herbiesan vs Cantona!!!

[1275psi]

10/3/44

From 126 IJNAF Kavieng
To
Truk


Observed one North Carolina class battleship sinking 5 miles east of here 0630 hours.

We will fight to the last man, inspired by the valiant fighting of our Naval comrades

banzia!

[1275psi]

Ahhhhhhhhh boiler cleans -wonderful in summer - but our poor seamen are doing them in the heart of winter -a miserable business (and i can tell you that from experience too)

[1275psi]

10/3/44

Captain Ishiko is niether as bold or detirmined as Ujuire -but he lacks nothing for courage.
A fighting man -he is solid, and dependable. But like many japanese Commanders -once committed to action, he is totally inflexible.

Thus as he leads Cls Oyoda, agano, Naha, Nagai Abukuma and four destroyers south to the scene of last nights engagement, he is perfectly content once confronted with the enemies reaction, to turn parrallel, close the range -and fight it out.
the allies -CL Achilles, raliegh and Montpellier and five destroyers are content to oblige.

Its the Montpellier that makes the difference -her radar controlled, high rate of fire 6inch guns simply overwhelm her opposite number the Naha -and help to devestate the Oyodo as well.

The battle is short -a mere 20 minutes long -and ends with the Japanese retiring -Naha sunk, and two DD's lost
The Allies lose the Raliegh, and 2 DDs.


In 2 days the japanese have committed 9 light cruisers, and 14 destroyers to battle.
2 cruisers sunk, 6 destroyers lost -and just three ships available again

The allies a battleship, 2 light cruisers, and an estimated 8 destroyers

The fact however is simple - the invasion continues
The allied losses are replaceable.
The Japanese losses are not.

[1275psi]

13/3/44

Seamen Agarshi, Shimto stagger slowly home. The boiler clean is done. the beer drunk. Oh yes, the beer has been drunk
The harbour is dark -but the bright moon still reveals the many great grey shapes in the bay.
The night has been good, but now the weeks exertions are catching up to them -their hammocks call.........

Suddenly, out of the dark, a rather ugly fellow confronts them - one side of his face is bright -obviously burnt at some stage. But the face is not nearly as bright as the eyes that seem to burn in it.
But he has a friendly looking smile -and he positively exudes happiness -"Men!, men! -heroes of the nation! -allow a grateful business man repay your service to the glorious Empuire -allow me to buy you a drink!'
The two men consider the offer..................bed calls, duty tomorrow becons........... A conspirical whisper " I have a couple of girls very keen to meet the likes of you .................."



Some time later...............



The XO of the Ryujo listens to his Chief coxswain, half in total disbelief, half trying to hide a smirk
"You found them how?"
"naked as the day they were born sir -they swear they remember nothing..."
'But they were painted in Black and gold stripes??????????????"
"Ahem -yes sir - black and gold stripes"

The XO shakes his head -does he really have time for this?
"They keep saying something along the line that their 'friend', kept mentioning Tigers sir"

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: 1275psi

Ahhhhhhhhh boiler cleans -wonderful in summer - but our poor seamen are doing them in the heart of winter -a miserable business (and i can tell you that from experience too)

Heart of summer, methinks... we are in the southern hemisphere, no??

[flaggelant]

i think they returned to Japan after their adventurous plans for pearl? that'd position them in the northern hemisphere

[1275psi]

Hi guys

fleet at kagoshima
47th at kagoshima
everyone in the story just about in kagoshima -except those who are in Tokyo
of course Hosho could be anywhere -private airline and all...................[:)]

[1275psi]

The men are up early today - quiet, tense.
They gather early around the machines -watching the ground crews feed the brass shells into the beasts. It is a potent reminder of what lies ahead -wherever that may be. Nakamura has declared the sentai fully operational -from this moment on -they fly loaded for bear

Breath hangs in the cold air, and frost still crackles underneath, the men await Nakamura to emerge from the hut that has been his very temporary home here.
The door opens, and he strides casually towards them, a small smile on his face.
A friendly hand takes Juni's shoulder -in the cold silence his voice carries to all

'Got you toothbrush Juni?"

Juni nods his head.

Few understand that question, but he remembers
He nods -curtly, respectfully

"Good"

Nakamura faces them all. But there is no speech, just a quiet 'lets be going then"

36 great engines cough into life, and into the growing, strengthening sun, 47th fly south.
Finally, finally, they go back to war.



Okiwana -and the KI-84 claims its first.
The undercart problem -as we will see -has NOT been fixed -this is 47th's first foriegn field -rough and ready.
Some one bounces the landing -and left gear collapsing -barrells down the strip in a horrible boiling ball of fire and melting aluminium and flesh.

Oh yes, 47th is going back to the war. And the dying has re begun.

[1275psi]

Turn missing in the ether............................


While we wait

A few statistics of 47th as we go back to the war

47th have 89 kills
Average experience is 79

2 Aces
4 pilots at 90 plus
5 pilots 85 to 90
16 pilots 80 to 85
12 pilots in the seventies
Lowest experience is 61

Pity the pilot bug will destroy all this soon....................
I'm not sure what to do if the pilot bug takes Juni, Miyazuki....................

[1275psi]

16/3/44

47th arrive.
Its been a long, difficult flight. The weather still remains the same old enemy, implacable, never resting.
47th arrive here under low grey clouds -and scattering of rain.
Rain that increases through the night -dripping into the rough repairs of the buildings 47th shelter in tonight.

"This place was always a shitty hole" morously Juni comments -viewing the shattered buildings, the hangers missing large sections "and today just confirms it"

What Jpanese units that are here -are equally morale sucking -Nakamura instantly bans his men to even mingle with them "moral spunges" he calls them.
The war here, has been never ending, with out purpose, or a chance of victory.

Juni is right
Canton in 44 sucks.

[1275psi]

17/3/44

47th flee westward.
Juni does not even care that he has lost the sweep - Canton never had much appeal -or purpose. Its not hard to guess now where they are going -Burma -or Malaya.
To a man , the chance to prove the KI-84 in combat is eagerly awaited.
To a man, they expect victory.

None of them, of course, truly know how the war has changed in the last months...................

[1275psi]

Extract from "Shattering the Sword" a cantona production

to the tommies at Port Blair -this was the sweetest moment of all. There -in plain sight of their positions, 4 small japanese transports burn - and the Royal Navy patrols in strength.
The Japanese are gone -only a regiment of shattered Indian troops remain skulking in the town itself.

They have hung on, hung on, and hung on. Defeat, inevitable, terrible defeat, has been held at bay. Those ships in the bay represent more than a great siege broken -they represent a tide , a tide now flowing towards the outstretched hand of victory.
Winston is particularily pleased "This was our Leningrad"

[1275psi]

Yamamoto meets Nagumo on the quarterdeck of the Mutsu -they have both come to view the incredible damage she has survived -and which already is being put right.

Nagumo waves a hand at the chaos the quarterdeck has become - the Aft 16' turret is being removed - why -he hasn't a clue -but the work ahead seems enourmous
"Is this really worth the effort?"
'Why do you say that?" and Yamamoto is not a little annoyed
Nagumo will pretend not to hear the rebuking tone -after all it was not his stupid idea to attack at madang '"It will take a year to fix this -and by then............"
"And by then you think the war is lost?" the Admiral can hardly control his anger " Am I the only one who still believes in victory?"
Nagumo stares at his leader -and the answer is obvious -but unsaid - you say that? -you who actively no longer supports herbiesan -you who only fights for a chance to gain glory for yourself -you who seeks the decisive battle -and all our deaths winning it?
Instead he simply replies " The admiralty islands have fallen"

a long silence
Yamamoto speaks softly "we repair this ship to show we still believe in the victory -to show everyone that we fight on.
I have already heard of our latest setback. We gather the fleet -prepare to sail Admiral"

Oh -but you won't be commanding old man -I need men who will still fight.....................

[1275psi]

The meeting , if that’s what you call it, was tense
Around the table, the principal conspirators, -Iwaya, Tanaka, the Commanders of 54th Division, several naval guard units, a smattering of others.

Tanaka is delivering the final plans “for the rebirth of Japan”

“On the 1st of April, 54th division will lead the 10th celebratory parade of the revolution in Tokyo.
On the saluting Dias, as far as we can tell, for nearly the very first time since the war began –the entire apparatus of this “Government”
The plan is simple.
Upon eyes right –given personally by the Commander of 54th division, 20 selected men in the first 2 ranks, shall open fire upon the Dias –and kill our enemies.”

A few feet shuffle, but nobody interrupts the speech “Simultaneously elements of the naval guard shall sieze the emperor, and swiftly convey him to Gumma airfield –where a plane will take him to a secret location .
From here, once the coup is complete –the Emperor will announce the new revolution.
Other units –as assigned by myself, shall seize the Diet, the radio stations, the power stations, and other points.

54th Division will remain at the Dias –as a reserve to combat any opposition –if encountered
It is intended that utilising naval radio assets –principally Yamato, we shall contact the allies –and seek an immediate peace.”

His eyes sweep the room. “Are there any questions?”

There are many –and the meeting goes for many hours.
Will the plan work? Have you ever plotted to overthrow a government? What needs to be done?. What can bring you undone?
The meeting needs to be long –to consider all these “dones’
For failure can only mean one thing
Death for all in this room

[1275psi]

'Check you safeties off -we are entering potential areas of enemy operations -and for heavens sake -maintain lookout!"

The last is supflerous -these men are experienced enough to pick out the hawks in time.

47th travel due west, below the jungle, the paddy fields, the wild areas. Indian country. The men know it now -and conversations are short, clipped, tense
Ahead, the coast -glimmering besides the sea
Nakamura curses
Juni laughs "Thats one bottle of scotch old man"
47th have arrived one mile south of Tavoy - its rare indeed for Nakamura to make such a navigational mistake.

They circle - another typical japanese airfield -decrepit, scared, grass huts, inadequate vehciles -and the field looks rough.
Not one man does not eye it warily -and think of undercarts that may, or may not hold.

But they all get down ok -and seek the usual things, fuel, food, ............and news.

The news -is bad
The enemy are slowly coming down towards Rangoonv - a literal carpet of bombers leading the way. Moulmien is the only viable field north of here -and its efforts to intercept the bombers, to stop them, are snowflakes in the furnace.
But there is plenty of support -and burma command has not been idle - fields dot Thailand everywhere -there are options a plenty.
Grimly Nakamura thinks he will need them

At Dusk -an old friend
Juni spots him -high, very high in the setting sunset -points him out. The field is dark already, but the sun still glints on his wings
"P38 -recon"
he smiles "They know we are here guys - now what will they do about it?"

[1275psi]

19/3/44

A wet field. Mud on your boots. Sweat on your body. A million insects
"Elements of 85th, 87th are beginning to arrive" Nakamura looks them in the eye 'Our little picnic is over. Time to go to work gentlemen"

The great engines begin to snarl.
The new brightly painted tigers vibrate under each cockpit
canopies slam shut

Yes, it is time to go back to work..........................

[1275psi]

new emblem

[1275psi]

20/3/44

Juni awakens in the early dawn.
For a moment or two, he has to think of where he is - and then the sore back, aching legs reminds him.
The hut is quiet - except for the snoring of several of the men -and then he hears a sound he does not want to hear -the steady drip and patter of rain.
He eases out from the hammock -something the Navy really does have going for it, he thinks, and stumbles for some clothes.
The door creaks -and it is still very dark
It all seems ridicoulsly quiet.

Nakamura is up. A lone figure near his plane -oblivious to the rain -staring at the sky.
Juni sloshes over to him -the rain is warm, and barely above a drizzle
Nakamura greats him, his smile flashing white in the dark
"You too unable to sleep my old friend?"
'I never sleep boss - I just rest my eyes"

Juni raises his face to the rain -testing the wind
"Do you think we will fly today?"
Nakamura ignores the question, he has other things , apparently, to say.
"How long have we been doing this Juni? -waking before dawn, with a good chance of not seing the dusk?"
"Your not going soft on me are you?" Juni answers -trying to jest
The laugh is muted, more of a dismissal. "No, not soft -just tired. Tired of Jungles, tired of crappy food, crappy beds. Going home was a mistake Juni -once I had her firmly put away -now, now she is all I think off"
Juni cannot answer -he after all, does not have a wife

Nakamura sighs - and Juni see's it -the mental putting away of things from home -and his leaders shoulders straighten
"I think we will fly today killer - if nobody else does -you and I will'
he pats the fighters wing, traces a finger of its Tiger
"Come on -I'm sure even this place can provide some Cha"



Later

24000 feet -and she is singing like a bird. Juni sits tight besides Nakamura, and they surf the grey, grey sodden skies.
They are hunting over Rangoon -incredible to think of that place abandoned -how was that possible?
The quarry -another twin tailed devil - is elusive

Juni peers through the scree -the water beads in strings across it -and little patches of condensation cover some patches of the thick glass.
The radio crackles "Did you see him?"
"No"
"he saw us -that I'm sure off. Well -they know we are here -lets go home -if i can find it"

Of course they can find it -imposible to think that they cannot.

They return -the field is busy - more KI-84's flying in, the tired, tired navy pilots flying out. Once again, the Army is taking the wieght.
Troops to the North, have again been pounded.
day one of the job ahs been a disapointment -what , thinks Nakamura, will we do tomorrow?

[1275psi]

21/3/44

47th sentai

Operational orders

47th sentai, in co ordination with 85th, 87th sentai, will maintain a continuous combat air patrol over the railway junction, seek the enemy, and destroy him

Col Nakamura




Nakamura leads 47th first section, 14000 feet. A lot of cloud, ceiling at 16000.
With him, his very best, Juni, Chuzaburo, Shirahama, 3 others.
Elements of the 87th are already ahead of them – and the radio crackles.
“Contact!”

Juni tightens his straps again, and the mind goes clear, sharp, and everything takes that focused, focused detailed look.
Time slows.

87th are in a turning fight with a handful of P-38’s –and he feels a savage thrill as one them sheds a wing, and begins the fatal flutter to the killing fields below
Half a dozen or so new sharks are diving into the fight –fat low bellies, clipped wings –P51’s – the best they have, and 47th wheel into the attack.

The 51’s see them –these new diving fighters, and they too turn to meet, expecting more easy kills like so many in the weeks before,………..

A 51 latches onto his tail, lightly, delicately he maneuvers the stick, the great blade dragging him through the twist, the S turn, and ther 51 finds itself the hunter –it pulls up, relying on its far greater speed – and Juni smiles as he, OH so easily , swallows the distance –and its quick, violently quick as the 51 shatters under his guns…………..
Oh yes –the 84 is as good as he could ever have hoped for.

And then, as usual, the sky is clear

They re gather at the rally point, none missing
Below, columns of fire.

The next shift come in – and Nakamura takes them home

Moulmien field is a hive of activity – and the Tigers return, and grim faced men alight, smiling, grinning
The kills begin to mount – some of the men have met spitfires,, some medium bombers
Miyazuki comes home –no kills, his head shaking in amazement –the armoured screen has done its job – he should, would have been dead in the 44.
The day goes on, and on, endlessly – 47th stamping themselves all over the front, gaining in confidence with each hour, gaining in kills, gaining in reputation.

By the time the last fighter has returned, its almost exultation that sweeps through them.

No losses
12 kills confirmed



Operations report 47th Sentai
LRCAP/ offensive operations southern Burma

Continuous sorties flown
12 confirmed kills
5 * P51
1* spitfire
4 * B-26
2* P-38

No losses
87th sentai one kill, one loss

[1275psi]

Extract from "Shattering the Sword," a Cantona production


The appearance of the Tigers over the front was dramatic. The P-51's in particular, taken completely by surprise. Conditioned to outrunning, out turning, out gunning and outclimbing the KI-43's, the Zekes,-they lost heavily this day -many dying trying to out turn or outclimb this new fighter..
A new factor had been introduced to the front.
For the japanese soldiers, pounded day after day on the railline, the sudden abscence of bombers the day after was a blessed relief.
And with japanese bombers creating havoc with the relief ships at Port blair, many began to wonder if the chance of early victory might just be slipping away..

Admiral cantona however, could not let this happen.