Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Heeward

“Ensign Turnby, Lieutenant Kennedy, I wish to introduce you to my wife,” Riku says. He speaks Japanese for Nanami’s sake, knowing that both men have become reasonably proficient in the language during their stay as guests of the Empire.

Is this the first time Jack's last name has been given?

Yes it is.

[Cuttlefish]

September 4, 1944

Location: Osaka/Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 7
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Undergo refit at Kobe

---

Lieutenant Miharu’s wife is upset because there is no soap. Both she and her husband are from relatively wealthy families, and furthermore she is the wife of an officer. As summer turns to autumn in 1944 shortages for the average Japanese citizen are often more serious than just soap.

There are, if fact, shortages of almost everything; cloth, food, gasoline, shoes, and many other everyday items. It isn’t that Japanese factories are producing less, or that there is less raw material flowing into Japan. Levels of both are higher than they were before the war. The problem is that Japan is trying to compete with the industrial output of her enemies. America alone has ten times Japan’s industrial capacity. As the war draws closer and closer to Japan more and more of Japan’s economy is devoted to the war. And it still isn’t enough, not nearly enough.

This means that things are hard for Japanese civilians, and getting harder. People are hungry. More and more men are gone and many houses show the flags that indicate one of them is not coming home. Some houses show two or three such flags.

But there can be no thought of complaining, at least not in public, not where someone might hear. There are listening ears everywhere and the worse the war goes the less tolerant of dissent the government becomes. To even grumble at the lack of food can mean a trip to jail and a beating. To grieve openly at the loss of a loved one is to undermine the war effort.

And in fact to most Japanese it really does seem unpatriotic to complain while the men are enduring such hardships overseas. What is a bare larder compared to the risks men are enduring in battle? What most civilians do not realize, even while practicing air raid drills, is just what it will mean if the enemy advances much closer and escorted enemy bombers are able to start reaching Japan in large numbers.

Hibiki’s crew sees what things are like at home and they have some idea what Allied air power can do. Despite weddings and other distractions work on the ship progresses swiftly. The men know that the final desperate battles of the war are approaching and they mean to be ready.

---

Main headline in the September 4 edition of the Chicago Tribune:

[font="Times New Roman"]Army Announces End of Japanese Resistance on Guam[/font]

[tocaff]

Well we all know that the Marianas in Allied hands mean that the B-29s can hit Japan.  How goes the war in other areas?

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: tocaff

Well we all know that the Marianas in Allied hands mean that the B-29s can hit Japan.  How goes the war in other areas?

Yes, it's about time for another "summary-of-the-war" rumor session (over several alcoholic beverages in a suitable establishment).

[Skipjack]

Perhaps a Frank Barnwell update as well? [:D] 

What will we do when this AAR comes to an end?  I'm hoping Japan holds on for at least another year.

[John 3rd]

Thanks again CF.
 

[Cuttlefish]

September 5, 1944

Location: Osaka/Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 5
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Undergo refit at Kobe

---

As night falls the repair crews leave the ship and Hibiki’s own work crews stand down. Lieutenant Sugiyura walks into the officer’s wardroom just as dinner is being served.

“Did you hear?” he asks as he sits down. “Admiral Shimada has offered his resignation to Tojo, who has accepted it.” There are surprised comments from around the table. Shimada is, or rather was, the Naval Minister.

“It was not as voluntary as that, I am sure,” comments Lieutenant Miharu. “I imagine that this is Tojo’s final effort to save his cabinet.” As the Allies have advanced Tojo’s popularity had plummeted, especially among all branches of the military. Rumors that the Emperor would ask for his resignation have been circulating for weeks.

“He’s trying to blame it all on the Navy,” says Sakati. “Typical.”

“He might get away with it, too,” says Miharu. “With the latest British effort to cross the Irrawaddy and advance on Rangoon stopped cold the Army can boast of some success. The Navy, on the other hand, has done little lately.”

“And no one cares that the Army is slowly letting the Australians devour New Guinea?” asks Lieutenant Kataoka. It is known in the military, though not by most civilians, that the Allies are advancing along the northern New Guinea coast and are now approaching Hollandia.

“From what we saw of New Guinea the enemy can have it!” says Sugiyura. “Though I suppose they might threaten our sea routes to the Southern Area if they push too far.”

“So who do you think will be the next Navy Minister, sir?” Lieutenant Kuwaki asks Miharu. The ship’s executive officer is recognized as the most politically savvy man on board.

“Yonai, I might imagine,” Lieutenant Miharu says. “Or…possibly Admiral Yamamoto?”

“Yamamoto!” says Sugiyura. “Now that might be enough to save Tojo’s job.”

“It might,” agrees Miharu. “Which is one reason I doubt he would accept if asked.” Yamamoto’s dislike of Tojo is known to almost equal his dislike of politics.

“Ah,” says Sakati. “But what if the Emperor asked Yonai to form a new cabinet? Admiral Yamamoto might take the post of Naval Minister then, don’t you think?”

“He might” says Miharu, “but the Army would never allow it. No government could be formed without the Army’s approval, not these days.”

“How did they end up with all the power, when we have all the brains?” says Sugiyura.

“That’s a damned good question, lad,” says Sakati, pouring himself another drink. No one has an answer, though.

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

September 5, 1944


“He might get away with it, too,” says Miharu. “With the latest British effort to cross the Irrawaddy and advance on Rangoon stopped cold the Army can boast of some success. The Navy, on the other hand, has done little lately.”

“And no one cares that the Army is slowly letting the Australians devour New Guinea?” asks Lieutenant Kataoka. It is known in the military, though not by most civilians, that the Allies are advancing along the northern New Guinea coast and are now approaching Hollandia.

“From what we saw of New Guinea the enemy can have it!” says Sugiyura. “Though I suppose they might threaten our sea routes to the Southern Area if they push too far.”

“So who do you think will be the next Navy Minister, sir?” Lieutenant Kuwaki asks Miharu. The ship’s executive officer is recognized as the most politically savvy man on board.

“Yonai, I might imagine,” Lieutenant Miharu says. “Or…possibly Admiral Yamamoto?”

“Yamamoto!” says Sugiyura. “Now that might be enough to save Tojo’s job.”

Wish granted in spades! Interesting that Tojo is still in the top spot, but given that the Marianas Turkey Shoot hasn't happened yet, it makes sense. Masterly dialogue from the various characters.[&o]

[Cuttlefish]

September 6, 1944

Location: Osaka/Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 4
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Undergo refit at Kobe

---

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

…and then the radar instructor questioned me at length about the contents of the manuals. I was careful to get a few answers wrong. Officers do not like it when you get everything right! If they get a few chances to snarl and correct you they are much happier.

The equipment aboard ship isn’t operational yet but it will be soon. I am looking forward to it. They say each radar set has its own idiosyncrasies, its own personality almost. I must grow to know mine the way a parent knows its child.

Which reminds me of an odd thing. Lieutenant Miharu returned to the ship today and stopped to ask me how the radar instruction was going. I asked about his wife, just to be polite and since she and Sayumi have become friends, and he kind of winced.

“Let me give you some advice, Takahashi,” he said to me. “When your wife become pregnant, even when she resembles a small beluga whale it is not a good thing to mention this fact.” And that is all he had to say on the subject.

Riku should be back tomorrow. Shun has apparently been behaving normally, which is to say he has been grumpy and terrorizing the crew. I take this as a good sign, really…

[Shark7]

Poor, poor Lt. Miharu....walked right into the trap...and it seems it 'snapped' shut on him. [:D]

[tocaff]

Situation normal aboard Hibiki with all of her crew.

I still can't get over what a wonderful job you do telling your tale.  CF, you've really outdone yourself with this and I can't even call it an AAR because in truth it's so much more. There are others out there whose AARs are enjoyable to track, but your story is nothing short of masterful.  Thanks for the time and effort you put into this for our enjoyment.  Kudos.......

I'd like to offer my services to you if you ever feel the need for some research for this work of art and find that your time prohibits you from conducting it. Sort of my way of paying you back for what you've been giving to me. You've got my email.

[princep01]

ORIGINAL: Shark7

Poor, poor Lt. Miharu....walked right into the trap...and it seems it 'snapped' shut on him. [:D]

Heehee.....I see your point, but think the result was more of a "monsoon of tears" than the violence a "flight of cook vessels and other handy objects":).

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: princep01

ORIGINAL: Shark7

Poor, poor Lt. Miharu....walked right into the trap...and it seems it 'snapped' shut on him. [:D]

Heehee.....I see your point, but think the result was more of a "monsoon of tears" than the violence a "flight of cook vessels and other handy objects":).

Either way, the end result is the same...as we have seen. hehehe [X(]

[kaleun]

a "monsoon of tears" than the violence a "flight of cook vessels and other handy objects":).

Princep01: I now know who you are!

George R Martin: Get off this forum immediately and finish "Dance of Dragons"[;)]

Seriously, I love a great turn of phrase and those two are spectacular (If you are not George R Martin.

[John 3rd]

Kaleun--I am a HUGE fan of the Martin books and cannot WAIT for the next one! 
 

[Cuttlefish]

September 7, 1944

Location: Osaka/Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 3
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Undergo refit at Kobe

---

“I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor, dumb bastard die for his country.” General George S. Patton, whose Third Army has just crossed the Meuse River in northern France, has never uttered these exact words, which will be made famous in a movie twenty-six years from now. He has, however, said things rather similar and there is little doubt that the quote nicely sums up Patton’s attitude.

Captain Ishii has never met or even heard of General Patton. He would, however, agree with the quote if he ever heard it.

---

“I would like to help sink an enemy battleship before I die,” says a lieutenant commander named Kaku. He and several other officers, Ishii included, are discussing the war situation at a reception at the Kobe Naval Headquarters. “Or better still, an aircraft carrier!”

“It is unlikely the enemy will offer you that chance,” says Lieutenant Commander Hajime, captain of Hibiki’s surviving sister ship Inazuma. “What is important is that we face death bravely, in whatever battle it comes.” The conversation continues in this vein for several minutes, until finally Ishii can stand it no longer.

“I hear a lot of talk about dying,” he says. “While I respect the spirit behind it, I must disagree. We are naval officers. It is not our job to die, it is our job to destroy the enemy.”

“You have been out there, Ishii,” says Hajime. “You know what we are facing. Tell me you are not among those fools who still talk of sweeping the enemy from the seas!”

“Of course not,” says Ishii. “Our resources are too limited and theirs too great. But that is why we must preserve our forces, not throw them away in some quest to die bravely. All this talk of dying, I hear it everywhere. Bah! I mean to keep fighting. If my ship is sunk I will find another and continue. Dying is what the enemy wants us to do! “

“Are you a coward, then?” asks Kaku. The gathering goes very quiet. Hajime, who knows Ishii fairly well, eyes him nervously.

Ishii tosses back his drink. “If you were a real officer and not a shore-bound pencil pusher I might take offense at that,” he says softly. “Instead all I have to say is this. I have the courage to face whatever comes, even defeat. Can you say the same?” He sets down his glass and walks from the room.

[princep01]

The truly brave man simply walks away from the ignorant fool.  Well done, brave Captain.

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: princep01

The truly brave man simply walks away from the ignorant fool. Well done, brave Captain.

Perhaps -- but it's not the classic Japanese attitude, which prefers death to defeat. Let's hope this doesn't get back to the secret police . . .

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

ORIGINAL: princep01

The truly brave man simply walks away from the ignorant fool. Well done, brave Captain.

Perhaps -- but it's not the classic Japanese attitude, which prefers death to defeat. Let's hope this doesn't get back to the secret police . . .

The Japanese vs Western view on so many issues led to WWII and so many misunderstandings. One Japanese officer denying the jurisdiction of the War Crimes Tribunal said that if the Japanese had won the war LeMay and others would be on trial for crimes against teh Japanese citizenry. We as Westerners rail against the Rape of Nanking yet turn a blind eye to the hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians burned to death by LeMay's fire bombing campaign.

The concept of defeat and surrender could not be more polar opposites when considering the Western view vs. Japanese. The Allies saw no shame in surrendering when faced with a hopeless situation. Our view is that the mindless sacrifice of men's lives with no hope of success would be dereliction of duty on part of the commanders. The Japanese view would be that it would be shameful for a commander to even ask his men to dishonor themselves by surrendering. The poor treatment of PoW's by the Japanese was rooted in the belief that this men had shamed themselves and their familes with such a dishonarble act as surrender that they did not deserve to be treated well.

So having many Japanese officers and enlisted men believe that death is preferabel to defeat is very in keeping with their mindset. A person could make the point that true courage is admitting you are defeated as opposed to mindless sacrifice for no reason. Read Seas of Thinder recently where the premise that Kurita's withdraw at Leyte Gulf was a carefully orchestrated ruse to save his men and ships from a pointless sacrifice.

[FeurerKrieg]

Recently read Seas of Thunder myself - pretty good book.