Hirate and Okano have finished the afternoon watch, bird bathed, and now rest on the 'balcony' on the starboard side, trying, with minimal success, to cool down.
The sun still beats down, and the lagoons waters sparkle.
'you know my friend" murmers Okano "I could really go for a swim"
"You can swim?"
"Of course, can't you?"
Hirate grins "Like a brick"
'You are kidding me"
'No. I am not"
It is right then, as if God himself is listening (which, I think he might have been, knowing the sense of humour he has) that they see it.
At least 5 metres long, the great grey shadow passes just under the surface below their feet, its dorsal fin just veeing the water, the great tail beating ever so slowly.
The two men stare at the great shark spell bound, watching the shadow sink into Zuiho's shadow...........
"Then again" notes Hirate wirly 'if we get sunk, it may be a blessing, not being able to swim......"
The little ship that could.
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: The little ship that could.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
many thanks for encouregment!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Imperial HQ
21 september
The atmosphere in the room is , well, nothing short of explosive. At one end of the long table, herbiesan stands, impassive. But on his for head, a vien stands, beating.
Fists are clenched.
At the other end, the usual gaggle of generals.
And beyond that, THE MAP.
The map. Where distant men move pins on paper colored green and brown, and imagine that they understand what those colors mean.
THE MAP, where pins stand for units, units that bear nothing, again, in condition or shape, to what the pin wielders imagine.
THE MAP, where a crushing impossible distance to march, is a mere inch long, again, a distance a imagination, a wish, can swiftly cross......
THE MAP.
Burma.
19th Indian division has crossed the river south of Kalemyo -due south of Imphal, and crushed in a surprise attack a tank regiment.
Katha is now imperilled.....
Herbiesan speaks, softly, quietly, dangerously. 'Tell me again. You say that 15th army still has not reached lashio, that 20th Army still comes north, that 54th division, still has not entrained at Moulmien?"
nervously, a general answers . "That is correct sir. But we feel that 15th Army can be there in 10 days, 54th division in a week. 20th Army in 15 days."
"Five divisions?"
'Yes sir, five"
Herbiesan advances to THE MAP.
"This is one Indian division. Indian!.These troops will crush these weak men!. Always have, always will!.
Katha will hold its ground. Not one step back!."
Brutally, as if THE MAP can convey his feelings across the globe, herbiesan pokes shwebo. "You will rally here, and counter attack!. katha will stand!, not one step back, do you hear, not one !"
The orders go out.
Not one step back.
The tiger of malaya at Katha reads them. Shakes his head. Passes them to his aide, smiles at his divisional commanders. 'herbiesan seeks a tropical stalingrad. Well hell to that. Continue the fighting withdrawal!"
21 september
The atmosphere in the room is , well, nothing short of explosive. At one end of the long table, herbiesan stands, impassive. But on his for head, a vien stands, beating.
Fists are clenched.
At the other end, the usual gaggle of generals.
And beyond that, THE MAP.
The map. Where distant men move pins on paper colored green and brown, and imagine that they understand what those colors mean.
THE MAP, where pins stand for units, units that bear nothing, again, in condition or shape, to what the pin wielders imagine.
THE MAP, where a crushing impossible distance to march, is a mere inch long, again, a distance a imagination, a wish, can swiftly cross......
THE MAP.
Burma.
19th Indian division has crossed the river south of Kalemyo -due south of Imphal, and crushed in a surprise attack a tank regiment.
Katha is now imperilled.....
Herbiesan speaks, softly, quietly, dangerously. 'Tell me again. You say that 15th army still has not reached lashio, that 20th Army still comes north, that 54th division, still has not entrained at Moulmien?"
nervously, a general answers . "That is correct sir. But we feel that 15th Army can be there in 10 days, 54th division in a week. 20th Army in 15 days."
"Five divisions?"
'Yes sir, five"
Herbiesan advances to THE MAP.
"This is one Indian division. Indian!.These troops will crush these weak men!. Always have, always will!.
Katha will hold its ground. Not one step back!."
Brutally, as if THE MAP can convey his feelings across the globe, herbiesan pokes shwebo. "You will rally here, and counter attack!. katha will stand!, not one step back, do you hear, not one !"
The orders go out.
Not one step back.
The tiger of malaya at Katha reads them. Shakes his head. Passes them to his aide, smiles at his divisional commanders. 'herbiesan seeks a tropical stalingrad. Well hell to that. Continue the fighting withdrawal!"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
22 September
The hard brown men, the aussies, attack at Katha.
They have beaten the french in palestine, these men
Smashed Rommel, laughed at the Italians.
They move on the first ridge in the morning mist, under cover of a thunderous artillery barrage, confident, cocksure.
They come to kill Japanese.
It takes a full day, and many, a great many, suspect that towards dusk, the japanese having let them have it, they take the first ridge.
They inflict 1800 casualties.
They take 3600..........
The japanese, it seems, may be a totally different kettle of fish.
The hard brown men, the aussies, attack at Katha.
They have beaten the french in palestine, these men
Smashed Rommel, laughed at the Italians.
They move on the first ridge in the morning mist, under cover of a thunderous artillery barrage, confident, cocksure.
They come to kill Japanese.
It takes a full day, and many, a great many, suspect that towards dusk, the japanese having let them have it, they take the first ridge.
They inflict 1800 casualties.
They take 3600..........
The japanese, it seems, may be a totally different kettle of fish.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
katha:
1 to 13
adjusted 388 to 5049
forts reduced to 4 (dot base too[;)])
6 destroyed squads, 123 disabled japanese
44 destroyed, 566 disabled allied.
1 to 13
adjusted 388 to 5049
forts reduced to 4 (dot base too[;)])
6 destroyed squads, 123 disabled japanese
44 destroyed, 566 disabled allied.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Have no fear, you have many fans. We just sit in a corner looking at that which we cannot do ourselves [;)]
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
RE: The little ship that could.
23Sept 43
Quiet falls over katha
It rains steadily all day, the water falling down , washing away the blood into rivulets and streams.
It falls on the still, on the silent.
But a billion tears will never wash away the ugliness.
Quiet falls over katha
It rains steadily all day, the water falling down , washing away the blood into rivulets and streams.
It falls on the still, on the silent.
But a billion tears will never wash away the ugliness.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
24th of September
Takeji watches them march out of the lagoon, white bones in their teeth.
He has always loved those sleek grey ships
20 plus destroyers steaming out into the blue, hunting parties for the hidden steel sharks known to lurk outside.
At last.
At last. The seas are to be swept clean and clear for the giants that must soon arrive.
At last.
He turns to the XO. "Time to bring down the Awnings, I would think. Department heads to report state of the ship no later than 1600 hours. I have a feeling things are about to happen..............."
Takeji watches them march out of the lagoon, white bones in their teeth.
He has always loved those sleek grey ships
20 plus destroyers steaming out into the blue, hunting parties for the hidden steel sharks known to lurk outside.
At last.
At last. The seas are to be swept clean and clear for the giants that must soon arrive.
At last.
He turns to the XO. "Time to bring down the Awnings, I would think. Department heads to report state of the ship no later than 1600 hours. I have a feeling things are about to happen..............."
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
From
South east Fleet
TRUK
to
All commands
All ships anchored TRUK
raise steam, emergency sail.
Enemy carriers sighted due east, 300 miles.
South east Fleet
TRUK
to
All commands
All ships anchored TRUK
raise steam, emergency sail.
Enemy carriers sighted due east, 300 miles.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
extract from the Book "The Hungry war"
..............that the Japanese could still launch 100 plus bomber raids on the allied forces on the Burma front, deep into 43, exposes the flaw in the allied air effort...................
.............despite the daily battles, the attrition, the superior aircraft, the allies have never committed to the most vital task. Closing enemy airfields. And keeping them closed.
At every field, the japanese had deployed the bulk of their engineering regiments and companies. As quickly as a field was closed, another would re open.
Allied bombers had by now, been concentrating almost exclusively on pounding ground troops, they had gone close to closing the fields, but had failed to persist. But now, they paid in losses to bombers and attack planes from enemy fighters that should never have been allowed to get of the gound.
With 100 bombers striking the 19th Indian division on the 23rd, 100 plus attacking shipping at Akyab on the 24th, all strongly escorted by hordes of fighters, things clearly, had not been won in the air over Burma.
The ramifications, of course, were clear.
On supply lines stretched to the limits, with transports being cut from the sky daily, the allied ground troops were gradually realising this:
They would have to break the Japanese army by themselves.
..............that the Japanese could still launch 100 plus bomber raids on the allied forces on the Burma front, deep into 43, exposes the flaw in the allied air effort...................
.............despite the daily battles, the attrition, the superior aircraft, the allies have never committed to the most vital task. Closing enemy airfields. And keeping them closed.
At every field, the japanese had deployed the bulk of their engineering regiments and companies. As quickly as a field was closed, another would re open.
Allied bombers had by now, been concentrating almost exclusively on pounding ground troops, they had gone close to closing the fields, but had failed to persist. But now, they paid in losses to bombers and attack planes from enemy fighters that should never have been allowed to get of the gound.
With 100 bombers striking the 19th Indian division on the 23rd, 100 plus attacking shipping at Akyab on the 24th, all strongly escorted by hordes of fighters, things clearly, had not been won in the air over Burma.
The ramifications, of course, were clear.
On supply lines stretched to the limits, with transports being cut from the sky daily, the allied ground troops were gradually realising this:
They would have to break the Japanese army by themselves.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Awesome, inmmersive writing.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: The little ship that could.
TRUK.
wrote huge post, and its gone...............
wrote huge post, and its gone...............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
26 September
Lashio is chaos. The small railhead station, designed to service a few men, their dogs, and the pig for market once a week, is now expected to load 40000 men of 15th army.
Nobody, of course, knows where they are going
Nobody, of course, knows where the trains are, or when they arrive.
Who goes where, and when, absolute creeds for any army, are blowing in the dust and noise with the milling companies and regiments.
Nobody even knows where Divisional HQ, Corp HQ has gone.
Rumours have them in Shewbo, others have them destroyed on the trail behind.
The air is filled with shouts, screams, orders, counter orders
Army organisation at its best
SNAFU.
Into this crowd, Hosho brings his dusty, weary comapany. He casts one bainful eye across the mess of lashio, feels the utter fatigue in his legs.
There is but one thing to do. he leads his men a ways, finds a quieter, cooler spot under some banana tree, and takes a seat.
Quite sensibly, within 5 minutes, he and his entire company are asleep.
Lashio is chaos. The small railhead station, designed to service a few men, their dogs, and the pig for market once a week, is now expected to load 40000 men of 15th army.
Nobody, of course, knows where they are going
Nobody, of course, knows where the trains are, or when they arrive.
Who goes where, and when, absolute creeds for any army, are blowing in the dust and noise with the milling companies and regiments.
Nobody even knows where Divisional HQ, Corp HQ has gone.
Rumours have them in Shewbo, others have them destroyed on the trail behind.
The air is filled with shouts, screams, orders, counter orders
Army organisation at its best
SNAFU.
Into this crowd, Hosho brings his dusty, weary comapany. He casts one bainful eye across the mess of lashio, feels the utter fatigue in his legs.
There is but one thing to do. he leads his men a ways, finds a quieter, cooler spot under some banana tree, and takes a seat.
Quite sensibly, within 5 minutes, he and his entire company are asleep.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
extract from the Hunger war..
and then, as if on que, the bombers in Burma return.
Rebuilt, re formed, re filled, they promise to send a harvest for japan to weep over.
50 heavies hit Shewbo airfield.
They do not close it.
But 50 japanese bombers hit Akyab again.
Thrust
Counter thrust and blow.
The air war continues its savage consumption of men and machines.
Below them, Japanese divisions scurry, some south, some North, some attempting to come west, then south.
Burma has become a gigantic vice.
It is called the pacific war, this war.
But now, it is clear,this war may well be decided here, here in the jungle.
and then, as if on que, the bombers in Burma return.
Rebuilt, re formed, re filled, they promise to send a harvest for japan to weep over.
50 heavies hit Shewbo airfield.
They do not close it.
But 50 japanese bombers hit Akyab again.
Thrust
Counter thrust and blow.
The air war continues its savage consumption of men and machines.
Below them, Japanese divisions scurry, some south, some North, some attempting to come west, then south.
Burma has become a gigantic vice.
It is called the pacific war, this war.
But now, it is clear,this war may well be decided here, here in the jungle.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
I would really like to meet you one day kaluen.
You seem such a nice fellow!
You seem such a nice fellow!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Likewise. PM me, we might be closer than we think.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: The little ship that could.
Extract from the Hungry war............
and just like that, in less than a week, it all changed.
On the 26th, Shewbo is blasted into oblivion.
On the 27th, meiktila becomes rubble
On the 28th, Mandalaby takes its turn
And on the 29th, magwe too is pounded.
The heaviescome, they bomb. Japanese fighters rise, they die.
A new fighter the p51 sweeps the Ki-43's away.
It has taken less than a week, , like morning mist exposed to the sun, the air cover over Burma Army has evaporated.
and just like that, in less than a week, it all changed.
On the 26th, Shewbo is blasted into oblivion.
On the 27th, meiktila becomes rubble
On the 28th, Mandalaby takes its turn
And on the 29th, magwe too is pounded.
The heaviescome, they bomb. Japanese fighters rise, they die.
A new fighter the p51 sweeps the Ki-43's away.
It has taken less than a week, , like morning mist exposed to the sun, the air cover over Burma Army has evaporated.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
55th divisions train does come.
In one short day, Hosho's men travel from the hills and jungles, across the wide rice crop valey of the irrawady, unloading at magwe.
And all too soon, the familiar hated orders.
Form up, march!
There are no trees now, just wide fields, paddy farms.
And no fighters above........
In one short day, Hosho's men travel from the hills and jungles, across the wide rice crop valey of the irrawady, unloading at magwe.
And all too soon, the familiar hated orders.
Form up, march!
There are no trees now, just wide fields, paddy farms.
And no fighters above........
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
They come in under cover of darkness, seeking moorings in an anchorage now bursting at the seams.
The men of zuiho meet the dawn, and soon ma great many are at the guard rails, taking in the grandest of sights.
It boosts moral as no speach can.
It fills mens chests with pride, with spirit.
Fighting spirit.
13 carriers, 10 battlewagons, 10 cruisers.
Destroyers everywhere.
Great grey mountains, shining, new flight decks.
And soon, the little boats are streaming towards Yamato, flagship of the re invigorated fleet.
Captains taken to recieve orders.
Captains to hear the plan.
The plan for what many have trained for, for a lifetime.
The plan for decisive battle.
The men of zuiho meet the dawn, and soon ma great many are at the guard rails, taking in the grandest of sights.
It boosts moral as no speach can.
It fills mens chests with pride, with spirit.
Fighting spirit.
13 carriers, 10 battlewagons, 10 cruisers.
Destroyers everywhere.
Great grey mountains, shining, new flight decks.
And soon, the little boats are streaming towards Yamato, flagship of the re invigorated fleet.
Captains taken to recieve orders.
Captains to hear the plan.
The plan for what many have trained for, for a lifetime.
The plan for decisive battle.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Hidaka and Uto are doing what pilots on Zuiho do frequently, striding her flight deck.
Its a daily thing (weather permitting!) to stroll her stubby length, to study her worn flight deck timbers, to revist the holes, the patches, the new planks that speak of past adventures.
Common rates are, of course, usually banned from the deck, only her eagles attendants, her pilots, may take this walk.
They reach the flight deck end, the curve that falls to the bow, the gun pits below.
Both men pause, and contemplate the new carrier before them, the Amagi, swinging on her mooring.
On her stern, a full strike is loaded, and her eagles throb.
There will be no strike, of course, not from here, not while anchored. But Amagi's captain, his crew, have a long, long way to go to reach Zuiho's efficiency.
There is much work to do.
"A fine ship ney Uto?"
"Hiryu like, yes?"
"Yes, as fast as a leapord too, I would think. I hear Katsaguri joins the fleet within the month as well"
Uto nods. The fleet is growing, growing in numbers, confidence again.
But being the herbiesans Son, allows one to say certain things that others would not dare say.........
"Ahh yes, but have you noticed what I notice Hidaka?"
"What?"
"The planes on her"
"Aircraft, you dolt, her aircraft. What about them?"
'Zeros"
Zeros?"
"yes, they are still zeros"
Hidaka does not turn to Uto. There is no need.
he is so right, you know. Still zeros. And the Americans, hellcats, corsairs, this new P51, improved wildcats...........
And we still fly new zeros, that are really just old zeros..........
"yes" his voice is low, and full of regret "Yes, you are right Uto. We will have to be at our very best to prevail when the battle comes.............."
Its a daily thing (weather permitting!) to stroll her stubby length, to study her worn flight deck timbers, to revist the holes, the patches, the new planks that speak of past adventures.
Common rates are, of course, usually banned from the deck, only her eagles attendants, her pilots, may take this walk.
They reach the flight deck end, the curve that falls to the bow, the gun pits below.
Both men pause, and contemplate the new carrier before them, the Amagi, swinging on her mooring.
On her stern, a full strike is loaded, and her eagles throb.
There will be no strike, of course, not from here, not while anchored. But Amagi's captain, his crew, have a long, long way to go to reach Zuiho's efficiency.
There is much work to do.
"A fine ship ney Uto?"
"Hiryu like, yes?"
"Yes, as fast as a leapord too, I would think. I hear Katsaguri joins the fleet within the month as well"
Uto nods. The fleet is growing, growing in numbers, confidence again.
But being the herbiesans Son, allows one to say certain things that others would not dare say.........
"Ahh yes, but have you noticed what I notice Hidaka?"
"What?"
"The planes on her"
"Aircraft, you dolt, her aircraft. What about them?"
'Zeros"
Zeros?"
"yes, they are still zeros"
Hidaka does not turn to Uto. There is no need.
he is so right, you know. Still zeros. And the Americans, hellcats, corsairs, this new P51, improved wildcats...........
And we still fly new zeros, that are really just old zeros..........
"yes" his voice is low, and full of regret "Yes, you are right Uto. We will have to be at our very best to prevail when the battle comes.............."
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt