, every one of them a volunteer. They will do their best to create the illusion that 15,000 of their comrades have not in fact left the island. And when the illusion fails, or the Americans attack anyway, they will stand and die at their positions. Not one of them expects to live through the next few days.

As night falls again the evacuation is still going on. There simply isn’t enough dock space to allow all transports to load at once. The operation is halfway complete, but it is not yet a success.

[histgamer]

[&o][&o][&o][&o][&o] (to american industrial might)

[John 3rd]

Well Done.

The story of Shun's past was excellent. Now WHO was that young Lt. that allowed him onto the ship? Was it our good Captain?

Also--Congrats on the successful retreat. That Inf Div will be used again!

[Cuttlefish]

October 21, 1943

Location: 55 miles west of Koumac
Course: Holding position
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 343

Orders: Protect evacuation convoy arriving from Kwajalein

---

With Hibiki to port and another destroyer to starboard aircraft carrier Shokaku comes around to the southeast to recover a pair of A6M5 fighters coming back from patrol over the fleet. The wakes of the three warships form graceful curves across the ocean, which is grey and slightly choppy under skies mostly covered with clouds.

The wakes steady into straight lines as the first fighter begins its approach. In the forward 25mm AA tub Taiki watches the operation. He never tires of watching the aircraft carriers at work, and wonders what it would be like to be at the controls of the fighter.

From somewhere towards the rear of the ship a voice – Taiki thinks it is Ensign Izu – yells “Enemy aircraft three thousand meters astern, bearing starboard one hundred sixty degrees!” A scant few seconds later the rearmost AA guns aboard Shokaku begin to fire.

With the tower squarely behind them Taiki and his men cannot see what the carrier is shooting at. Taiki can, however, clearly see a man aboard the carrier frantically waving off the fighter, which suddenly boosts power. It clears the edge of the flight deck by twenty feet and banks away, climbing.

Hibiki vibrates as all of the aft 25mm batteries begin to fire. Shokaku begins to turn to port, very slowly at first, and Hibiki smoothly matches the maneuver. Taiki looks left and right, trying to figure out what is going on. Shokaku’s entire aft port anti-aircraft gallery is now firing and Taiki watches their fire to try and figure out the enemy plane’s course and position. A lookout above them turns and yells something down to them. Taiki can't hear what the lookout is saying, but the arc described by his pointing arm is perfectly plain.

“Gun twenty degrees starboard,” he orders. “Maximum elevation. Prepare to fire.” The crew waits tensely, hoping for a shot at whatever is out there.

Suddenly the roar of engines is audible even over the sound of firing and a big chunky enemy four-engine flying boat appears about one thousand meters overhead. It has already been hit and is trailing smoke from its belly and its outer starboard engine. Taiki’s gun opens fire, joining the guns along Shokaku’s port side in trying to bring down the plane.

And bring it down they do. As the flying boat pulls ahead of the turning ships and tries to gain altitude it is hit again in the starboard wing. A large piece of the wing comes off and the big plane abruptly rolls over and plummets towards the ocean. There is a cheer from the destroyer as it hits the water. Taiki joins in the cheer. Later on he will wonder how many men such a plane carries, but at this moment it is an enemy and a target and he is happy it has been destroyed.

---

The downed plane dropped a bomb which landed well astern of Shokaku. Later that same afternoon a similar plane comes out of some clouds right on top of light carrier Zuiho and launches a more successful attack, putting a bomb into the ocean less than thirty feet from its target. The carrier is rattled and there is minor damage. This flying boat gets away.

The enemy is not quite done for the day, either. Towards evening a submarine hits Mogami with a torpedo, forcing the heavy cruiser to return to Kwajalein for repairs. None of this interferes with the evacuation, however, which continues throughout the day.

[tocaff]

So it's safe to assume that the Allies now have a pretty fair idea of what's in the area and maybe even why.  

[DuckofTindalos]

Not necessarily. They might think it's a Guadalcanal-style reinforcement operation.

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Terminus

Not necessarily. They might think it's a Guadalcanal-style reinforcement operation.

American Intel should soon give a before-and-after estimate of the IJA troops on New Caledonia. I think Wolffpack -- ahem, CINPAC -- will quickly catch on.

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Well Done.

The story of Shun's past was excellent. Now WHO was that young Lt. that allowed him onto the ship? Was it our good Captain?

Also--Congrats on the successful retreat. That Inf Div will be used again!

No, it wasn't Ishii. At this point Ishii is a midshipman, having only recently passed the difficult tests to enter the Naval Academy. The two have met before, but they will not meet again for about two years.

[Cuttlefish]

October 22, 1943

Location: 55 miles west of Koumac
Course: Holding position
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 313

Orders: Protect evacuation convoy departing from Noumea

---

“Sir, the radio room reports that the transports are all safely away from Noumea,” Lieutenant Miharu tells his captain. “What happens next?”

“They will rendezvous with us and then we will head north,” Ishii tells him. “Once safely in away from here they will go their way and we will return to Kwajalein. The poor devils left behind…” He does not continue the sentence. Both men know what awaits the men still on New Caledonia.

“Where is the 4th Division being sent?” asks the lieutenant.

Ishii shrugs. “I don’t know,” he says. “My briefing didn’t include that, as it was not important for our part of the mission.”

“Well, good luck to them wherever they are headed,” says Miharu.

Captain Ishii agrees and shifts the conversation to other topics. In fact he does know where the troops are going. He dislikes keeping information from his executive officer and does not often do so, frequently in contradiction to the wishes of his superiors. But he thinks that the truth in this case might be bad for morale. Certainly knowing the truth has given him much cause for thought.

The troops are going to the Caroline Islands. This is secure territory, so secure that it is hard to see why a crack division would be sent there. The fact that Japan’s military leaders deem this move necessary tells Ishii more than he wants to know. He worries that the wildest stories he has heard about the enemy’s growing military power might be true. If so, the weeks and months ahead could be desperate ones.

Perhaps he is wrong. He hopes so. Only the future will tell.

[Sammer]

Had some spare time so decided to do some 2d editing *cough*"fanart"*cough*.

Be warned, 350k 1024x768 (zoom in!) JPEG file.

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/2/11/f_hibikim_ce1e004.jpg

Some notes:

1) Image is a somewhat heavily edited screenshot from the WW2 Naval MMO Navy Field of a Fubuki Class DD.

2) Image shows Hibiki "docked" at Pescadores on December 4, 1941; as stated on page 1 of this AAR

3) I realise Cuttlefish stated a standard displacement of 1800t, but I decided to go with 2260t as full displacement.

4) MP stands for "Motion Potion" (or Movement Points, whatever floats your boat). 475t max fuel capacity.

5) Sokutekiban is a uniquely Japanese contraption used in conjuction (or as part of) the FC director.

6) Speed 15 (Cruising) / 34 (Max) is reflective of WITP Akatsuki Class 12/41 stats.

7) Armament in right hand corner corresponds to WITP Akatsuki Class 12/41 stats. "D" stands for double gun turret, "S" stands for single mount, "T" stands for twin mount. Yellow text is from the original game, although I really should change them to turret facing as per WITP game data...

8) Katakana on the DD's side reads: "Hibiki", right to left reading order.

9) Kanji on upper right hand corner reads: "Hibiki".

Feel free to correct me if I've made any mistakes :p

-Sammer

PS

Keep up the great work on the AAR Cuttlefish!

[Cuttlefish]

This looks good, Sammer! Thanks for taking the time and trouble – I think I may use this as my desktop background for a bit. I don’t have any corrections offhand. It’s hard to go wrong using a Fubuki class as a model. The Akatsuki class ships were based on this design and are nearly identical, the only real difference being that they are a little shorter. I suspect this was to help correct some of the stability issues the Fubukis encountered.