herbiesan vs Cantona!!!

[1275psi]

Major Iwaya - MIA
17/2/42

[FeurerKrieg]

Bummer - two pilots gone at once.

This unit should be getting some new faces soon I imagine - and some old frames.

[1275psi]

There is no time to mourn the loss.
Somebody at high command has noticed the bleeding of the experimental fighter unit - and finally realised that its pilots just may have a few insights into what needs to be changed for the production model.

Within an hour the change has occured -from being in the middle of a shooting war -to transitting back to Japan.
Its this thought -home -that probably helps the unit best - poor Iwaya has already been placed into"the past companion list" in most minds - and moral hardly seems to suffer at all.
Hyakute will have to wait to find out if the bulls work was successful, and majot Roi will have to find other bunnies to abuse.

The four remaining fighters spend overnight at Taihoku, the twins ,takenaka and Inoue pilotting them -Hyakute takes a transport directly to kagoshima -and gains the extra days leave.

[1275psi]

Operations diary
47th sentai -kagoshima

18/2/42

Hyakute 23missions
Juni V 24 missions
Juni B 23 Missions
Takenaka 24 missions
Inoue 21 missions

Weather: morning clear, afternoon clear
47 sentai now under the command of Home command

47th sentai has been stood down from operations -reduced to only 4 operational planes.
High Command has decided not to disband this unit inline with general policy of not disbanding any units -but after analysis of plane, and receipt of pilots reports on the Ki-44 -to re deploy to front - and to use pilots as a nucleus for growth of a full sentai

Pilots given leave, travel passes and orders to report to factory at Gumna

Unit so far has lost 5 planes, 3 pilots killed, one is WIA, one is MIA.
Unit has 5 kills.

[1275psi]

18/2/42

The Unit basically disbands for the next 5 days -the 4 remaining a/c are placed into a hanger at Kagoshima, and all the pilots now spread over Japan to enjoy a few days off.

At this stage High Command is torn over whether to totally disband this unit - and place the pilots into another group - or to simply continue as is.
High Command decides that trying to disband is just too difficult.........

The two twins are lucky, they live in Kagoshima -only some 2 miles from the docks -in a small little hamlet balanced precariously on the side of a hill overlooking the bay. Although the house is tiny -even by Japanese standards -it does have a small garden.

Mother is there -as mothers always are -and the home coming is -as usual -sweet.
Better yet , I-26 has just arrived at Hiroshima -and their father may be expected home at any moment!

It will be a good leave - the war will be forgotten for a few days - their father will be still the same -a bit more care worn and grayer -but now quietly prouder than ever( I-26 has succeeded in sinking a large allied AP this cruise), and Mother will feed them well.
There will be drinking, and Family reunions.

It will be a good leave.
Only one thing intrudes -on the third day they walk down to the Bay, through the City - and the two pilots almost ruin the day by insisting on a closer look at the new giant trialling in the bay.

Mother is not pleased.

The new Emily:

[1275psi]

Further pictures of the new flying boat undergoing trials in its home city

[1275psi]

And another

[1275psi]

19/2/42

japan invades balikapapan, and tries an assualt on manilla, getting the fortifications down.
Hyakute travels by Japan to his home town of Hiroshima, where his sister lives.

She lives in a small squalid room amongst the sprawling tenements to the west of the city centre. There are no parents, and poverty snaps at her heals.
She is so very pleased and relieved to see him
The entire purpose of his little business of the cow now can be focused -the meager extra income it brings is probably all that stands between her and disaster...........

Nevertheless they have long since learnt to make the most of their situations in life - and she too will always be of the utmost optomistic nature. From the moment he nocks on her door -until the moment he leaves -it will be as if he never left.

He too, has a good leave.............

[1275psi]

Hyakute's sister.
Already the empire is putting the women to work

[1275psi]

20/2/42

Major Takenaka basically does not have a good leave.
Oh, it starts well, and everyone is especially pleased to see him.
Especially his brother.
It seems that his wedding (his brothers that is) has been delayed -waiting for his return.
His brother has insisted.
The whole family have insisted.............

So instead of a few days of relaxation, of a few drinks -of looking up friends -there are wedding arrangements, their is the wedding, and all else that that implies.

It goes well, but its not the short break he was hoping for.............

Wedding party

[1275psi]

Wo Inoue has a good leave too.

he sees his wife again
he tends the garden
he does all those chores around the house that need a man to do

he reads the news - Singapore island is now being directly assualted.

And on the 23rd he gets to fullfill a dream..............

[1275psi]

Inoue over the heavenly mountain............

[1275psi]

23/2/42
Today sees the pilots of 47th sentai gathering at a factory airfield near Gunma -most have travelled by train, Inoue has flown .

To them its a day of plusses and minuses

The minuses -the endless photos for Japans propaganda machine -an embaressing and pointless exercise to them.

The plus more than makes up for the day
Iwaya has returned!!!

He has lost a little weight -and has a fresh nasty scar over his left temple and ear -in fact a major lump of it seems to be missing.

he is quiet -and subdued a little -but obviously pleased to be back as well.

Its Juni B who points out what has really changed "he's missing his arrogance........."

[1275psi]

24/2/42

Just 4 fighters now remain of 47th sentai -hardly a world beating force.
The 6 pilots wonder what will become of them - this is quickly answered.
Today sees the unit regathering at kagoshima - flying there today via a transport -escorted again by Inoue.

The 3 other fighters have been spruced up -re painted, and re engined.
The mission is simple -tomorrow transfer to Shangia - here a new fighter unit -the 70th has been commisioned -they will assist in training it .

This fills most with dismay - until it is realised that the front isn't that far from shanghia -and that they will still be acting almost independantly.

Hyakute and Iwaya are not too displeased -they after all still have a Bull on the books.

[1275psi]

heading towards Shanghia

[1275psi]

25/2/42

47th sentai is now established at Shanghia
The move is a shambles – typically no ones knew they were coming –no one knows what to do with them.
Takenaka probably sums it up best
“Somebody very, very high up hasn’t a bloody clue!”

He is probably right


Nevertheless the following is established.
They are meant to be training 70th sentai – who are flying the now obviously obsolete KI -27’s.
70th sentai is not a very experienced or skilled unit AT ALL. Worse, their squadron leader appears to be a very poor administrator, and as a leader, far below par. Morale of 70 Sentai is also poor.

There are plusses. The base is huge –even bigger than canton –and everything is available. Currently there are no known enemy bombers anywhere in range of the base –thus maintenance goes on late into the evening if required – the thought of black out seems inconceivable .

Food is plentiful
The accommodations are actual barracks!
Even Inoue smiles as they move into their new quarters “ This I could get used to –this is how real gentlemen fight wars……….”

26/2/42
The day begins with the usual briefing but “nothing for 47th Sentai today” -and our pilots are forced to watch some 30 plus KI 27 depart for an offensive sweep towards central China – they return after midday – sighting nothing,
This is probably for the best –the elusive AVG –or elements of it –have not stopped flying over China .

Some of the afternoon is spent “training”.
Small flights of KI 27’s are sent up –and the twins go up as well - playing the enemy.
Its not a good idea – the KI-44 is so obviously superior to the older fighters that many of the 70th’s pilots return from the exercise thoroughly discouraged. If the nate is that poor against the Tojo –how would it do against the P40? –or a Spitfire for that matter!

By mutual consent, the whole idea is quietly dropped……………








27/2/42
Two men are sitting in their deck chairs.
All around the world, 100’s, possibly thousands of other men are doing the same.
Waiting.
Waiting for the scramble that could take them into the skys –into combat, into possible fiery , violent death.

“they aren’t who we think they are” Iwaya suddenly blurts out.
Inoue looks at his companion over the edge of his magazine hard “who are not what?”
“The enemy”
“Oh” a long pause , and Iwaya, hesitates, then begins his tale…….


Midair collisions happen usually because you don’t see the other guy.
There’s no time for a final “oh CRAP!” and then the impact –usually its -one moment you are flying fine –the next –you are not.
So it had been for him.
Great day, fine flying, BANG!!!!

Then the shock, the frozen reactions, the realization that this was not really very good at all, the internal debate –I can save this! –NO you@#$%^%$# can’t!, and the GET OUT!, get OUT now!

How he had got out still amazed him, and how fast the earth had rushed up under the chute!
The impact had been totally unlike anything he’d expected –hard –hard, hard!

But fortune still smiled –he had missed all the trees –the small river, those rocks.
And the immediate soldiers that must be in the area.
But they would be coming for him –and coming soon.
Poor overweight, out of shape Iwaya did the only thing he could – he’d run…………


27/2/42
47th Sentai
Now based at Shanghia
Recorded missions

Hyakute 23 missions
Juni V 24
Juni B 23
Inoute 13 ( on sick leave recovering from wounds received ETR unknown)
Iwaya 26
Takenaka 24
Inoue 21


Sentai remains loosely attached to china command –and 70th sentai –although records show it was still operating mainly as an independent unit.

At this time Japanese troops are involved in many offensives
The first is the fight for Singapore itself
The second - Manilla remains a stubborn fortress
The third –japanese troops press North in burma.
And a major effort is being launched in central China..

The war appears to continue well.
It will be the Chinese offensive that much of the Sentais fortunes will be decided upon in the month ahead.

[1275psi]

28/2/42

Again today the sentai are forced to watch the nates take to the air in an offensive sweep -again"there is nothing for 47th today"

Soon the field falls silent

"%$#@^ it"Wo Inoue suddenly exclaims from the steps of their mess . He goes inside, and soon re emerges dresed in his flying gear. " Im going for a "test flight" -who's coming!?"
The twins grin -"we are!"

It takes only a few minutes, and soon the three of them are in the air -a very loose formation -but one heading north in any case. The hunt is on.

Regretfully today there is no contacts - but things are a little better. The high Command may be ignoring them -but they will get back into this war, one way or another!

[1275psi]

All thats left of the sentai -still trying to get to grips with the enemy though!

[1275psi]

Iwaya had found out quickly that for him, running was not going to be the answer.

But cunning and patience would be.
He had quickly reverted to a trick that had served him well as a child. A quick hunt had found a suitable tree -and up he had gone, disapearing from view.
Then came the patient bit -sitting , and waiting, and waiting, listening to nature, the wind -and for the sound of soldiers.

And they had come -a small party -and they stayed for the rest of the day -and there had been some anxious moments.

His limbs were very stiff by night fall -but a small price to pay for his continuing freedom.

And so the next 2 days had gone -creeping, crawling, walking towards the south at night, in the trees by day.
Later he would think back and think just how lucky he had been -the area was fairly heavily populated -and this had given him 2 chances to steal some food, and at times, some clear paths to use.
But the 4th day - that had been very different

[1275psi]

1/3/42

47th sentai is still based at Shanghia

2lt Inoute has returned to duty

Pilots now
Hyakute 24missions
Juni V 24
Juni B 23
Inoute 13
Iwaya 26
Takenaka 25
Inoue 22

However the unit has just the 4 planes
They are in good condition though
Morale is high.

2 planes conducted another offensive sweep to the North again today -again failing to contact the enemy

general war situation at this stage saw Manilla holding out against a very heavy assualt -but only just.
The battle for singapore is nearing its climax.

For our sentai -the war in China is currently very fierce -with the Chinese army actually on an offensive in the central front.