Ship of Steel, Men of Valor - Cuttlefish (A) versus Cribtop (J)

[princep01]

Let the Games begin!

Ron Burgundy

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: HMS Resolution

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

ORIGINAL: Grollub

Your girlfriend? [:'(][:D]

I would be ecstatic if GFU took any interest but no. [:D]

It's actually for a college professor of mine that I still keep in touch with. Back when warplan orange was being made I requested that his name be entered as the captain of one of his royal majesty's battleships and he got a kick out of that (royal navy historian). I'm sure he'd get a kick out of cf's writing as well.

What's he written on it? Anything we might have heard of?

Unless you subscribe to academic publications and the Journal of Military History, probably not. His last book was actually not on the RN but the antebellum buildup in England. Although last we spoke he was working on a book on the FAA, which I'm dying to read when its finished.

[rjopel]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

ORIGINAL: kaleun

CF, I was under the impresion that at some point you had released the Hibiki saga as an ebook available for purchase from an online publisher. Is that still around?

I looked for it in Lulu.com but could not find it.
Cuttlefish did you ever release it?

No, I never did finish that project. If people are still interested I might go ahead and do so, however.

Would love to see the other story published. As well as this one.

[HMS Resolution]

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo
Unless you subscribe to academic publications and the Journal of Military History, probably not. His last book was actually not on the RN but the antebellum buildup in England. Although last we spoke he was working on a book on the FAA, which I'm dying to read when its finished.

I get around, try me.

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: HMS Resolution

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo
Unless you subscribe to academic publications and the Journal of Military History, probably not. His last book was actually not on the RN but the antebellum buildup in England. Although last we spoke he was working on a book on the FAA, which I'm dying to read when its finished.

I get around, try me.

http://www.amazon.com/Appeasement-Rearm ... 0742545385

Heres the book. Not sure if the articles are online anywhere. I think he had 2 more books, probably in the 80s but I've never seen them online.

[HMS Resolution]

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

http://www.amazon.com/Appeasement-Rearm ... 0742545385

Heres the book. Not sure if the articles are online anywhere. I think he had 2 more books, probably in the 80s but I've never seen them online.

I HAVE heard of him! I think he also wrote a book on the Home Fleet that I've wanted for a good long while, but could never afford. I actually almost wrote him when I was thinking about trying for grad school. How cool!

edit: I also read this by him a while ago, although I take slight issue with his f/n 7 re: the comparison of Formidable and Yorktown, to wit that the USN was not impressed by the attache's observations, just going on the marginal notes.

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: HMS Resolution

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

http://www.amazon.com/Appeasement-Rearm ... 0742545385

Heres the book. Not sure if the articles are online anywhere. I think he had 2 more books, probably in the 80s but I've never seen them online.

I HAVE heard of him! I think he also wrote a book on the Home Fleet that I've wanted for a good long while, but could never afford. I actually almost wrote him when I was thinking about trying for grad school. How cool!

Yes he did. I dont even want to know how much it costs. I shamelessly borrowed his to read. I dont think he thought any less of me, as I was a poor student at the time. [:D]

If you do decide to write to him, you will find that he is one of the most genuine and approachable people you'll ever meet.

[mike scholl 1]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

Cribtop and I are just waiting for the new patch to be official. Any day now...

This is just mean "fish". A promise of paradise..., but with the "developers" holding the keys. I hope those guys realize just how many people are waiting on them...[:(][:(][:(]

[Cribtop]

CF,

FYI, I popped into the beta patch thread and MichaelM confirmed that the patch is code only and wouldn't require a restart. Perhaps we should sally forth before the beta is made final?

E-mail me to discuss further.

[Cuttlefish]

Cribtop is working on his first turn, so this thing should be getting started in earnest within a few days.

[nashvillen]

[&o][&o][&o]

All hail Cuttlefish and Cribtop! [:)]

[Cribtop]

Nash,

First, great sig art. Second, love the B-10 icon! How much HI to produce that beast? I was a huge Star Fleet Battles player, usually played Romulans.

As CF mentioned, we should be getting started soon so I will make this my last post in this thread.

Best of luck, Cuttlefish. Can't wait to read the story and I hope to provide an entertaining war.

[Cuttlefish]

December 7, 1941

USS West Virginia, Battleship Row, Pearl Harbor


It looked like it was going to be a nice morning. Though the nearby mountains were wreathed in mist only a few scattered clouds drifted over Pearl Harbor. Bill Bonderman crossed the fantail of West Virginia with two wooden folding chairs under each arm, heading for the rows of chairs already set out for the morning service. He could see the chaplain nearby talking with a pair of sailors.

Battleship Row was a grand sight in the morning sunshine. Ahead of West Virginia was Oklahoma. Tennessee was inboard and looking out over the stern Bonderman could see Arizona, with the repair ship Vestal tied up alongside. The big warships looked trim and neat. Bonderman took a moment to admire the view.

Something caught his eye to the southeast. Out over the Southeast Loch a swarm of planes was heading his way, unusually low. Bonderman watched them for a moment, puzzled. His mind raced through possible explanations, discarding each in turn and then reaching for a new one like a man trying on a series of ill-fitting coats. Some kind of unannounced training exercise? A group of pilots out for an early morning joy-ride? Maybe, he thought, they were off-course and the pilots were just now realizing with dismay where they were and how many regs they were breaking.

The reality, that he was looking at an unhindered and picture-perfect attack run by hostile planes against his own ship, refused to occur to him. Even when torpedoes dropped with a splash from the four lead planes the truth still would not register. And then the first torpedo hit.

It struck aft and the shock threw Bonderman to the deck. He stood up, tasting blood from a cut inside his mouth. In an instant, it seemed, the peaceful Sunday morning had been turned into raging chaos. Men were running and yelling, the air rumbled with explosions, and planes buzzed overhead. Bonderman looked up and saw red circles on their wings. And then, finally, he knew what was going on.

Training took over and carried him through the shock. He turned and headed forward, heading for his post in the radio room. He had to get there, he had to broadcast a warning about the attack...

Above and slightly behind the torpedo bombers were more planes. These released their bombs and one landed neatly between turrets three and four. This time Bonderman kept his feet but flames leaped up almost instantly. The heat was searing. Fixed on his purpose, Bonderman skirted the inferno and continued forward. Then another bomb hit and Bonderman felt himself lifted up and into the air. With a kind of nightmare slowness he saw the rail pass beneath him and then he was out over the water. There was no sound but a kind of hissing white noise. He wondered almost idly where he was going and what would happen when he got there. Down, down he fell, turning once end over end. And then there was a stinging impact and water closed over his head.

Bonderman broke the surface, sputtering. Everything snapped back into focus. He looked around and oriented himself, then struck out past West Virginia's stern towards Ford Island. The precariousness of his position was appalling. He could feel the jolts of explosions transmitted through the water and knew that if a bomb or torpedo struck nearby the concussion would turn him to jelly. Not only that, oil was beginning to spread across the water. If that caught fire he would die an even more unpleasant death.

The sailor swam strongly but inexpertly, hindered by his clothing. Growing up in Lubbock had not afforded him many chances to learn to swim and in two years in the navy he had not tried to improve his skills. That may have been a mistake, he thought wryly as he clawed through the water.

Lord, he murmured to himself in silent prayer as he struggled along, I understand that you might be kind of busy right about now. But if you could send a break or two my way I surely would appreciate it. I've been tryin' to be a better man and if I get through this I'll try even harder. Your will be done, of course.

He swam into a patch of oil. The thick stuff fouled the inside of his mouth and stung his eyes. Bonderman spat and struggled on. The attack that was raging all around him faded away. His entire focus was on continuing forward, in finding the strength to continue to propel himself on. Now he was past Tennessee. The last thirty feet seemed to take him forever but at last his feet touched the silty bottom. On his hand and knees he floundered out of the water, his oil-streaked clothing sticking to him. He retched salt water and oil. A strong hand grasped his arm and pulled him upright. It was a burly man, shoeless, in dungarees and a t-shirt.

"They're strafing," yelled the man. Bonderman heard him only thinly through the hissing in his ears. "Come on!" He towed Bonderman away from the water and towards the shelter of some stacked crates. Bonderman followed, unspeakable grateful for the assistance. His legs felt like rubber. He reached the crates and flopped down behind them. Several other men were already crouched there. The man who had helped Bonderman disappeared, heading back towards the water.

Bonderman raised his head and looked back at his ship. He couldn't see much. Smoke was billowing up from Tennessee and it obscured his vision. All around were smoke and flames and through it all swarmed the Japanese planes, destroying almost at will. At least now some were being chased by bursts of anti-aircraft fire.

One of the men beside him yelled and pointed and Bonderman looked, just in time to see Maryland, anchored ahead of Tennessee, begin to roll onto her side. He watched as her bottom came into view. The water all around was filled with struggling men and to Bonderman's horror the oil that now covered the surface began to burn.

Tears filled his eyes. He shook his fist up at the swooping and diving planes.

"You bastards," he choked out, scarcely able to hear his own voice. "You'll pay for this. You'll pay!"

***

I would like to dedicate this entry to Dr. John Matheson. Growing up, I knew him as a friend and colleague of my father. But as a young man he was a crewman on USS West Virginia and was aboard her on that fateful Sunday morning. Dr. Matheson recognized my early interest in military history and to encourage me gave me some books from his own library, books I still have and treasure. I am happy to say that he is still with us.

[kaleun]

Awesome retelling squid.

[nashvillen]

One word: Goosebumps!

[&o][&o][&o]

[Andav]

Thank goodness for another Cuttlefish AAR! [&o]

Walter

[Capt. Harlock]

He could feel the jolts of explosions transmitted through the water and knew that if a bomb or torpedo struck nearby the concussion would turn him to jelly.

Bonderman's got brains. We're off to a rousing start!

[Grunt]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish
I would like to dedicate this entry to Dr. John Matheson. Growing up, I knew him as a friend and colleague of my father. But as a young man he was a crewman on USS West Virginia and was aboard her on that fateful Sunday morning. Dr. Matheson recognized my early interest in military history and to encourage me gave me some books from his own library, books I still have and treasure. I am happy to say that he is still with us.

I wonder if Dr. Matheson might have know my uncle. My mother's brother was aboard the West Virginia Dec 7. He died of his burn wounds three days later.

[DOCUP]

From a West Virginian, thanks to both Dr. Matheson and Grunts uncle thanks for there service as to all the others on this forum. Great story and writing Cuttlefish.

doc

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Grunt

I wonder if Dr. Matheson might have know my uncle. My mother's brother was aboard the West Virginia Dec 7. He died of his burn wounds three days later.

It's entirely possible.