Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Cuttlefish]

October 23, 1943

Location: 175 miles north-northeast of Koumac
Course: North
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 275

Orders: Protect evacuation convoy departing from Noumea

---

Flags are just pieces of cloth. The color and arrangement of the threads used give a flag its pattern. The difference between one flag and another is only a little bit of dye.

New Caledonia, as has been mentioned, is a very old island. It is thought in fact to be around 55 million years old, and for almost all that time the island did without flags entirely. In fact it did mostly without people, as the first humans didn’t come to the island until around 2500 years ago. The original settlers, first Austronesians and then later Polynesians, also did without flags. In fact it is likely that the whole concept of a national flag, not to mention a nation, would have confused them.

The first outsiders to find the place were British, and it is likely that they planted the first flag, a Union Jack, on the soil of what they named New Caledonia. The island would have acquired its first permanent flag around 1853, when France made it a possession. The French flag flew there until February 1942, when it was replaced by the Rising Sun.

The winds that flow around the tall flagpole overlooking the harbor at Noumea do not care what the colors are of the flag they stir. The seabirds that perch atop the pole do not much care either. But to the men from both sides of the Pacific who have fought and bled and died for the place the color matters a great deal indeed.

The American flag is hoisted there late on this particular afternoon. The Americans who salute it have far different feelings at its appearance than the desperate Japanese survivors who observe the event from the hills to the south. And far north and east across the Pacific planners in both nations take note of the change. On the big situation maps that generals and admirals on both sides use to keep track of this vast war the Japanese flag next to the island is replaced by the American flag.

Flags are just pieces of cloth. But they are also powerful symbols, and the reality behind the symbol is this: Noumea has fallen.

[Cuttlefish]

October 24, 1943

Location: 350 miles south of Lunga
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 293

Orders: Protect evacuation convoy departing from Noumea

---

Excerpt from the personal diary of Petty Officer Second Class Taiki Takahashi:

October 24, 1943

We are moving north fairly slowly so as not to outdistance the transports. I hear that in a day or two they will be under cover of our air base on Gadarukanaru and we can pick up speed for the return to Kwajalein.

The mood on the ship is a little subdued, but not too much so. On the one hand we retreated and lost the base, but on the other the operation was entirely successful. We got the troops out without any losses, while the enemy lost a lot of ships taking the place. Maybe, some people are saying, maybe a few more defeats like this will amount to a victory.

Myself I don’t know. I am often accused of being too practical. This was a practical operation, but I can’t see us doing it often. Retreat is too much of a bad word. In fact I am sure that the officers in charge do not speak of this as a retreat at all, even though that is clearly what it was.

That isn’t what is most on my mind right now, though. What I keep dwelling on is what happens when we get back to Kwajalein. I wonder if there is any chance we will be sent back to Japan. I want to do my duty, of course, but if that duty includes escorting some damaged ships back to the Home Islands or something I shall not complain. I think of Sayumi all the time. I would like to be married.

It is strange how much the medallion Shiro gave me helps. When I wear it it’s almost as though she is with me in a way, helping me and protecting me. I must find some way to repay Shiro. He would not think of taking money or a gift, of course, and it is hard to do him a favor. He wants very little, and is the sort who is usually content with where is he and what he is doing. I will try to think of something.

I heard yesterday that Midshipman Konada found a flying fish hidden in each of his shoes. He was said to be rather upset…

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish
I heard yesterday that Midshipman Konada found a flying fish hidden in each of his shoes. He was said to be rather upset…

....uh-oh. The prank gremlins strike again. [:D]

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish


Flags are just pieces of cloth. But they are also powerful symbols, and the reality behind the symbol is this: Noumea has fallen.

And the strategic counter-attack is now truly underway. Combined Fleet must be chafing at the failure of the Decisive Battle that appeals so much to them. (And I confess myself I would have liked a glimpse of the American fleet.) It's also interesting to find the 4th Division all the way out to New Caledonia in this alternate history: IIRC it was mostly in mainland Asia historically.

[HMS Resolution]

Reminds me a bit of the Eddie Izzard routine.
 
"Have you got a flag? No? Ooop! No flag, no country."

[Fishbed]

when the Tricoleur was replaced by the Rising Sun.

Hey Boss!
Sorry to mess this beautiful AAR with my remark [&o], but I just wanted to point that the right word for the French flag would be tricolore rather than tricouleur which, while being semantically understandable for a Frenchman, doesn't lexically exist [;)]
Btw French people indeed have such a name for their flag, but would use drapeau tricolore (three colours flag) rather than tricolore alone, as this is an adjective. Actually, it can sometimes be referred to as the bleu - blanc - rouge (blue-white-red).

The day you'll go for publication, I'd hate to see some Frog of ours come after you, so here it is ^^

Thanks for the fantastic work!

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Fishbed

when the Tricoleur was replaced by the Rising Sun.

Hey Boss!
Sorry to mess this beautiful AAR with my remark [&o], but I just wanted to point that the right word for the French flag would be tricolore rather than tricouleur which, while being semantically understandable for a Frenchman, doesn't lexically exist [;)]
Btw French people indeed have such a name for their flag, but would use drapeau tricolore (three colours flag) rather than tricolore alone, as this is an adjective. Actually, it can sometimes be referred to as the bleu - blanc - rouge (blue-white-red).

The day you'll go for publication, I'd hate to see some Frog of ours come after you, so here it is ^^

Thanks for the fantastic work!

I wave the white flag on this one. You are of course correct. What's ironic is that I took the time to make sure that the Union Jack was actually called the Union Jack back in the 18th century but forgot to check my French. I will correct the entry.

[Cuttlefish]

October 25, 1943

Location: 175 miles east-southeast of Lunga
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 255

Orders: Return to Kwajalein

---

The pilots aboard Shokaku are highly trained and superbly skilled. Many of them are the same ones that participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor on that December morning that already seems so long ago. But as skilled as they are they are not immune to mistakes, equipment failure, or just plain bad luck.

Something goes wrong for one of them in the afternoon. An A6M5 coming back from patrol over the fleet has its right landing gear collapse as it touches down on the carrier’s deck. The fighter skids sideways and spins over the side.

Hibiki is the closest destroyer. Captain Ishii immediately orders his ship in to try and rescue the pilot. The plane is already awash as Hibiki approaches, and it sinks quickly.

The pilot has managed to struggle out of the cockpit and is in the water, but he seems dazed and in trouble. There is blood visible on his forehead. Ishii judges there is little time and brings the ship in close, very close.

“All stop!” he commands as the ship draws near the pilot. A rescue party is already gathered along the rail. Before they can get close enough to heave a line, however, the man slips beneath the surface and does not reappear.

“Shun!” Ishii barks. The petty officer needs no further command. His shoes and shirt are already off and his stocky, compact body leaps away from the rail and knifes cleanly into the sea. Down on deck Ensign Izu has a net deployed over the side and men standing by.

A few powerful strokes take Shun to where the pilot vanished. He upends and dives, leaving only a tiny ripple behind as he disappears.

On board ship they wait and watch. Ishii keeps an eye on the position of the ship, ready to maneuver if needed to hold position. On deck Seaman Oizuma shivers slightly, remembering his own recent brush with death. Others stand silently or make low-voiced comments to one another.

A minute passes. It seems like much longer to the men who are waiting and watching. There is yet no sign of either of the two men. The gray swells rise and fall.

Two minutes pass. It is unthinkable that anything could happen to the indestructible Shun, but it has seemed like such a long time now. Among the watching men there are a few ripples of apprehension. There is a lot that can go wrong when trying to save a drowning man from the ocean’s grasp.

“There!” yells someone. Shun breaks the surface about a hundred feet from the ship. He is behind the pilot and has one arm around him. He turns, balancing the pilot on one hip, and with his free arm strokes towards the ship. A cheer comes from the men along the rail.

Men climb down the net to help the pilot aboard. Lieutenant JG Nakagawa is there as the man is hoisted over the rail and he quickly begins treating the waterlogged flyer. Shun climbs up without help.

The pilot has swallowed some water and has a nasty cut on his forehead, but he will be all right. He is soon returned to the carrier. The man’s fellow pilots send several bottles of excellent sake back in return. No one aboard Hibiki objects, and over the next few days several toasts are drunk to the health of both Shun and the pilots aboard Shokaku.

[Fishbed]

Baywatch at Guadalcanal
Now, the world wonders who's gonna play Pamela [:D]

Kuddos to Shun (and his creator of course!)

[Onime No Kyo]

Alright Shun!!!!!!!!!!!

[alaviner]

ORIGINAL: Fishbed

Baywatch at Guadalcanal
Now, the world wonders who's gonna play Pamela [:D]

Kuddos to Shun (and his creator of course!)

maybe we can get Mandrake to loan out the Egyptian girl. [:D][:D]

Seriously - Great work Cuttlefish [&o][&o][&o]

[histgamer]

3 cheers for Shun!!!

HUZZA HUZZA HUZZA!!![&o][&o][&o]

[tocaff]

SUPER SHUN!

[DuckofTindalos]

Wonder what it would take to actually kill Shun...? A 2000lb AP bomb actually landing directly on his head might just make him mad...[:D]

[kaleun]

You don't want to make him mad.[:@]

[Dave3L]

No, no, don't shoot him, it will only make him mad.
 
(My vote to get Shun....Candygram!)

[princep01]

Shun, like any mortal, can be killed with the well aimed shot or the random bomb.  One day, he will joyfully swim the endless depths with the turtles of his mistress, the sea.  But to kill the indomitable spirit he represents will take much, much more than we have seen thus far.

[histgamer]

I don't know if you can kill him. He might be like that rediculous monster in Cloverfield that 120mm depleated uranium rounds just bounce off or that 2000 lb bombs from B-2s just knock over for a few seconds.

[DuckofTindalos]

ORIGINAL: princep01

Shun, like any mortal, can be killed with the well aimed shot or the random bomb. One day, he will joyfully swim the endless depths with the turtles of his mistress, the sea. But to kill the indomitable spirit he represents will take much, much more than we have seen thus far.

Trying to usurp Cuttlefish, are we?[:-]

[Fishbed]

ORIGINAL: flanyboy

I don't know if you can kill him. He might be like that rediculous monster in Cloverfield that 120mm depleated uranium rounds just bounce off or that 2000 lb bombs from B-2s just knock over for a few seconds.

Well I honestly hope for Shun that he is a little bit cuter than that Cloverfield chap at least...!