Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Jzanes]

[Gen.Hoepner]

But we've seen really too few fighters on Jap side involved...are the CVTFS splitted in different hexes?? However the Hibiki's TF doesn't seem to be part of the morning fights...let's hope

[Lecivius]

I seriously wonder if any thread for a stand alone game has ever had so much attention over such a prolonged time.  Notice all the responses within minutes of this latest update!
 
[&o]

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: tabpub

I only pop in here from time to time, but love your narrative version. Wish I had the knack for that; I am limited to a more "operational" type AAR style.

Sounds like you had a hoot of a fight; looking forward to the conclusion. Perhaps some surface groups will split off and attempt to engage now....<popping back out to spectator mode....jostling Solli for a good seat...and spilling my daquiri...damn...>

[:D] All hope is not lost........but I am concerned about "Ozawa's blunder". [:(]

[Feinder]

Maybe Ozawa decided to "react to enemy TFs...?"
&nbsp;
-F-

[histgamer]

Seriously it sounds like the Japanese are about to lose a massive portion of their CV fleet.[:(] I hope at least half it survives so that there will be a slim chance for delaying actions in the future and maybe a IJN resurgance? However I know I hope in vain.[:(]

[histgamer]

Thats so close I would think the surface forces would react doesnt anyone else?[:(]

[Mike Solli]

Yeah, I hope so too, but "Ozawa's blunder" sure doesn't sound like the surface forces react. [:(]

[Mike Solli]

Ok Cuttlefish, we've all waited long enough.&nbsp; We're getting ulcers over here. [:(]

[BrucePowers]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Ok Cuttlefish, we've all waited long enough.  We're getting ulcers over here. [:(]

[:D][:D][:D][:D]

I think it is called building the suspense level.

He is quite good at it. We are all on pins and needles.[8D]

[Cuttlefish]

November 19, 1943 - PM phase

Location: 60 miles northwest of Sands Island
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 275

Orders: Engage enemy forces attacking the New Hebrides

---

“Signal from Shokaku, sir,” says the lookout tasked with keeping an eye on the flagship. “All ships are ordered to assume standard cruising formation and head west, speed 26 knots.”

“What?” says Ishii. “Are you sure?”

“Chokai is asking for confirmation now, sir,” says the lookout. Then: “Admiral Ozawa has confirmed the order, sir.”

Ishii shrugs. “Well, he knows what is going on better than we do,” he tells Lieutenant Miharu, and gives the appropriate orders.

“This may be an attempt to close with our surface forces,” says the lieutenant. “We are close enough that it might work.”

“Could be,” says Ishii. “We will know soon enough.”

---

Historians will long debate the reason that Admiral Ozawa orders this maneuver. He will claim after the battle that he received information that the Allied force was retreating and that he was in fact trying for a surface interception. Unfortunately not only is this information erroneous, but the order does not reach any of the five other Japanese task forces. Ozawa’s force alone moves sixty miles to the west. This not only leaves them isolated and vulnerable, but they are now southwest of the Allied force instead of southeast. The enemy is between them and safety.

The Allied force is quick to detect and take advantage of Ozawa’s move. Admiral Boyd’s carriers are pretty much out of the fight, but there are still eight Essex and Independence class carriers in two groups under Admirals Clark and Spruance. They have lost a lot of planes and many others are too damaged to fly, but they have enough left to throw a heavy punch at Ozawa.

The Japanese carriers can only put up about 20 fighters in defense. The bulk of the Japanese fighters remain to the east, covering the main Japanese force.

---

Taiki tracks another American dive bomber and gives orders to lay the guns and open fire. It feels as though he has been doing this forever, though in fact it has only been a few minutes. But the deadly chains of bombers continue to unwind overhead, plunging downward towards nearby Shokaku.

His concentration is all on the planes. Everything else is blotted out; the deafening noise, the smoke, the frantic maneuvering of the carrier and her escorts. Even the fact that Shokaku has already taken four bombs barely registers. There is only the next target, the calculations, and the order to fire.

Suddenly his 25mm guns fall silent. The ready supply of ammunition has been exhausted. Taiki calls for more magazines. These are already being brought up, and though it seems like forever it is only about 40 seconds before his guns resume fire.

Another bomb strikes the carrier, and there are more planes coming in.

---

Shokaku, 300 meters to starboard, is an inferno. The big carrier, veteran of so many battles, has been struck by ten bombs and three torpedoes. Ensign Izu and Chief Petty Officer Shun are at the rail as a boat comes alongside. Izu helps Admiral Ozawa climb the net and up onto the deck. He then turns back to see to the safety of the Emperor’s portrait, safely rescued from Shokaku’s bridge.

Captain Ishii meets Ozawa as he steps aboard. He gives the Admiral a crisp salute, but he is shocked at Ozawa’s appearance. The ugly little officer, known widely as “the Gargoyle”, is soot-stained and bleeding from a cut on his forehead. Worse than that, he looks old. Ishii thinks he looks a hundred years older than we he last saw him in Kwajalein.

“What are your orders, sir?” he asks. Ozawa turns and looks over at Shokaku, then turns slowly back to Ishii.

“Conduct rescue operations,” he says. “Then get me to Zuikaku, I will raise my flag there.” Zuikaku has stopped a torpedo but has not sustained much damage. In the distance Akagi, victim of three torpedoes and as many bombs, is also on fire and has a distinct list.

“Yes sir,” says Ishii. He escorts the admiral to the bridge. Izu and Shun bundle the portrait below decks. As it passes Hibiki’s crewmen they pause, even in the middle of battle, and bow towards it with profound respect. Many of them have tears running down their cheeks.

---

Another explosion tears through Shokaku. On the bridge Lieutenant Miharu winces as a fragment of metal the size of a tin can lid whistles through the air and buries itself in a bulkhead a few feet away.

“Sir,” he tells Captain Ishii, “we have got to put more distance between us and Shokaku.” Hibiki is now only 100 meters away from the sinking carrier, pulling men out of the water on every side.

“Not all of those men in the water are going to make it if we do that,” snaps Ishii.

“Sir, I know that,” says the lieutenant. “But any minute now those fires are going to reach the ammunition storage and when that happens this ship will be in real danger. Sir, we MUST withdraw.” Ishii glances over at Admiral Ozawa, who is standing silently at the back of the bridge. Ozawa looks back at him and makes a slight gesture. It is Ishii’s call.

Captain Ishii curses, then nods. “You’re right, Exec,” he says, then orders Hibiki to come around and stand by another 400 meters out. His face is set like stone as he hears the cries from some of the men still in the water.

---

The Japanese carriers to the east – Junyo, Hiyo, Ryuho, Shoho, Zuiho, and Ryujo – launch the best attack they can against the Americans. Unfortunately this attack is too feeble to break through even the Allied force’s attenuated CAP, and no damage is inflicted.

Akagi and Shokaku sink before nightfall. To the east the remaining Japanese carriers will attempt to retire to the northeast under the cover of darkness. Task Force 4, with Ozawa now commanding from Zuikaku, will attempt the same thing. Not only are they slowed by the damaged carrier, however, but the enemy is between them and safety.

Aboard Hibiki there will be little rest for the tired crew. The long day is going to be followed by a long and dangerous night, and if they get through that no one knows what the morning might bring.

[Feinder]

Battle may not be over yet...
&nbsp;

&nbsp;
-F-

[FeurerKrieg]

Boo hiss on those Americans....

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: Feinder

Battle may not be over yet...



-F-

No, I believe we are about to enter the 'pursuit' phase of the battle.

[oz_boater]

"The Japanese carriers to the east – Junyo, Hiyo, Ryuho, Shoho, Zuiho, and Ryujo" - not a single purpose built carrier left operational to the East? (apart from Ryujo - which was "lightly built, overloaded and unstable" according to Conways).

Junyo, Hiyo - Converted liners - poor WT subdivision - cramped hangers - see speed about 22 kts
Ryuho - converted sup support ship - weak hull - poor subdivision < 26 knots
Shoho, Zuiho - converted sub support ships

This is more than a bit scary for the Japanese. Not having WitP (well, not this one, I do have the SPI game of the same name) I don't know how the game rates these remaining carriers but it does seem a bother.

Big thanks to Cuttlefish for what has been an enthralling journey. Have not enjoyed anything online this much in years.

[ChezDaJez]

The mother of all carrier battles... 12 vs 12. It's unfortunate that the first Japanese strike chose the Brit TF but such is the fortune of war. Ozawa's reaction cost the IJN dearly but with only two carriers lost at this point, there is hope that the others can be saved. I don't know what Zuikaku's speed is after the torp hit nor do I know what course CF intends for her to take but I think I would probably have run SSE in the hopes that the US CVTFs would pursue north and open the range enough to prevent any further reaction. She is the best carrier the IJN has (left) IMO.

Its been my experience that nothing, repeat, nothing will prevent a carrier TF from reacting to enemy carriers. You can set reaction to 0, change commanders, even transfer air groups off of them. In a previous game, I once had Zuikaku and Shokaku, both heavily damaged and incapable of flight ops, react to Brit carriers. Needless to say, both were blasted to bits.

Good luck, CF.

Chez

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

is the mostly British task force commanded by Admiral Sir Denis Boyd. It is this group, with carriers Victorious, Indomitable, Formidable, and the American light carrier Cowpens, that bears the fury of the Japanese attack.

You have to like wolffpack's sense of irony, grouping the Cowpens with the British Carrier TF...

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: ChezDaJez



Its been my experience that nothing, repeat, nothing will prevent a carrier TF from reacting to enemy carriers. You can set reaction to 0, change commanders, even transfer air groups off of them. In a previous game, I once had Zuikaku and Shokaku, both heavily damaged and incapable of flight ops, react to Brit carriers. Needless to say, both were blasted to bits.

Good luck, CF.

Chez

I have had some success forming a surface TF with do not react orders and setting my carriers to follow the surface TF.

[Terminus]

Good fight so far...

[cantona2]

Very Good fight. Sorry but i'm an AFB to the end [:'(]