23/2/44
The black saloons have gathered again on the deserted piece of road half an hour out of Tokyo.
It is snowing heavily, and the heavy fall gathers deeply on the trees, in drifts, muffling sound. Its a brooding silence, almost fore boding.
The men gathered stand in a small circle, their breath forming clouds.
All are heavily clothed in the western way -heavy coats, gloves, hats. The clothing keeps the men warm, it also helps disguise themselves from any casual observers -not that there will be any today.
Iwaya dominates the circle. He observes the other men.
Loyalty. Such a vague word. it means so much to so many men, and it means so many different things to others.
Money, on the other hand................
Three of the men here are new to him. Commanders of the 54th, 55th and 56th naval guard units -veterans of Guadacanal and the solomons .
As a reward "for loyal service" they have been recently given the honour of forming the Royal guard at the palace - jailmen might be a better word for it - a duty now to keep the emperor safe -and totally isolated from his people.
The three guard units are rebuilding -slowly.
They are considered totally Loyal to the empire , to Herbiesan.
Iwaya knows better.
Vast sums have recently changed hands -sums that have'bought' guns, arms, supplies. Phantoms all.
Oh, Iwaya knows better than any one -Loyalty can be bought.
And these men had a price.
The most important part of the puzzle has fallen into place
The second too -has fallen into place.
Iwaya speaks " Gentlemen, on the first of April, the great dictator celebrates ten years since the revolution."
he smiles -no humour there "he wants a parade"
The general of the 54th Division spits into the snow ' The army falls back -and he wishes to display power -what a joke"
'yes" agrees Iwaya - " but how conveniant for us. You, General -will lead 54th division on that parade"
The general smiles. 'This I like. A salute Iwaya? -a salute of lead perhaps"
'Yes general - lets keep it simple hey - eyes right -and shoot him down...................."
herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
23/2/44
Nakamura reads the daily report - and jealously reads of actions lately over Canton. 120 japanese fighters have ambushed a allied bombing, straffing mission, and shot down nearly 30 enemy fighters. A useful lesson, long range CAP still has potential - he must remember that.
It is still snowing - Beautiful. But it also keeps his sentais grounded -and probably will for at least a week.
A easy decision.
A final weeks leave.
Deep in his bones he knows this will be their last week of safety.
Spring must come soon -and with it - action.
Nakamura reads the daily report - and jealously reads of actions lately over Canton. 120 japanese fighters have ambushed a allied bombing, straffing mission, and shot down nearly 30 enemy fighters. A useful lesson, long range CAP still has potential - he must remember that.
It is still snowing - Beautiful. But it also keeps his sentais grounded -and probably will for at least a week.
A easy decision.
A final weeks leave.
Deep in his bones he knows this will be their last week of safety.
Spring must come soon -and with it - action.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Nagumo stares bleakly through the windscreen -a futile activity - no windshield wiper can keep up with this.
CV Unryo rises to yet another swell -and crashes down into the white streaked trough -crashing into it.
She creaks, groans -and Nagumo can actually sense her twising in the water like a eel. 22000 tons of metal - and she feels like a balsa canoe .
Another crash -and spray smashes into the bridge again. Unryo is new -but she is also war built -and war built means rushed built.
Will she hold? -or will she shed something important in this storm?
Damn this.
Damn this whole mission.
Yamamoto -you have gone mad - a years fuel -and 6 months worth of damage in a week just to risk total destruction?
damn you
damn you to hell old friend
A staff officer struggles across the bridge - let go of something tonight and you will certaintly be flung to ruin.
'Position update sir"
"Position guess you mean"
The officer grins - green face and all -yes sir -navigator says -somewhere in the bloody North pacific sir"
'And crawling east like a junk eh?"
'not even as fast as that sir"
They contemplate the awsome fury of the storm about them - and the struggling fleet scattered to hell.
Nearly 60 ships out here - and I can see three. At least the enemy cannot find us...................
Nagumo is -of course wrong
The lurking submarine cannot see them -but so many propeller beats cannot be hidden..................
CV Unryo rises to yet another swell -and crashes down into the white streaked trough -crashing into it.
She creaks, groans -and Nagumo can actually sense her twising in the water like a eel. 22000 tons of metal - and she feels like a balsa canoe .
Another crash -and spray smashes into the bridge again. Unryo is new -but she is also war built -and war built means rushed built.
Will she hold? -or will she shed something important in this storm?
Damn this.
Damn this whole mission.
Yamamoto -you have gone mad - a years fuel -and 6 months worth of damage in a week just to risk total destruction?
damn you
damn you to hell old friend
A staff officer struggles across the bridge - let go of something tonight and you will certaintly be flung to ruin.
'Position update sir"
"Position guess you mean"
The officer grins - green face and all -yes sir -navigator says -somewhere in the bloody North pacific sir"
'And crawling east like a junk eh?"
'not even as fast as that sir"
They contemplate the awsome fury of the storm about them - and the struggling fleet scattered to hell.
Nearly 60 ships out here - and I can see three. At least the enemy cannot find us...................
Nagumo is -of course wrong
The lurking submarine cannot see them -but so many propeller beats cannot be hidden..................
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
24/2/44
Port blair
The bombers bomb
The Artillery barks, the mortors thuppppp.
The flares arc into the night sky
The attack begins.
On paper at least.
The reality is different -a few scattered groups of men leave shell holes, trenches.
Desolutory firing crackles across the night, and then after half an hour or so, fades away.
Many men simply have not come out of the shelter - the defences quite simply, have won.
The facts must be faced.
Port Blair cannot be cleared of the vermin tommies that cling and scurry deep in their holes.
The enemy advance in Burma - and how long before the allied air power reaches here?
A new skill will have to be employed -a skill japan is learning now all around its perimeter.
The art of evacuation under the enemies nose...............
Port blair
The bombers bomb
The Artillery barks, the mortors thuppppp.
The flares arc into the night sky
The attack begins.
On paper at least.
The reality is different -a few scattered groups of men leave shell holes, trenches.
Desolutory firing crackles across the night, and then after half an hour or so, fades away.
Many men simply have not come out of the shelter - the defences quite simply, have won.
The facts must be faced.
Port Blair cannot be cleared of the vermin tommies that cling and scurry deep in their holes.
The enemy advance in Burma - and how long before the allied air power reaches here?
A new skill will have to be employed -a skill japan is learning now all around its perimeter.
The art of evacuation under the enemies nose...............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Extract from 'Shattering the sword' a cantona production
.............and although they would not know it for weeks yet, the tommies had won.
The Indian units simply refused now to fight -what was left of them. The japanese divisions were not strong enough.
if the Empire was going to fight in Burma /Thailand through 44 -they needed these men.. balanced against this would be the exposing of the entire coast of Burma.Thailand to the allies. but the decision had to be made -if rangoon fell -and all signs pointed to this now as inevitable in a matter of weeks -then the troops at Port blair were lost -and the coast would be exposed anyway from Rangoon
The airlift would begin, and a considerable number of transports began the journey to Port Blair.......................
.............and although they would not know it for weeks yet, the tommies had won.
The Indian units simply refused now to fight -what was left of them. The japanese divisions were not strong enough.
if the Empire was going to fight in Burma /Thailand through 44 -they needed these men.. balanced against this would be the exposing of the entire coast of Burma.Thailand to the allies. but the decision had to be made -if rangoon fell -and all signs pointed to this now as inevitable in a matter of weeks -then the troops at Port blair were lost -and the coast would be exposed anyway from Rangoon
The airlift would begin, and a considerable number of transports began the journey to Port Blair.......................
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Tanaka reads the letter.
1st of April.
April fools day.
A fitting day for such an attempt on the dictator.
A terrible thing to go against your liege Lord.................
1st of April.
April fools day.
A fitting day for such an attempt on the dictator.
A terrible thing to go against your liege Lord.................
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
25/2/44
General Oba - Commander of the 16th division. Dead by own hand Port Blair
LT General Miura - Commander of the 69th division. Dead by own hand Port Blair
LT General Watanaba- Commander of the 47th division . Dead by own hand Port Blair.
Dictator Herbiesan handles defeat poorly.
Only their death will assuge his anger.....................
General Oba - Commander of the 16th division. Dead by own hand Port Blair
LT General Miura - Commander of the 69th division. Dead by own hand Port Blair
LT General Watanaba- Commander of the 47th division . Dead by own hand Port Blair.
Dictator Herbiesan handles defeat poorly.
Only their death will assuge his anger.....................
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
cantona away -turn expected soon...............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Across the bay from the city of Kagoshima lies a sleeping giant. Its name is Sakura-Jima volcano – and it sits today quietly grumbling –a frown of brown smoke rolling from its crown..
The volcano has sat semi active for as long as Juni can remember – something in the back ground of his life.
It’s a mountain he and his brother had long sworn to climb.
Today –he has.
Its been a long, long journey – -he;s hitched a ride to Kagoshima with some great gorilla of a transport pilot –Hosho? – was that his name? –a great and funny guy though .
From there –a train trip into town, a ferry ride across the bay –and then the begging of a bicycle from a local fisherman’s family.
The ride up, has been long, long and strenuous indeed.
It has tested every muscle, strained a body that really needs more exercise.
Its also been sheer pleasure –from the wearing of dirty civees, to the sweat so freely flowing
It has been worth it.
The silence, the beauty, the communion with his Father, his brother –the peace of simply fulfilling child hood dreams.
Its good to be sober today, good to be alive
Occasionally the great peak has grumbled in the mists above him, and the snatches of sulpher have been unique.
The ride down –has been exhilarating…….
Its now evening, and he stands, deeply content,, on the pier awaiting the ferry.
He has no plans, no goals –just a little more living to do.
In the harbour two mighty shapes lie at anchor – battleships. Hasn’t Miyazuki a brother of his on one of those big barsteds?
His peace is shattered as a group of obviously drunk sailors come down in a rabble towards the pier.
Juni ignores them, idly wondering how he will spend his money tonight.
“hey you!”
It takes Juni a few moments to realise that he is the “hey you!”
There are four of them, three smaller, one larger. The Larger leers at him -brain probably addled by a heavy day of drinking “ This pier is for service men only –scat fisherman!”
Juni stands tall
“No trouble my friend, there is room for all hero’s here”
Tall one spits onto the wharf. ‘I count four heros here –and one coward –which are you dirty little man?”
The Navy.
Why does it have to always be the Navy?
A brutal Naval father
I-26 taking him to the grave
Majuro
A million engagements –and always it seems –to protect the bloody navy…………..
He growls “You have no idea my friend……………”
In Novels, in drama’s –Juni now proceeds to heroically wipe the pier with Navy arse.
But this is reality
Four to one
It is short, brutal, and the water is very, very cold.
And who knows what consequences this little fracas will have in the months ahead?
The volcano has sat semi active for as long as Juni can remember – something in the back ground of his life.
It’s a mountain he and his brother had long sworn to climb.
Today –he has.
Its been a long, long journey – -he;s hitched a ride to Kagoshima with some great gorilla of a transport pilot –Hosho? – was that his name? –a great and funny guy though .
From there –a train trip into town, a ferry ride across the bay –and then the begging of a bicycle from a local fisherman’s family.
The ride up, has been long, long and strenuous indeed.
It has tested every muscle, strained a body that really needs more exercise.
Its also been sheer pleasure –from the wearing of dirty civees, to the sweat so freely flowing
It has been worth it.
The silence, the beauty, the communion with his Father, his brother –the peace of simply fulfilling child hood dreams.
Its good to be sober today, good to be alive
Occasionally the great peak has grumbled in the mists above him, and the snatches of sulpher have been unique.
The ride down –has been exhilarating…….
Its now evening, and he stands, deeply content,, on the pier awaiting the ferry.
He has no plans, no goals –just a little more living to do.
In the harbour two mighty shapes lie at anchor – battleships. Hasn’t Miyazuki a brother of his on one of those big barsteds?
His peace is shattered as a group of obviously drunk sailors come down in a rabble towards the pier.
Juni ignores them, idly wondering how he will spend his money tonight.
“hey you!”
It takes Juni a few moments to realise that he is the “hey you!”
There are four of them, three smaller, one larger. The Larger leers at him -brain probably addled by a heavy day of drinking “ This pier is for service men only –scat fisherman!”
Juni stands tall
“No trouble my friend, there is room for all hero’s here”
Tall one spits onto the wharf. ‘I count four heros here –and one coward –which are you dirty little man?”
The Navy.
Why does it have to always be the Navy?
A brutal Naval father
I-26 taking him to the grave
Majuro
A million engagements –and always it seems –to protect the bloody navy…………..
He growls “You have no idea my friend……………”
In Novels, in drama’s –Juni now proceeds to heroically wipe the pier with Navy arse.
But this is reality
Four to one
It is short, brutal, and the water is very, very cold.
And who knows what consequences this little fracas will have in the months ahead?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
26/2/44
A long way due North of Midway
Almost overnight the seas have calmed, and the great Northern ocean is turning into a mill pond. It promises to be a beautiful day -cold, but still.
Dawn is pinking the sky -reflecting of the ocean.
Captain Umeya is taking breakfast - a meal he will fail to take today.
CVE Shinyo is the first target - she is beginning to turn into the slight breeze prepartory to launching todays CAP - a turn that saves her - four streaks of the deadly fish not spotted until they have passed behind her...............
SS Bluefish is her attacker -and the Japanese get a good look at her -someone has made a mistake during the dawn attack - her bow broaches the ocean -and the reaction is electric.
Four destroyers race in -detirmined to kill her - she submerges rapidly -and the terriors circle -depth charges crashing everywhere.
Umeya watches anxiously from the bridge of the Junyo - cursing.
For nearly an hour the destroyers hunt -unsuccessfully -and Umeye brings the task force hard north, increases speed, and wonders what Pearls reaction will be to this mornings attack.
Bluefish may be clumsy - but her captain is nothing but game - the sun is well risen when CVE Kaiyo sights the distinct feather of the scope - and there is no missing this spread arcing in to her.
Kaiyo reacts vigoursly - and Bluefin is again out of luck -or full of it -this counter attack is even heavier -and as fruitless.
It is almost lunch - and the task force has resumed her eastward march - when Bluefish tries a third time -third time lucky.
AO Kenyo maru cannot dodge - she simply eats the torpedo that strikes her fair in the middle.
She may live -she may not.
Umeya sends her home.
Increases his patrols -his searches -and wonders -what will the Allies think of this?
A long way due North of Midway
Almost overnight the seas have calmed, and the great Northern ocean is turning into a mill pond. It promises to be a beautiful day -cold, but still.
Dawn is pinking the sky -reflecting of the ocean.
Captain Umeya is taking breakfast - a meal he will fail to take today.
CVE Shinyo is the first target - she is beginning to turn into the slight breeze prepartory to launching todays CAP - a turn that saves her - four streaks of the deadly fish not spotted until they have passed behind her...............
SS Bluefish is her attacker -and the Japanese get a good look at her -someone has made a mistake during the dawn attack - her bow broaches the ocean -and the reaction is electric.
Four destroyers race in -detirmined to kill her - she submerges rapidly -and the terriors circle -depth charges crashing everywhere.
Umeya watches anxiously from the bridge of the Junyo - cursing.
For nearly an hour the destroyers hunt -unsuccessfully -and Umeye brings the task force hard north, increases speed, and wonders what Pearls reaction will be to this mornings attack.
Bluefish may be clumsy - but her captain is nothing but game - the sun is well risen when CVE Kaiyo sights the distinct feather of the scope - and there is no missing this spread arcing in to her.
Kaiyo reacts vigoursly - and Bluefin is again out of luck -or full of it -this counter attack is even heavier -and as fruitless.
It is almost lunch - and the task force has resumed her eastward march - when Bluefish tries a third time -third time lucky.
AO Kenyo maru cannot dodge - she simply eats the torpedo that strikes her fair in the middle.
She may live -she may not.
Umeya sends her home.
Increases his patrols -his searches -and wonders -what will the Allies think of this?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
200 miles west of Umeya
Yamamto reads the signal.
Genda watches him closely -wondering what his decision will be.
3 SS sightings already this morning. The attack on Umeya. The clearing weather.
he offers his opinion 'They must know we are coming"
"Yes " growls Yamamoto "they must. But isn't that what we wanted?"
Genda half agrees. "Surprise would have been better"
Yamamoto positivly scowls " I advocated an attack on Pearl in 41 -when surprise could occur -in 44 -a fantasy -a dream in a dream. The reality Genda is this -we must fight. If he comes out -we fight. If he does not..............."
Abruptly he leaves the bridge.
Genda stares out at the busy flight deck. A nod to some of his pilots preparing to board the next patrol. Fight? they have been fighting for so long now -always with an objective in mind. But this?-to simply seek a fight?
He takes a deep breath.
Its in fates hands now.
And, Admiral Cantona's
Yamamto reads the signal.
Genda watches him closely -wondering what his decision will be.
3 SS sightings already this morning. The attack on Umeya. The clearing weather.
he offers his opinion 'They must know we are coming"
"Yes " growls Yamamoto "they must. But isn't that what we wanted?"
Genda half agrees. "Surprise would have been better"
Yamamoto positivly scowls " I advocated an attack on Pearl in 41 -when surprise could occur -in 44 -a fantasy -a dream in a dream. The reality Genda is this -we must fight. If he comes out -we fight. If he does not..............."
Abruptly he leaves the bridge.
Genda stares out at the busy flight deck. A nod to some of his pilots preparing to board the next patrol. Fight? they have been fighting for so long now -always with an objective in mind. But this?-to simply seek a fight?
He takes a deep breath.
Its in fates hands now.
And, Admiral Cantona's
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
27/2/44
Ectract from "Shattering the Sword", A Cantona production
Fortunately for Yamamoto -the terrible decision to continue operation 'D' -to accept the risk or not, is taken from him just before midnight.
"High Command cancels operation "D'
return to Japan immediately"
Not a few staff officers breathe a sigh of relief
What Yamamoto thinks of the decision history does not record...........
Regardless, the great fleets turn around, and begin to head home.
Allied Command immediately note the move -the fleet is being hounded by many SS now -and pearl is more than ready.
The great panic can be put to bed.
Time to return to allied offensive plans............
Ectract from "Shattering the Sword", A Cantona production
Fortunately for Yamamoto -the terrible decision to continue operation 'D' -to accept the risk or not, is taken from him just before midnight.
"High Command cancels operation "D'
return to Japan immediately"
Not a few staff officers breathe a sigh of relief
What Yamamoto thinks of the decision history does not record...........
Regardless, the great fleets turn around, and begin to head home.
Allied Command immediately note the move -the fleet is being hounded by many SS now -and pearl is more than ready.
The great panic can be put to bed.
Time to return to allied offensive plans............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Along with MR Yashimoto, the elderly gentleman downstairs, Iwaya has finished the slit trench alongside the house.
At a pinch, Setsuko and the elderly man can fit in there, and pull a rough lid over their heads.
Its the best he can do in the space/ time he has.
The small slit fills him with unease - it looks totally inadequate to him. His wife laughs at his worries " My husband -what do I have to fear -they are there to protect me"
The "they" is the AA gun across the street -nestled into the river bank beside the bridge.
Setsuko has taken to visiting the young men who man it every evening, giving them small gifts of food ect.
Nakamura laughs at the comment. He thinks she is really only visiting to Mother them -and quietly wonders why he cannot beget a child
Regardless - a trench is dug -sand buckets are placed.
And still he feels un easy -what if this area did burn?
Again, that night -he urges her to quit her job -to move to the country.
But -of course -what would Iwaya do with out her?
"They will never bomb the home land husband -how could that ever happen?"
As Nakamura returns to the base -full of foreboding -he struggles with that statement.
At least -as commander of the 47th -he can do something about her confidence in the future.
At a pinch, Setsuko and the elderly man can fit in there, and pull a rough lid over their heads.
Its the best he can do in the space/ time he has.
The small slit fills him with unease - it looks totally inadequate to him. His wife laughs at his worries " My husband -what do I have to fear -they are there to protect me"
The "they" is the AA gun across the street -nestled into the river bank beside the bridge.
Setsuko has taken to visiting the young men who man it every evening, giving them small gifts of food ect.
Nakamura laughs at the comment. He thinks she is really only visiting to Mother them -and quietly wonders why he cannot beget a child
Regardless - a trench is dug -sand buckets are placed.
And still he feels un easy -what if this area did burn?
Again, that night -he urges her to quit her job -to move to the country.
But -of course -what would Iwaya do with out her?
"They will never bomb the home land husband -how could that ever happen?"
As Nakamura returns to the base -full of foreboding -he struggles with that statement.
At least -as commander of the 47th -he can do something about her confidence in the future.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
"Iwaya" != "Nakamura"
"Cry 'Havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war" - William Shakespeare, "Julius Caesar"
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Thankyou Mr Jones -what a silly mistake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
One more edit needed. Unless you are trying to imply that there is something untoward going on ("what would Iwaya do with out <Setsuko>?") that would make Nakamura and Iwaya blood enemies? [X(]ORIGINAL: 1275psi
Along with MR Yashimoto, the elderly gentleman downstairs, Iwaya has finished the slit trench alongside the house.
At a pinch, Setsuko and the elderly man can fit in there, and pull a rough lid over their heads.
Its the best he can do in the space/ time he has.
The small slit fills him with unease - it looks totally inadequate to him. His wife laughs at his worries " My husband -what do I have to fear -they are there to protect me"
The "they" is the AA gun across the street -nestled into the river bank beside the bridge.
Setsuko has taken to visiting the young men who man it every evening, giving them small gifts of food ect.
Iwaya laughs at the comment. He thinks she is really only visiting to Mother them -and quietly wonders why he cannot beget a child
Regardless - a trench is dug -sand buckets are placed.
And still he feels un easy -what if this area did burn?
Again, that night -he urges her to quit her job -to move to the country.
But -of course -what would Iwaya do with out her?
"They will never bomb the home land husband -how could that ever happen?"
As Nakamura returns to the base -full of foreboding -he struggles with that statement.
At least -as commander of the 47th -he can do something about her confidence in the future.
"Cry 'Havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war" - William Shakespeare, "Julius Caesar"
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Thankyou -edit done
I was really quite sick over the weekend and last night - and to be honest -thinking more of the plot in the month ahead -MR Iwaya will be a busy man..................
28/2/44
Dawn. Combined fleet steams Westward -a thousand eyes scanning the still stunningly blue seas for the tell tale periscope feathers. Yamamoto has dodged the fleet due North over night, turning westward at dawn.
The Alutiens hold little fear -enemy air power from there is weak -nothing that CAP cannot handle.
It is with stunning shock that a report of a carrier steaming a mere 220 miles away -heading due south -is recieved on Taiho's bridge
The shock does not last long -even as the message is being recieved on her bridge, the superb team that makes Combined fleets air arm Japans sharpest sword, swings into action.
90 minutes later 100 fighters escort a mix of 150 torpedo bombers and dive bombers to the enemy - combat debut for the new Grace torpedo planes.
CVE Wake Island stands no chance -as do her crew in the killing cold of these arctic waters.
On return, the crews are not jubilant -merely sober -today has been less a battle, more like an execution.
Perversly many feel sorrow for the men they have sunk...............
Enemy dispatched, pathetic counter strike shredded, Combined fleet returns westward, throttles are opened.
Surely the Allies must break the quiet now that has settled into the war - Combined fleet must hurry to get ready.
I was really quite sick over the weekend and last night - and to be honest -thinking more of the plot in the month ahead -MR Iwaya will be a busy man..................
28/2/44
Dawn. Combined fleet steams Westward -a thousand eyes scanning the still stunningly blue seas for the tell tale periscope feathers. Yamamoto has dodged the fleet due North over night, turning westward at dawn.
The Alutiens hold little fear -enemy air power from there is weak -nothing that CAP cannot handle.
It is with stunning shock that a report of a carrier steaming a mere 220 miles away -heading due south -is recieved on Taiho's bridge
The shock does not last long -even as the message is being recieved on her bridge, the superb team that makes Combined fleets air arm Japans sharpest sword, swings into action.
90 minutes later 100 fighters escort a mix of 150 torpedo bombers and dive bombers to the enemy - combat debut for the new Grace torpedo planes.
CVE Wake Island stands no chance -as do her crew in the killing cold of these arctic waters.
On return, the crews are not jubilant -merely sober -today has been less a battle, more like an execution.
Perversly many feel sorrow for the men they have sunk...............
Enemy dispatched, pathetic counter strike shredded, Combined fleet returns westward, throttles are opened.
Surely the Allies must break the quiet now that has settled into the war - Combined fleet must hurry to get ready.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
At LAST!
- Attachments
-
- Ki844_small.jpg (4.71 KiB) Viewed 227 times
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
1/3/44
47th sentai are on parade.
To the left - the camera's. To the front, a dias. On it, important Ministers, generals. Mr Iwaya amongst them.
The speeches -some short, some long.
All rubbish, all un heard by the men of 47th sentai.
Their attention, their thoughts are alone on the new plane on the tarmac in front of them. Make that planes.
47th recieves the first KI-84's -and even Nakamura is surprised. 11 new planes in one day. Eleven!
Four days - and we are operational.....................
Yes, the speeches go unheard.
All minds wonder -when do I get mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
47th sentai are on parade.
To the left - the camera's. To the front, a dias. On it, important Ministers, generals. Mr Iwaya amongst them.
The speeches -some short, some long.
All rubbish, all un heard by the men of 47th sentai.
Their attention, their thoughts are alone on the new plane on the tarmac in front of them. Make that planes.
47th recieves the first KI-84's -and even Nakamura is surprised. 11 new planes in one day. Eleven!
Four days - and we are operational.....................
Yes, the speeches go unheard.
All minds wonder -when do I get mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Iwaya and Nakamura share a quiet drink, the day almost done
"Can you keep this rate up -nearly a dozen a day?"
Iwaya tilts his head - 'I plan too - we will see. I have enough factory capacity -metal is another matter"
he sips his drink - "Do you like it -the plane?"
Nakamura nods. 'yes - yes, very much. Give us enough of these and we might give the Allies real pause"
Outside -the sound of snarling engines racing low and hard across the field. Both men savuor the sound as it fades away. Juni is already hard at work welding his section into its beasts................
Nakamura changes the topic " Are you still planning for April 1?'
Iwaya merely nods
"'I doubt we will be here to help - 47th must get back into the war"
Iwaya smiles. "A paradox neh? - the harder I work -the less chance I have"
Again the snarl -and the roof shakes. And faintly a few cheers float across the field.
'You have given us a mighty weapon friend. We will use it to our fullest. But........."
"But you fear the future"
"I fear the future"
Iwaya stands "You are our samurai Nakamura. Our sword. Go and kick the imperiallists arse. Save Japan. If I fail next month, what is left but honour and duty?"
Yes. Honour and duty. When all else fails, when the world goes dark - what is left?. Nothing, except Honour and duty
"Can you keep this rate up -nearly a dozen a day?"
Iwaya tilts his head - 'I plan too - we will see. I have enough factory capacity -metal is another matter"
he sips his drink - "Do you like it -the plane?"
Nakamura nods. 'yes - yes, very much. Give us enough of these and we might give the Allies real pause"
Outside -the sound of snarling engines racing low and hard across the field. Both men savuor the sound as it fades away. Juni is already hard at work welding his section into its beasts................
Nakamura changes the topic " Are you still planning for April 1?'
Iwaya merely nods
"'I doubt we will be here to help - 47th must get back into the war"
Iwaya smiles. "A paradox neh? - the harder I work -the less chance I have"
Again the snarl -and the roof shakes. And faintly a few cheers float across the field.
'You have given us a mighty weapon friend. We will use it to our fullest. But........."
"But you fear the future"
"I fear the future"
Iwaya stands "You are our samurai Nakamura. Our sword. Go and kick the imperiallists arse. Save Japan. If I fail next month, what is left but honour and duty?"
Yes. Honour and duty. When all else fails, when the world goes dark - what is left?. Nothing, except Honour and duty
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt