herbiesan vs Cantona!!!

[1275psi]

11/2/42
Major Roi leads the fighters today - 47th sentai is sullen and angry - late last night the Major and Takenaka "discussed tactics". it was a loud and angry discussion -and heard through the thin walls of the majors wooden hut by many, many on the base.

Today 10 oscars lead 6 Tojos, they are all escorting a single KI-15 babs involved in critical recon.
The enemy appear -9 p40b - and for some 10 minutes a mexican stand off ensues -the P40's circling widely around the formation - maybe seeking an advantage -maybe not.
Unexpectantly the enemy formation breaks away, and leaves them to their mission.

Its all an anti climax. Quietly several pilots today would not have minded combat at all -lethal combat for a certain major............

[1275psi]

KI-15

[1275psi]

47th sentai still has some 6 transports assigned to them - and currently they too"seem to have been overlooked"
for the last few datys their pilots have been keping a relativly low profile at the far end of the field.
They eye cautiously the two fighter pilots who wander from the "operating " end of the field. Both are still dressed in their flight gear -and still also somewhat sweaty from the flight they have just returned from.
Capt Iwaya is -when he wants to be -quite a jolly fellow, and it takes only a few quick words, and the transport pilots are grinning. The grins turn to positive smiles and laughter at the words "case', Jonny walker, quick trip"

The laughter only increases when Hyakute mentions what they need transported.
"Now thats an unusual cargo my friend!" laughs one "but as long as you promise to clean up after it -I'm game -one to tell the children this!"
"And a night in Shanghia would be a bonus would it not?" adds Iwaya -and some cash is flashed.
In very good humour the transport is fuelled, and departs. Nobody comments on its departure - just another supply run.
Canton field covers nearly a square mile -maybe more.
Nobody misses the two pilots that night.

[1275psi]

WO Inoue recieves the news with relief
Magwe in the North of Burma has fallen, and the 1st para regiment has been relieved.
In his heart he knows that his Son is still safe.
1st para will need a rest now -and maybe he stood a chance of yet seeing him again.

[1275psi]

12/2/42

Captain Iwaya setled into his "office"
Now he knew how Kuroe felt when one had spent an"interesting night" -one in this case involving a long flight, a very interesting shopping trip, a lot of alchol, a lot of mud, and another long flight this morning.

How in the world they had pulled it off still amazed him. it had been a night to remember though.
before he begins his pre flights, he glances to the fighter beside him -Hyakute seemed to be OK -Ah yes -he's noticed. Hyakute gives a thumbs up - and that grin of his.
"I hope I don't look as bad as he does" grumbled Iwaya.
Then with a grimace - heavens -his boots still had mud on them -his good boots! -he began the process of getting his office into the air.
With luck they would not meet any enemy today -please -just a nice quiet flight -and he could get back to here -and a bed.

then he might actually go and have a proper look at his latests investment.

The checks were automatic
Control, harness, airframe and controls, outside,trim, instruments, controls check again.
Then the engine - fuel, mix, prop, air induction, -and , now ..........start.

Good - a good healthy start.
manifolds good, pressures good.
The sentai -just 5 planes today -warms their engines -the ground crews removing the chocks - and then all eyes on the crude tower.
The light flashes -and Iwaya gingerly taxis the fighter -this is more than difficult -there is simply no way to see over the engine cowling -one must fishtale carefully(without twisting off the undercart) -and use the edge of the field as a guide against the wingtip.

But once the power is applied -that great thrilling bellow -and the tail comes up -all is good -very, very good.

They climb quickly -and again -operating under orders from the major assume a rough formation flight at 7000 feet. The major is following with 12 KI-43 at 10000 feet, some mile behind.

Iwaya does not get his wish -Juni B spots them first - 3 flights of 3 toma hawks -same altitude -some miles ahead - moving right to left.
To the uninitiated -the combat occurs frighteningly fast -what were tiny little dots expand at a great rate into solid growling machines -machines now turning in -flashing past -tracer from both sides splitting the air.
Iwaya turns brutally hard left, but overcooks his stick, and he passes the vertical, inverting slightly, and adds to his woes by continuing left rudder far too hard -and his nose drops -and he has fallen out of the fight.

he curses -last night has not helped! -and tries to climb to the fight.
but its over -no harm to anyone, the Americans have run away for today.

His Office may be able to do hundreds of miles per hour - but nobody, in any office -can produce anything after a big night before!

The Office

[cantona2]

Flying a Tojo with a hangover does not seem a good idea!

[1275psi]

Its later in the evening, the sun has about an hour to setting -and Hyakute and Iwaya have managed to leave the field. Iwaya's plane needs work - that last flight has popped several rivets -and the mechanics won't let it fly again until they can confirm if the wing has been fatally strained or not
Hyakute's is down for a 500hrly - if the enemy did attack - a unlikely event - they cannot contribute at all.
Both pilots are now back at the barn -and Iwaya remains very, very impresed -in fact, quite intimidated by his latest investment
"How in the hell did we get it here?" he asks - tentitively reaching out to stroke a broad back
"I don't know my friend -alchol helps some times does it not?"

A contemplative silence
'Yes , yes it does"

Iwaya's new investment:
(yes -its the new bull)

[1275psi]

13/2/42
japanese expansion continues throughout the DEI resource zone, with the allies falling away in front of the advance
Invasions at Mersing, Teloekbetoeng, and further troops arrivals at Manilla showed that the advance -seemingly stalled for a while, was now again picking up speed

Further signs of an expanding war reached Canton field this day with the unexpected arrival of a Navy air unit -the F1 saesoba zero unit
26 brand new zeros -still smelling of fresh paint arrived in immaculate formation, and rapidly established themselves on the field -and instantly transformed the atmosphere of the base.
47th sentai , and major roi now had a serious rival -and probably in their eyes, one more dangerous to their proffessional honour.

[1275psi]

14/2/42

The men of 47th sentai have already begun to be quite abused by major Roi, the unfortunate leader of the navy zeros quickly "was persuaded" to "co operate" with the army fighters

really, they had no choice - canton field is an Army base -manned almost exclusively by Army support troops. Now these men were capable of quickly learning the maintenance needs of the zeros -but were under no obligation too.
Maybe it was the rarity of having the Navy men at the field -and a strong curiosity to see the new zero perform -swung the issue.
Today the zeros would be explored, and tomorrow all 3 units would seek the enemy.
The AVG would be found -and killed!

[1275psi]

The Juni twins welcomed the new pilots with wide open arms
Major Roi's men 'were on the outer" -shunned at this time.

It took little time that night before they, Iwaya, and Kuroe were firmly enconsed in the navy pilots mess -and the cards were out.
Sake flowed, then the whisky

The Navy men were very keen to hear of the P40's.
All were quickly , and keenly made aware of the hitting power of them -very pertinant in the unprotected zero! -but also of there weaknesses.

Major roi may have thought he ruled the base - but here -over whisky and cards -the real leadership and thinking took place.
The game broke up realativly early -tomorrow a new tactic.
There was flying to be done.

[1275psi]

Major Takenaka did not join the game -as much as he wanted too.
Instead he went jogging -with so many moves -so many breaks in the routines -he had fallen badly out of shape.
There was much to think about.

The Juni twins were still Ok - still the same hard drinking, hard gambling men of the wars beginning -but also still fully focused on what they were here for -flying and fighting

Hyakute was definately worse -still flying and fighting as if this whole thing was a game -and where in the world was he going every night?

he missed Inoute - how long until he healed and they saw his return?

Iwaya - was-well - Iwaya.
Definately a crap pilot - but still an assett -but a real worry that he was hanging out with Hyakute so much.

Kuroe was definately a drunk. No doubt about it. And thus absolutely to be avoided as a wingman. yes. Absolutely.
Drunks get flamed

That left Inoue -who was steadily withdrawing into a shell - consumed with worry for his son.

They needed a leader. A real one
Fast, before it all really went pear shaped

[1275psi]

The zeros arrive
canton field is filling again, zeros, Tojos, oscars, some recon, transports, the high command is at this time detirmined to gain the skys

[1275psi]

The airfield comes to life many hours before dawn.
It’s the cooks – who go to work first –as I suspect it is all around the world
In England –it will be tea brewing, in America –coffee. Here it is tea too, and the morning meal is prepared. –rice balls –some fish –a few vegetables.
The mechanics will soon be at work – the bases generator has to be brought on line – the powerful lights in the scattered hangers consume far more power than what the primitive civilian sources can supply.

Each plane has a dedicated team of men, some planes up to 16 men –each under the watchful eye of a siebicho – petty officer.
Each plane in turn either has to be rolled out of its hanger –or reverent –and as Canton field is so large – and the planes so scattered, this will involve trucks dispatching to all quarters.
Each plane takes 180 to 260 gallons of fuel – and this is a dance in itself –the field (and common to nearly all Japanese fields) is short of fuel trucks.
This fact alone determines the horribly early start for so many on the field.

The work for the armourers is not as heavy today –no bombers –no bombs –just endless strings of ammunition to be fed into guns, checked, and checked again.
There are windscreens to be polished, wings to be polished, fuselages to be polished –everything to be polished.

All this takes place even as the sky faintly hints at the coming dawn.
Even as the first cock crows – afar better alarm shatters the dawn symphony of the mechanics grumbling, and joking and discussing the day –the scrunch of tyres on gravel –the rattle of harnesses. First one, then another –soon a mighty roar of engines fills the field –this rumble will last for some time –today though one Tojo fails its manifold test –only 5 will fly today.

Our pilots emerge too – the day still not breaking.
The routine is the same – breakfast, then the gathering of gear –flight suits, parachutes (although not all will fly with them –especially amongst the navy pilots), clipboards.
The briefing is unlike anything the opposition would experience – it is a simple gathering around the flight leader –a few scratched lines in the sand –an exhortation “to do our best”, and then a jog to the waiting planes.

The planes depart –12 oscars, 27 zeros, 5 tojos –and they depart quickly –it is an impressive sight.
Thirty minutes later sees the formations spread over an extended area –the KI-44s today well ahead, the Oscars following.
The plan begins to take shape………….

The twins glance at each other, nod, and the Tojos gently break right as group, and the zeros pull away to the left. The Tojos slow down, and begin to circle at about 9000 feet, the Oscars at 10000.
The formation is sloppy, ragged, and for all the world –looking very distracted.
It takes very little time for the quarry to turn up.
Again Juni V spots them first –4 in number –P40s again – again at 10000 feet –circling a few miles to the north of them.
He wags his wings –and the KI 44s turn to the east, the Oscars following above.
The P40’s turn to –paralleling them –climbing steadily above them.
Today they are braver –and once at 12000 or so feet –they turn in, and dive on the Oscars.
The action is quick –and several things seem to happen at once.
The KI 44’s throw throttles to the stops –and climb hard towards the enemy –the oscars break hard too – into the enemy – but before anything else can happen – the zeros- unobserved – and coming in from the west – prove their mettle in 5 violent seconds – the cannons making all the difference
3 p40s die with out even seeing them –the other flashes through everyone –and dives like a brick to safety
The AVG have something else to worry about now…………..

[1275psi]

15/2/42
47 sentai

Hyakute 21 missions
Juni V - 23 missions -flew today
Juni b -22 -flew today
Iwaya -23 -flew today
Takenaka - flew today
Kuroe - Plane U/s
Inoue - flew today

Sentai in conjuction with F1 -saesabo, and F2/24 Chutai - conducted offensive sweep mission -4 times P40b engaged by our fighters -3 enemy confirmed shot down for nil loss.

[1275psi]

Wo Inoue listens to the news that night with great alarm

"our glorious 1st para brigade is again in action today - Akyab has been taken in another bold, daring attack!"

The big old radio continues with news of further advances in Burma, of teloekbetoeng falling -but all he can here -is" despite heavy losses -the base now gives the army the keys to calcutta" - despite heavy losses, despite heavy losses, despite heavy losses................

[1275psi]

loading for Akyab invasion........

[1275psi]

16/2/42

47th sentai has a very busy day.
The routine is the same as yesterday -an early rise, the briefing
Today though no contact is made, the enemy has moved again.
The afternoon see's steady showers of rain sweep across the field -and all afternoon flights are scrubbed.

6 planes are still available -and tomorrow the army has asked for some CAP over Wuchow.

[1275psi]

This evening Iwaya learns all about courage -how it can take many forms

He and Hyakute have just a small job to do.
Quite simple really.
Hyakute smiles at his friends discomfort "All you have to do, is jump over the fence -I'll hold the gate open -and chase him into the next paddock"
"and?"
"and then my city friend -you will see nature take its course"

Iwaya takes a big breath. He knows Hyakute is taking the piss out of him -but there is a lot at stake here. Surely a great fighter pilot -full of Bushido spirit -was not scared of a cow?
He eyes the beast again. The Bull eyes him back -with contempt?
This was worse than facing a B-17!
he screwed his eyes, and with a grunt, leapt the fence -fully prepared to leap straight back

The Bull eyed him carefully
"Shoo -come on you walking stew -shoo"
Hyakute grins at the antics -but opens the gate -half mindful to leave it shut.

but it all goes well.
"Mr Bull" Hyakute introduces the beast" meet Mrs Cow"
greatly relieved, Iwaya adds - "yes -meet your buea -and now make many children -and us much profit"

"Will she like him?" he asks
Hyakute shrugs - "who knows. We japanese have many, many arranged marriages -maybe this one will work too. If we live long enough we may find out".

[1275psi]

17/2/42

The morning went well.
An hours patrol over wunchow -where both sides are desolutorily throwing artillery shells at each other -the war here has been stagnant for nearly a month now - the chinese too weak to counterattack -the japanese unwilling to damage units to attack.

No contacts are made, and the sentai returns with out incident.

The afternoon begins the same - fuelling, a routine take off -and transit to the patrol area.
Its on the northern leg of the patrol -whilst about 10 miles over chinese lines, that it happens
The formation is the usual 2 flights of 3, and its Iwaya and Kuroe on the right outer side.
Takenaka waggles his wings and the sentai banks left following -only Kuroe iether does not see it -or makes a mistake.
later, they will find a half empty bottle of scotch in his mess -and this probably is what caused it.
regardless -Iwaya has no time to adjust - and he and Kuroe come together with terrifying abruptness.
Kuroe loses half the left wing -Iwaya his engine -his canopy - far too much to even attempt to recover from.
He does not hesitate - safely exiting his crippled, spinning, fallen bird in mere moments.
His chute opens well - but the sentai is over disputed territory....................

Kuroes plane flies straight for a micro second -then disolves into a tumble of spinning metal and fire - an arc of fire marked by a sickening stain in the paddies below.

The Sentai flies on -it all happens so quickly that nobody sees the collision -and its not for another 30 seconds before they notice.

for the moment -47th sentai can now be considered finished as a fighting unit .

[1275psi]

WO Kuroe
kiled in OP loss
17/2/42

Exp level - 98!!!!!!!!!--this is a loss that will really hurt