The little ship that could.
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: ouch
Good stuff, I for one will certainly be reading... it's like a novel, so many characters to follow, with such moments of joy and sorrow. Keep at it, and one day you could make a book out of it... Hal
-
british exil
- Posts: 1686
- Joined: Thu May 04, 2006 6:26 pm
- Location: Lower Saxony Germany
RE: ouch
( I must sit down and re read and see what her score is so far!)
That is what I was about to ask, how are the losses caused and inflicted?
Mat
"It is not enough to expect a man to pay for the best, you must also give him what he pays for." Alfred Dunhill
WitE,UV,AT,ATG,FoF,FPCRS
WitE,UV,AT,ATG,FoF,FPCRS
RE: ouch
9/12/42
Maleolop falls to the Americans
Continuing a trend that sends quiet ripples of worry through the Allied chain of command, every single Japanese soldier fulfills his oath to the emperor, and fights to the death.
The battle has been bloody for both sides, now as the dead are gathered, and the wounded prepared for evacuation, the first marines can count the crippled ships off shore.
4 large transports burn, and other ships show damage.
Evacuating the wounded may have to wait.
It has been third time lucky for the Americans, this, it seems, is how you conduct amphibious operations.
But not for Private Mitchell.
His dreams of a life of missionary work has ended on a blood soaked beach a long , long way from home.
The Lord , it is said, works in mysterious ways.
10/12/42
“1A and 2A boilers secured sir, rev limitation is 230”
Kato leans into the voice tube. “very good PO Okano”
The captain is learning his men, he now recognizes many of these anonymous voices coming up the tubes. He can even, at times, put faces to them.
He leans into the tube again “ Okano, do you know if the Charge has found our problem?”
The voice , so far away, still retains a hint of amusement “I think he and the Engineer are sweating on it now sir”
Sweating on it now.
A totally inadequate description of the private hell these two men are undergoing.
The first hint, wisps of steam from the funnel, have now been confirmed. A steady stream of water is trickling down the rear of the boiler , hidden behind the casings. It has taken a junior sailor crawling into the cavity under the boiler to confirm the leak: that , and the rapid way the level has vanished from its gauge glass upon shut down.
Now, with temperatures still well above baking point, Charge and tan await the removal of the inspection casing here at the top of the boiler.
The roof of the space is a mere foot above them, and here no ventilation reaches.
Temperatures are brutal.
Tan can literally feel his eyeballs drying out, his skin almost shriveling.
Breathing comes in shallow pants
Nothing, not even tours on the steaming plates of the big Express locomotives has prepared him for this.
It is unbearable
Incredibly, Charge turns to him, and smiles.
“they sir, that stokers will always go to heaven, “ he grunts as the heavy casing is passed back to him, the young sailor climbing back down to sanity with it “ because he has done his time in hell”
A great torch clicks into life, and sheer madness, Charges head, the torch, half vanish into the black hole in front of them
“of course” the voice is now muffled “there are some you say we are already actually dead, and this is hell”
Banging as his slim body completely vanishes “Are you coming ?, let me teach you about the madness of Japanese kampon boilers!’
Tan contemplates the hole.
Waves, as from an oven, of heat blasts at him.
“now I know what a Turkey feels like’
With a great gasp, he too enters.
The hole in the tube is immediately found. A steady jet of steam hisses from it, water too.
The two men need but three minutes,, utterly drained, they crawl out.
Gasping, they gather on the lower plates.
I have run 20 miles, at least, thinks Tan. This, is impossible.
Finally, head still spinning, the question.
“Can you fix it chief?”
“Oh, its pretty truked, pretty truked. But, you know, Truked is fixable…………..”
Thirty minutes later, an impeccable Engineer reports to his Captain.
“repairs will take 72 hours, 48 to let the boiler cool, 6 to repair, a day to squeeze test. Regrettable, but that is how it is.”
Kato will nod, accept the news. Zuiho has been a lucky ship defect wise. Luck again is with them. “We are returning to Truk, a week at least. You have the Time Tan”
Extract from ‘Shattering the Sword”, a cantona production
This battle over Lunga , as shattering to the Japanese confidence as it was, does have consequence. It will be over a week before Lunga will see another attack. It gives the allies as many things to contemplate as the Japanese have.
Maolelop however gives them total access to the Marshall islands, allows Kwaljien to be bombed at will.
However, it leaves a long, long chain of small mutually exclusive islands to supply and defend..
Even as japans carriers sail home to Truk, allied signal traffic analysis begins to build a disturbing picture.
Truk lagoon is filling with warships. A great, great many warships.
The signs are unmistakable. Something is brewing. Something huge…………….
(PS-slowly putting a first year TROM together)
Maleolop falls to the Americans
Continuing a trend that sends quiet ripples of worry through the Allied chain of command, every single Japanese soldier fulfills his oath to the emperor, and fights to the death.
The battle has been bloody for both sides, now as the dead are gathered, and the wounded prepared for evacuation, the first marines can count the crippled ships off shore.
4 large transports burn, and other ships show damage.
Evacuating the wounded may have to wait.
It has been third time lucky for the Americans, this, it seems, is how you conduct amphibious operations.
But not for Private Mitchell.
His dreams of a life of missionary work has ended on a blood soaked beach a long , long way from home.
The Lord , it is said, works in mysterious ways.
10/12/42
“1A and 2A boilers secured sir, rev limitation is 230”
Kato leans into the voice tube. “very good PO Okano”
The captain is learning his men, he now recognizes many of these anonymous voices coming up the tubes. He can even, at times, put faces to them.
He leans into the tube again “ Okano, do you know if the Charge has found our problem?”
The voice , so far away, still retains a hint of amusement “I think he and the Engineer are sweating on it now sir”
Sweating on it now.
A totally inadequate description of the private hell these two men are undergoing.
The first hint, wisps of steam from the funnel, have now been confirmed. A steady stream of water is trickling down the rear of the boiler , hidden behind the casings. It has taken a junior sailor crawling into the cavity under the boiler to confirm the leak: that , and the rapid way the level has vanished from its gauge glass upon shut down.
Now, with temperatures still well above baking point, Charge and tan await the removal of the inspection casing here at the top of the boiler.
The roof of the space is a mere foot above them, and here no ventilation reaches.
Temperatures are brutal.
Tan can literally feel his eyeballs drying out, his skin almost shriveling.
Breathing comes in shallow pants
Nothing, not even tours on the steaming plates of the big Express locomotives has prepared him for this.
It is unbearable
Incredibly, Charge turns to him, and smiles.
“they sir, that stokers will always go to heaven, “ he grunts as the heavy casing is passed back to him, the young sailor climbing back down to sanity with it “ because he has done his time in hell”
A great torch clicks into life, and sheer madness, Charges head, the torch, half vanish into the black hole in front of them
“of course” the voice is now muffled “there are some you say we are already actually dead, and this is hell”
Banging as his slim body completely vanishes “Are you coming ?, let me teach you about the madness of Japanese kampon boilers!’
Tan contemplates the hole.
Waves, as from an oven, of heat blasts at him.
“now I know what a Turkey feels like’
With a great gasp, he too enters.
The hole in the tube is immediately found. A steady jet of steam hisses from it, water too.
The two men need but three minutes,, utterly drained, they crawl out.
Gasping, they gather on the lower plates.
I have run 20 miles, at least, thinks Tan. This, is impossible.
Finally, head still spinning, the question.
“Can you fix it chief?”
“Oh, its pretty truked, pretty truked. But, you know, Truked is fixable…………..”
Thirty minutes later, an impeccable Engineer reports to his Captain.
“repairs will take 72 hours, 48 to let the boiler cool, 6 to repair, a day to squeeze test. Regrettable, but that is how it is.”
Kato will nod, accept the news. Zuiho has been a lucky ship defect wise. Luck again is with them. “We are returning to Truk, a week at least. You have the Time Tan”
Extract from ‘Shattering the Sword”, a cantona production
This battle over Lunga , as shattering to the Japanese confidence as it was, does have consequence. It will be over a week before Lunga will see another attack. It gives the allies as many things to contemplate as the Japanese have.
Maolelop however gives them total access to the Marshall islands, allows Kwaljien to be bombed at will.
However, it leaves a long, long chain of small mutually exclusive islands to supply and defend..
Even as japans carriers sail home to Truk, allied signal traffic analysis begins to build a disturbing picture.
Truk lagoon is filling with warships. A great, great many warships.
The signs are unmistakable. Something is brewing. Something huge…………….
(PS-slowly putting a first year TROM together)
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
1A boiler is dumped to bilge, and yet more precious feed water is lost.
But the loses are no longer irreversible, the Evaporators are finally making up now that the leak is found.
It will take days, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Zuiho will spend a quiet day, trekking north towards Truk with the rest of the fleet.
The war has, again, simmered down to a quiet malevolence,.
One side seeks to totally crush the weaker. The other, knowing that if it can just avoid the boiler boot for 6 months more, carefully avoids confrontation.
Under the surface, however, things continue.
Damiensan confronts herbiesan
It is a feeling he is not used to, this being told the hard truth.
But, he has to listen.
Maybe murdering Okura was not such a good idea, it had all gone down hill since then.
Damiensan is cold.
‘First, the good news. “I have stabalised the heavy industry, and certain resource issues are, it seems, under control”
Good. See, I am reasonable. I can do what I am told.
The stare, however, gets harder, colder still. “the bad news. You have fuel everywhere, but not where you need it. You must fix this”
OK, we can do this. Surely THAT can be fixed………….
“And now the truly ugly…………Japan has just ten days fuel for its Industry left”
And that, is truly ugly. Maybe I could wish that away?………….
Yamamoto considers THE plan.
He hands the draft to Hara. “What do you think?”
Hara considers. “It will take a lot of fuel don’t you think?”
Yamamoto snorts. “What do I care about that, I am sure we can rustle some up………”
But the loses are no longer irreversible, the Evaporators are finally making up now that the leak is found.
It will take days, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Zuiho will spend a quiet day, trekking north towards Truk with the rest of the fleet.
The war has, again, simmered down to a quiet malevolence,.
One side seeks to totally crush the weaker. The other, knowing that if it can just avoid the boiler boot for 6 months more, carefully avoids confrontation.
Under the surface, however, things continue.
Damiensan confronts herbiesan
It is a feeling he is not used to, this being told the hard truth.
But, he has to listen.
Maybe murdering Okura was not such a good idea, it had all gone down hill since then.
Damiensan is cold.
‘First, the good news. “I have stabalised the heavy industry, and certain resource issues are, it seems, under control”
Good. See, I am reasonable. I can do what I am told.
The stare, however, gets harder, colder still. “the bad news. You have fuel everywhere, but not where you need it. You must fix this”
OK, we can do this. Surely THAT can be fixed………….
“And now the truly ugly…………Japan has just ten days fuel for its Industry left”
And that, is truly ugly. Maybe I could wish that away?………….
Yamamoto considers THE plan.
He hands the draft to Hara. “What do you think?”
Hara considers. “It will take a lot of fuel don’t you think?”
Yamamoto snorts. “What do I care about that, I am sure we can rustle some up………”
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
A quick TROM of battles, more detailed later
Battle JOLO ISLAND
Unknown taker sunk
Unknown pc sunk
CL Boise – assist
CA Houston –assist
Battle JAVA sea
CL Ceres –sunk
CL tromp –assist
CL java - assist
SYDNEY STRIKE –in conjunction with Swift eagle TF
CA Australia – heavy dam
CA Canberra –Heavy dam
CA Louisville –heavy Dam
CA Adelaide –hit
CL perth –hit
CL Marblehead –hit
1 tanker hit
1 ap hit
(Zuiho hit all three CA with Torps)
NOUMEA Strike
(heavy losses for no result)
SINGAPORE SIEGE
1 unknown pc sunk
2 unknown AP sunk
JAVA CAMPIAGN
1 ss sunk
PALENAMBANG STRIKE
Two attacks
BATTLE FOR PERTH
One tanker, 2 AKs
PORT BLAIR STRIKE
WAKE STRIKE
BATTLE OF TARAWA
Sunk by ZUIHO alone
CL Phoenix
CLAA Atlanta
CL Durbham
Assists to sink
CV Saratoga (2 torps from zuiho)
CV Yorktown (1 torp from zuiho)
CV wasp – (1 bomb from zuiho)
BB North Carolina (4 bombs)
BB Tennessee (2 torpedos)
Zuiho receives 2 DD hits during night surface engagement.
HOME Islands
AMC Charleston
Marshall island Raid
BB West Virginia –4 bombs, slight damage
AP Santa Helena sunk
Total exclusive to Zuiho
4 CL
2 tankers
2 pc
1 AMC
3 AP
2 AK
I think she has earned her keep
Anyone interested in a more detailed TROM?
Battle JOLO ISLAND
Unknown taker sunk
Unknown pc sunk
CL Boise – assist
CA Houston –assist
Battle JAVA sea
CL Ceres –sunk
CL tromp –assist
CL java - assist
SYDNEY STRIKE –in conjunction with Swift eagle TF
CA Australia – heavy dam
CA Canberra –Heavy dam
CA Louisville –heavy Dam
CA Adelaide –hit
CL perth –hit
CL Marblehead –hit
1 tanker hit
1 ap hit
(Zuiho hit all three CA with Torps)
NOUMEA Strike
(heavy losses for no result)
SINGAPORE SIEGE
1 unknown pc sunk
2 unknown AP sunk
JAVA CAMPIAGN
1 ss sunk
PALENAMBANG STRIKE
Two attacks
BATTLE FOR PERTH
One tanker, 2 AKs
PORT BLAIR STRIKE
WAKE STRIKE
BATTLE OF TARAWA
Sunk by ZUIHO alone
CL Phoenix
CLAA Atlanta
CL Durbham
Assists to sink
CV Saratoga (2 torps from zuiho)
CV Yorktown (1 torp from zuiho)
CV wasp – (1 bomb from zuiho)
BB North Carolina (4 bombs)
BB Tennessee (2 torpedos)
Zuiho receives 2 DD hits during night surface engagement.
HOME Islands
AMC Charleston
Marshall island Raid
BB West Virginia –4 bombs, slight damage
AP Santa Helena sunk
Total exclusive to Zuiho
4 CL
2 tankers
2 pc
1 AMC
3 AP
2 AK
I think she has earned her keep
Anyone interested in a more detailed TROM?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
-
british exil
- Posts: 1686
- Joined: Thu May 04, 2006 6:26 pm
- Location: Lower Saxony Germany
RE: ouch
If it is not too much to ask for, how many planes lost- shot down.
Oh and yes how often have they had to repair those truked boilers.
Mat
Oh and yes how often have they had to repair those truked boilers.
Mat
"It is not enough to expect a man to pay for the best, you must also give him what he pays for." Alfred Dunhill
WitE,UV,AT,ATG,FoF,FPCRS
WitE,UV,AT,ATG,FoF,FPCRS
A new man joins
11/12/42
Kato steers Zuiho with a steady hand. He may be (to his crew) one cold barsted, but there is this. He can maneuver a ship as if it’s a toy, bringing her deftly to the pier with out fuss or bother.
It may not sound much this, to you and I, but this is one of the things that quickly bring a captain Respect.
And that is Respect with a capital R
Kato checks, for the thousandth time, the flanks of his ship, the fenders, the mooring ropes, one and two good, three, a little lose, four, five, good.
Six, as ever, is still going across to the wharf.
Truk is packed with shipping, masses of it, and now, with berthing complete, he has a moment to consider.
Alongside space is at a premium. There are 10 carriers, 8 battleships here, and countless other vessels. How is it that lowly Zuiho can be allocated a berth?
But even as he watches the first crew stream ashore to complete securing, clues begin to emerge.
There, down the wharf, sheltering under umbrellas from the rain now falling, is a Cinema camera crew…...
AH, so our new pilot is about to join then.
Final rope secured.
Safe in harbour again..
‘Stop main engines”
“Stop main engines”
“Finish main engines”
“Finish main engines”
There is a long pause, and many, many men, hold their breath.
What comes next is going to make the difference to a great many mens lives today
“revert to 24 Hours notice for sea”
Men around Kato smile.
Down below, the order is met with wide grins, even, in the more discreet corners, whoops of joy.
Twenty four hours notice.
Alongside
Which means all four boilers can be shut down
Which means cooler work
Which means normal working days
A chance to sleep.
No watch keeping on steaming boilers.
Almost a hint of a normal life.
For the charge, for Tan, welcome news indeed.
Zuiho, other than the boiler with the leaking tube, is in fair shape. In 48 hours, she will be almost 100% again.
Safe
Shut down
Time to work
Magic.
Later
On the wharf, a young man climbs out of a large black saloon
He is thin, tall. Rakish even.
In the background, the cine camera swings towards him, and begins to hum.
He is used to this, and studiously ignores it, attention instead riveted to his new home, his posting, his ship.
Well, father, here I am. You tried to stop me, but,……..here I am. I wish you would understand, I don’t want your power, your riches.
I want my own way
And if means the sea, all the better.
Herbiesan JNR studies his ship. He is dressed in his uniform, Petty Officer Uto his name states.
But this is for security. His face is too well known for him to hide for long.
How will they greet him?
What will they think?
Will, will he be up to their mark?
He hopes so. He truly does.
Zuiho does not look her best. Now the streaks of rust are clearly winning. The area around the funnel discharge a great black soot desert.
Her ropes are dull, and her paint faded,
And her waterline is thick with growth, and rust, her boot top almost buried under the junk journeying around the world with her.
But.
But her men look tall. And proud. And Uniforms are neat, and clean, and every man seems to move with a purpose. Nobody idles at the stern, or on the companion ways.
Groups of men are hauling hoses aboard, and another line already is slinging bags of rice as per a caterpillar up her gangway.
And she sits, this little ship, at ease,, because now, all of japan knows what she has done
And He is joining her.
“PO UTO” takes his bag, and walks confidently towards his new home, heart racing.
On her deck, bells are ting, ting, tinging.
He sees a zero rising from below.
Petty officer Okura sees the new man coming down the wharf. Sees the camera.
He stands still.
And quiet fury fills him.
Kato steers Zuiho with a steady hand. He may be (to his crew) one cold barsted, but there is this. He can maneuver a ship as if it’s a toy, bringing her deftly to the pier with out fuss or bother.
It may not sound much this, to you and I, but this is one of the things that quickly bring a captain Respect.
And that is Respect with a capital R
Kato checks, for the thousandth time, the flanks of his ship, the fenders, the mooring ropes, one and two good, three, a little lose, four, five, good.
Six, as ever, is still going across to the wharf.
Truk is packed with shipping, masses of it, and now, with berthing complete, he has a moment to consider.
Alongside space is at a premium. There are 10 carriers, 8 battleships here, and countless other vessels. How is it that lowly Zuiho can be allocated a berth?
But even as he watches the first crew stream ashore to complete securing, clues begin to emerge.
There, down the wharf, sheltering under umbrellas from the rain now falling, is a Cinema camera crew…...
AH, so our new pilot is about to join then.
Final rope secured.
Safe in harbour again..
‘Stop main engines”
“Stop main engines”
“Finish main engines”
“Finish main engines”
There is a long pause, and many, many men, hold their breath.
What comes next is going to make the difference to a great many mens lives today
“revert to 24 Hours notice for sea”
Men around Kato smile.
Down below, the order is met with wide grins, even, in the more discreet corners, whoops of joy.
Twenty four hours notice.
Alongside
Which means all four boilers can be shut down
Which means cooler work
Which means normal working days
A chance to sleep.
No watch keeping on steaming boilers.
Almost a hint of a normal life.
For the charge, for Tan, welcome news indeed.
Zuiho, other than the boiler with the leaking tube, is in fair shape. In 48 hours, she will be almost 100% again.
Safe
Shut down
Time to work
Magic.
Later
On the wharf, a young man climbs out of a large black saloon
He is thin, tall. Rakish even.
In the background, the cine camera swings towards him, and begins to hum.
He is used to this, and studiously ignores it, attention instead riveted to his new home, his posting, his ship.
Well, father, here I am. You tried to stop me, but,……..here I am. I wish you would understand, I don’t want your power, your riches.
I want my own way
And if means the sea, all the better.
Herbiesan JNR studies his ship. He is dressed in his uniform, Petty Officer Uto his name states.
But this is for security. His face is too well known for him to hide for long.
How will they greet him?
What will they think?
Will, will he be up to their mark?
He hopes so. He truly does.
Zuiho does not look her best. Now the streaks of rust are clearly winning. The area around the funnel discharge a great black soot desert.
Her ropes are dull, and her paint faded,
And her waterline is thick with growth, and rust, her boot top almost buried under the junk journeying around the world with her.
But.
But her men look tall. And proud. And Uniforms are neat, and clean, and every man seems to move with a purpose. Nobody idles at the stern, or on the companion ways.
Groups of men are hauling hoses aboard, and another line already is slinging bags of rice as per a caterpillar up her gangway.
And she sits, this little ship, at ease,, because now, all of japan knows what she has done
And He is joining her.
“PO UTO” takes his bag, and walks confidently towards his new home, heart racing.
On her deck, bells are ting, ting, tinging.
He sees a zero rising from below.
Petty officer Okura sees the new man coming down the wharf. Sees the camera.
He stands still.
And quiet fury fills him.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
Zuiho shows 41 kills for 13 losses in the air
The deck is hard under his feet, and instantly everything feels different, strange.
Uto is almost barely aware of the salute from the gangway staff, his keen eyes taking in the surroundings.
But there is little time, a sailor is taking his bag.
‘if you will follow me sir……..I will take you to the ready room”
He follows, carefully stepping over the coaming as they enter Zuiho, into this new world of artificial light, gleaming brass, and strange noise.
Uto has passed his flying tests. It takes but a moment to realize. Now he has to learn to be a sailor….
Hidaka is reading intelligence signals in the ready room, half expecting, waiting for the arrival.
The man that enters looks nothing like the brash, confident, almost arrogant figure of the newsreels, the papers. No, he looks exactly as all do this first time. Wary, uncertain….
So, just a man after all……..
But nevertheless, he will rise, extend his hand. “Welcome to Zuiho. I am your immediate commander, Hidaka. “
‘Sir”
A good salute. Good. Very good.
The speech, this speech, he has run a hundred times this day in his head.
‘I know who you are. I do not care. You are a fighter pilot. Thus, when I call you to, you will fight”
And suddenly, the nervousness in this young man is gone.
And there is a smile , just a hint, of a smile
“That, that would be perfect sir”
On Akagi
Captain Hara is fairly bristling. Once again, yes once again, it seems that the fleet is preparing for some Goddam crazy mission…… for what end?
He looks around the table, and says just that
“And for what goddam purpose does Yamamoto give for this monster?. What in the world does he hope to gain?”
There is silence.
Six Fleet carrier captains stand around this table. Six men who drive Japans sword. Six men, upon whom the war rests.
Three agree with Hara. Two do not. Yamaguchi is one who does not.
And that is all that really matters……..
His hard eyes turn to his rival.
“Yamamoto believes that the Americans are hanging on by a thread. That they believe that if they just survive the next three months, defeat can be avoided. This operation is going to show them what a fools hope that is!”
Hara snorts. “No, what will happen is we will swing a mighty punch……..into thin air!. We will burn precious fuel, wear out men and ships…..”
‘Would you rather skull about in Japan, waiting for another miracle battle?. Are you scared to fight!”
Inrushing breaths in the sudden icy, icy cold room.
Hara stands still.
Outside, boat whistles, cry of gulls, the sounds of a mighty fleet at rest.
His hand pales, as it hardens about the hilt of his sword.
But a thousand years of Japan cannot be so easily over ridden.
He stiffens, bows swiftly. ‘I will obey”
And with out a glance sideways, he departs.
Operation SCYTHE is approved ten minutes later.
LCDR Tan sits in one of the 4.7 inch gun bays, taking in the cooling breeze.
‘I wish I had a camera’, he thinks. ‘This, surely should be recorded”
I wish, now, so many years later, that it had been. There are some photos, but not many.
13 flat tops of all sizes rest in this lagoon . 11 battleships. 12 heavy cruisers.
More destroyers than he thought existed.
Somehow, no 4-8-4 would ever be able to stir him again
The deck is hard under his feet, and instantly everything feels different, strange.
Uto is almost barely aware of the salute from the gangway staff, his keen eyes taking in the surroundings.
But there is little time, a sailor is taking his bag.
‘if you will follow me sir……..I will take you to the ready room”
He follows, carefully stepping over the coaming as they enter Zuiho, into this new world of artificial light, gleaming brass, and strange noise.
Uto has passed his flying tests. It takes but a moment to realize. Now he has to learn to be a sailor….
Hidaka is reading intelligence signals in the ready room, half expecting, waiting for the arrival.
The man that enters looks nothing like the brash, confident, almost arrogant figure of the newsreels, the papers. No, he looks exactly as all do this first time. Wary, uncertain….
So, just a man after all……..
But nevertheless, he will rise, extend his hand. “Welcome to Zuiho. I am your immediate commander, Hidaka. “
‘Sir”
A good salute. Good. Very good.
The speech, this speech, he has run a hundred times this day in his head.
‘I know who you are. I do not care. You are a fighter pilot. Thus, when I call you to, you will fight”
And suddenly, the nervousness in this young man is gone.
And there is a smile , just a hint, of a smile
“That, that would be perfect sir”
On Akagi
Captain Hara is fairly bristling. Once again, yes once again, it seems that the fleet is preparing for some Goddam crazy mission…… for what end?
He looks around the table, and says just that
“And for what goddam purpose does Yamamoto give for this monster?. What in the world does he hope to gain?”
There is silence.
Six Fleet carrier captains stand around this table. Six men who drive Japans sword. Six men, upon whom the war rests.
Three agree with Hara. Two do not. Yamaguchi is one who does not.
And that is all that really matters……..
His hard eyes turn to his rival.
“Yamamoto believes that the Americans are hanging on by a thread. That they believe that if they just survive the next three months, defeat can be avoided. This operation is going to show them what a fools hope that is!”
Hara snorts. “No, what will happen is we will swing a mighty punch……..into thin air!. We will burn precious fuel, wear out men and ships…..”
‘Would you rather skull about in Japan, waiting for another miracle battle?. Are you scared to fight!”
Inrushing breaths in the sudden icy, icy cold room.
Hara stands still.
Outside, boat whistles, cry of gulls, the sounds of a mighty fleet at rest.
His hand pales, as it hardens about the hilt of his sword.
But a thousand years of Japan cannot be so easily over ridden.
He stiffens, bows swiftly. ‘I will obey”
And with out a glance sideways, he departs.
Operation SCYTHE is approved ten minutes later.
LCDR Tan sits in one of the 4.7 inch gun bays, taking in the cooling breeze.
‘I wish I had a camera’, he thinks. ‘This, surely should be recorded”
I wish, now, so many years later, that it had been. There are some photos, but not many.
13 flat tops of all sizes rest in this lagoon . 11 battleships. 12 heavy cruisers.
More destroyers than he thought existed.
Somehow, no 4-8-4 would ever be able to stir him again
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
13/12/42
Zuiho remains nestled alongside, another piece of the chessboard of the war. (I wonder what piece? A knight perhaps?)
What was there day like? Would you like to come to our little ship again, for just a day?
OK, no, you can go home again when you like tomorrow, just remember, these poor saps cannot!
You are going to woken from your hammock at 0515 today, young man (no bunk for you…..Zuiho keeps gaining guns and new machinery and bits and pieces, and thus more men seemingly every port visit, bunks ran out ages ago), and you are going to dress cheek to jowel with them.
Lash that hammock there!, and secure your Crap!
Are your boots polished?. And where is your Torch, your wheel spanner, your adjustable wrench, your 6 inch rule. Heavens, call yourself a Stoker!
Ok, Breakfast?
No, my friend, not for this mess today, not yet.
Follow me.
Out of the mess, heading forward, past the Aviation support shop, the machine shop, into the lower hanger
Oh , good, the aft lift is down, lets ride it up ney?
The flight deck is a bit dewy today.
Now, unless you want a beating, DO NOT slacken of in the calisthenics!
ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!
How long?. Just for 30 minutes.
We don’t do them at sea. In fact, sea is really a whole lot better. None of this rubbish, just our machinery.
Feel better?
OK, now we can go and eat.
Yes, that’s right, a lot of ships , our opponents the British, still do mess deck messing, Zuiho is different. We have canteen/galley messing. I like it. Less mess where we live, more room, and the food arrives hot.
Not so good if you miss the meal hours.
Like the food?. Better than the grunts ashore get, that is for sure. Sailors don’t starve.
I am finished. You are not? What?, you need more than four or five minutes to eat, greedy slob, look at all those guys waiting for a seat.
Yes, it will ruin you for life this rushing a meal deal, but what can we do?
Alright, I am going for a crap, see you at the Muster .0715, forecastle.
You did not need to know that?
Hah!
There are no secrets on a ship.
This is where we muster every day when alongside. Us plebs at the back, the NCO’s to starboard, the Chiefs to Port.
That’s the Charge, he’s OK, if you keep out of his way.
Will he talk to Us?
Only if you Truk up
That’s Tan.
He’s as green in the ways of the navy as you can expect from a conscript, but, and it’s a big but, you should see him make stuff!
We are lucky to have him. Our last engineer beat men every day, never seen Tan raise his voice.
Whatever you do, don’t let him down.
I wonder what they have for us today.
Ugg. Squeezing that Mother %$#$%&^& 1A boiler today. The tube must be welded
Could be worse I suppose, some of the guys wanted you to do tank cleans, but you won’t learn anything doing that.
That’s good, and bad.
Planning to sail 28th of December. And a sports day planned.
OK, its colors……..
OK, lets go to work.
Yep, these are our fighters, our eagles. Shiny huh?. Don’t touch!
The mechanics are our brothers. They do good work. But don’t ask em for bits, or whatever. I think they look down on us a bit.
1A boiler.
The bitch.
You know how I said you will learn stuff, well, I lied.
Here is your sledge hammer. These are the mud drum nuts. Once we start pumping the boiler up –that’s right-start squeezing it, -I want you to start flogging these barsted up.
Iota here will hold the spanner.
Now, to work.
Lunch friend?
Lets go.
Yes, the rice is good, I do hear that japans harvest is poor, I wonder if they are eating this well?
Want to come out to the balcony?
That’s where the pilots gather, this is our bit.
Its nice out here, in the breeze, looking at the fleet.
Yamato is a giant isn’t it.?
No, I would not like to serve on her, a stoker would never see the sun!
Yep, back to work
Put you back into it!
Hello Charge!. No, its not leaking.
Do youi think we can get it lit off tonight?
I hope so.
No, we won’t be watch keeping on it tonight, there are a couple of bad boys Charge and Tan has ‘volunteered’
Yes, now we can shower.
Enjoy it…we don’t very often have potable water.
And stop being shy!, we all have seen it all before.
Spare any soap?
Thanks!
You have got an hour, then be back here in the mess, in your night rig, evening rounds.
Crap!. That!/, that is the fire alarm you dolt!. Exercise.
Come on then!, our station is forward diesel!.
Move!. Move!. Move!
Shut the hatch!, and next bloody time you will remember to duck yes?, you will have a nasty lump there I think.
What now?
We do what we always do, wait for crap to happen
At last. Alright, still have rounds. I want to write a letter after that, evening meal is at 1800.
And am I going to the movie in the hanger.? Of course!
After that, maybe some cards…….
But you are going to go to bed, already?. That was hardly what I would call a busy day my new friend…………..
Yamamoto returns the salutes of the men in front of him
‘gentlemen’
why do submariners always smell?
Japans doctrine has been that our SS arm will hunt exclusively the enemy capital ships, principally the carriers.
Well, there are few of them at the moment to hunt’
Smiles.
After all, did not one of those carriers fall to them?
‘so, I have decided to give what many of you want. You may all sail as soon as you feel ready. 4th fleet will assign areas of patrol. If it floats men, you may, for the next three months, sink it”
Zuiho remains nestled alongside, another piece of the chessboard of the war. (I wonder what piece? A knight perhaps?)
What was there day like? Would you like to come to our little ship again, for just a day?
OK, no, you can go home again when you like tomorrow, just remember, these poor saps cannot!
You are going to woken from your hammock at 0515 today, young man (no bunk for you…..Zuiho keeps gaining guns and new machinery and bits and pieces, and thus more men seemingly every port visit, bunks ran out ages ago), and you are going to dress cheek to jowel with them.
Lash that hammock there!, and secure your Crap!
Are your boots polished?. And where is your Torch, your wheel spanner, your adjustable wrench, your 6 inch rule. Heavens, call yourself a Stoker!
Ok, Breakfast?
No, my friend, not for this mess today, not yet.
Follow me.
Out of the mess, heading forward, past the Aviation support shop, the machine shop, into the lower hanger
Oh , good, the aft lift is down, lets ride it up ney?
The flight deck is a bit dewy today.
Now, unless you want a beating, DO NOT slacken of in the calisthenics!
ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!
How long?. Just for 30 minutes.
We don’t do them at sea. In fact, sea is really a whole lot better. None of this rubbish, just our machinery.
Feel better?
OK, now we can go and eat.
Yes, that’s right, a lot of ships , our opponents the British, still do mess deck messing, Zuiho is different. We have canteen/galley messing. I like it. Less mess where we live, more room, and the food arrives hot.
Not so good if you miss the meal hours.
Like the food?. Better than the grunts ashore get, that is for sure. Sailors don’t starve.
I am finished. You are not? What?, you need more than four or five minutes to eat, greedy slob, look at all those guys waiting for a seat.
Yes, it will ruin you for life this rushing a meal deal, but what can we do?
Alright, I am going for a crap, see you at the Muster .0715, forecastle.
You did not need to know that?
Hah!
There are no secrets on a ship.
This is where we muster every day when alongside. Us plebs at the back, the NCO’s to starboard, the Chiefs to Port.
That’s the Charge, he’s OK, if you keep out of his way.
Will he talk to Us?
Only if you Truk up
That’s Tan.
He’s as green in the ways of the navy as you can expect from a conscript, but, and it’s a big but, you should see him make stuff!
We are lucky to have him. Our last engineer beat men every day, never seen Tan raise his voice.
Whatever you do, don’t let him down.
I wonder what they have for us today.
Ugg. Squeezing that Mother %$#$%&^& 1A boiler today. The tube must be welded
Could be worse I suppose, some of the guys wanted you to do tank cleans, but you won’t learn anything doing that.
That’s good, and bad.
Planning to sail 28th of December. And a sports day planned.
OK, its colors……..
OK, lets go to work.
Yep, these are our fighters, our eagles. Shiny huh?. Don’t touch!
The mechanics are our brothers. They do good work. But don’t ask em for bits, or whatever. I think they look down on us a bit.
1A boiler.
The bitch.
You know how I said you will learn stuff, well, I lied.
Here is your sledge hammer. These are the mud drum nuts. Once we start pumping the boiler up –that’s right-start squeezing it, -I want you to start flogging these barsted up.
Iota here will hold the spanner.
Now, to work.
Lunch friend?
Lets go.
Yes, the rice is good, I do hear that japans harvest is poor, I wonder if they are eating this well?
Want to come out to the balcony?
That’s where the pilots gather, this is our bit.
Its nice out here, in the breeze, looking at the fleet.
Yamato is a giant isn’t it.?
No, I would not like to serve on her, a stoker would never see the sun!
Yep, back to work
Put you back into it!
Hello Charge!. No, its not leaking.
Do youi think we can get it lit off tonight?
I hope so.
No, we won’t be watch keeping on it tonight, there are a couple of bad boys Charge and Tan has ‘volunteered’
Yes, now we can shower.
Enjoy it…we don’t very often have potable water.
And stop being shy!, we all have seen it all before.
Spare any soap?
Thanks!
You have got an hour, then be back here in the mess, in your night rig, evening rounds.
Crap!. That!/, that is the fire alarm you dolt!. Exercise.
Come on then!, our station is forward diesel!.
Move!. Move!. Move!
Shut the hatch!, and next bloody time you will remember to duck yes?, you will have a nasty lump there I think.
What now?
We do what we always do, wait for crap to happen
At last. Alright, still have rounds. I want to write a letter after that, evening meal is at 1800.
And am I going to the movie in the hanger.? Of course!
After that, maybe some cards…….
But you are going to go to bed, already?. That was hardly what I would call a busy day my new friend…………..
Yamamoto returns the salutes of the men in front of him
‘gentlemen’
why do submariners always smell?
Japans doctrine has been that our SS arm will hunt exclusively the enemy capital ships, principally the carriers.
Well, there are few of them at the moment to hunt’
Smiles.
After all, did not one of those carriers fall to them?
‘so, I have decided to give what many of you want. You may all sail as soon as you feel ready. 4th fleet will assign areas of patrol. If it floats men, you may, for the next three months, sink it”
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
Oh, many thanks to pws 1225, and to any one else who reads this.
cantona has, as usual before a big op, gone on holidays for a week. I am one week behind the game, so, I will have to be careful that we don't run out of days to write about!
The last turn we played has the fleet sail............typical[8|]
In the meantime......
(blood thirsty buggars can come back new years eve, when the shooting starts (LOL))
14/12/42
For the stokers, it’s a stunning day
Charge has the 1A boiler chemically dosed at 0800 hrs, and it is lit off 15 minutes later
No problems are encountered
By 0900, it is online, a TG utilizing the steam, the evaporator producing
By 1200, chemistry is steady, and all feed is back to full.
No problems
He orders shutdown for 1400, and by 1600, the plant is again shut down, the ship on shore services.
No problems.
And that, to them, is what is so stunning.
Things should just not go so well.
It is almost strange territory this, being defect free.
Tan is pleased. “Ok then. Inform the men, we are going ashore as a department tomorrow, sports day.”
“And the sport, baseball?”
Tan, for probably the first time in the Charges experience, scowls “ No. I did not get dragged into the military willingly you know, but now that I am here, I will embrace it. Kendo tomorrow. “
He smiles now. “Count your teeth Charge, we are going to do this properly”
Diogawa wanders into the ready room. Food, as usual, at hand.
“Did you hear what that engineer Tan has organized for tomorrow?”
“Another layer of soot on the flight deck?’
“Three feet of fuel in the mess, not two?’
‘A spare water tank so we can have a proper bath?’
“No, you idiots. A Kendo tournoment”
And PO Okura, in the corner, deeply immersed in a book, is suddenly very, very interested. “ Do you think we could enter?’
“Why, who do you want to fight?”
There is something in the voice, a hardness that makes many look up at him
‘Oh, I don’t know, the new guy perhaps?’
“Our glorious dictators Son?”
‘Yes, him”
Low Whistles ……
‘Now, that is ballsey…….”
cantona has, as usual before a big op, gone on holidays for a week. I am one week behind the game, so, I will have to be careful that we don't run out of days to write about!
The last turn we played has the fleet sail............typical[8|]
In the meantime......
(blood thirsty buggars can come back new years eve, when the shooting starts (LOL))
14/12/42
For the stokers, it’s a stunning day
Charge has the 1A boiler chemically dosed at 0800 hrs, and it is lit off 15 minutes later
No problems are encountered
By 0900, it is online, a TG utilizing the steam, the evaporator producing
By 1200, chemistry is steady, and all feed is back to full.
No problems
He orders shutdown for 1400, and by 1600, the plant is again shut down, the ship on shore services.
No problems.
And that, to them, is what is so stunning.
Things should just not go so well.
It is almost strange territory this, being defect free.
Tan is pleased. “Ok then. Inform the men, we are going ashore as a department tomorrow, sports day.”
“And the sport, baseball?”
Tan, for probably the first time in the Charges experience, scowls “ No. I did not get dragged into the military willingly you know, but now that I am here, I will embrace it. Kendo tomorrow. “
He smiles now. “Count your teeth Charge, we are going to do this properly”
Diogawa wanders into the ready room. Food, as usual, at hand.
“Did you hear what that engineer Tan has organized for tomorrow?”
“Another layer of soot on the flight deck?’
“Three feet of fuel in the mess, not two?’
‘A spare water tank so we can have a proper bath?’
“No, you idiots. A Kendo tournoment”
And PO Okura, in the corner, deeply immersed in a book, is suddenly very, very interested. “ Do you think we could enter?’
“Why, who do you want to fight?”
There is something in the voice, a hardness that makes many look up at him
‘Oh, I don’t know, the new guy perhaps?’
“Our glorious dictators Son?”
‘Yes, him”
Low Whistles ……
‘Now, that is ballsey…….”
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
15/12/42
In kendo, an area of battle must be given. In it, you are totally focused on your opponent. . Two aggressors enter. Only one shall leave victorious……….
“Gentlemen, the area of proposed operations. . You know it well. This area of the South west pacific, boundaries being Nauru island, Tarawa, Makin, Mili, and Maleolop…………”
In kendo, the two opponents attempt to strike various parts of the opposition, mainly the side of the head, the fore arms, the sides of the body. Each strike is worth points. Various points can be deducted, or added, through the attitude displayed by the struck, the strikee…………….
“each of these atolls are important, but some more so than others. Nevertheless, all must be struck with equal ferocity and aggression.. There can be no doubt about any results……..”
kendo opponents practice “the way of the sword”. A great bamboo pole is the sword “SHINAI’. The opponents wear padded body armour and helmets , “BOGU”
Offence, defense, are of equal import.
“Our main strike weapon this time, will be the battle ships, the cruisers. They will strike, and strike hard each base in turn. They will be our sword . The carriers, initially, will be the shield, delivering them safely into range. …….”
An aim of kendo, is to remove the delusions of anger, doubt, fear or surprise by actions of the enemy. It is an art closely matched to Buddhism. It is an art central to Japans soul……..
“I do not care in particular what the enemy does. We will come into this theatre, we will smash each island, Nauru, Tarawa , Makin, Mili, Maleolop in turn. The enemy in the northern islands will not have anywhere to run. We will kill many planes, wreck many installations.
We will put the enemy on his arse.”
In kendo, an area of battle must be given. In it, you are totally focused on your opponent. . Two aggressors enter. Only one shall leave victorious……….
“Gentlemen, the area of proposed operations. . You know it well. This area of the South west pacific, boundaries being Nauru island, Tarawa, Makin, Mili, and Maleolop…………”
In kendo, the two opponents attempt to strike various parts of the opposition, mainly the side of the head, the fore arms, the sides of the body. Each strike is worth points. Various points can be deducted, or added, through the attitude displayed by the struck, the strikee…………….
“each of these atolls are important, but some more so than others. Nevertheless, all must be struck with equal ferocity and aggression.. There can be no doubt about any results……..”
kendo opponents practice “the way of the sword”. A great bamboo pole is the sword “SHINAI’. The opponents wear padded body armour and helmets , “BOGU”
Offence, defense, are of equal import.
“Our main strike weapon this time, will be the battle ships, the cruisers. They will strike, and strike hard each base in turn. They will be our sword . The carriers, initially, will be the shield, delivering them safely into range. …….”
An aim of kendo, is to remove the delusions of anger, doubt, fear or surprise by actions of the enemy. It is an art closely matched to Buddhism. It is an art central to Japans soul……..
“I do not care in particular what the enemy does. We will come into this theatre, we will smash each island, Nauru, Tarawa , Makin, Mili, Maleolop in turn. The enemy in the northern islands will not have anywhere to run. We will kill many planes, wreck many installations.
We will put the enemy on his arse.”
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
My opponent took the KB into Rabaul harbor within heavy bomber range, and I port-struck it that night, getting a bomb hit on the Hiryu. During WWII, when heavy bombers started port-striking a base, warships based there moved out. The chance of being bombed when immobile meant that ships could not tie up to the pier and refit. I like the realism.
Harry Erwin
"For a number to make sense in the game, someone has to calibrate it and program code. There are too many significant numbers that behave non-linearly to expect that. It's just a game. Enjoy it." herwin@btinternet.com
"For a number to make sense in the game, someone has to calibrate it and program code. There are too many significant numbers that behave non-linearly to expect that. It's just a game. Enjoy it." herwin@btinternet.com
RE: ouch
Hi herwin
yes , rabual is closed to me for alongside, cantona made a killing there a few months back.
We remain somewhat behind the game, the fleet is out.............
I will shortly jump back to the war, but a few things have to be set up first, and i don't get turns for another three days
But I am sure battle is coming!
Its hard to think there is a war on
A delightful breeze is blowing across Truk lagoon, just enough to take the bite out of the heat, not enough to stir the sand.
This is a great white stretch of beach, white, clean. In years to come, many will holiday here. They will stay in neato little huts, drink expensive drinks, and sustain the economy, and, truth be told, soon become bored.
The men on the beach will not do that today.
Nearly 100 of Zuiho’s crew are scattered here, some swimming, some sleeping. Volley ball games, a base ball game are in progress.
Several piles of hot coals on the beach currently hide roasting pork and beef under the sand.
There is beer, and laughter, and few cares.
It is every mans tropical paradise, THE one the Navy promised so many years ago.
And none here today are passing up the opportunity.
Only one shadow hangs over the day, those great grey shapes riding at anchor, the forest of them out there, waiting for the war they so studiously avoid today.
The Charge has a good buzz on. The beer is good. Th4e tree he lies against, the sand he sits on, the shade, the stirring of the trees, the laughter about him.
And no damn machines.
It is easy to fall asleep.
Hirate, Okano wade in the water. From somewhere, masks and flippers have been produced.
There is much, so much to explore in the water.
Lurch dominates the volley ball……
And Tan watches them all, and smiles, and wonders how these sport items ‘just appear, how this day has come together. A warship truly can be a house of treasures.
The day passes, the food is eaten, more beer is drunk. The sports wind down. It has been a good day.
But now it is time for the main event
From that same hidden treasure house, an amazing amount of Kendo gear has emerged, and it makes a common pile near a clearing amongst the palms.
Charge awakens. It is times like this, when former lives are revealed, that one can learn so much about the men you live with
Thirty two men have put names down for this day, and it is quickly obvious, as the first man stumbles away in pain, that they are divided into two groups.
A small number who have never wielded this Shinai, and the rest, who know its art.
And Tan is one of them.
Thirty two, become sixteen
The competition is hard, fast, almost brutal in its beauty
Sixteen, eight
The eight, now surrounded by many , prepare for the following rounds
Tan is eliminated, by a single point. ( and secretly glad, he is exhausted)
The winner turns out to be a young man few know. Seaman Oi has hardly made a ripple in Zuiho’s existence. But today he has made his mark.
He is a Kendo master.
Tan presents him with a suitable trophy, and they prepare to pack the gear away to whatever hiding hole it lives in, when several men enter the area.
A silence falls amongst the men
Two they know. Pilots . Hidaka. They care little for him
Okura. Zuiho’s spear carrier. Him, they respect.
But these two are familiar.
The third brings the silence. PO Uto.
Herbiesans son
Uto takes up the great bamboo sword, and it sits as if born in his hand.
He turns, nods to Tan.
‘”if I may, sir?”
‘may what, petty officer?’
‘If I may challenge your champion?”
Okura watches the clash
Uto, tall. Thin. Swift, and smooth. The stoker. Stockier. Harder. More powerful.
But Uto has had far more practice. Far more.
And is obviously, to his eye, holding back……………..
It is a good fight, points swaying this way then that.
Okura watches. Cold inside
He is playing with him now. Do not let him lose too badly. Do not let him be humiliated. Let him say he fought the great playboy of Japan, and hit him too.
Ah, yes, there. And there again. The head so exposed to the reverse sweep.
And how long will you play him, you cunning barsted…………
Uto fights.
How good to swing Shinai again, to feel the thud on his Bogu. To sweat, to stretch, to fight.
To enter the zone, to purify, to come out again.
He is good, this small one, for his years.
But only for a warm up………
The stokers groan as their new champion goes down, but there is no shame. Only admiration.
Playboy yes. Hated part of the party yes. But , it seems, a fair man.
Uto removes his mask, bows to his opponent. ‘You fought , as one I hear from Zuiho always fights, with skill and courage”
‘Thankyou, petty Officer”
Uto turns about
“is there anyone else who would like to take the challenge?”
Okura steps forward.
There is no formal bow.
‘I accept”
The fleet is in place. The plans are complete but for one item
Fuel.
It will take eleven days yet, for the tankers to arrive.
And if herbiesan new that these had been diverted from the home islands convoys, they would never arrive.
But this Yamamoto will keep from his eyes until it was far too late.
Japans industry could splutter to a halt before he stopped the fleet, stopped this operation, this last grasp at glory.
.
yes , rabual is closed to me for alongside, cantona made a killing there a few months back.
We remain somewhat behind the game, the fleet is out.............
I will shortly jump back to the war, but a few things have to be set up first, and i don't get turns for another three days
But I am sure battle is coming!
Its hard to think there is a war on
A delightful breeze is blowing across Truk lagoon, just enough to take the bite out of the heat, not enough to stir the sand.
This is a great white stretch of beach, white, clean. In years to come, many will holiday here. They will stay in neato little huts, drink expensive drinks, and sustain the economy, and, truth be told, soon become bored.
The men on the beach will not do that today.
Nearly 100 of Zuiho’s crew are scattered here, some swimming, some sleeping. Volley ball games, a base ball game are in progress.
Several piles of hot coals on the beach currently hide roasting pork and beef under the sand.
There is beer, and laughter, and few cares.
It is every mans tropical paradise, THE one the Navy promised so many years ago.
And none here today are passing up the opportunity.
Only one shadow hangs over the day, those great grey shapes riding at anchor, the forest of them out there, waiting for the war they so studiously avoid today.
The Charge has a good buzz on. The beer is good. Th4e tree he lies against, the sand he sits on, the shade, the stirring of the trees, the laughter about him.
And no damn machines.
It is easy to fall asleep.
Hirate, Okano wade in the water. From somewhere, masks and flippers have been produced.
There is much, so much to explore in the water.
Lurch dominates the volley ball……
And Tan watches them all, and smiles, and wonders how these sport items ‘just appear, how this day has come together. A warship truly can be a house of treasures.
The day passes, the food is eaten, more beer is drunk. The sports wind down. It has been a good day.
But now it is time for the main event
From that same hidden treasure house, an amazing amount of Kendo gear has emerged, and it makes a common pile near a clearing amongst the palms.
Charge awakens. It is times like this, when former lives are revealed, that one can learn so much about the men you live with
Thirty two men have put names down for this day, and it is quickly obvious, as the first man stumbles away in pain, that they are divided into two groups.
A small number who have never wielded this Shinai, and the rest, who know its art.
And Tan is one of them.
Thirty two, become sixteen
The competition is hard, fast, almost brutal in its beauty
Sixteen, eight
The eight, now surrounded by many , prepare for the following rounds
Tan is eliminated, by a single point. ( and secretly glad, he is exhausted)
The winner turns out to be a young man few know. Seaman Oi has hardly made a ripple in Zuiho’s existence. But today he has made his mark.
He is a Kendo master.
Tan presents him with a suitable trophy, and they prepare to pack the gear away to whatever hiding hole it lives in, when several men enter the area.
A silence falls amongst the men
Two they know. Pilots . Hidaka. They care little for him
Okura. Zuiho’s spear carrier. Him, they respect.
But these two are familiar.
The third brings the silence. PO Uto.
Herbiesans son
Uto takes up the great bamboo sword, and it sits as if born in his hand.
He turns, nods to Tan.
‘”if I may, sir?”
‘may what, petty officer?’
‘If I may challenge your champion?”
Okura watches the clash
Uto, tall. Thin. Swift, and smooth. The stoker. Stockier. Harder. More powerful.
But Uto has had far more practice. Far more.
And is obviously, to his eye, holding back……………..
It is a good fight, points swaying this way then that.
Okura watches. Cold inside
He is playing with him now. Do not let him lose too badly. Do not let him be humiliated. Let him say he fought the great playboy of Japan, and hit him too.
Ah, yes, there. And there again. The head so exposed to the reverse sweep.
And how long will you play him, you cunning barsted…………
Uto fights.
How good to swing Shinai again, to feel the thud on his Bogu. To sweat, to stretch, to fight.
To enter the zone, to purify, to come out again.
He is good, this small one, for his years.
But only for a warm up………
The stokers groan as their new champion goes down, but there is no shame. Only admiration.
Playboy yes. Hated part of the party yes. But , it seems, a fair man.
Uto removes his mask, bows to his opponent. ‘You fought , as one I hear from Zuiho always fights, with skill and courage”
‘Thankyou, petty Officer”
Uto turns about
“is there anyone else who would like to take the challenge?”
Okura steps forward.
There is no formal bow.
‘I accept”
The fleet is in place. The plans are complete but for one item
Fuel.
It will take eleven days yet, for the tankers to arrive.
And if herbiesan new that these had been diverted from the home islands convoys, they would never arrive.
But this Yamamoto will keep from his eyes until it was far too late.
Japans industry could splutter to a halt before he stopped the fleet, stopped this operation, this last grasp at glory.
.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
-
Smoky Stoker
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:34 pm
RE: ouch
ORIGINAL: 1275psi
It is every mans tropical paradise, THE one the Navy promised so many years ago.
And none here today are passing up the opportunity.
I find it difficult to believe that the Japanese sailors' view of a tropical paradise did not include sultry Polynesian beauties.
Also I am reminded of the legendary sword master, Miyamoto Musashi, who followed the adage "fight as you have trained" to the most extreme limit. In many of his real duels, he used a bokken, a wooden training sword, to disable or kill his opponent. Apparently he intended to minimize his number of challengers by making humiliation more likely than death, although the two were not mutually exclusive.
"Leveling large cities has a tendency to alienate the affections of the inhabitants and does not create an atmosphere of international good will after the war." -Rear Admiral Daniel V. Gallery
RE: ouch
Hi Smokey sailor
I must admit I am being pushed to the limits of my Japanese knowledge here!, so I bow to what I suspect is a far greater knowledge
As for the polynesian beauties.....lets see, 100 plus warships, two divisions of men, an airforce as well.
Girls are but a pipe dream at Truk at the moment!
I really appreciate the following though of this little tale.
I must admit I am being pushed to the limits of my Japanese knowledge here!, so I bow to what I suspect is a far greater knowledge
As for the polynesian beauties.....lets see, 100 plus warships, two divisions of men, an airforce as well.
Girls are but a pipe dream at Truk at the moment!
I really appreciate the following though of this little tale.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
Uto circles the an before him, studying the face.
So, this is Okura. They speak well of him, that he can fly.
Well good. But can he wield a sword.?
I shall attack……..
And he stumbles back, a point down.
Ah, so, a real opponent. I must be on my guard.
They circle some more.
And now Uto sees it.
I am mistaken. That is not coldness in the eyes.
That is hatred, pure hatred.
What, I wonder, have I done?
Okura smiles. No warmth in it. So, friend. Now you see it. I am sure they taught you well in your insular world. But I wonder, how many of your opponents really wanted to hurt you…………….Like THAT!
About them, in the crowd, hisses , intakes of breath at this next blow.
Two points to nil
Uto does not show the pain, but his arm is almost numb. He is fast this man. And good. But I see, his hatred hampers him.
You wish to fight, Okura. Fight beyond this sport. I do not know why. But if a fight it is , then a fight we will have…..
The clash , the true clash begins.
Tan watches, and the charge joins them.
“they are good, are they not?”
Tan grimly agrees. ‘And I fear the outcome…this could go bad “
‘So its true then, that Uto is the dictators Son?’
‘Yes, but, its worse than that………”
“Oh, do tell”
But there is no opportunity. A thrust, a miss, an unbalance. The winning blow.
Okura crashes to the deck.
Uto stands. Bows. Reaches out and down to his defeated opponent.
“well fought brother. I hope I did not hurt you too bad”
I do not understand your hate Okura, but I extend the hand………please take it.
He is not his Father. He did not do the killing. Take the hand, take the hand.
The voice of reason.
But he cannot.
In silence, he rises, and with out a backward look, Okura leaves the arena.
And Tan wonders , what would Hidaka think of this?
We skip a week or more now. We will move to the 23rd
Little happens for this time. The ships remain in Truk, waiting, waiting.
Finally, the Tankers arrive.
CVL Ryuho arrives as well, and joins Zuiho’s task force. She has no strike aircraft, just fighters.
The B17s are back –but over Port Moresby.
The Japanese SS fleet begins to kill south west of Hawaii.
And the air war in Burma rages on
We will rejoin tomorrow, the 24th, for final briefings, plans and dispositions.
The fleet is now ready.
Time for war again
So, this is Okura. They speak well of him, that he can fly.
Well good. But can he wield a sword.?
I shall attack……..
And he stumbles back, a point down.
Ah, so, a real opponent. I must be on my guard.
They circle some more.
And now Uto sees it.
I am mistaken. That is not coldness in the eyes.
That is hatred, pure hatred.
What, I wonder, have I done?
Okura smiles. No warmth in it. So, friend. Now you see it. I am sure they taught you well in your insular world. But I wonder, how many of your opponents really wanted to hurt you…………….Like THAT!
About them, in the crowd, hisses , intakes of breath at this next blow.
Two points to nil
Uto does not show the pain, but his arm is almost numb. He is fast this man. And good. But I see, his hatred hampers him.
You wish to fight, Okura. Fight beyond this sport. I do not know why. But if a fight it is , then a fight we will have…..
The clash , the true clash begins.
Tan watches, and the charge joins them.
“they are good, are they not?”
Tan grimly agrees. ‘And I fear the outcome…this could go bad “
‘So its true then, that Uto is the dictators Son?’
‘Yes, but, its worse than that………”
“Oh, do tell”
But there is no opportunity. A thrust, a miss, an unbalance. The winning blow.
Okura crashes to the deck.
Uto stands. Bows. Reaches out and down to his defeated opponent.
“well fought brother. I hope I did not hurt you too bad”
I do not understand your hate Okura, but I extend the hand………please take it.
He is not his Father. He did not do the killing. Take the hand, take the hand.
The voice of reason.
But he cannot.
In silence, he rises, and with out a backward look, Okura leaves the arena.
And Tan wonders , what would Hidaka think of this?
We skip a week or more now. We will move to the 23rd
Little happens for this time. The ships remain in Truk, waiting, waiting.
Finally, the Tankers arrive.
CVL Ryuho arrives as well, and joins Zuiho’s task force. She has no strike aircraft, just fighters.
The B17s are back –but over Port Moresby.
The Japanese SS fleet begins to kill south west of Hawaii.
And the air war in Burma rages on
We will rejoin tomorrow, the 24th, for final briefings, plans and dispositions.
The fleet is now ready.
Time for war again
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
24/12/42
A small motor boat steadily chugs its way across Truk lagoon. Besides the crew of three, just two men occupy the passenger seats, Kato and Hidaka.
Both men are silent, attention fully on the floating mountain in front of them.
In its turn, the boat nestles against the suspended gangway of the Yamato, pipes blow, and they climb onto the quarterdeck .
Both men pause. It is impossible not too.
We have so few photos now. And there are so few who served upon this giant.
Now, we look at grainy grey pictures, look at models, and wonder.
But we will never really know the awe, the wonder, the intense pride these two men must feel as they are led forward, under the shadows of these titanic guns.
We look at the photos, and we forget, at times, that this ship was real.
Real men walked her decks, felt her great strength through their soles, and thought her eternal.
She is Yamato
She is Japan, ascendant, powerful, undefeated.
And the men who gather on her forecastle, bathe in this, draw strength from this, and, inevitably, are deceived by this.
One photo remains from this day.
They stand, row upon row of them, faces lost to history now.
The Captains of this mighty Armada, gathered to finalize this operation.. And I cannot help myself. I imagine myself with them, in front of that mighty tower, those great guns.
And I can see how they must have thought.
That nothing can defeat them.
In fact, the planning is done.
The photo is taken, and the real reason for the gathering is revealed.
Stewards by the dozen appear, and Yamamoto is buying.
The man himself mixes easily, moving from face to face, and not a single name forgotten. He talks to each, and each in turn will feel that he was the point of it all.
He talks to each, and measures them.
A valuable hour this.
And more than enough time to gather that there can be no move against the Dictator this year.
Kato, Hidaka view Truk harbour from the highest platform on Yamato.
The view is nothing short of stunning.
‘An impressive ship yes?’ Kato observes.
‘Hidaka smiles. “yes, but a long way to go before she reaches our tonnage sunk”
Kato nods imperceptibly ‘a point I concede’
‘Do you think this operation will achieve anything?’
Kato considers. ‘I hope we see action. If we do, that will be enough. “ his countenance darkens “ I think, Hidaka, that whatever happens, the good times are drawing to a close”
He puts his cap firmly on his head "Come on Hidaka, we have a ship to get to sea"
A small motor boat steadily chugs its way across Truk lagoon. Besides the crew of three, just two men occupy the passenger seats, Kato and Hidaka.
Both men are silent, attention fully on the floating mountain in front of them.
In its turn, the boat nestles against the suspended gangway of the Yamato, pipes blow, and they climb onto the quarterdeck .
Both men pause. It is impossible not too.
We have so few photos now. And there are so few who served upon this giant.
Now, we look at grainy grey pictures, look at models, and wonder.
But we will never really know the awe, the wonder, the intense pride these two men must feel as they are led forward, under the shadows of these titanic guns.
We look at the photos, and we forget, at times, that this ship was real.
Real men walked her decks, felt her great strength through their soles, and thought her eternal.
She is Yamato
She is Japan, ascendant, powerful, undefeated.
And the men who gather on her forecastle, bathe in this, draw strength from this, and, inevitably, are deceived by this.
One photo remains from this day.
They stand, row upon row of them, faces lost to history now.
The Captains of this mighty Armada, gathered to finalize this operation.. And I cannot help myself. I imagine myself with them, in front of that mighty tower, those great guns.
And I can see how they must have thought.
That nothing can defeat them.
In fact, the planning is done.
The photo is taken, and the real reason for the gathering is revealed.
Stewards by the dozen appear, and Yamamoto is buying.
The man himself mixes easily, moving from face to face, and not a single name forgotten. He talks to each, and each in turn will feel that he was the point of it all.
He talks to each, and measures them.
A valuable hour this.
And more than enough time to gather that there can be no move against the Dictator this year.
Kato, Hidaka view Truk harbour from the highest platform on Yamato.
The view is nothing short of stunning.
‘An impressive ship yes?’ Kato observes.
‘Hidaka smiles. “yes, but a long way to go before she reaches our tonnage sunk”
Kato nods imperceptibly ‘a point I concede’
‘Do you think this operation will achieve anything?’
Kato considers. ‘I hope we see action. If we do, that will be enough. “ his countenance darkens “ I think, Hidaka, that whatever happens, the good times are drawing to a close”
He puts his cap firmly on his head "Come on Hidaka, we have a ship to get to sea"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt