The little ship that could.

[1275psi]

.A letter recieved at AHQ, India



.....bailing out from his burning aircraft, Pilot Officer Graham landed deep inside enemy territory. However, this pilot was not just content to effect a return to our lines, but undertook upon himself to survey the japanese front lines along the Moulmien front, with particular care to the river defences.
His actions on the night of his rescue, where he actively probed the enemy defences, prompting the action that we now know revealed the bulk of the Japanese defences.

In the light of this action, which has led to major re orientation of our strategy, Pilot Officer Graham placed his life in considerable danger. I take great pleasure in recommending this officer for a DSO.................

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: 1275psi

I have lost count!, and its not just the hits, the attacks that have missed as well.

So far, 3 fleet CVs sunk, 2CVL sunk, a CVE sunk by ss
Zuikaku has dodged I think 5 attacks now. Shokaku has taken a hit, kaga sits in port still repairing, Taiho has taken a fish, 2 CVL still repair from their hits.............do i need to go on?

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Ouch! I thought I had it bad with Akagi in the yards twice and three other CVs hit. That is hard to come back from, and you're doing amazingly well keeping the KB going. [&o]

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: 1275psi



.A letter recieved at AHQ, India



.....bailing out from his burning aircraft, Pilot Officer Graham landed deep inside enemy territory. However, this pilot was not just content to effect a return to our lines, but undertook upon himself to survey the japanese front lines along the Moulmien front, with particular care to the river defences.
His actions on the night of his rescue, where he actively probed the enemy defences, prompting the action that we now know revealed the bulk of the Japanese defences.

In the light of this action, which has led to major re orientation of our strategy, Pilot Officer Graham placed his life in considerable danger. I take great pleasure in recommending this officer for a DSO.................

[:D][:D]
This reminds me of recent hero-creation efforts by our western propaganda machines. We have too many PR people who wait to spin the stories rather than tell us what it was really like out there.
But ... I think Long Pig Graham should still get the DSO for his survival efforts that kept him going long enough to accidentally trigger the artillery exchange. If he had given up he would not have been in that canoe in the middle of the river.

[CaptDave]

ORIGINAL: 1275psi
... and you're doing amazingly well keeping the KB going.

Not to mention the AAR. This has been a great read!

[sourdust]

Total carrier tally for US subs in WW2 includes:
4 fleet carriers sunk (Taiho, Shokaku, Shinano, Unryu)
4 escort carriers sunk (Chuyo, Unyo, Shinyo, Taiyo)
6 carriers damaged (Hiyo, Junyo twice, Taiyo twice, Unyo)

The second attack on Junyo caused major damage that was never repaired, so you could arguably count that one as a constructive total loss.

Many of these attacks were in 1944, however, so it seems that cantona is ahead of schedule! You're definitely suffering worse from the Silent Service than the real IJN did by this point in the war, at least in terms of carriers.

[1275psi]

5th of April

300 miles due south of Soerabaya.
The fleet marks time. These are easy words to say, mark time. Not so easy in practice.
Despite the losses, Mobile fleet is still an impressive body of ships. And this many ships needs a lot of room, especially when they all are Zig zagging, or altering course to launch and recover aircraft.

For this they are doing, the ASW patrol is as thick as it has ever been, yet throughout the fleet, so many wonder if it is only just a waste of time.
Ryujo lives.......basically beached however at Koepang, she reports her hull at 84% flooded. For her, it seems the war has ended.
The fleet marks time, ponderously counter marching every six hours, waiting for the Taiho task force, 4 carriers strong , to join.
It forces sunda straight tonight, bukas not with standing.
Tankers as well, tomorrow.
And then Abe intends to strike east again.


The news today has been good. 5 AKs, and a destroyer have been sunk by Japanese SS near wessel island, each cargo ship burning furiously..........fuel sows.

Other news, not so good, yet vital.
The American carrier fleet has been located, near Madang, possibly headed towards Lae. CV wasp, it seems, is luckier than japanese carriers, I-42 missing with 6 fish.


That then, is the greater picture, known only of course, by those in upper command. For the nearly 800 men on Zuiho, it is another day, launching planes, recovering them, re launching again.
Of steaming hard, then coming back to a cruise speed, then back to full again. Of battling the defects, of maintaining the feed, the fresh, of transferring the fuel.
Another day.

[1275psi]

Charge is bent over his books in damage central when Minobe enters. It is late, possibly past midnight, the small room hot, humid, dark, lit by just the charges small lamp. In the shadows, the damage central watch keeper sleeps on top of the drawing cabinet, taking advantage of the Charges presence

About them, Zuiho carries on, the whine of the fans, the rumble of the gearbox (a new noise this? or just our imagination, he really must take another weardown reading), the higher whine of the turbines.
The ventilation fans, as noisy as they are, are not winning. Charge works, stripped to just his smalls, sweat glistening from his wrinkled frame.

Minobe enters ( a reminder, my friend, this evening, that your Charge really is an old man, a man too old for war).
"Working late again Chief?'
Charge nods, then looks him in the eye. Going through the hours sir,.............. ( and what form are you in tonight?........are you sober?.........why, I think he might be) ....and, well, they worry me sir"

"yes?"

"1A boiler, 5200 hours, 1Bboiler, 5300, 2A, 4900, 2B 5960............... "
"yes, I know, all well due for another internal..........."

Silence fills the space between them. There are many things that seperate these two men, but one thing that binds them together, Zuihos machinery, Engineering, boilers, steam...................

"And there are those tubes sir"

Minobe stands in the door. For the moment, just this one perhaps, the Engineer that might have been surfaces. "I have not forgotten them Charge........' a self depreciating grin splits the moon face " and you wonder why I drink ney?"

'I will bring it to Takeji's notice again, somehow I think though, we will just have to .............."
"drink?"
"ha!, leave that to me Charge, you we need sober"

And with that, Minobe vanishes,.
Charge hesitates over his books...........how many years of Minobe now?. And still, he does not understand him.

[hosho]

one has to love your writing....

its the posts like this that make me sure that it is a damn shame that you are not a full time screenplay writer. I really think that we would have sooo many more f#%&$! awesome films if you were one...
not those black - white, all good - all bad holywood crap that they keep fabricating. imho your ability to picture these little "as in real life" moments so subtlety make this the best aar here. you really masterfully paint all the shapes of gray...

thanks for a great aar!

and your ability as a dictator and admiral is not to be underestimated in contrary, hat off to you ...

[kaleun]

What he said.

[alaviner]

yes - what he said

[1275psi]

6 April

Refuelling day

Oil, fuel, resources. These are what this war is about. The siezing of them, the carting of them, the converting of them to weapons of war. That is the great picture.
But today, refuelling day, its closer, more personel than that

The tankers have hauled over the horizon, 12 of them, deep, heavily loaded. Welcomed friends every one. The most eagerly hunted ships in the war. But here they are, and they bring something Abe has not had for many months now, freedom of action.

The tankers break into three columns, and the fleets begin the task
Zuiho will take her turn near midday.

She has done this now so many times in this war, yet, (and if you like, you can skip to the next post and the war) it needs repeating, just how unique this proceedure is, just what effort is involved.

It has begun early in the morning, well before dawn. The double bottoms team has visited the boiler rooms, the engine rooms, and unerringly aligned the valve chests, the transfer pumps. Fuel, tons and tons of it, has moved unhidden through out Zuiho's length, topping up the main tanks, emptying others. The trick to fuelling, you see, is to have as few tanks to fill as you can.
Being a carrier, and a carrier operating aircraft today, one also has had to consider the most vital thing, 'Dont let a truking list develop!"
Hidaka hates stokers as it is.don't let the arrogant little turd give us yet another reason to go off at us.

There are other requirements today. Aviation fuel is going to be recieved, 25000 litres of it today. More tanks to prepare.

At 10 am the bosuns parties are going to begin work, preparing the jackstays, the shock mats, the ropes, all the mysteries of the sailors craft. There is more pressure today, a new XO, and Aoki it appears, is very much a hands on man, from here until completion he will be there, (annoying the crap out of those more skilled and experienced than he -ie just about all involved).

The recieving station is hauled into position, greased, the ropes checked yet again.
At 1100 hrs, communications, the flashing of lights between the flagship and her fleet turns towards Zuiho.
Here, again, the wonder of an organisation working at its peak. A destroyer has fouled her lines ahead of Zuiho, thus Zuiho will go elswhere, this position, this time, this speed.....orders that flow swftly and must be obeyed.

Takeji will recieve the orders, and this busy, busy bridge will reverberate to a single curse. Zuiho has set herself to receive starboard side too.........but will now have to receive from port
In 30 minutes time if she can.

The orders will be recieved with what might surprise many, perfect aquimanity (spelling! lol) . After all, this is the sailors world, Situation normal, all %^&*$# up!
They will swing the gear alright, she will be ready. After all, this is Zuiho.

Minobe takes his post at the station, as does Lurch, the CPO Chippee. Lurch because he is the clearest, calmest speaker in the department -and communications are all in this little operation, the Chippee because he is responsible, and Minobe because he has to be there.

below, Charge takes his seat in the Port Engine room, Hirate the ports Astern Throttles, Okano the Starboard (for these two too are the best to have here)
And last in this circus, Hidaka clears his flight deck, dispatching todays CAP........his deck effectively will soon be closed.

The no smoking light goes on, and the dance will soon begin.

It is now upon Takeji that the mantle rests. Zuiho steams a thousand yards astern of the tanker, waiting.
But the bridge is not still, no warships bridge ever is. All about them the formation wobbles and varies, destroyers creaming to new positions, capital ships as well. The bearing, the distance to many of them needs watching closely.

Collisions bring no favours..............

Lihghts flash upon the tanker, the word passes to the engine room, thetelegraphs ring. She surges forward, closes, comes abreast. Orders, sharp, quick, issued. Answered.

The ropes, the hoses, go across smoothly. Aoki has sense of mind to keep clear........yes, his crew do this well, very well,
The liquid gold begins to pass across, a ton a minute, the hose rock hard, bulging.

And , of course, all over Zuiho, and the tanker, the goffers hang about gun bays and walk bays, and just watch the mesmerising show.

There is no drama, I am afraid, no hose bursts, no parting lines, no men overboard, no crushing glancing blows of ships against ship (for all of these could happen)
It just happens successfully.........as it should.

More lights, more messages.
Even as Zuiho swings away, Takeji's mind is moving onto bigger things.
"Pipe Hidaka please"

And then he sets about getting Zuiho into her new place.


Hidaka will enter, read the latest signal, and grin "Abe is going to try again ney?"
Takeji smiles too, waves at what surrounds them.
"Never going to get as good as this,..........you wil get your chance to crack 100 kills , I would think"




Takeji is right.

Three task forces have formed.
Here, Japan sails. Abe turns it to its new course, Due East. Back towards Darwin.

[1275psi]

extract from 'Shattering the Sword" a cantona production


............the American fleet dodges the Japanese submarine Ambush, and heads east towards Kavieng
But well to the west, confident now that no carriers can interfere with his plans, Abe initiates yet another attempt to hit darwin

From Kendari, in three seperate task groups, each built about battleships nagato, Hyunga and Fuso begin to raise steam. target, the growing cancers north of darwin. 3 heavy cruiser sail, planning to skirt well westwards, target, wessel island

And well to the south of soerabaya, at this moment unseen, but now perfectly happy to be seen, the japanes main bodies sail eastward

TF 265. CV Hiyo, CVL Ryuho, CVE shinyo, 8 dd
TF 258 CVs Soryu, Katsuragi, kasagi, CVL Zuiho, Chitose, Chiyoda, battleships Hiei, Haranua and Kirishima. Cruisers Tone, Myoko, Hagura, a CLAA, 12 destroyers
TF 23 CV's Shokaku, Zuikaku, Taiho, Unryo, Aso, Ikoma. Battleships Yamato, Musashi, cruiser Atago, Chokai, 11 destroyers.

The plan, simple for japanes plans. Come at Darwin. Flush em out. Kill em at wessel island.

[1275psi]

The british open the artillery barrage at Chiang mai
They enjoy odds of nearly 4 to 1, 3 full divisions, 6 brigades, 2 regiments of armour. '

The Thai troops facing them will not stand. Japan high command feels that instinctively

But thats OK, its taken a month for the british to force the jungles to here. More than enough time to prepare a suitable back stop.
Hosho will be remaining right where he is at Moulmien for a lot longer yet. 15th army will stand right where it is.

[1275psi]

The first shovel ful, it seemed to Hosho, was always the hardest. After that, as the grave fills, it gets easier.
But the first is always................
'Farewell friend. I am sorry you did not die in battle, but you died with honour nevertheless"
Hosho's shovel hesitates. Below it, the pale face of bando, comapnion, soldier, friend and fellow rascal, stares unseeingly at the sky.

Hunger, disease. death.
For what?. This patch of jungle?, this muddy river bank?. For what?.
No food, no supplies, no support?

15th army will stand its ground, the orders say.

"easy to do" thinks Hosho, as the first shovel full descends "when you become part of it"

[John 3rd]

Me THREE!

[1275psi]

April 7th

120 miles south west of Koepang

Uto banks gently, hand easy on the stick, the other on the throttle.
1000 feet below him, Zuiho's wake has carved its white trail across the sea, clear, an arrow leading towards home

Uto shifts slightly in his seat. There are things that no book on fighter pilots tell you. How hard the seat is, how painful your back will ache after 4 hours in the air
Gods, he needs a bathe, something to eat...............

Zuiho's arse places itself nicely into position, just under the corner of his screen, a little aelerion, a little rudder, controls slightly crossed, the fighter side slipping in .........zuiho is quartering the breeze, the fleet is powering on.

500 feet, flaps, speed, trim.........lining up the lights...........


200 feet, last quick check of the controls..................hand, stick, feet, rudder, eyes, working.........working........crud!misjudged that!, brace!.......BANG!
The little fighter slams into Zuiho's fan tail, the cart collapses, the tail flicks him up, he's sliding side ways, horrible squealing, running out of flight deck!,, so bloody helpless!, gun turrett!, out of the truking way!!!

Horribly, inevitably, Uto's fighter plows off the edge of the flight deck, the world spins and the ocean surges into view..........
And stops, askew, engine in a 25 mm gun bay, and something , something caught up underneath, preventing the plunge into the sea rushing below

Silence

And now the shouting

And , of course, that universal, single word,

"TRUK!"


Uto hangs in the straps, and feels, instinctively, that things are really, really finely balanced

Another Truk.


he glances left. Lying on his belly (just where the hell does he put it?) Diogawa is looking at him
"You OK? you great idiot!"
"Just bloody embarressed..now stop gloating and get me the hell out of here!"
"OK, don't get your knickers in a knot!"
Diogawa disapears.

Uto hangs there, watching the world slide by. Something tells him he had better not undo his straps............ not yet, anyway
It is a long time to think of what might have been, and what is.



He will hang there a long time, more mortified at his mistake than anything.


Carrier flying.
Where no day is ever to be taken as granted

Zuiho's log will simply report:
A5M damaged on landing.

[GreyJoy]

Thank God Uto isn't a WIA...
 
Always a great read Herbie! Thanks a lot

[1275psi]

8 April

Takeji enters Zuiho's bridge at precisly 3 am. For a moment, he stands at its back, taking in the men about him. There is a good moon, and it takes little time for eyes to adjust to the gentle, subtle red lighting.
At the helm, a young seaman, stiffening as his captain enters. Yet for his youth, his awarness of his captain, a man he can depend on, there has never been a need to repeat a helmsman order to that dimutive figure.

Behind him, the coxswain, old, grizzled. Also, utterly dependable.
On the bridge wings, 2 to each, his look outs. They do not even notice his entrance, their gaze is where it should be...outward.

To the left, the OOW, to his left, the assistant. At the Chart table, the Navigator. And waiting, as ever, his communicator, pencil and pad at the ready.
"Into the pit again ney men?"
There are silent nods of agreement.

Yes, Zuiho today is going again into the lions den..


Around them, behind them, nearly 800 men are moving through zuiho. Doors are being dogged down, clamped and sealed.
Her 4 boilers steam, and all Auxiliaries are running.
Unseen from the bridge, but transferred in quiet messages, Takeji hears that his guns are manned, his arrows are pointing skyward.

And gently, the ting, ting of the elevator rings regularily. Zuiho is preparing for war again


Uto enters the bridge, hesitant, unsure.
Takeji smiles. So Hidaka did keep his promise. Uto will not be flying today it seems.

The reports fill the dark bridge, guns ready, damage control parties ready, engines ready, flight deck crews ready.
Planes spotted.

About them, unseen, a great many other carriers too, repeat this work. But for now, they may as well be on another planet.

It begins

Almost on cue, it seems, the first SS attacks, Soryu the target.
She is missed.

Takeji watches the attack on the far quarter, listens to the crumps, grits his teeth.
Bukas!

Weather report..............
Of course..........."heavy overcast, scattered showers. "
Since when with Zuiho going into action, has it not been "heavy overcast, scattered showers?"

But today, with Timor to the North, darwin, Darwin crawling with aircraft and bombers, , heavy overcast, scattered showers is just the ticket.........

"General quarters, hands to dawn action stations"
Zuiho's men are already there. They have heard. They know.



They fill Zuiho, do our men. Quiet men. Noisy, exuberent men. Sour men, happy men. Brave men and cowards
This dawn, they are all quiet. few seek others eyes. Easier to look out for the enemy planes, to look at the guages. Easier to think, than talk

Dawn

The great fleet about them solidifies. So strong, so proud.
How many to see tomorrows dawn?

But then, maybe, just maybe, things might go the other way. The Americans can still die too ney?

Let the day, the days ahead come. Let us see what mars has for us this time.


They steam on.
Zuiho launches her fighters, they join the growling crowd, her Jills sweep ahead.
And then, of course, it rains.


Midday.
Ryujo is bombed at Koepang, the hulk, abandoned already, burns.

3 corsairs sweeping dilli, are surprised by Hiyo's CAp, operating 40 miles ahead. 2 go down

A catalina peers over the horizon.
Takej smiles, how wide did your eyes open when you spotted this lot yes?.
Good. Abe wished us to be spotted. Spotted we have been.

The day crawls. No attacks. None. the rain, the overcast comes, it goes, it begins to clear.

The flagship flashes signals. CV Aso increases speed, and launches her 36 jills.
They speed into the east.


Time crawls, near dusk, 34 return. 3 large AK sunk at Saumlaki...............no fighters.

By 1900 hours, the fleet is almost due south of Dilli. Abe has arrived.

The flags rise

"Execute the attacks"

[1275psi]

Zuiho's orders tomorrow

80% CAP
100% naval search


the fleets:

from the North, BB hyuga, 44 dd will hit Saumlaki
from the north 4 DD will hit babar

nagato is still coming

Kongo, Kirishima, tone, myoko, 6 DD, will attack darwin, where 100 plus fighters lurk, but few bombers
Atago, Chokai will hit bathurst, 20 enemy fighters, 40 bombers reported
4 DD will sweep into darwin
BB Heie and CA Haguro will bombard darwin

CVl Ryujo, a single DD -the decoy/lure force, will race towards the Arafura sea

4 cruisers are racing towards wessel island

And combined fleet will maintain a heavy CAP, and throw its full wieght at Bathurst.
If we kill his punching power, we may reap a wonderful harvest yet.

A great gamble. But it sends a message, japan hopes, the DEI is not the way into the heart of the empire........

[1275psi]

An enemy carrier task force approaches Truk

What of it?

It covers no invasion ships. We ignore it.


The enemy attack at Chiang Mai. 1 to 2, heavy casualties both sides. Forts to 3

Satisfactory.


The dictator awaits tomorrow.