Something wakens Fuchida well before the dawn
For a few minutes he lies quietly, listening to the slight breeeze rustle the hut he shares with.
It is annoying to be awake, 47th has been stood down today, a rare gift indeed.
And sleep is so precious.
But something has awoken him.
And its not going to let him go back to it.
Quietly he rises, dresses, and steps outside.
He has done this before, and seen the same thing, the black sedans pulling up at HQ, the staff officers rushing in, and then quickly out.
he is not surprised at all, hen the young LT rushes up.
"Ah, Fuchida!, please awaken your men, five minute notice!"
'Bombing raid LT?'
'No!. The enemy are landing at Port Moresby, and Carrier planes have attacked Lunga!. Please, hurry, get your men ready!'
So it begins. If the enemy take Port Moresby.............
It turns out, this day of days, to be totally unlike what 47th expected.
All day they sit in the shade of their fighters wings, slowly cooking in the heat. No orders come. And rabual seems to dose on.
Only late in the evening does anything happen. A small gaggle of Sonias arrive, refuel, and join the waiting.
And rabual snoozes on
At dusk, finally some news.
The invasion is really happening. The aussie 6th division is ashore, despite what Tokyo rose has to say about it...........
Yamamoto and Nagumo stand before Herbiesan
"All of them?'
Yamamoto grimaces. 'You agreed to it sir. "
yes. yes I did. i gambled, and i lost. I lost this throw. So. I have no carriers available. Not one. Every stinking one getting her bum scraped.
And Wasp lives. How?
How in the gods name did she live?
Does not matter. Count this herbiesan. If they were to invade, this is where you wanted it, up the solomon chain, up the png coast.
We can make a fight of this,............
Nagumo speaks. "Sir. The battle ships are ready. All of them. Send them. Send them now"
And here my friends, is where we must keep our pretty heads.
"No. No!. The battle fleet will wait. We fight with what is in position. I release the reserve Sentai, that is all. 8th army can take transports from southern army, see what reinforcements can be flown in"
'But sir!'
My word is final. I , herbiesan, will fight where i will fight.
And not before.
The little ship that could.
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: ouch
ORIGINAL: BigBadWolf
ORIGINAL: 1275psi
Hi Big bad wolf
Love the Avatar, check out this....http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/vi ... 13&t=37974
My project
resistance is futile
TOJOshave been at it for months in Burma, doing OK, but need back up.
This is scene one. Tojo pool is 48 planes.
Oscars............4. Just 4
building about 3 a day.........
Scene one equals no toys!
Yeah, I saw it last year I think. That is a brave man
But my favorite is one in Yamato museum, 1/10 scale. Now that is serious modeling.
HOLY CRAP! That is magnificent work...
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: ouch
6th April
47th sentai take to the air, Combat patrol over Rabual
Nothing new there. The same routine, the walk to the plane, the take off, the endless circling, the landing. grabbing food, drink, taking a dump. Taking off again, circling, circling that stinking mountain, time crawling by.
The enemy do not come, too busy undoubtably pounding Port Moresby
It is a good thing too, Rabual strip is a madhouse, nearly fifty transport planes have flown in, and already have begun shuttling troops over the hump into port Moresby.
They return, with grim news.
The bay is full of ships, dominated by a battleship, cleverly anchored in shoal waters.
The defenders fight, and fight hard
'is there air cover?, what are our fighters, our bombers doing?"
There are scattered P 38's, but not many. 'Its a lottery" says one transport pilot. " the field is clear still, but who knows?'
Fuchida will not have to ask questions tomorrow. At dusk, 47th fly into Lae. Tomorrow, at dawn they sweep Port Moresby.
They will see for themselves.......
News reaches Zuiho via Tokyo rose.
Charge, who is deep inside 1A boiler doing final tube sightings, takes the news with a simple nod.
They must be ready in nine days, apparently. They can do it no quicker.
But where they will now go is no mystery.
47th sentai take to the air, Combat patrol over Rabual
Nothing new there. The same routine, the walk to the plane, the take off, the endless circling, the landing. grabbing food, drink, taking a dump. Taking off again, circling, circling that stinking mountain, time crawling by.
The enemy do not come, too busy undoubtably pounding Port Moresby
It is a good thing too, Rabual strip is a madhouse, nearly fifty transport planes have flown in, and already have begun shuttling troops over the hump into port Moresby.
They return, with grim news.
The bay is full of ships, dominated by a battleship, cleverly anchored in shoal waters.
The defenders fight, and fight hard
'is there air cover?, what are our fighters, our bombers doing?"
There are scattered P 38's, but not many. 'Its a lottery" says one transport pilot. " the field is clear still, but who knows?'
Fuchida will not have to ask questions tomorrow. At dusk, 47th fly into Lae. Tomorrow, at dawn they sweep Port Moresby.
They will see for themselves.......
News reaches Zuiho via Tokyo rose.
Charge, who is deep inside 1A boiler doing final tube sightings, takes the news with a simple nod.
They must be ready in nine days, apparently. They can do it no quicker.
But where they will now go is no mystery.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
7th of April
Dusk
The Charge, quite simply, is exhausted
Zuiho lies once again against a wharf, bathed in spotlights.
She rings to the sound of frantic, chaotic work.
Battle is calling. And they are not ready.
The sun is setting, and for a few minutes, he rests, contemplating it. Somewhere, somewhere, down south, his Son is fighting. he knows it. can feel it.
He prays he is not as exhausted, or scared for japan, as he is now.
A battle is taking place at port moresby, and they must get to it. As soon as possible.
He struggles to his feet. Three more safety valves to be fitted by midnight.
There is nothing to be gained sitting here. Only when Combined fleets Fighters join the fray, can he help his Son........
Fuchida sits, exhausted, and contemplates the dusk. Somewhere to the North, Father, and combined fleet. They cannot come quickly enough...........
They have swept over Port Moresby, seen that battle wagon for themselves, the dozens of transports, the smoke of battle creeping towards the field.
And achieved nothing.
They have not seen the P38's,, nor the heavies, the mediums that have re decorated this field in their abscence.
But they have been there.
Lae is wrecked.
So is Finchesen.
Wewak is useless.
He contemplates the field.
So simple, those words, service damage, strip damage.
So bitter the reality.
Service damage............. you land, and need fuel. Now.
But there are no trucks left, they are...........damaged..
So the fuel comes in hand carts, a drum at a time, pushed by exhausted skinny men.
there are too few pumps, too many have been destroyed.
Ammunition comes from miles away, hidden in the jungle, on carts, again. And too often now, it is damp, and your guns are doomed to jam.
You need to eat, yet from where?. The kitchens are long destroyed.
so you get boiled rice, tasting of fuel...........
If you are lucky.
there can be no bed, no shelter. Fuchida and his men sleep on the ground, under the wings
last night, one of them woke to a snake crawling away, perhaps driven away by their stink.
Tomorrow, small bombers are meant to attack, Sonias, well suited to this work of rough pocked fields. yet, even these are struggling, small as the bombs are, the effort to load them............
Tomorrow, apparently, they will go fo the battle ship again.
Around him, ground crews struggle with all of these problems, and more, from wewak to rabual. One thing lies in their favour, they can't (yet) bomb them all
He lies down, waits for sleep.
Hurry Father. We need your carriers. we need them now.......
Dusk
The Charge, quite simply, is exhausted
Zuiho lies once again against a wharf, bathed in spotlights.
She rings to the sound of frantic, chaotic work.
Battle is calling. And they are not ready.
The sun is setting, and for a few minutes, he rests, contemplating it. Somewhere, somewhere, down south, his Son is fighting. he knows it. can feel it.
He prays he is not as exhausted, or scared for japan, as he is now.
A battle is taking place at port moresby, and they must get to it. As soon as possible.
He struggles to his feet. Three more safety valves to be fitted by midnight.
There is nothing to be gained sitting here. Only when Combined fleets Fighters join the fray, can he help his Son........
Fuchida sits, exhausted, and contemplates the dusk. Somewhere to the North, Father, and combined fleet. They cannot come quickly enough...........
They have swept over Port Moresby, seen that battle wagon for themselves, the dozens of transports, the smoke of battle creeping towards the field.
And achieved nothing.
They have not seen the P38's,, nor the heavies, the mediums that have re decorated this field in their abscence.
But they have been there.
Lae is wrecked.
So is Finchesen.
Wewak is useless.
He contemplates the field.
So simple, those words, service damage, strip damage.
So bitter the reality.
Service damage............. you land, and need fuel. Now.
But there are no trucks left, they are...........damaged..
So the fuel comes in hand carts, a drum at a time, pushed by exhausted skinny men.
there are too few pumps, too many have been destroyed.
Ammunition comes from miles away, hidden in the jungle, on carts, again. And too often now, it is damp, and your guns are doomed to jam.
You need to eat, yet from where?. The kitchens are long destroyed.
so you get boiled rice, tasting of fuel...........
If you are lucky.
there can be no bed, no shelter. Fuchida and his men sleep on the ground, under the wings
last night, one of them woke to a snake crawling away, perhaps driven away by their stink.
Tomorrow, small bombers are meant to attack, Sonias, well suited to this work of rough pocked fields. yet, even these are struggling, small as the bombs are, the effort to load them............
Tomorrow, apparently, they will go fo the battle ship again.
Around him, ground crews struggle with all of these problems, and more, from wewak to rabual. One thing lies in their favour, they can't (yet) bomb them all
He lies down, waits for sleep.
Hurry Father. We need your carriers. we need them now.......
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
8th April
There is too much work to do, but it must be done.
Today, the firemain is set to work, and only one pump will need another look at.
The cooling system is running, and oil is busily flushing the turbines, which turn under turning gear, testing those damn new seals.
Nobody has owned up to THAT, and it leaves Charge baffled. Is he that out of touch?
Has he somehow lost their trust?
It has taken far too much time, that little incident
Right now, however, the last safety is on, and already the PFFFT< PFFFT, PFFFt of the water pump fills the spaces. Will the new tubes hold.? If they do, Zuiho remains on track. if they do not............disaster.
The work continues. he will take it each day at a time.
Hidaka watches the cranes carefully, the Zeros and kates are coming back aboard. God knows where they will go, its still such a mess below.
Damn stokers, and there bloody mess.
But how good to see them aboard again.
He cannot help it. Anxiety fills Hidaka. he has heard of the battles down south. Tokyo Rose boasts of battle ships sunk, but Hidaka knows the true story. How many Non carrier Kate sentais?, how many Val ones?
Few, too few.
If the enemy gain a foot hold, then heavens help them.
Heaven help Japan...........
Okano sleeps
He sleeps beside the pump squeezing the boiler, body slumped in one corner of the boiler room. It is alright though, Hirate tends the pump, red face shining in the gloom.
He is not quite as tired as his friend, he can take the wieght for a while.
The pump bangs away.
And this is life, his life, their life now. Get zuiho ready again for battle
Kato stands on "the bridge"
It is, in reality , no bridge at all. It is meant to be a flight deck control tower, but Tan has come through. There is a set of telegraphs, a voice pipe. No wheel, in fact little else.
What a week ago he dreamed of, desired, he now hates.Pathetic little bridge. Pathetic little ship.
Zuikaku lies beside them now, and it shouild be his.
A proper carrier, with a proper bridge.
Why?
Why has his promotion been denied?
Has he not done enough?
He stares at Zuihos little flight deck, at Hidaka guiding down the third eagle.
Gods, give me anothet opportunity. Anything.
And I will bring Zuiho such glory...................
Then let me be denied what I deserve.
Uto walks down the steps of Imperial navy Hq.
being the dictators son gives one privledges.
And the truth is the greatest of them all.
A maximum effort over Port Moresby, and just a mere singlr hit on a battleship.
And Port Moresby barely holds on.
And yet, his father only today speaks 'that all goes well"
A terrible thing, to hear ones father lie.
There is too much work to do, but it must be done.
Today, the firemain is set to work, and only one pump will need another look at.
The cooling system is running, and oil is busily flushing the turbines, which turn under turning gear, testing those damn new seals.
Nobody has owned up to THAT, and it leaves Charge baffled. Is he that out of touch?
Has he somehow lost their trust?
It has taken far too much time, that little incident
Right now, however, the last safety is on, and already the PFFFT< PFFFT, PFFFt of the water pump fills the spaces. Will the new tubes hold.? If they do, Zuiho remains on track. if they do not............disaster.
The work continues. he will take it each day at a time.
Hidaka watches the cranes carefully, the Zeros and kates are coming back aboard. God knows where they will go, its still such a mess below.
Damn stokers, and there bloody mess.
But how good to see them aboard again.
He cannot help it. Anxiety fills Hidaka. he has heard of the battles down south. Tokyo Rose boasts of battle ships sunk, but Hidaka knows the true story. How many Non carrier Kate sentais?, how many Val ones?
Few, too few.
If the enemy gain a foot hold, then heavens help them.
Heaven help Japan...........
Okano sleeps
He sleeps beside the pump squeezing the boiler, body slumped in one corner of the boiler room. It is alright though, Hirate tends the pump, red face shining in the gloom.
He is not quite as tired as his friend, he can take the wieght for a while.
The pump bangs away.
And this is life, his life, their life now. Get zuiho ready again for battle
Kato stands on "the bridge"
It is, in reality , no bridge at all. It is meant to be a flight deck control tower, but Tan has come through. There is a set of telegraphs, a voice pipe. No wheel, in fact little else.
What a week ago he dreamed of, desired, he now hates.Pathetic little bridge. Pathetic little ship.
Zuikaku lies beside them now, and it shouild be his.
A proper carrier, with a proper bridge.
Why?
Why has his promotion been denied?
Has he not done enough?
He stares at Zuihos little flight deck, at Hidaka guiding down the third eagle.
Gods, give me anothet opportunity. Anything.
And I will bring Zuiho such glory...................
Then let me be denied what I deserve.
Uto walks down the steps of Imperial navy Hq.
being the dictators son gives one privledges.
And the truth is the greatest of them all.
A maximum effort over Port Moresby, and just a mere singlr hit on a battleship.
And Port Moresby barely holds on.
And yet, his father only today speaks 'that all goes well"
A terrible thing, to hear ones father lie.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
9th of April
The enemy attack stalls at Port Moresby.
Reinforcements flown in at terrible cost in transports and escorting fighters, hold the line.
Hopes in Rabual, at 8th Army rise.
They are foolish hopes, 500 japanese soldiers lie dead, for 6 Allied men
And in the dark, the infantry can hear the rattle of the tanks forming for another attack.
10th of April
A stock take on pilots left from the originals...........
Ogawa, fighter pilot. 4 kills, 327 missions, 81 experience. He too has been offered a shore posting to training command. he has refused. The war will take him, one way or another, he is convinced of this now. Why die away from friends?
Diogawa, fighter pilot. 5 kills, 265 missions, 80 experience. he flies, he eats, he sleeps, he farts, he flies. What more does a man want in life?
Hidaka, 1 kill, 138 missions. Not enough of iether. detirmined to fight on, too take down as many Britishers as he can. Japan must win, will win. Defeat, defeat is inconcievable.
And Uto, who now is one of them. No kills yet, but he has good skill, and courage. he will take what fate throws at them.
They wait for Zuiho to finish refit. The war does not. Port Moresby falls in a bath of blood.
But bigger events than even that begin to unfold. herbiesan has done everything he can to encourage the allies to land at Lunga.
It has been his feverished wish that they commit to a campaign before they have carrier parity.
He is getting it.
"21st Flottilla (Munda) reports many ships, 180 miles south west lunga, moving North, possible invasion fleet"
From 11th air Army
to
21st, 24th, 25th air flottillas, 8th Army, south east command.
"Initiate operation honey trap"
In other words...............ATTACK!
The enemy attack stalls at Port Moresby.
Reinforcements flown in at terrible cost in transports and escorting fighters, hold the line.
Hopes in Rabual, at 8th Army rise.
They are foolish hopes, 500 japanese soldiers lie dead, for 6 Allied men
And in the dark, the infantry can hear the rattle of the tanks forming for another attack.
10th of April
A stock take on pilots left from the originals...........
Ogawa, fighter pilot. 4 kills, 327 missions, 81 experience. He too has been offered a shore posting to training command. he has refused. The war will take him, one way or another, he is convinced of this now. Why die away from friends?
Diogawa, fighter pilot. 5 kills, 265 missions, 80 experience. he flies, he eats, he sleeps, he farts, he flies. What more does a man want in life?
Hidaka, 1 kill, 138 missions. Not enough of iether. detirmined to fight on, too take down as many Britishers as he can. Japan must win, will win. Defeat, defeat is inconcievable.
And Uto, who now is one of them. No kills yet, but he has good skill, and courage. he will take what fate throws at them.
They wait for Zuiho to finish refit. The war does not. Port Moresby falls in a bath of blood.
But bigger events than even that begin to unfold. herbiesan has done everything he can to encourage the allies to land at Lunga.
It has been his feverished wish that they commit to a campaign before they have carrier parity.
He is getting it.
"21st Flottilla (Munda) reports many ships, 180 miles south west lunga, moving North, possible invasion fleet"
From 11th air Army
to
21st, 24th, 25th air flottillas, 8th Army, south east command.
"Initiate operation honey trap"
In other words...............ATTACK!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
11/4/43
Fuchida walks slowly out to his Tojo.
Around him Lae is quiet in the pre dawn. There is a hint of coolness from the ocean, a slight breeze easing the crushing humidity. He walks carefully, for the ground is far from smooth, rubble, clumps of clay wait to trip him in the ankle long grass.
He does not walk alone, 47th Sentai walk with him across the field. Ahead of them, the Tigers lie deep in shadow, scattered about the edge of the field. Somehow, despite the bombing, they remain intact.
So many other planes about them do not, ghastley reminders of the battles of the months past. Already in many places, the jungle is creeping over the rusting remains, death being softened by life.
But they are reminders nevertheless, and they force the men to silence.
Banter died days ago. laughter a week ago. Port moresby is in enemy hands, and again, they , the mere twelve, must go and fight.
Japanese air power (if that is what it can be called now) has been swung east, to the Solomons.
47th, today, will fight alone.
In the dark, in the shadows, the Tigers burst to life, exhausts bright and fierce.
47ths pilots spread , individually seeking their own planes. The ground crews, dirty, skinny, mere shadows, greet them silently.
Fuchida climbs, heaves the leg over, the other, settles. The mind blank again, performing the necessary work, yet not really there.
He takes his clipboard, his sword. men lean over, straps tighten. The screen is cleaned a final time. the engine beats, all appears good.
Curt nods, and the chocks are pulled away, and his Tiger rolls forward, into the field of green.
The sun is beginning to rise, and faintly, the small line of flags that mark the narrowest strip of un pummled strip left, flutter limply.
Final checks, and teeth gritting, he takes to the air, over the bay, climbing, climbing.
12 strong, 47th wing west, curving left and right through the mountains of clouds, over the hump, to battle.
Fuchida walks slowly out to his Tojo.
Around him Lae is quiet in the pre dawn. There is a hint of coolness from the ocean, a slight breeze easing the crushing humidity. He walks carefully, for the ground is far from smooth, rubble, clumps of clay wait to trip him in the ankle long grass.
He does not walk alone, 47th Sentai walk with him across the field. Ahead of them, the Tigers lie deep in shadow, scattered about the edge of the field. Somehow, despite the bombing, they remain intact.
So many other planes about them do not, ghastley reminders of the battles of the months past. Already in many places, the jungle is creeping over the rusting remains, death being softened by life.
But they are reminders nevertheless, and they force the men to silence.
Banter died days ago. laughter a week ago. Port moresby is in enemy hands, and again, they , the mere twelve, must go and fight.
Japanese air power (if that is what it can be called now) has been swung east, to the Solomons.
47th, today, will fight alone.
In the dark, in the shadows, the Tigers burst to life, exhausts bright and fierce.
47ths pilots spread , individually seeking their own planes. The ground crews, dirty, skinny, mere shadows, greet them silently.
Fuchida climbs, heaves the leg over, the other, settles. The mind blank again, performing the necessary work, yet not really there.
He takes his clipboard, his sword. men lean over, straps tighten. The screen is cleaned a final time. the engine beats, all appears good.
Curt nods, and the chocks are pulled away, and his Tiger rolls forward, into the field of green.
The sun is beginning to rise, and faintly, the small line of flags that mark the narrowest strip of un pummled strip left, flutter limply.
Final checks, and teeth gritting, he takes to the air, over the bay, climbing, climbing.
12 strong, 47th wing west, curving left and right through the mountains of clouds, over the hump, to battle.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
11/4/43
extract from Shattering the Sword, A cantona production.
Attack!
Attack!
Attack!
And today, Japan does.
The day starts poorly, heavy rain closing the fields all morning , it is past midday before the first raids can get away.
It has been a long time since the Empire has flown in such strength, and it is strength that will be tested to the fullest.
The first raid wings west of Lunga, 68 fighters escorting a mere 11 betties.
13 wildcats tear into them, and it becomes a rolling, rolling , running fight.
The bombers target a battleship, British, R class probably, , and they launch their fish from good range, and terrible accuracy.
This raid is an expensive bust.
Over Lunga, the main event......
60 zeros race into a cloud of Wildcats, 40 plus strong, and the air is filled with the snarl and chatter of battle
The Vals, coming later, arrive unseen, unchallenged, and dive.
CVE Suwannee takes bomb, after bomb, after bomb, a sickening possession of screaming dives, of crumping thumps, of gutteral explosions.
The vals weave, and twist across the dark waters, and wild cats seek revenge...........
An hour later, 6 kates race in, fish slicing towards the blazing hulk.
The dud matters not, she is already going down.
Japan loses 44 planes today, the allies 38
7 of them are liberators attacking Munda, for now, this is a hornets nest.
Commander of 11th air fleet surveys the results. It is a beginging. But that is all. Lunga, unless a mircle can be performed, is going to fall.
4 destoyers lurk south east of Shortlands, seeking an opening.
A desperate plan is hatched...............
extract from Shattering the Sword, A cantona production.
Attack!
Attack!
Attack!
And today, Japan does.
The day starts poorly, heavy rain closing the fields all morning , it is past midday before the first raids can get away.
It has been a long time since the Empire has flown in such strength, and it is strength that will be tested to the fullest.
The first raid wings west of Lunga, 68 fighters escorting a mere 11 betties.
13 wildcats tear into them, and it becomes a rolling, rolling , running fight.
The bombers target a battleship, British, R class probably, , and they launch their fish from good range, and terrible accuracy.
This raid is an expensive bust.
Over Lunga, the main event......
60 zeros race into a cloud of Wildcats, 40 plus strong, and the air is filled with the snarl and chatter of battle
The Vals, coming later, arrive unseen, unchallenged, and dive.
CVE Suwannee takes bomb, after bomb, after bomb, a sickening possession of screaming dives, of crumping thumps, of gutteral explosions.
The vals weave, and twist across the dark waters, and wild cats seek revenge...........
An hour later, 6 kates race in, fish slicing towards the blazing hulk.
The dud matters not, she is already going down.
Japan loses 44 planes today, the allies 38
7 of them are liberators attacking Munda, for now, this is a hornets nest.
Commander of 11th air fleet surveys the results. It is a beginging. But that is all. Lunga, unless a mircle can be performed, is going to fall.
4 destoyers lurk south east of Shortlands, seeking an opening.
A desperate plan is hatched...............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
Captain Kurita, DD Ayanami, reads the signal with almost amusment.
Silently he hands it to LT Suriho, his torpedo officer
'So we attack?"
'Yes, tomorrow, just before dawn. Read the last bit Suriho. I always dreamed of being a battleship Captain. It appears that it may be my dying wish ............."
Destroyers Ayanami, Asagiri, Suzanami, Ushio, slice due south at full speed.
Their radio rooms are hard at work.
For all intents and purposes, electronically, 4 japanese battleships are steaming to Lunga...............
Silently he hands it to LT Suriho, his torpedo officer
'So we attack?"
'Yes, tomorrow, just before dawn. Read the last bit Suriho. I always dreamed of being a battleship Captain. It appears that it may be my dying wish ............."
Destroyers Ayanami, Asagiri, Suzanami, Ushio, slice due south at full speed.
Their radio rooms are hard at work.
For all intents and purposes, electronically, 4 japanese battleships are steaming to Lunga...............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
Fuchida leads them through the last gap, and Port Moresby glistens ahead, the shipping toy like on its calm waters.
They will never get near them today.
'bandits!"
20 plus, racing in from the flank........
A turning fight then..............good, a chance at least.
And once agin, Fuchida fights.
They land, only 11 strong now. somewhere behind them, in the endless green, another companion will sleep eternally alone.
Fuchida climbs wearily down, examines the three holes in his wing, curses the jammed gun.
Two birds returned with oil failures. Two with jammed guns. Three damaged.
No kills
And another dead.
In another corner of the field, 12 Sonias wait, bombed up. Fuchida eyes them with disgust. Tomorrow is planned out then........
A ground crew man approaches him 'The fighting at Port Moresby, it goes well sir?"
I am alive, am i not? "Yes" replies Fuchida, the lie rolling of his tongue ' it goes well. We will soon drive them into the sea..........."
They will never get near them today.
'bandits!"
20 plus, racing in from the flank........
A turning fight then..............good, a chance at least.
And once agin, Fuchida fights.
They land, only 11 strong now. somewhere behind them, in the endless green, another companion will sleep eternally alone.
Fuchida climbs wearily down, examines the three holes in his wing, curses the jammed gun.
Two birds returned with oil failures. Two with jammed guns. Three damaged.
No kills
And another dead.
In another corner of the field, 12 Sonias wait, bombed up. Fuchida eyes them with disgust. Tomorrow is planned out then........
A ground crew man approaches him 'The fighting at Port Moresby, it goes well sir?"
I am alive, am i not? "Yes" replies Fuchida, the lie rolling of his tongue ' it goes well. We will soon drive them into the sea..........."
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
personally i remain constantly amazed that any one follows this, but I do appreciate the support very much.........
April 10th
From
Yamamoto
to
Combined Fleet.
In light of previous discussions, it is desirable to reach an early decision on Command choices for Taiho.
I expect her to launch this week, for 4 month fit out and 2 month work up. It would be desirable to post her Commanding Officer some three months prior to commissioning.
Having reviewed possible candidates, I would prefer Captain Kato (Zuiho) to be posted to this ship,, Zuiho has a fine reputation, and taiho will need an experienced man.
Please reply with your thoughts
Yamamoto.
11th April
From Combined Fleet
to
Yamamoto
re, Taiho command.
Agreed, however, Zuiho is about to engage in operations in support of Lunga counter attack. Change in command prior to this operation not thought prudent. Can it be delayed until June?
From Yamamoto
to
Combined Fleet
Agreed. Postings will not be promlugated until June 1
Yamamoto
No need to stir the boat until then. Besides, what if the man got killed before June 1 ?
Impossible to believe everyone is going to come through the next months unscathed...........
April 10th
From
Yamamoto
to
Combined Fleet.
In light of previous discussions, it is desirable to reach an early decision on Command choices for Taiho.
I expect her to launch this week, for 4 month fit out and 2 month work up. It would be desirable to post her Commanding Officer some three months prior to commissioning.
Having reviewed possible candidates, I would prefer Captain Kato (Zuiho) to be posted to this ship,, Zuiho has a fine reputation, and taiho will need an experienced man.
Please reply with your thoughts
Yamamoto.
11th April
From Combined Fleet
to
Yamamoto
re, Taiho command.
Agreed, however, Zuiho is about to engage in operations in support of Lunga counter attack. Change in command prior to this operation not thought prudent. Can it be delayed until June?
From Yamamoto
to
Combined Fleet
Agreed. Postings will not be promlugated until June 1
Yamamoto
No need to stir the boat until then. Besides, what if the man got killed before June 1 ?
Impossible to believe everyone is going to come through the next months unscathed...........
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
April 12th
Charge greats Tan with a smile.
Around them the Port boiler room clangs and bangs to nearly thirty dock yard workers, 20 sailors hard at work throwing the boilers together.
Right now, things are being a bitch, the fuel pump (that one they rebuilt at sea), the dockyard re built fuel pump, is banging away on air pressure as its driving medium.
It sounds good, but is pumping absolutely jack all. The idea that the suction and discharge valves have been put in backwards is rapidly firming in charges mind.
Job 64 to bloody well re do.
"how goes it chief?"
"Crap sir, bloody crap"
Tans smile vanishes. 'Not you too Chief"
"me too?"
"In a crappy mood. Kato is stalking the ship like a wounded Tiger today. I wanted to come down and hide here where its safe, and now you are crappy too!'
Charge grins. 'Well, I can't bite you like he can, can I!"
"No, I suppose you can't."
Tan watches The charge for a few minutes, fiddling with the gods knows what. 'Umm charge?"
'"yes sir?"
"I haven't had a job completion chit for 4 days, are we on track?"
Charge straightens. "Sir, its like this. In four days we have to sail. if we do, then the paper work can safely be said, we are done. But if I do the paperwork.............."
'I understand Charge. keep it up"
Tan turns to leave. Stops, hesitates.
"Charge?. Your son, he's in the 47th isn't he?
"Yes"
And the dread rises so suddenly, when Officers mention your son..............
"They were mentioned By Tokyo Rose today. At Lea. Apparently they are doing Japan proud"
Charge greats Tan with a smile.
Around them the Port boiler room clangs and bangs to nearly thirty dock yard workers, 20 sailors hard at work throwing the boilers together.
Right now, things are being a bitch, the fuel pump (that one they rebuilt at sea), the dockyard re built fuel pump, is banging away on air pressure as its driving medium.
It sounds good, but is pumping absolutely jack all. The idea that the suction and discharge valves have been put in backwards is rapidly firming in charges mind.
Job 64 to bloody well re do.
"how goes it chief?"
"Crap sir, bloody crap"
Tans smile vanishes. 'Not you too Chief"
"me too?"
"In a crappy mood. Kato is stalking the ship like a wounded Tiger today. I wanted to come down and hide here where its safe, and now you are crappy too!'
Charge grins. 'Well, I can't bite you like he can, can I!"
"No, I suppose you can't."
Tan watches The charge for a few minutes, fiddling with the gods knows what. 'Umm charge?"
'"yes sir?"
"I haven't had a job completion chit for 4 days, are we on track?"
Charge straightens. "Sir, its like this. In four days we have to sail. if we do, then the paper work can safely be said, we are done. But if I do the paperwork.............."
'I understand Charge. keep it up"
Tan turns to leave. Stops, hesitates.
"Charge?. Your son, he's in the 47th isn't he?
"Yes"
And the dread rises so suddenly, when Officers mention your son..............
"They were mentioned By Tokyo Rose today. At Lea. Apparently they are doing Japan proud"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
12 April
Near Kwaljien.
SS I-57 torpedoes CVE Sangamon.
She dives deep, but not before the unmistakable sound of an ammunition explosion rings through the deep.
I-57 gets away............
Near Kwaljien.
SS I-57 torpedoes CVE Sangamon.
She dives deep, but not before the unmistakable sound of an ammunition explosion rings through the deep.
I-57 gets away............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
12 April
Captain Kurita may not ever get his wish to command a battleship, but for all intents and purposes, tonight he does.
The Allies, we now know, act as if he does.
Long, long before the four lithe shapes slice into iron bottom sound, the reaction to their approach has begun.
The invasion convoys have ceased unloading, and now flee south.
The manouvre does not go well.
Some time about 3am, the transport commander is given an intercept message.
An incorrectly addressed mesage. One that commands the Massachusetts TF to sail north east to intercept Kurita's force.
Dawn will find the transports steaming North east, 40 miles south of Lunga.
With out air cover........
BB Massachusetts, Arizona, leading Cl Leander, Nashville and 3 destroyers, steam to intercept.
They have radar
They have forward warning
They have overwhelming fire power.
They have a commander hardly ever to be matched in Naval history for incompetence, in command...............
Captain Kurita may not ever get his wish to command a battleship, but for all intents and purposes, tonight he does.
The Allies, we now know, act as if he does.
Long, long before the four lithe shapes slice into iron bottom sound, the reaction to their approach has begun.
The invasion convoys have ceased unloading, and now flee south.
The manouvre does not go well.
Some time about 3am, the transport commander is given an intercept message.
An incorrectly addressed mesage. One that commands the Massachusetts TF to sail north east to intercept Kurita's force.
Dawn will find the transports steaming North east, 40 miles south of Lunga.
With out air cover........
BB Massachusetts, Arizona, leading Cl Leander, Nashville and 3 destroyers, steam to intercept.
They have radar
They have forward warning
They have overwhelming fire power.
They have a commander hardly ever to be matched in Naval history for incompetence, in command...............
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
personally i remain constantly amazed that any one follows this, but I do appreciate the support very much.........
Naval adventures are a genre that attracts me. Your writing frequently makes me twitch in an editorial reflex. It's the spelling, paragraphing, syntax and several other factors that I can't think of the names for right now.
Your storytelling is brilliant.
On another forum I am following a naval story that is the exact opposite. The writer is a retired officer. His prose is excellent to the point that I read it for hints, in spite of the fact that his commanders consistently win battles after having chosen stupid courses of action, and every combat seems to involve the annihilation of one side. His reality is that of a peacetime officer who does not understand why he did not make the grade of commander.
I will be here until the end - the story's, yours or mine, whichever comes first. [;)]
"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