herbiesan vs Cantona!!!

[1275psi]

9/11/43

Nakamura is filling in paperwork -the end of another day.
Training is beginning to come together.
Tomorrow, weather permitting -he might even try some of the more advanced pilots on "The Nakamura knife"

There is a knock on the door -and a very tired loking pilot enters

" Ahhh Miyazuki! - and how was Japan?"
'Japan sucks"

Nakamura continues to write. "I guess a broken heart then?"

[1275psi]

10/11/43

Hosho circles the Admiralty island field.
or what is left of it.

A great string of profranities escapes him.
Rabual is no go, kavieg to far away as well. 'can you see any bloody strip left?"
His Co pilot shakes his head. 'there's a postage stamp size bit at the end"

"Fuel?"
'We are on fumes Hosho -you have to get us down"
"Tell our passangers that we might be swimming"

They circle twice more. The bombers have done a brutal job..
There is no choice. Hosho brings the transport down across the lagoon, flaring, flaring, holding her off as long as he can.
She touches -there is no bounce -she ploughs into the ocean -swinging wildly onto her port wing. The windscreen goes horribly green.

Water pours in. swiftly Hosho is already opening the hatch above them - his co pilot is even quicker -and for a frightening moment Hosho thinks he is getting stuck in the hatch.
behind them -yells, and curses -there is nothing they can do for the men in the back.........

The water stops coming in. Hosho pops onto his planes roof like a jack in the box. The beach is mere yards away, and the water a mere 6 feet deep.
His Co pilot grins. 'That is two crashes with you now -I hope this does not become a habit"
Hosho thanks his stars. Come on -lets get the men out. ...

Suddenly he curses.
"I have a bad feeling our bath is gone.............."

[1275psi]

11/11/43


There is a significant moment today.
For the first time since the war begun.
Air raid sirens sound at Truk.

The PBY is very high -and no fighter even scrambles near it.
Allied planes over Truk. And not a few men begin to wonder. Just where will the Allied advance be stopped?

[1275psi]

12/11/43

The transport plane rumbles along, rock straight and steady at 7000 feet.
The pilot is not too happy -Oh, he's been utilised as a training target before -he can simulate a bomber pretty well when it came to that (after all -how hard was it)
But this was, well - not what one would call a premium situation.

5000 feet above him, the fighters of 47th swam, forming into a great line astern
Today is almost like graduation day.
Nakamura's knife.

He leads the way
He rolls, inverting.
Takes "the bomber" into view, eases the stick into his lap, and the KI-44 howls as it dives down at the target.

Interception happens incredibly fast -the near vertical fighter flashing behind the lumbering transport.
Its pilot doesn't like it -but must admit -it seems an effective tactic

Miyazuki goes next -efficient. A potential; lethal pass.

One after another, the fighters peel over.
Some manage it, some don't - too many invert, and squash, failing the dive. Quite a few just fail to see the target
Too many pass far behind it.

Three pilots strain the wings of their fighter pulling out -one is lucky to get home.

But it is a beginning.

Nakamura secretly believes now that as a fighter against fighter, the KI-44 is past it -other wise they would have 'jumped the ditch" to Canton days ago.
No -they are being groomed again for the bomber interceptor role
Still with out a cannon


He won't complain. The rumours appear to be distressingly true - the life of a Japanese fighter pilot seems to be getting horribly short.

[1275psi]

The enemy strike!

[cantona2]

Oh look its the pic Lt Breese took over the Admirality Islands the other day [:'(]

[hosho]

enjoy it cantona [:-] ... but if it weren`t for the lack of fuel the three divisions of yours would be swimming (and I would have my bath [;)])
enjoy it but bare in mind... the day the tigers receive the type 4 comes nearer...[:D]

[1275psi]

13/11/43

Following the story of the 47th is a real mix for the historian at this time.
Flight records are good -they train nearly every day 0and reading Nakamura's log, one cannot but see the growing confidence in his unit.
We now know that they were being preserved for the new fighter -code name Gale - which although still some time away, would, if allowed, come in huge numbers.
But that was for the new year.

This historian has a copy of the intelligence briefing given to Yamamoto on this day, while the fleet considered its next move.

it made One very large assumption -that at the moment -the Japanese carrier fleet was superior to the allied one .
This, it states, would be a window of about three to four months, when the Allied avalanche of material would irrepairably swing the issue to them.

Thus, for the immediate future, any advance must come under LBA
This immediately meant that Marcus, Port Blair, and to some extent, Truk and the central pacific were safe.
The marshalls could expect a very cautios attack -one that if resisted, probably could be defeated.
The solomons, North coast of PNG were certaintly to come under great pressure - and fight here was essential.

The enemy bombing babo, lautern, indicated a possible attack here -one that combined fleet again relished - another gasmata if it came.

port blair remained stalemated. Unless the Allies gain at least 4 carriers in the Indian ocean, this was considered safe.
The recent loss of Maladaby was of no concern, the army to the south was in very good shape.

The greatest negative was fighter pools -some were very, very low -the navy in particular, would have to be careful.

But it was the assumption of carrier strength that grabbed Yamamoto's attention.
use them, or lose them anyway.

Plans for an offensive operation, immediatly began................


You, dear reader, know the truth (see shattering the sword -a cantona production).
But on this assumption, the navy would shape its plans for the first quarter of 44.

[1275psi]

LT breeze will get his - Hosho with out his bath makes a 300lb gorrilla look placid[:@]

[1275psi]

14/11/43

Once again Tojo's tigers are diving into the attack.
The "target" -a fat transport, chugs along placidly, its pilots gritting teeth as the fighters flash past at at times horrifyingly close distances.

"They are getting better"
"yes -i wish they would go and practice on some one else -the enemy perhaps"

Only two planes are damaged today.




(herbiesan notes)
( I have a few units training on the map - for fairness and general game mechanics of a faltering empire I send em back to the front once they pass the 65 exp mark now -however 47th sentai are slanted for vital tasks in the future -and will become I hope an 'elite unit"
Also, Juni remains on the WIA list -when he returns I will be comfortable getting them back into the war. If this story is going to get to 45 -i need 47th to at least make a fight of it!)

[1275psi]

15/11/43

47th fly yet again.
They are getting better indeed now.

There are many, a great many rumors flying around the base.

The first - 47th will be moving -again.
Huge air battles over canton, 47th's spiritual home. Surely they will go there?

The second. Heard in only a very select circle. Mr Iwaya, and Tanaka-are, well, they are "recruiting"

We best not go there .................yet.

Too dangerous, too dangerous indeed.

The third rumour is the most hotly debated.
A new fighter is coming......................

[1275psi]

A secret signal from Yamamoto , to commander 8th area Army.


................ so that is that. I cannot risk anymore ships after this mission. You must be prepared to lose whatever troops are south of Truk. They must stand, fight, and die.
Should future events prove fortuanate, we may yet return.
But you should prepare for the worst.

[1275psi]

"its a mean looking plane"
Juni examines the new fighter with interest.
His Navy companion nods in agreement. " Not one for carrier landings hey!"
"no, not at all. Mind if I get in and have a look?"
"be my guest"

Labouriously Juni climbs into the raidens cockpit. He has to be careful, every jolt still sends burning pains across his face. Although the infection that nearly killed him last week, is now under control -and healing -his face is still terribly tender.
Somewhere in the south pacific, an allied pilot almost got another long delayed kill.

The cockpit is cramped, and Juni can tell immediately - the view out is terrible.
Stubby wings. Long nose. All climb, all go -no manouverability..............

Hiroshima field is quiet today, just him and his host on the field at the moment.
"So - have you considered our offer?"
Juni looks down at the young naval Lt - at the plane he sits in "Your offer of joining this unit, is appreciated. But I think I'll stick to the 44 thanks -its more my style "

"Your funeral"
'yes" yes -my funeral for sure -but not until the damn doctors let me go"

He won't admit it. Japan has not been good for him. he has, well, he has been lost -a driftwood in a world he no longer feels part of.
he needs to get back home
Back to the 47th

[1275psi]

16/11/43

The Commander faces Yamamoto.
This, in Japan, is an incredibly difficult situation. It is tantamount to admitting personal failure.
Yamamoto fairly bristles 'Not enough fuel?"

the Commander swallows " I, I, ..........I regret Sir -there is not yet enough fuel to complete the mission."
"When then?"
A finger savagely strikes the map "daily the enemy gather strength -and we sit here on our arses!"

There is a long, awkward silence. On the great bridge of the Yamato, a dozen or so officers and crew are finding a million and one things to do that will take them away from the volcano brewing near the binicle.

"I don't know sir -the tankers are coming, but......................"

It is hard to think of a more surer sentence to destroy ones career. 'I don't know, and but, are words one just does not speak to the Cin C

[hosho]

ORIGINAL: 1275psi

LT breeze will get his - Hosho with out his bath makes a 300lb gorrilla look placid[:@]

well put mate! [;)]

[1275psi]

18/11/43

Somehow, our Hosho has survived.
yes, he stinks.
yes, his uniform is falling off him (salt water is hell on leather)
yes,he has lost a few pounds -now he is just a skinny gorilla

But he has survived. Woleai- the home of the wrecked.
A vast airlift has completed, and the results are good - nearly 90% of the aviation support personal south of truk, have been grabbed from the frying pan. They may well one day be thrown into the fire, but for now, precious men, precious knowledge, precious tools, lie resting at truk, or even more joyously, are heading home to Japan

For the transport men, the cost has been horrendous.
Few have been shot down, but many -a great many, have been killed trying to land on blasted fields, or trying to extend that last mile on precious little fuel.
More, terribly more, have been caught on the ground.

the Allies call it"working over a field"
The japanese -they have their own name for it -mostly expressed in profanities.

Now, totally exhausted, the survivors rest.

Hosho sleeps. And sleeps.

There has been no glory here. Just sacrifice

[1275psi]

20/11/43

It has rained solidly for two days at Clarke -but this is the tropics, it does not take long before the sun comes again, and the humidity rockets.
47th train again today - more fake bomber attacks.
Even Nakamura can admit -a few more weeks of this, and they will be "ok, I suppose"

Even here, so far from the front, the truth cannot be hidden. large numbers of planes transit through Clarke, iether heading north for Japan, or south, to continue stoking the fires.
Rabual, that great base they have shed so much blood for -is isolated.
It is hard to imagine, all those facilities, that great harbour - lost to them.
But apparently, its true.

It is a spur -and the flying is serious every day.

There is one thing that all believe though now. As long as the fleet -that great sword, remains sharp, the Allies will never be able to win..
That is the mantra that all of japan clings to now, as 43 races to a close.

The fleet, the fleet, the fleet.....................

[1275psi]

A week ago, in Japan........



"Mr Iwaya"
"Ah, Tanaka, we meet again"

There is silence. Awkward silence. Both men consider the other. friend?, or potential foe?

"Congratulations on your victory Admiral"

Tanaka smiles " Too many more of them,........."
'And we will be ruined"

"Yes"

Iwaya turns, contemplates the picture of the emperor. Tanaka notes, there is none of the dictator in this room
"Japan is in mortal danger. We have to do something..................."

All of the tension in Tanaka collapses.

Friend

"yes, we must"

Iwaya extends his hand "we have a lot of work to do ......"

[1275psi]

21/11/43

Captain Umeya, of the late CVL Hosho, has found himself in a strange situation for the last two weeks.
Its suited him perfectly.

Ever since the little Hibiki fished him and his pitiful small number of survivors from the water, and transferred them to the Mizuiho, he has been between worlds.
They should have been put ashore on Truk - he really should have been re assigned to another command.
But instead, Captain Oi had approached him with a plea for help.

"This is meant to be seaplane carrier Umeya - only my aviation wing is a mess -can you help?"

The crew of the Mizuiho has a nickname for her -:"next time"
'next time" they go into port -the long awaited conversion would occur
"next time" the main fleet sailed -they would be with it.
'next time" ships were due to go home -she might go to.

'next time' -they spotted the enemy -they might actually attack.

So captain Umeya finds himself on the seaplane carrier, no official duties -but by defacto, commander of her little air wing.

The effect had been immediate.
As the battle of new britain crashed to its climax, this little CS had launched attack, after attack against a convoy west of the marshalls -, three days that had transformed an apathetic ship into a bunch of enthusiastic pirates.

Somehow, the thought of boldly penetrating into the enemy supply lines -striking, and retiring like a whisp -appealed to many.
It certaintly did to him.

But nobody was feeling bold today.
Now, Mizuhino fled north at her maximum speed - little Hibiki clinging gamely to her tail
It had started well - deep into the sea between shortlands and Kwaljien - and the convoy had been spotted -smoke columns to the south west -and even better, the search planes unspotted.

Umeya had launched 8 jakes , confident of some success
2 hours later, just 4 returned -all holed. if any were to fly tomorrow it would be a miricle.
The news was good -and horrifying
'A carrier! -a british carrier!"
Umeya could feel the blood draining from his face.
"Are you sure?"
'I put a bloody bomb onto her -it bounced like an egg! -no CAP! -battleships as well"

NO CAP. What the hell did that mean? carrier task force moving north east?
No time to wonder now. Ponape, with some fighter cover, lays to the north....................

Umeya looks at the little game destroyer as they knife north, seeking shelter from the sure retaliation to follow.
Would she be fishing him out of the water again?

[1275psi]

Shattering the Sword "a cantona production"

even as Japanese plans advanced, the allies conduct further operations of their own.
Dobodura falls easily, another magnificent air base becomes available for the reduction of rabual and its now trapped army.
Troops also, quietly land to the east of rabual, on the tip of the island that provides its eastern shield.
For the Japanese, this hurts - seeing a task force locked into position, day after day -but unable to attack it............

The Japanese have of course been busy - the raid of the Mizuhiro a case in point, but many ships were now very tired, the fast runs evacuating men have taken a heavy toll. Japan is busy rotating ships to the front..........

Where will she stand again?
This, above all, occupied the minds of the allies as the war neared its 2nd anniversery