herbiesan vs Cantona!!!

[1275psi]

Hosho tramps through the dust
his feet hurt. his back hurts. his arms hurt.

Hosho is over his love of guns.
Especially the heavy bloody ones.

the officer is hard -(how else can a para trooper be) and his warning was blunt. lose that gun, and i will shoot you.
Hosho believes him.

Hosho tramps through the dust.
the troops sing -apparently the attack is winning now.
Hosho really hates guns.

[1275psi]

24/12/43

While Juni endures another day on the ISE -another day of being assualted by her great guns pounding away, 47th spend another day without further losses, or incident

The front -other than the battleships, has gone quiet again.
And even here -miles way -there is no escaping the gloom that descends on the Army.
Too strong to be thrown out of Port Blair, but now too weak to do the same to the British.
And all the time -the pressure on lashio grows, and grows...............

[1275psi]

Iwaya cools his heels outside the great dictators office. The doors are heavy -but they do not muffle totally the screaming coming from the other side.
Screaming counter pointed by the calm murmer of his generals.
For some reason, it gives Iwaya great pleasure listening to that mans frustration -no matter how bad the news.

The words come clearly now -he must be very near the door. "What do you mean the Indians won't fight!"

Iwaya grins. He wonders how news of his plans to stop certain fighter plane production will be recieved.

The yelling continues for some time.........................

[1275psi]

Hi Hosho!

cantona's computer has broke!
game marks time.......................

[1275psi]

Juni knows the signs now.

The increased activity of traffic through the passageway outside. The whine of heavy hydraulics. The banging and clashing of machinery - he knows it well now.
Ise prepares for yet another bombardment

The Captain has called -deeply apologetic -but also slightly amused at the situation.
Despite the guns, there are advantages.
He is clean
He has a new uniform -and soon, soon he should be able to eat properly.
There is the disquiet though of watching, hearing so many others so hard at work -while he lies back.

Ise slows down. Yes he knows the signs. he plugs his ears, and the great ship goes to work.

[1275psi]

24/12/43

Hosho lies flat in the ditch-water steadily seeping into every pore.
he is trying very hard to make himself as small as possible.

Overhead -the T bolts prowl - their tormentors.

As they growl and howl past him, he grits his teeth -a swears thet he will give the next fighter pilot he sees what for.

[1275psi]

Extract from Shattering the Sword, a Cantona production

, ............the enuexpected resistance at Lae, and at Madang, would, must evetually be overcome.
The Army marching towards Rabual from Gassmatta crawls along. The war has become an incredibly tough slog.
Japan too slogged - Lashio held -but barely. The offensive towards Wuchow did not seem promising.
And Port Blair remained a crises.
Christmas eve. Would the war go to the next one?. At this rate, that was certain...........

[1275psi]

It is dusk, 26th of December.
Unlike most parts of the empire, here Japans men are welcome –as liberators from the British. Nakamura and a good dozen of his men are occupying a good corner of one of the local eateries here – they are all still relatively sober, and eating is still the top priority.

It is cool – a good sea breeze –and as Nakamura looks around himself –its hard to believe that a war to the death is playing out just30 miles away.
He contemplates his glass of beer –not Sake for sure –but perfectly acceptable for now –and he studies detachedly his men.
He knows so few of them well now – Miyazuki yes – his Ace Shirahauame a bit.
He misses Juni – still somewhere on his cruise.
Funny that –the man who detested the navy Oh so much, now a guest of it –and in the thick of it at that.

He reaches for his beer –and is struck still for a moment by a strange sound.
It is so un expected, so , so foreign , his mind has to grope for it.
Then he catalogues it. Children. There are children out side.
Curious, he rises, passes through the men, the noise, the smoke, and into the clear cool outside.
They might be , 2, 3 years at most –running around in circles –a little girl –screeching with joy as her brother chases her.
They stop abruptly at his presence
Thourghly alarmed, Nakamura crouches down. “Its OK, he murmurs –I’m friendly”
The little girl assesses him –smiles, and resumes the chase.
Tears form.
He is still human after all……………..




27/12/43

Juni, finally, has been allowed to leave his bunk.
The stomach pains him –some crud about a spleen almost destroyed –doctor stuff –but who cares –out of bed at last.
A huge, hulking Petty Officer has been assigned to look out for him –‘to prevent inadvertent sabotage” the captain had laughed.
But, Juni had to admit it – he was better than an extra leg, a compass, and wife.

More clean clothes –some delightful nibbles from the galley (wherever the hell that was) –and twice now, he’d been turned 180 degrees –heading aft when he thought he was heading forward.
Bluntly –the battleship was overwhelming –the passageways daunting, the doors baffling, and a million projections that leapt out at him.
His legs, too –are still wobbly –but not enough to stop this invite. “Would he like to come to the bridge to watch?”
Another gunnery shoot.

The bridge is crowded –what in the world do all these people do? – but the uniforms are very white, very crisp –and everything is very, very correct.
The captain greets him, and Juni finds himself on the Starboard bridge wing, comfortably encosed in a chair provided just for him “And for heavens sake don’t let the Admiral know some one was sitting”


It’s a clear blue day, calm seas, and things –wondrous things are happening. Behind Ise, a great fat tanker wallows –the hose has just been released, and is being hauled in –Juni watches the team work -it must be incredibly heavy that hose –yet here it comes.

A cry from above –look outs?
Even Juni knows that cry –its an alarm
Bells ring, “Action stations!”
His petty Officer magically produces a steel helmet for him, “Shouldn’t I be elsewhere?’
His Host smiles – “too late sir. Besides –do you want to miss the show?”
Juni looks about him. The 25mm gun beside him is ready –and surrounded by steel. Steel above him, below him, guns all around him
No –why miss the show?

A growl from starboard –a growl, a groan, a howl –he knows that sound!
At 2000 feet, rock steady – 47th Sentai howl across the grey line of ships –and Juni looks, and looks – There is Nakamura! –and Chizuhro! –get them men!

47th climb away – climb above –and Juni can see the effect this has on this ship –the grins, the confidence.
And it finally –all of it, makes sense

The great war machine depends on every little cog


47th circle now –10000 maybe? –and Oh –the frustration – the silver angels are coming in – and the sky above is now a whirling dogfight.

He tries to follow it

Who falls?
Who falls?

That one –at least –is not ours. The heart says that one too –but the head knows better.

Ise gains speed –and Junifinally notes –all the guns are pointing towards the forward quarter now –tracking, tracking, and the great mountain of steel is leaning as she brings her flank, and her guns around.

Liberators.
Juni can see them clearly –coming in low –well below the dogfoght.
Fighters detach – that is Nakamura for sure -. .a fighter pilots eyes can tell –too late……..

The guns open – the savage cough, cough cough of the 25’s, sharp, rapid –the deeper bark of the 4.7’s –and now even the great guns are swinging.
And Juni can see –all this noise –all this violence – is not enough.

The bombers come in –2000 feet –huge –fast –pieces fall of one –so the navy knows that feeling too! –but it wont fall –and terrifying –black eggs are coming down –down at him.

A great big arm grabs him –brings him to the deck –and there are two tremendous THUDS somewhere below –and even up here is not high enough –a veritable torrent –no a veritable flood of water crashes down upon them.

“Are we going to sink?”
The petty officer smiles –there is no humor in those eyes though – “500 lbs.
We will have to repaint a bit –that’s all I think”









Operations report
47th sentai
Engaged enemy fighter sweep in conjuction with 85th, 87th sentai
54 Tigers engaged – 30 enemy P 38

No losses 47th –kills now 84
12 tigers lost
7 P38 claimed

[1275psi]

HI Guys

I have had a long think about this post

Please don't take it the wrong way - Im not pushing anything

Today here in Aussie land its ANZAC day - equivelant to veterans day in USA

I led the Church service here today -and I would like to post in total the service -as my tribute to ALL those who serve

If I offend some -Im sorry for the indulgence


Song



If you bear with me, I’d like to tell a story this morning.
Follow closely, and I pray you will see where I am going today in our worship.


You were born a little miracle, all red, squalling, and probably angry.
Your mother looked at you with love, and Thanked me for your deliverance.
And I watched you, and although I had an entire Universe in my care -I could train all my attention to you.
And even at one minute old, I already knew everything I would ever need to know about you, I had been very careful as I carefully and wonderfully knit you together in your Mothers womb
And even as you cried
I loved you
I loved you, my creation, my child

When you were seven, and tradgedy struck, I was there.
And although you were vaguely aware of me in the world, I knew you totally. I knew your grief, and your pain, and I knew how unfair the world was, and I grieved with you, grieved over the brocken world you lived in.
After all –I had been in it.
And I loved you.
And I already knew you would one day understand what I had done
Because I created you, and loved you.


Song

When you were nineteen, I listened to you, as you quietly prayed to me, now a child of mine. You had found my Son, and understood –a little –just how much, I loved you.
And you placed your faith in me
And every day you talked to me, and I talked to you –mainly through my book, but sometimes in other, quiet ways.
And you grew, and learned the beauty of the world I gave to you, and we communed, and you gave thanks
And I loved you

And you prayed, and I put the universe aside –and listened, and I put the universe aside for your Mother as well, as she asked why did you have to put on that uniform, and go away.

And though you went to do a violent thing, I loved you.



And then, in that foreign land, as you continued to talk to me, you asked why? – and I reminded you, that some are sent to serve, and to sacrifice, and you remembered my Son, who gave the ultimate sacrifice and that gave you courage, and encouragement.
And even in the darkest times, when you cursed me

I loved you.
And although it was hard, you pleased me, because you knew, I loved those in the other trenches too.

As I love all my creation


And you put your faith in me –and went into battle,


And I called you home.
Because I love you

I look now, so long afterwards, in your terms, and I see all those who pause –and try to remember.
They did not know you
But I do.
And even though many, in this cold still morning, do not believe in me – singing empty worship, I love them too –as much as I love all of my creation.

Your mortal remains are almost gone now –it pleases me to see them rest under the beautiful red carpet of poppies, can there be a more beautiful shroud?

You are with me now. Your time in the world was short, and few will remember you if the centuries advance. But you are with me now, bathing in glory.
For eternity
And for eternity I love you.


Father
Service is hard.
Your son served us all
Sacrifice is hard
Your son sacrificed for all.
We pray, for all those who rest, in your everlasting peace –and give thanks that we can, through their service to us, worship you.
Ahmen

[vettim89]

Very nice on that last post Herb

[1275psi]

28/12/43

The liberators come again today

10 in the first flight, 6 in the second

47th Sentai is getting very, very good now.
Although none are seen to go down in the immediate area -we know now, 5 of the bombers fail to make it home across the wastes of the indian ocean
The Tigers teeth are getting razor sharp again


47th sentai - 89 kills now

[1275psi]

Juni looks at the great wall of steel beside him, momentarily disconcerted by the small boats wobbles in the chop.

here, hard up against her side, he can see the imperfections in her hull -the rust stains, the barnacles, the dishing of the plates.
He is finally going home -back to the 47th to finish his recuperation.
BB Ise has been but a stop in the adventure.

As the small boat chugs away, a small group of officers come to attaention on her flag deck -and the shrill of a pipe fills the air.
Juni struggles to his feet -and as stiffly as he can, returns the salute, a lump in his throat

A small stop.
But one of the better ones.

[1275psi]

The field is quiet when Juni comes home.

The medical officer takes his files, glances through them. he fixes a very cold hard eye on Juni. "Do not even think of getting into a cockpit until I allow it"

damn

He mopes about for most of the day -resting mostly, observing things -how the base is run while they are up.
Satisfactorily he sees.
Liberators attack the port today - out of sight of the field -but the crump of bombs -the column of smoke from some poor ship with a lot less armour than Ise rises up, blackens the horizon.

47th finally come in -and he eagerly seeks out each face.
Nakamura -sweaty, dirty.
But Oh so pleased to see him, as he is of him.
"So, our ancient mariner returns -they have spoilt you Juni -that uniform looks terribly out of place around here"
Juni smiles
'I have learnt a life long lesson Commander -Look good, feel good, do good"
'Hah!" -and at 20000 feet, inverted -just who is looking?"
Juni begrudgingly nods in agreement
Nakamura suddenly looks very serious 'Are you allowed to drink ?"
Juni's face plummets 'No"
Nakamura bursts into a laugh -"Hei! - here is a pretty picture! - Juni unable to drink!, mind you, sober you might well be lethal at cards, we are having a game..............."
They disapear into the crude hut recently raised.
Juni is home. The world is as it should be.

[1275psi]

30/12/43

Not everyone makes a success at everything they do. Smn Miyazuki, has, in the last weeks, found this out to his shame and anguish.
For two weeks a surprisingly patient LT has tried to teach him his duties in the great director on Yamato, and failed.
Its not the youngsters fault -he's keen enough, diligent enough -and patient and dexterious enough. But put him under pressure -ask him to do some simple Maths -and North becomes south, bearing 060 becomes bearing 090, and on, and on..

Somehow though, its as if the brutallity of the lower decks and NCO's cannot reach up here into the heavens - and Miyazuki has a job almost as good - lookout. From here -under the Directors shadow - his very, very keen eyes take in the world.

There are other advantages - one can hear all the communications from bridge to guns, from Command to everywhere.
If one wants to know what is happening, you cannot do much better.

If you hate the sun though -this is no place to be.

You are -of course -very high up, up here -and the glasses provided are stunning. Today he is excited - and very busy.
A bottle of sake is on offer for the first man to see her...........

Miyazuki bends to the glasses again -finely focusses them. Yes, that is her. A smudge leading a long line of smudges in the haze. Inwardly he grins. " Taiho in sight! -200 degrees!"

Groans around him -a bottle would have been good. They have little to worry about - he will share it tonight
The bottle is good, what it means this day is more important.
The anchorage is filling up - its great calm blue rapidly becoming dotted with sleek, grey warships.

The fleet is gathering once again.
It wont be gathering merely to look impressive. All on board know what is coming.
1944 must be the year of decision

[1275psi]

Captain Umeya's XO was right
His decks are being ruined by crowds of soldiers.

But not quite in the fashion they imagined.

The big seaplane carrier crashes steadily south - there is no swell today -just a stiff breeze-and a sea of countless white caps, a horizon lost in the sea mist.
Its a good day to be at sea -speed, salt spray -the wind at their faces.
Umeya catches the XO's eye. he glances at the men on the deck below the bridge -all obviously relishing the escape of the tropical humidity they have for so long endured.
They both smile. The EX wanders over. Shoulder to shoulder they do what man has ever done before them, they drink in the view, the smell, the ocean
The XO murmers it for them both " There is nothing, simply nothing, like messing about in boats"

[1275psi]

47th have a very quiet day.
No contacts. Routine CAP

Supplies are stored, planes repaired, defences begun again.

A new plane is reported over the front. yes, ANOTHER new plane. A mosquito they call it
And not for the last time Nakamura wonders when they will get a new plane.

[1275psi]

herbie is taking a youth group into the bush for the week end
if you read about lost teenagers this weekend -you know what happened. (or poisoned, frozen, snake bitten ect)
Wish me luck.
game enters 44 Sunday night, so a good place for Cantona to take a stock take of his plans - so go hassle him for whats going to happen!

[CarnageINC]

Good luck Herb, hope you don't have a Saturday Night Live 'canteen boy' episode...[:D]

[1275psi]

31/12/43

It is very quiet over the field tonight.

A billion stars blaze down in the night sky, totally infifferent to the tiny affairs of the men scattered across Port Blair field.
The field is dark -mostly. If one looks closely enough, there are small patches of light around the field.
Each one holds a small circle of men around them -faces to the light, backs to the dark, and the gloom out there.
The front is quiet, very quiet.
If you were to sit on the field, sit quietly in the dark, let your eyes adjust -much is revealed.

Down here -the white ghostly shapes of the fighters -scattered amongst the deepest dark of the tree shadows.
Over there -some small lights -they mark those small mounds - they are the AA pits.
Listen closely -the clink of canteens -thats a panier -and here -here we could linger, something smells good in the pot

But I think we will come over to this light, its trying to poke out from under a large canvas, lets pull it aside, and descend into this dug out. Its warm -well lit here. Crudley furnished, but home.
The field is dark, and foreboding. 47th's home welcomes you, here is light and life.

New years eve - and the drinking is well, very well underway.
As we come in, we find Juni in a chair -the chair well above everyone thanks to its commanding position on the mess table.
One of the younger men -face well flushed, launches a paper plane from one end of the dug out -and Juni flings another ball of paper at it
It misses by a mile -to howls of approval 'Oh buggar -another penalty eh!"
The beer wobbles somewhat as he drains the bottle.
'Reload!, reload -and thus the mighty battleship did strike his foes!"
Moe planes - more misses, more howls -more beer.

47th, and Juni, are doing well..................







Some what later.
2 men
quite drunk men.
One, has a bright scarred face -eyes though still blaze from it.
The other-the other is pallid , narrow, almost haggard. It sits under hair going white. But if at all possible, its eyes burn brighter.

"To absent friends" nakamura raises the bottle.
Juni waves his about mostly. ' To absent friends"

A long silence

'Do you remember them all?"

Juni thinks. "No"
Nakamura nods, "I try to -but.........."

Juni takes another swig "It doesn't matter old friend. Another year. Another year of this damn war. We will meet them at the shrine soon enough. Then I'll remember their names"

[1275psi]

CV Ikumo is lucky
Slipping out of the confines of Davao harbour, the torpedoes aimed at her all miss. Her escorts are far more successful.

But harm has been done. New years eve. Nakamura and his men may be sliding into an alcholic puddle tonight -but 10's of thousands of Japanese sailors are not.
The fleet escapes the bounds of land, and heads for its assigned stations.
Yamamoto intends to make another attempt to bring this war to a conclusion. He must. Time, and circumstances are running against him now.
let 2/3'rds of the world foolishly celebrate the new year. He has work to do.