+1. Alot of fun to read. Many thanks.
Paul
The little ship that could.
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: ouch
Torpedoe Bomber D1.308, designation Kate, off the light carrier Zuiho, races at maximum throttle a mere 20 feet above the mottled waters of the pacific.
In years, she is but a young plane, a mere 18 months since she arrived on Zuiho shining bright, smalling new.
Now, now she is old, for those 18 months have been hard, harder than anything her makers could ever have imagined.
Yet right now, her great 14 cylinder, 2 row radial Sakae engine bellows with out missing a beat. 5000 hours old is this engine now, 7 complete rebuilds, 42 head changes, countless, countless spark plugs, and cylinder number 11 that has never, ever, despite all effort, stopped leaking oil.
5000 hours old, so many battles, so many full throttle attacks................
It roars now, still defiant, still strong.
The pilot banks D1.308 ever so slightly, and the great 50 foot span reaches for the water, skimming it, but never touching it, leveling out again, going lower, and lower.
No paint remains on the leading edge now, gone , worn away by 100's of spray whipped launches, of dozens of pounding rains, of scouring hail, and even at times dust.
Nor are the wings ever so straight and true now, the port one has patches (from the sydney raid) and the starboard, every pilot will swear it true), must be twisted, must be - heavens , the way the bitch always crabs through the air...........
She does not crab now though, the enemy ship growing ever larger, larger.
Her cockpit has seen better days too, always narrow, paint is missing on its edges. The seats are worn, the grip of the stick is worn, and shining metal shows where feet and hands have rested for many hours. Its a cockpit that shouts its history of heavy use, of abuse, and battle.
Rust, corrosion, even, dares to show in spots.....
The sight, on the other hand, is new, and shining, gleaming, and set to its 36 degree off set, and the sighting lines are narrowing, narrowing as the target grows, and grows.
Under her scarred belly (Sydney, Tarawa, the DEI's can even any one remember those battles?) the great fish is nestled, waiting , waiting.
Torpedo bomber D1.308 races in, and the levers are pulled, and the fish departs.
Free of that crushing wieght, she leaps, winging away across the bow of the fat merchant man, engine roaring, wings singing glinting in the morning sun, a picture of power, of grace, of lethality.
The merchant man leaps, spasms, collapses into fire and flame and death.
D1.308 is hated and loved by those who fly her, maintain her. She rewards them with stubborness, crankiness, pools of oil on Hidaka's hanger deck........and the uncanny ability to come home.
War is brutal
But some of the machines, and I think right now, D1.308 is one, are simply beautiful.
In years, she is but a young plane, a mere 18 months since she arrived on Zuiho shining bright, smalling new.
Now, now she is old, for those 18 months have been hard, harder than anything her makers could ever have imagined.
Yet right now, her great 14 cylinder, 2 row radial Sakae engine bellows with out missing a beat. 5000 hours old is this engine now, 7 complete rebuilds, 42 head changes, countless, countless spark plugs, and cylinder number 11 that has never, ever, despite all effort, stopped leaking oil.
5000 hours old, so many battles, so many full throttle attacks................
It roars now, still defiant, still strong.
The pilot banks D1.308 ever so slightly, and the great 50 foot span reaches for the water, skimming it, but never touching it, leveling out again, going lower, and lower.
No paint remains on the leading edge now, gone , worn away by 100's of spray whipped launches, of dozens of pounding rains, of scouring hail, and even at times dust.
Nor are the wings ever so straight and true now, the port one has patches (from the sydney raid) and the starboard, every pilot will swear it true), must be twisted, must be - heavens , the way the bitch always crabs through the air...........
She does not crab now though, the enemy ship growing ever larger, larger.
Her cockpit has seen better days too, always narrow, paint is missing on its edges. The seats are worn, the grip of the stick is worn, and shining metal shows where feet and hands have rested for many hours. Its a cockpit that shouts its history of heavy use, of abuse, and battle.
Rust, corrosion, even, dares to show in spots.....
The sight, on the other hand, is new, and shining, gleaming, and set to its 36 degree off set, and the sighting lines are narrowing, narrowing as the target grows, and grows.
Under her scarred belly (Sydney, Tarawa, the DEI's can even any one remember those battles?) the great fish is nestled, waiting , waiting.
Torpedo bomber D1.308 races in, and the levers are pulled, and the fish departs.
Free of that crushing wieght, she leaps, winging away across the bow of the fat merchant man, engine roaring, wings singing glinting in the morning sun, a picture of power, of grace, of lethality.
The merchant man leaps, spasms, collapses into fire and flame and death.
D1.308 is hated and loved by those who fly her, maintain her. She rewards them with stubborness, crankiness, pools of oil on Hidaka's hanger deck........and the uncanny ability to come home.
War is brutal
But some of the machines, and I think right now, D1.308 is one, are simply beautiful.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
Nagumo sees Zuihos flashing light.
" have attacked three Merchant men 320 miles south west, claim all three sunk. Many troops seen in water"
Good.
very good.
the morning strike on Naru has gone well. A dozen enemy fighters shot down, many hits on the field..........and no enemy dive or torpedo bombers sighted.
Good.
Now to make sure.
"Inform battle ship divisions 4 and 5, detach. Bombard Naru'
he takes Genda's eye. " Any more word on the enemy carriers?'
'Still lurking south of guadacanal sir."
'Not coming North?"
'
Genda grins "Would you?"
Nagumo scowls. with that bloody cantona in charge, who knows?. But lets see if we can get him to do something.
"New course. We will refuel, then make for Ponape, the battleships can meet us there"
Bloody enemy carriers. How can we get to them.? They hide behind his LBA, waiting for me to break myself upon it..
Well, I wont. Nor would Yamamoto.
But, then again, maybe I won't have to. I know where you are Nimitz. Lets see how long we can keep you in the picture, see if we can get a fix on you...............
" have attacked three Merchant men 320 miles south west, claim all three sunk. Many troops seen in water"
Good.
very good.
the morning strike on Naru has gone well. A dozen enemy fighters shot down, many hits on the field..........and no enemy dive or torpedo bombers sighted.
Good.
Now to make sure.
"Inform battle ship divisions 4 and 5, detach. Bombard Naru'
he takes Genda's eye. " Any more word on the enemy carriers?'
'Still lurking south of guadacanal sir."
'Not coming North?"
'
Genda grins "Would you?"
Nagumo scowls. with that bloody cantona in charge, who knows?. But lets see if we can get him to do something.
"New course. We will refuel, then make for Ponape, the battleships can meet us there"
Bloody enemy carriers. How can we get to them.? They hide behind his LBA, waiting for me to break myself upon it..
Well, I wont. Nor would Yamamoto.
But, then again, maybe I won't have to. I know where you are Nimitz. Lets see how long we can keep you in the picture, see if we can get a fix on you...............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
Extract from "shattering the Sword" a cantona production
.........along with the raid on Naru, it had been a bad day for the allies. 49 allied aircraft lost to 15 war wide, the british in Burma bounced, the Americans bloodied over Naru.
But, it is only one day, one day of what would surely be many more. All on the allied side can feel it. Essex has joined the fight, as well as the first of the new CVL's.
Lunga, its surrounds, grows daily stronger. Tulgia will be tackled soon. Troops march now over the Kokoda trail. Japan is receding.
Nimitz may be annoyed at today.
But the war, apparently, continues to plan.
Above all, he should have known, war never does.
.........along with the raid on Naru, it had been a bad day for the allies. 49 allied aircraft lost to 15 war wide, the british in Burma bounced, the Americans bloodied over Naru.
But, it is only one day, one day of what would surely be many more. All on the allied side can feel it. Essex has joined the fight, as well as the first of the new CVL's.
Lunga, its surrounds, grows daily stronger. Tulgia will be tackled soon. Troops march now over the Kokoda trail. Japan is receding.
Nimitz may be annoyed at today.
But the war, apparently, continues to plan.
Above all, he should have known, war never does.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
16 may 43
( we are jumping forward 3 days, 3 days of tracking back and forth of panope island, while a convoy unloads)
(Zuiho has 2 system, 2 engine damage)
Midnight.
Tan sits in Damage control central, filling in the Engineering master log.
It is quite a long entry today, there have been a few problems, different ones from the usual crop.
One of the ammunition hoists, the one for the fish, has failed today, a fearsome failure.
A blown hose, hydraulic oil spraying everywhere. A difficult, dirty job, but done under enourmous pressure.
A at sea refuelling, from Tankers that ride too bloody high in the water.
Tan does not need to be told, there will be no more fuel coming from them.
How long, he wonders, will they linger wherever they are?
They are near the war, that is for certain, the victorious kate pilots had celebrated well into the night. Let them, at least that means something has been achieved.
But, how long could they stay?
Submarines are hunting them, that he knows.
Nothing scares him more than that...........to be below should one strike.
Gods, to be trapped , here below.................
( we are jumping forward 3 days, 3 days of tracking back and forth of panope island, while a convoy unloads)
(Zuiho has 2 system, 2 engine damage)
Midnight.
Tan sits in Damage control central, filling in the Engineering master log.
It is quite a long entry today, there have been a few problems, different ones from the usual crop.
One of the ammunition hoists, the one for the fish, has failed today, a fearsome failure.
A blown hose, hydraulic oil spraying everywhere. A difficult, dirty job, but done under enourmous pressure.
A at sea refuelling, from Tankers that ride too bloody high in the water.
Tan does not need to be told, there will be no more fuel coming from them.
How long, he wonders, will they linger wherever they are?
They are near the war, that is for certain, the victorious kate pilots had celebrated well into the night. Let them, at least that means something has been achieved.
But, how long could they stay?
Submarines are hunting them, that he knows.
Nothing scares him more than that...........to be below should one strike.
Gods, to be trapped , here below.................
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
17 May
Nagumo again questions Genda
"are you sure?"
'24th Flottilla is adamant sir. 3 carriers, 120 miles south east of rennel island. They tracked them for 6 hours"
'and that catalina tracked us for how many before we got him?"
'at least an hour sir"
Silence fills the bridge.
At last Nagumo makes his decision. " Ensure Yamamoto is given the enemy carrier position. Those fools at 24th flottilla might have forgotten that little detail. We have done enough. Make course for Truk"
Nagumo again questions Genda
"are you sure?"
'24th Flottilla is adamant sir. 3 carriers, 120 miles south east of rennel island. They tracked them for 6 hours"
'and that catalina tracked us for how many before we got him?"
'at least an hour sir"
Silence fills the bridge.
At last Nagumo makes his decision. " Ensure Yamamoto is given the enemy carrier position. Those fools at 24th flottilla might have forgotten that little detail. We have done enough. Make course for Truk"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
18th of may
'we have done enough"
And this time, simply being there, at sea, keeping HIS carriers at sea, IS enough.
Zuiho heads home.
A great many other vessels, however now silently slip south.............
'we have done enough"
And this time, simply being there, at sea, keeping HIS carriers at sea, IS enough.
Zuiho heads home.
A great many other vessels, however now silently slip south.............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
19th may
from
tulgia, 51st naval guard unit
to
Combined fleet
'Enemy landing ships approaching. Will make supreme attack at midnight"
Long live the empire.
From
Combined fleet
to
Commander 51st naval guard unit
Supreme suicide attacks will not, repeat not take place.
You are to fight as long as possible, preserving your force for as long as possible.
Every minute you buy Combined fleet is another heroic minute towards a bigger victory.
You will fight to last man, last bullet.
You will live for as long as possible.
repeat, you will live for as long as possible.
Yamamoto needs three days.
51st guard will give them to him.
from
tulgia, 51st naval guard unit
to
Combined fleet
'Enemy landing ships approaching. Will make supreme attack at midnight"
Long live the empire.
From
Combined fleet
to
Commander 51st naval guard unit
Supreme suicide attacks will not, repeat not take place.
You are to fight as long as possible, preserving your force for as long as possible.
Every minute you buy Combined fleet is another heroic minute towards a bigger victory.
You will fight to last man, last bullet.
You will live for as long as possible.
repeat, you will live for as long as possible.
Yamamoto needs three days.
51st guard will give them to him.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
20 may
As his Father sleeps , exhausted, at Truk, combined fleet having dropped anchor there, his son fights for his life over Rabual.
A certain Caprtain Bovington, who (according to the enemy propaganda has 15 kills or more) leads a crack, crack team of p38's to rabual, the first tentative taste of what lies in wait there.
9 p38's, a perfect storm of Tojos, tonies.
Bovington and his boys are good, but so are 47th's, especially pilot officer Uto, who too has 6 kills.
Bovington's plane is hit, the news on his fate however remains unknown.
4 of his companions are killed.
Fuchida damages a p 38, dodges another.
how long can his luck hold?
As his Father sleeps , exhausted, at Truk, combined fleet having dropped anchor there, his son fights for his life over Rabual.
A certain Caprtain Bovington, who (according to the enemy propaganda has 15 kills or more) leads a crack, crack team of p38's to rabual, the first tentative taste of what lies in wait there.
9 p38's, a perfect storm of Tojos, tonies.
Bovington and his boys are good, but so are 47th's, especially pilot officer Uto, who too has 6 kills.
Bovington's plane is hit, the news on his fate however remains unknown.
4 of his companions are killed.
Fuchida damages a p 38, dodges another.
how long can his luck hold?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
21st may
Charge knocks on tans door.
'Fuel status sir, we are now at 46 percent, those Akizuki DDs are thirsty barsteds."
Tan nods. "yes, and we may have to give more away yet. Theres not a drop to be had for at least 15 days I hear, a right royal cockup."
'15 days?" incredible. How in the hell can Truk have no fuel left?
'yes. you can get some proper work done chief wih out busting a gut. Who knows, would you like to try some fishing?"
Fishing?
Sometimes Tan, I think you think you are still a civilian.
Fishing?..........with all this bloody work to do!
tulgia
Fighting continues
The american carriers remain on station, providing heavy support, avengers, dauntless, corsairs, all working at winkling out the stubborn, elusive defenders of Tulgia.
And there, of course, is the clue. For 5 days now (or is it 6), the carriers have remained on station.
Charge knocks on tans door.
'Fuel status sir, we are now at 46 percent, those Akizuki DDs are thirsty barsteds."
Tan nods. "yes, and we may have to give more away yet. Theres not a drop to be had for at least 15 days I hear, a right royal cockup."
'15 days?" incredible. How in the hell can Truk have no fuel left?
'yes. you can get some proper work done chief wih out busting a gut. Who knows, would you like to try some fishing?"
Fishing?
Sometimes Tan, I think you think you are still a civilian.
Fishing?..........with all this bloody work to do!
tulgia
Fighting continues
The american carriers remain on station, providing heavy support, avengers, dauntless, corsairs, all working at winkling out the stubborn, elusive defenders of Tulgia.
And there, of course, is the clue. For 5 days now (or is it 6), the carriers have remained on station.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
Luck has nothing to do with it
You make your own
dusk, 21 st may, and 16 japanese submarines enter the same 40 sqaure mile hex of water the allies have crissed and crossed for so many days now.
16 of them
Fittingly, it is the first wolf pack, I-23, I-26, I-15, I-13, that has arrived, that they sail straight past.
The seas, on this greay day, are rough, a good 1 metre swell, but topped with a endless carpet of white caps, whipped by a strong breeze.
They hide the searching scopes well.
The sun is still rising, hard in the backs of the scopes, hard into the eyes of the ships look outs when they meet.
The scopes all but invisible, the ships flanks huge, glistening, gleaming in the sun
I-23 fires first, her sonar man startled to report that he he can hear another firing from some where to his port, even as their six fish reach out towards destiny
CV Victorious takes two, deep, deep in her guts
I-26's fish have to run further, but not much, a single hit hammering into Wasps bows.
She is last seen burning furiously.
Both ss dive deep, but the attack never comes for them, for I-15s scope HAS been sighted, the hounds go for her.........too late, 2 more fish shatter Victorious's bowels, ammunition explodes, and every submariner in the area hears her death rattles as she plunges, breaking apart, to her grave.
herbiesan hears the news at midday.
Shokaku rejoins the fleet in 7 days
5 fleet carriers then, against one.
what now?
heavens.
What now?
You make your own
dusk, 21 st may, and 16 japanese submarines enter the same 40 sqaure mile hex of water the allies have crissed and crossed for so many days now.
16 of them
Fittingly, it is the first wolf pack, I-23, I-26, I-15, I-13, that has arrived, that they sail straight past.
The seas, on this greay day, are rough, a good 1 metre swell, but topped with a endless carpet of white caps, whipped by a strong breeze.
They hide the searching scopes well.
The sun is still rising, hard in the backs of the scopes, hard into the eyes of the ships look outs when they meet.
The scopes all but invisible, the ships flanks huge, glistening, gleaming in the sun
I-23 fires first, her sonar man startled to report that he he can hear another firing from some where to his port, even as their six fish reach out towards destiny
CV Victorious takes two, deep, deep in her guts
I-26's fish have to run further, but not much, a single hit hammering into Wasps bows.
She is last seen burning furiously.
Both ss dive deep, but the attack never comes for them, for I-15s scope HAS been sighted, the hounds go for her.........too late, 2 more fish shatter Victorious's bowels, ammunition explodes, and every submariner in the area hears her death rattles as she plunges, breaking apart, to her grave.
herbiesan hears the news at midday.
Shokaku rejoins the fleet in 7 days
5 fleet carriers then, against one.
what now?
heavens.
What now?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
Japans cabinet meets.
It is, of course, very much a puppet cabinet, but dictators are men too, they cannot do everything .
They are are also good for publicity purposes, and at times, herbiesan finds that even these fools can give some good advice.
Debate today has been mundane, mainly about the construction of air raid shelters in japan (rejected-for morale purposes). But now all minds are turning to yesterdays events. One advantage of fighting a true democracy, is the democracies tendancy to let its press loose.
Today, the news speak of washington "seeking a new strategy"# .
What, in the world, did this mean?
A military change?, or something else?
Herbiesan dismisses the hopeful thoughts that maybe a peace feeler is on the table,(but, just how is the enemies moral now!. can one more great blow do it?), the war will continue.
But maybe the solomons strategy is no longer valid.
But then..................
No, stick to the plan.
Japans fleet will gather in strength, and strike a last crushing blow.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
24th May
Fuchida watches the action over rabual harbour.
The enemy bombers rumble overhead in the dark, their sown chaos rippling on the waters.
2 small ships burn, caught at the piers, the AA guns bark with futility.
Fuchida curses, another sleep deprived night.
Night bombing, a BUKA's way to fight a war.
51st naval guard is exterminated on Tulgia.
They fought, and gain No honour.
They fought, and gained no glory.
They fought, and fullfilled their duty.
Fuchida watches the action over rabual harbour.
The enemy bombers rumble overhead in the dark, their sown chaos rippling on the waters.
2 small ships burn, caught at the piers, the AA guns bark with futility.
Fuchida curses, another sleep deprived night.
Night bombing, a BUKA's way to fight a war.
51st naval guard is exterminated on Tulgia.
They fought, and gain No honour.
They fought, and gained no glory.
They fought, and fullfilled their duty.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
Charge is sitting on a companion way, one of the many hanging of the starboard flank of Zuiho.
He is enjoying a cool breeze, re gaining his strength. Beside him is one of the ships boats, he has just finished inspecting a youngsters work on it, in a few minutes another will arrive, to sit a small exam, (boat operations and pre starts), another stone to step on the promotion trail.
But it is not the youngster who pokes his head out to the companion way, but the XO, CMDR Arisue.
We have not mentioned this tall, quiet man. There has been no need, for he is a very, very good XO indeed.
Zuiho runs well, she performs her seamanship evolutions well. She is clean, she is happy.
We hear few dramas of these sorts on Zuiho, testimony of his good work.
I Like CMDR Arisue, he does his job, and lets the men get on with theirs.
He has, despite his quiet ways, a wicked sense of humour.
"Is the boat operational Charge?"
'Sir!, yes it is"
'Good, do you think it needs a test run?"
"One is scheduled for tonight sir"
The XO grins. "Buggar that. I need to check the anchor bouy, and Skipper wants a lamp attached to it. How about a sea trip ney?"
Sir?'
But the Xo's head has disapeared. Moments later the broadcast makes an announcement 'Away Starboard sea boat, away, starboard sea boat"
It seems like only a moment later, Charge finds himself in the bow of the sea boat, as it motors away in a clean sweep from Zuihos side. To his surprise, Arisue skippers the boat, and he is the only crew.
They motow in a great circle about the ship, XO seemingly in no hurry to get to the bouy. '"relax Chief!, I needed to sea her side, and, well, TRUK me, who doesn't need a breath of air ney?"
Charge can only agree.
Thirty pleasant minutes pass by, highlighted by a lap around Yamato, a sight he will never forget.
An awful lot of stress dissipates.
"There is nothing" quotes XO, Happily " nothing quite like messing about in boats"
Eventually he noses the boat to the bouy.
Charge, totally out of his depth, struggles to attach the special light to it. The boat rises up and down on a slight swell, the bouy one moment below the surface, the next lying loosley on the surface.
Finally, after much failed effort, the XO offers some advise. "Bring it into the boat charge"
He does, and firmly sits it on his lap.
XO grins.
The swell picks up the boat, the rope to the bouy pulls taught, and it and the charge go like a shot back over the side.
Only bubbles mark the spot.
Charge finds himself 6 feet down, hanging on like grim death to the bouy.
terror grips him
he cannot swim you see.............
Moments later , the bouy is on the surface, and grimly he climbs back into the boat.
The XO is roaring with laughter.......
After a moment, the charge joins him.
He is enjoying a cool breeze, re gaining his strength. Beside him is one of the ships boats, he has just finished inspecting a youngsters work on it, in a few minutes another will arrive, to sit a small exam, (boat operations and pre starts), another stone to step on the promotion trail.
But it is not the youngster who pokes his head out to the companion way, but the XO, CMDR Arisue.
We have not mentioned this tall, quiet man. There has been no need, for he is a very, very good XO indeed.
Zuiho runs well, she performs her seamanship evolutions well. She is clean, she is happy.
We hear few dramas of these sorts on Zuiho, testimony of his good work.
I Like CMDR Arisue, he does his job, and lets the men get on with theirs.
He has, despite his quiet ways, a wicked sense of humour.
"Is the boat operational Charge?"
'Sir!, yes it is"
'Good, do you think it needs a test run?"
"One is scheduled for tonight sir"
The XO grins. "Buggar that. I need to check the anchor bouy, and Skipper wants a lamp attached to it. How about a sea trip ney?"
Sir?'
But the Xo's head has disapeared. Moments later the broadcast makes an announcement 'Away Starboard sea boat, away, starboard sea boat"
It seems like only a moment later, Charge finds himself in the bow of the sea boat, as it motors away in a clean sweep from Zuihos side. To his surprise, Arisue skippers the boat, and he is the only crew.
They motow in a great circle about the ship, XO seemingly in no hurry to get to the bouy. '"relax Chief!, I needed to sea her side, and, well, TRUK me, who doesn't need a breath of air ney?"
Charge can only agree.
Thirty pleasant minutes pass by, highlighted by a lap around Yamato, a sight he will never forget.
An awful lot of stress dissipates.
"There is nothing" quotes XO, Happily " nothing quite like messing about in boats"
Eventually he noses the boat to the bouy.
Charge, totally out of his depth, struggles to attach the special light to it. The boat rises up and down on a slight swell, the bouy one moment below the surface, the next lying loosley on the surface.
Finally, after much failed effort, the XO offers some advise. "Bring it into the boat charge"
He does, and firmly sits it on his lap.
XO grins.
The swell picks up the boat, the rope to the bouy pulls taught, and it and the charge go like a shot back over the side.
Only bubbles mark the spot.
Charge finds himself 6 feet down, hanging on like grim death to the bouy.
terror grips him
he cannot swim you see.............
Moments later , the bouy is on the surface, and grimly he climbs back into the boat.
The XO is roaring with laughter.......
After a moment, the charge joins him.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
-
Smoky Stoker
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:34 pm
RE: ouch
Please say whether "Tulgia" is the same place as "Tulagi".
My naval service was at the tail-end of the steam era, late 1960s/early 1970s. I will not name the ships, because so many of the stories I tell about them are discreditable. For example, my very first tour as a boot seaman I went into a warship that had just failed a major propulsion inspection nine days before. I was aboard for eleven months and a few weeks, and in that period we spent approximately 36 hours not tied up at the pier, of which twelve hours were spent crawling back to port after a major boiler casualty.
My naval service was at the tail-end of the steam era, late 1960s/early 1970s. I will not name the ships, because so many of the stories I tell about them are discreditable. For example, my very first tour as a boot seaman I went into a warship that had just failed a major propulsion inspection nine days before. I was aboard for eleven months and a few weeks, and in that period we spent approximately 36 hours not tied up at the pier, of which twelve hours were spent crawling back to port after a major boiler casualty.
"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 Stoker
You are correct, but as its now firmly in allied hands.....................[:(]
24May
The japanese submarine herd retires via the waters off Lunga, and sink 2 APs, an AK, an LST enroute.
The allies wail and nash teeth.
The fleet remains at anchor at truk
A small tanker convoy arrives, enough fuel to sustain a few small ships operations, no where near enough for the big boys.
It is more than galling, to think of the oportunities being lost, for the lack of fuel...............
25th may
Destroyers Akizuki, Teruzuki, Susuki and Niizuki.
The very best Japan has in light small warships.
Ahh, too have a dozen more of these beauties...................
Long legged, fast, ideal for the task in hand.
mavis search craft have spotted the enemy ships yesterday, 120 miles south west of Rossel island.
SS Ro-34 has unsuccessfully attacked them at dusk, still headed North east.
In War, risks must be taken.
The task force intercepts them just as the unloading begins.
Helpless, AM Shetlands, LSL(L) Australia Star, and AP Diomad are brutally savaged, their sinking taking 2200 men with them.
Like sharks, the Japanese destroyers cruise the burning waters, and the guns glow red.
Any pretence of the rules of war are long gone. Now the growing pressure on her military is beginning to tell. The japanese ships will escape, leaving no survivors behind.
You are correct, but as its now firmly in allied hands.....................[:(]
24May
The japanese submarine herd retires via the waters off Lunga, and sink 2 APs, an AK, an LST enroute.
The allies wail and nash teeth.
The fleet remains at anchor at truk
A small tanker convoy arrives, enough fuel to sustain a few small ships operations, no where near enough for the big boys.
It is more than galling, to think of the oportunities being lost, for the lack of fuel...............
25th may
Destroyers Akizuki, Teruzuki, Susuki and Niizuki.
The very best Japan has in light small warships.
Ahh, too have a dozen more of these beauties...................
Long legged, fast, ideal for the task in hand.
mavis search craft have spotted the enemy ships yesterday, 120 miles south west of Rossel island.
SS Ro-34 has unsuccessfully attacked them at dusk, still headed North east.
In War, risks must be taken.
The task force intercepts them just as the unloading begins.
Helpless, AM Shetlands, LSL(L) Australia Star, and AP Diomad are brutally savaged, their sinking taking 2200 men with them.
Like sharks, the Japanese destroyers cruise the burning waters, and the guns glow red.
Any pretence of the rules of war are long gone. Now the growing pressure on her military is beginning to tell. The japanese ships will escape, leaving no survivors behind.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
26th of May
For all intents and purposes, a forgotten day of the war.
Allied troops push north out of Lunga, seeking the Japanese at Tassofronga? point.
Tonight, they will meet them...........
Zuiho remains at anchor, Trul lagoon, as does most of the fleet.
The sun shines, the waters sparkle, men work haphazardly in the heat.
Japans fuel reserves drop another 10000 tons.
For all intents and purposes, a forgotten day of the war.
Allied troops push north out of Lunga, seeking the Japanese at Tassofronga? point.
Tonight, they will meet them...........
Zuiho remains at anchor, Trul lagoon, as does most of the fleet.
The sun shines, the waters sparkle, men work haphazardly in the heat.
Japans fuel reserves drop another 10000 tons.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: ouch
Two men walk slowly the length of Zuihos flight deck, seemingly oblivious to all about them.
They will not be disturbed, for being Captain has many privileges. Being the Dictators Son, possibly more.
“I have wondered Uto, how in the world you found your self here?” Kato looks the young man in the eye, brows raised “surely it would be far safer,, if not more comfortable in Tokyo than here?’
Uto Smiles. “Neither in fact. The sad thing is Sir, father and I do not see eye to eye, and , well, father has many enemies, and it seems, that I wear some of the mud thrown his way”
Kato pauses, then speaks . He speaks with that steady confidence of one un afraid of retribution.
“Yes, your father does have so many enemies. I supported him once you know. Supported the revolution. He promised and end to the war in china, modernisation, and a big Navy. All good things”
‘And then he made his mistake, yes?”
“he should never have removed the emperor, should never have stepped a foot into the imperial palace”
‘I was still a boy then.” Uto smiles at the Memory. “I was there you know, the day they sent him “to safety,’ to that miserable house on the hill.
You will become a Monk, my father said. The idiot. “
Uto stops, and they begin walking aft, still oblivious to it all about them . he continues “ You know Yamamoto was there, that he drew his sword?.
Kato stares at him sharply. ‘No, I did not know that”
‘Father drew a gun……………..and did not really aim it at any one……..”
‘Yamamoto, I think, wishes to see the Emperor restored, if only to rally the people to the war”
Kato whistles. “it is a wonder he has kept his head on his shoulders so long”
“No. he has too many friends, I think. But then again, he has a great many enemies…………..
They will not be disturbed, for being Captain has many privileges. Being the Dictators Son, possibly more.
“I have wondered Uto, how in the world you found your self here?” Kato looks the young man in the eye, brows raised “surely it would be far safer,, if not more comfortable in Tokyo than here?’
Uto Smiles. “Neither in fact. The sad thing is Sir, father and I do not see eye to eye, and , well, father has many enemies, and it seems, that I wear some of the mud thrown his way”
Kato pauses, then speaks . He speaks with that steady confidence of one un afraid of retribution.
“Yes, your father does have so many enemies. I supported him once you know. Supported the revolution. He promised and end to the war in china, modernisation, and a big Navy. All good things”
‘And then he made his mistake, yes?”
“he should never have removed the emperor, should never have stepped a foot into the imperial palace”
‘I was still a boy then.” Uto smiles at the Memory. “I was there you know, the day they sent him “to safety,’ to that miserable house on the hill.
You will become a Monk, my father said. The idiot. “
Uto stops, and they begin walking aft, still oblivious to it all about them . he continues “ You know Yamamoto was there, that he drew his sword?.
Kato stares at him sharply. ‘No, I did not know that”
‘Father drew a gun……………..and did not really aim it at any one……..”
‘Yamamoto, I think, wishes to see the Emperor restored, if only to rally the people to the war”
Kato whistles. “it is a wonder he has kept his head on his shoulders so long”
“No. he has too many friends, I think. But then again, he has a great many enemies…………..
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt