昭和 17 2月二十五日
Day 25
広島
Kido Butai reforms in Hiroshima Bay. Admiral Nagumo commanding. The task force consists of CV Akagi, flag, Hiryu, Soryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku, Battleship Haruna, Cruisers Takao, Atago, Aoba and Kako and two destroyers Arashio and Akatsuki.
The task force sets sail heading south, towards Truk.
Meanwhile, at Palembang, Japanese forces begin landing.
昭和 17 2月二十六日
Day 26
Palembang falls to Japanese shock attack. Oilfields and refineries captured intact!
After operating in support of the Palembang invasion, the surface combat task force and Kido Butai 二 return to Manila to refuel and rearm.
昭和 17 2月二七日
Day 27
Winter in the northwest coast of North America is cold, foggy and wet. Among the waves, a periscope rises, marks its target and sinks underneath the waves. Many times. SS I-4, patrolling these waters is hungry. She has seen no targets in more than 2 months of war. She will make sure of this one. 4 torpedoes streak and one scores. PC Atalanta will not return to harbor.
At Singapore, the 2nd, 5th, 18th and Imperial Guard Divisions, together with the 41st,112th, 113th, 143rd, and 148th infantry regiments, the first tank regiment and assorted combat engineers cross the causeway and shock attack catching the defenders by surprise. The garrison lays down their arms and surrender.
Engineers at Aichi report progress on their work on the Aichi Ha-60 engine. They expect to begin production in August.
桜 転落する. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE Palembang, Singapore fall
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: RE Palembang, Singapore fall
昭和 17 2月二八日
Day 28
広島
A map on the wall shows the extent of the empire on this date.
Day 28
広島
A map on the wall shows the extent of the empire on this date.
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Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: RE Palembang, Singapore fall
Another report on a corkboard gives a rough overview of the economic situation.
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Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: RE Palembang, Singapore fall
And yet a third one, marked “Secret” shows upcoming operations in the Southern Resource Area.
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Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: RE Palembang, Singapore fall
昭和 17 3月一日
Month 3 Day 1
東京
Yamashita and Kobayashi step off an airplane at a small, non-descript airfield in the outskirts of Tokyo. An engineer appearing type, wearing a blue labcoat greets them at the bottom of the stairs.
“Ojaio gosaimasu, Yamashita-san.”
“Ojaio Narihari-san,”
“You’ve met my assistant, Kobayashi-san?”
“Hai. Thank you very much for coming.”
“I wanted to see the airplanes for myself.”
“We captured two models. One is probably a functional prototype; the second is the type that the enemy is deploying.”
The engineer guides the two men towards a huge hangar.
“How did we come by these machines?”
“One we captured at Clark, the second one crash landed near Manila and we captured it when we took the city. My crew flew down and managed to repair both of them, we used parts left over by the Americans when the airbase and city fell.”
The aircraft are hidden inside the cavernous hangar.
“They are really big,” Kobayashi observes.
“Indeed. This is the prototype model. As you can see there are no machine guns at the tail, so it is vulnerable to attack from the rear.”
Both men nod their assent.
“Now this one is the one that we believe the Americans are deploying. Captured prisoners call it the B17F.” The engineer points towards a hatch near the nose of the plane.
“The crew pulls themselves up through here. We have a stepping ladder to help us.”
“As you can see there is one machine gun on each side of the nose. The pilot and co-pilot sit here. Here is the dorsal turret with two, 50 caliber machine guns. These are the bullets they fire.”
“Kuso!” says Yamashita holding the shell in his hand.
“Yes,” the engineer agrees. “There is another machine gun here for the radio operator. The bombs go here.”
The men walk back to the waist of the aircraft. They see the waist 50 cal positions and see the tail twin 50 cal. Mount.
“What range does this bomber have?”
“It is a very long range machine, but it depends on load, weight and altitude.”
“The problem is,” the engineer continues, “that it is very hard to shoot down, and with so many guns, it can defend itself very well.”
“I can imagine that.” Yamashita nods.
“There is something else.”
He shows them a device, it’s function unclear.
“We found this on the crashed unit. It is a very sophisticated bombsight. It allows the bomber to attack from very high altitude. Beyond the reach of our anti aircraft cannon. At the limit of our fighter’s reach.”
“Thank you for showing this to us,” Yamashita bows deeply.
A car waits for them. They get in, their faces inscrutable.
“Yokohama, Kawasaki research center.” Kobayashi tells the driver.
Month 3 Day 1
東京
Yamashita and Kobayashi step off an airplane at a small, non-descript airfield in the outskirts of Tokyo. An engineer appearing type, wearing a blue labcoat greets them at the bottom of the stairs.
“Ojaio gosaimasu, Yamashita-san.”
“Ojaio Narihari-san,”
“You’ve met my assistant, Kobayashi-san?”
“Hai. Thank you very much for coming.”
“I wanted to see the airplanes for myself.”
“We captured two models. One is probably a functional prototype; the second is the type that the enemy is deploying.”
The engineer guides the two men towards a huge hangar.
“How did we come by these machines?”
“One we captured at Clark, the second one crash landed near Manila and we captured it when we took the city. My crew flew down and managed to repair both of them, we used parts left over by the Americans when the airbase and city fell.”
The aircraft are hidden inside the cavernous hangar.
“They are really big,” Kobayashi observes.
“Indeed. This is the prototype model. As you can see there are no machine guns at the tail, so it is vulnerable to attack from the rear.”
Both men nod their assent.
“Now this one is the one that we believe the Americans are deploying. Captured prisoners call it the B17F.” The engineer points towards a hatch near the nose of the plane.
“The crew pulls themselves up through here. We have a stepping ladder to help us.”
“As you can see there is one machine gun on each side of the nose. The pilot and co-pilot sit here. Here is the dorsal turret with two, 50 caliber machine guns. These are the bullets they fire.”
“Kuso!” says Yamashita holding the shell in his hand.
“Yes,” the engineer agrees. “There is another machine gun here for the radio operator. The bombs go here.”
The men walk back to the waist of the aircraft. They see the waist 50 cal positions and see the tail twin 50 cal. Mount.
“What range does this bomber have?”
“It is a very long range machine, but it depends on load, weight and altitude.”
“The problem is,” the engineer continues, “that it is very hard to shoot down, and with so many guns, it can defend itself very well.”
“I can imagine that.” Yamashita nods.
“There is something else.”
He shows them a device, it’s function unclear.
“We found this on the crashed unit. It is a very sophisticated bombsight. It allows the bomber to attack from very high altitude. Beyond the reach of our anti aircraft cannon. At the limit of our fighter’s reach.”
“Thank you for showing this to us,” Yamashita bows deeply.
A car waits for them. They get in, their faces inscrutable.
“Yokohama, Kawasaki research center.” Kobayashi tells the driver.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: RE Palembang, Singapore fall
昭和 17 3月二日
Day 2
フィリピン諸島
The second strike force, 機動部隊二 cuts a fine shape leaving Manila harbor after being refueled and rearmed, not without some unavoidable delays due to there being only a single AKE in harbor that could handle the ammunition required. Now, the force, composed of the small carriers and Kaga heads south to support the invasion of Java. The task force will steam ahead, clearing the way of any enemy shipping. A day behind, the Battleships Nagato, Fuso, Ise, Hyuya, with cruisers Mogami, Suzuya, and escorts will accompany the first invasion force.
ラバウル
機動部隊一
Kido Butai one, refueled at Truk leaves for Milne Bay.
広島
At Hiroshima orders go out to double the research effort on the Kawasaki Ha-60 engine. The appropriate amounts of strategic metals, supplies and manpower are assigned to the task.
At Tarakan, the oilfields and refinery are reported repaired and functioning full time.
Day 2
フィリピン諸島
The second strike force, 機動部隊二 cuts a fine shape leaving Manila harbor after being refueled and rearmed, not without some unavoidable delays due to there being only a single AKE in harbor that could handle the ammunition required. Now, the force, composed of the small carriers and Kaga heads south to support the invasion of Java. The task force will steam ahead, clearing the way of any enemy shipping. A day behind, the Battleships Nagato, Fuso, Ise, Hyuya, with cruisers Mogami, Suzuya, and escorts will accompany the first invasion force.
ラバウル
機動部隊一
Kido Butai one, refueled at Truk leaves for Milne Bay.
広島
At Hiroshima orders go out to double the research effort on the Kawasaki Ha-60 engine. The appropriate amounts of strategic metals, supplies and manpower are assigned to the task.
At Tarakan, the oilfields and refinery are reported repaired and functioning full time.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: RE Palembang, Singapore fall
昭和 17 3月四日
Day 4
広島
“Ojaio gosaimasu,” A small, young and bright appearing young man scratched at the door.
Ito looked up from his desk at the young man. He wore a dark suit and carried a small leather briefcase. He stood up.
“You must be Hattori-san. Please come in.”
Both men bowed and Ito continued, “My name is Kobayashi Ito. Please be welcome.”
“Domo, Watashi no namae wa Juichi.” The young man responded.
“Here is your desk.”
The two men spent a few minutes making small talk before their boss, Yamashita arrived. They both stood up to receive him and followed him to the inner office.
“Sit down gentlemen,” Yamashita said.
“Hattori-san, you know already why you are here. Explain to Kobayashi-san your role kudasai.”
Hattori’s eyes sparkled between his round glasses.
“We face some critical issues, regarding the economy, and the conduct of the war. One of them is fuel. Up to now, we have been shipping supplies, and some fuel out of Japan, to cam Rahn, Truk etc. We loaded resources on homebound ships coming from Cam Rahn. Escorts and ships were assigned mostly based on availability.”
Ito, nodded, “Hai.”
Hattori continued, “This is very inefficient. Much fuel is wasted using ships that are too small, and there is also a speed mismatch where slow ships are mixed in convoys with faster ones that now have to move at the slower vessel’s speed. Also there have been large ships trying to load in small harbors and so on.”
Hattori looked at Yamashita, “My job is to organize the shipping of resources, fuel, oil and supplies, to and fro the home islands, in a more rational and efficient way.”
“Wakarimasu,” Ito said.
Yamashita handed Ito an envelope, “Kobayashi-san, here are your mobilization papers.”
He ignored Ito’s surprised expression and continued, “I need you to have an officer’s commission. You will report to the naval academy for expedited training under the new emergency officer’s training program. Once you graduate as an ensign you will return here. It will only take 90 days.”
“But my leg?”
“You won’t be doing much climbing here. Once you graduate, everyone will think your limp is due to an injury. Take a few days to help Hattori-san assume some of your duties until you return.”
“Are there any questions?”
Both men shook their heads, “Ie.”
“To work then.”
Day 4
広島
“Ojaio gosaimasu,” A small, young and bright appearing young man scratched at the door.
Ito looked up from his desk at the young man. He wore a dark suit and carried a small leather briefcase. He stood up.
“You must be Hattori-san. Please come in.”
Both men bowed and Ito continued, “My name is Kobayashi Ito. Please be welcome.”
“Domo, Watashi no namae wa Juichi.” The young man responded.
“Here is your desk.”
The two men spent a few minutes making small talk before their boss, Yamashita arrived. They both stood up to receive him and followed him to the inner office.
“Sit down gentlemen,” Yamashita said.
“Hattori-san, you know already why you are here. Explain to Kobayashi-san your role kudasai.”
Hattori’s eyes sparkled between his round glasses.
“We face some critical issues, regarding the economy, and the conduct of the war. One of them is fuel. Up to now, we have been shipping supplies, and some fuel out of Japan, to cam Rahn, Truk etc. We loaded resources on homebound ships coming from Cam Rahn. Escorts and ships were assigned mostly based on availability.”
Ito, nodded, “Hai.”
Hattori continued, “This is very inefficient. Much fuel is wasted using ships that are too small, and there is also a speed mismatch where slow ships are mixed in convoys with faster ones that now have to move at the slower vessel’s speed. Also there have been large ships trying to load in small harbors and so on.”
Hattori looked at Yamashita, “My job is to organize the shipping of resources, fuel, oil and supplies, to and fro the home islands, in a more rational and efficient way.”
“Wakarimasu,” Ito said.
Yamashita handed Ito an envelope, “Kobayashi-san, here are your mobilization papers.”
He ignored Ito’s surprised expression and continued, “I need you to have an officer’s commission. You will report to the naval academy for expedited training under the new emergency officer’s training program. Once you graduate as an ensign you will return here. It will only take 90 days.”
“But my leg?”
“You won’t be doing much climbing here. Once you graduate, everyone will think your limp is due to an injury. Take a few days to help Hattori-san assume some of your duties until you return.”
“Are there any questions?”
Both men shook their heads, “Ie.”
“To work then.”
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
-
geofflambert
- Posts: 14887
- Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2010 2:18 pm
- Location: St. Louis
RE: ?÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath
ORIGINAL: kaleun
Cover
This is the kind of blossom we have on Gorn. It's watching you
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RE: ?÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath
It looks rather...naughty.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
-
Coach Zuck
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2002 11:34 am
- Location: Long Island NY
RE: ?÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath
Yeah, it's making me ponder on going to The Dark Side [;)]
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
RE: ?÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath
昭和 17 3月五日
Day 5
ラバウル
The shame of it! Twice, the twin engined bombers from Rabaul attack enemy shipping at Milne Bay. In the first attack, 7 G3M2 with 6 A6M2 escorting met 12 P40E fighters on CAP. The fighters destroyed one bomber and one more was lost to AA, one P40 was destroyed by the Zero-sen. 5 G3M2s attacked CL Capetown. All missed.
The second attack involved the 12 Hamaki, which did no better. Escorted by 21 A6M2 Zero-sen, they met a mere 8 P40s. Only one cigar was lost, 4 were damaged and one enemy fighter was splashed. The cigars attacked AMC Westralia, CL Ceres, PG Soerabaja, and DM Thracian. All missed.
昭和 17 3月六日
Day 6
ラバウル
Shame continues to haunt the Rabaul air groups. Once again, they attack the enemy at Milne Bay, and once again they miss. This time the light cruisers Capetown and Ceres, and the armed merchant cruiser Manoora escape their torpedoes.
機動部隊一 does not miss though. 55 carrier based Zero-sen, 31 B5N2 level bombers and 18 D3A1 dive bombers scream out of a sky free of enemy fighters. The dive bombers score one hit on Ceres, 4 on Capetown, and one on xAP Macdhui. The torpedo bombers score 2 hits on PG Soerabaja, blown out of the water, one on xAP VanOuthoorn that sinks, and 2 on Westralia.
The carriers launch again in the afternoon. 45 B5N2 and 51 D3A1 come with an escort of 55 Zero-sen. This time they meet 6 P40-E. The fighters damage 2 level and 7 dive bombers at a cost of 2 P40 destroyed.
Ceres, on fire escapes further damage, as does DD Nizam. Not so lucky were DM Thracian, 2 bomb hits, xAP Macdhui, 4 bomb hits and AMC Manoora, one torpedo.
Kwajalein
Commander Fukada,M standing at the bridge of I-8, a J3 type submarine, conning the boat into the harbor wonders at the cheers he receives. The decks of the navy ships moored in the roads, light cruisers Tenryu and Tatsuta, and destroyers Mutsuki, Kisaragi, Yayoi and Mochizuki are lined with white uniformed sailors standing at attention saluting the boat as it passes. Mutsuki and Kisaragi fire a cannon each in salute and, as soon as the noise dies away, all the sailors cheer:
“ばんざい! ばんざい! ばんざい!”
Fukada orders all men not on duty to dress the deck.
On the deck of the submarine tender, he recognizes Vice Admiral Inouye Shigeyoshi, commander of 4th fleet and in charge of all the submarines in Kwajalein. The admiral stands at attention and salutes.
As soon as the gangplank is placed the admiral and his followers rush on to the submarine. Fukada’s salutes and finds his hand pumped by the admiral and his men.
“Omedeto, captain Fukada, a great victory. A carrier no less.”
Fukada tries to stammer a reply.
“Come,” the admiral hits Fukada’s shoulder with his fist, “Let’s go down to your cabin and you’ll tell me all about it.”
He takes a white bottle from one of his aides, “From Hokkaido, I saved it for something special.”
Before going down he addresses the ship’s company:
“There are two cases of Sake for this ship’s crew. Yatta!”
This time it is the crew of I-8 that yells “Banzai!"
In the cramped cabin that passes for captain’s state room, Fukada and Inouye toast each other.
“Yorktown, sunk, by one of my submarines. I have proposed you for a medal Fukada-san.”
“Admiral Inouye,” Fukada replies, “I only scored one torpedo hit on the Yorktown, with respect, I don’t think it sunk. A carrier that size should easily survive a single torpedo.”
“I thought so too, but the men at Hiroshima keep reporting that it sunk. In any case, the shipyard at Sidney is not large enough for the Yorktown. If it did not sink, they’ll patch her up and send her to Pearl or the West Coast. I have redeployed submarines to cover those routes. We’ll get her yet, if you haven’t already.”
“I’m sending you on leave to Tokyo, to get your medal. Commander Oyama E shall take I-8 in your absence.”
(Fukada M, Cmdr Aggression 58. Oyama E Cmdr Aggression 80)
Day 5
ラバウル
The shame of it! Twice, the twin engined bombers from Rabaul attack enemy shipping at Milne Bay. In the first attack, 7 G3M2 with 6 A6M2 escorting met 12 P40E fighters on CAP. The fighters destroyed one bomber and one more was lost to AA, one P40 was destroyed by the Zero-sen. 5 G3M2s attacked CL Capetown. All missed.
The second attack involved the 12 Hamaki, which did no better. Escorted by 21 A6M2 Zero-sen, they met a mere 8 P40s. Only one cigar was lost, 4 were damaged and one enemy fighter was splashed. The cigars attacked AMC Westralia, CL Ceres, PG Soerabaja, and DM Thracian. All missed.
昭和 17 3月六日
Day 6
ラバウル
Shame continues to haunt the Rabaul air groups. Once again, they attack the enemy at Milne Bay, and once again they miss. This time the light cruisers Capetown and Ceres, and the armed merchant cruiser Manoora escape their torpedoes.
機動部隊一 does not miss though. 55 carrier based Zero-sen, 31 B5N2 level bombers and 18 D3A1 dive bombers scream out of a sky free of enemy fighters. The dive bombers score one hit on Ceres, 4 on Capetown, and one on xAP Macdhui. The torpedo bombers score 2 hits on PG Soerabaja, blown out of the water, one on xAP VanOuthoorn that sinks, and 2 on Westralia.
The carriers launch again in the afternoon. 45 B5N2 and 51 D3A1 come with an escort of 55 Zero-sen. This time they meet 6 P40-E. The fighters damage 2 level and 7 dive bombers at a cost of 2 P40 destroyed.
Ceres, on fire escapes further damage, as does DD Nizam. Not so lucky were DM Thracian, 2 bomb hits, xAP Macdhui, 4 bomb hits and AMC Manoora, one torpedo.
Kwajalein
Commander Fukada,M standing at the bridge of I-8, a J3 type submarine, conning the boat into the harbor wonders at the cheers he receives. The decks of the navy ships moored in the roads, light cruisers Tenryu and Tatsuta, and destroyers Mutsuki, Kisaragi, Yayoi and Mochizuki are lined with white uniformed sailors standing at attention saluting the boat as it passes. Mutsuki and Kisaragi fire a cannon each in salute and, as soon as the noise dies away, all the sailors cheer:
“ばんざい! ばんざい! ばんざい!”
Fukada orders all men not on duty to dress the deck.
On the deck of the submarine tender, he recognizes Vice Admiral Inouye Shigeyoshi, commander of 4th fleet and in charge of all the submarines in Kwajalein. The admiral stands at attention and salutes.
As soon as the gangplank is placed the admiral and his followers rush on to the submarine. Fukada’s salutes and finds his hand pumped by the admiral and his men.
“Omedeto, captain Fukada, a great victory. A carrier no less.”
Fukada tries to stammer a reply.
“Come,” the admiral hits Fukada’s shoulder with his fist, “Let’s go down to your cabin and you’ll tell me all about it.”
He takes a white bottle from one of his aides, “From Hokkaido, I saved it for something special.”
Before going down he addresses the ship’s company:
“There are two cases of Sake for this ship’s crew. Yatta!”
This time it is the crew of I-8 that yells “Banzai!"
In the cramped cabin that passes for captain’s state room, Fukada and Inouye toast each other.
“Yorktown, sunk, by one of my submarines. I have proposed you for a medal Fukada-san.”
“Admiral Inouye,” Fukada replies, “I only scored one torpedo hit on the Yorktown, with respect, I don’t think it sunk. A carrier that size should easily survive a single torpedo.”
“I thought so too, but the men at Hiroshima keep reporting that it sunk. In any case, the shipyard at Sidney is not large enough for the Yorktown. If it did not sink, they’ll patch her up and send her to Pearl or the West Coast. I have redeployed submarines to cover those routes. We’ll get her yet, if you haven’t already.”
“I’m sending you on leave to Tokyo, to get your medal. Commander Oyama E shall take I-8 in your absence.”
(Fukada M, Cmdr Aggression 58. Oyama E Cmdr Aggression 80)
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: ?÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath
GREAT READ!
Thanks. Glad that you like it.
Yeah, it's making me ponder on going to The Dark Side
I'm more of an AFB myself but wanted to try the economic model.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: ?÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath
昭和 17 3月七日
Day 7
広島
An hour before leaving the office, Yamashita, Kobayashi and Hattori meet to discuss the latest news from the empire so they can ponder, overnight what actions if any need to be taken.
“The new bomber, the Storm Dragon will be ready to start production next month,” Konayashi announces.
Hattori pulls out a paper with figures, “It uses Nakajima Ha-34 engines. We have 39 on stock, producing 23 a month, with seven more in progress. This will not be enough for the bomber, or for the Shoki fighter when it, too enters service in June. Specially if you convert the expanding Harbin factory to Shoki production.”
“There is the Ha-31 factory in Sapporo. It is currently not producing. Let’s expand it and convert to Ha-34.”
Kobayashi pulls a memo and writes down the orders, “Hai, Yamashita-san.”
It is too late today to have it transcribed and transmitted. All the secretaries have already gone home but it will go out to them first thing in the morning.
“One more thing, the airfield at Singapore has been repaired and is fully functional.” Kobayashi adds.
“How about the harbor?” Hattori asks.
“72% damaged.”
“I do wish they get it done soon,” Hattori mutters, “I need that harbor to move all the resources from Palembang.”
“Why not send them directly from there?” Yamashita asks.
“Palembang harbor is too small for large convoys. It is more efficient to send them to Singapore and load up a large convoy there,” Hattori replies.
“Wakarimasu.”
“By the way, we’ve experienced a drop of 3000 tons in our stores of heavy industrial metal,” Hattori says.
“Probably due to the engine and research factories we’ve expanded.” Yamashita says.
“I am not sure of that, There should not have been a drop.”
“Well, Hattori-san, I’m sure you’ll look into it. Now it’s time to go. Oyasuminasai.”
Day 7
広島
An hour before leaving the office, Yamashita, Kobayashi and Hattori meet to discuss the latest news from the empire so they can ponder, overnight what actions if any need to be taken.
“The new bomber, the Storm Dragon will be ready to start production next month,” Konayashi announces.
Hattori pulls out a paper with figures, “It uses Nakajima Ha-34 engines. We have 39 on stock, producing 23 a month, with seven more in progress. This will not be enough for the bomber, or for the Shoki fighter when it, too enters service in June. Specially if you convert the expanding Harbin factory to Shoki production.”
“There is the Ha-31 factory in Sapporo. It is currently not producing. Let’s expand it and convert to Ha-34.”
Kobayashi pulls a memo and writes down the orders, “Hai, Yamashita-san.”
It is too late today to have it transcribed and transmitted. All the secretaries have already gone home but it will go out to them first thing in the morning.
“One more thing, the airfield at Singapore has been repaired and is fully functional.” Kobayashi adds.
“How about the harbor?” Hattori asks.
“72% damaged.”
“I do wish they get it done soon,” Hattori mutters, “I need that harbor to move all the resources from Palembang.”
“Why not send them directly from there?” Yamashita asks.
“Palembang harbor is too small for large convoys. It is more efficient to send them to Singapore and load up a large convoy there,” Hattori replies.
“Wakarimasu.”
“By the way, we’ve experienced a drop of 3000 tons in our stores of heavy industrial metal,” Hattori says.
“Probably due to the engine and research factories we’ve expanded.” Yamashita says.
“I am not sure of that, There should not have been a drop.”
“Well, Hattori-san, I’m sure you’ll look into it. Now it’s time to go. Oyasuminasai.”
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: ?÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath
昭和 17 3月八日
Day 8
The Coral Sea.
Kido Butai 1 steams deeper into the Coral Sea. The radio announces the position of an enemy task force and the strike package departs.
55 fighters, 22 level and 18 dive bombers find the enemy ships. They are the same task force that KB had savaged at Milne Bay, fleeing to the southeast. Tracian and Ceres sink, the former from two direct bomb hits and the latter from a single bomb and two torpedo strikes. DD Nizam blessed by the sea gods, apparently, once again escapes unscathed.
Cheribom captured.
昭和 17 3月九日
Day 9
Truk.
The ensign stands at attention in front of the admiral in command of the South East Area Fleet and the Truk submarines. He hands him a message flimsy.
Vice Admiral Kusaka Inichi reads it aloud.
From: IJN submarine I-153, Cmdr Maki E. At sea.
To: South East Fleet submarines.
Sir, last night, patrolling 80 miles East Brisbane met enemy submarine on the surface. Launched 4 torpedoes and hit with one of them. Enemy submarine exploded. From debris found later on the surface identified it as USS Nautilus. Low in fuel. Returning to base.
“Sasuga, Commander Maki,” the admiral mutters.
Kwajalein.
Fragment of a letter from Lcdr Ohashi Katsuo to his wife.
"Have to write in a hurry. Departing for patrol. Of course I cannot tell you where, but I hope to bag an aircraft carrier..."
He hands the missive to a friend, a Mavis pilot who will drop it in the mail at Tokyo thus avoiding military censors.
SS I-26 departs Kwajalein to patrol between Noumea and Sidney. Ohashi stays in the conning tower until the ship submerges.
SS I-174 Cmdr Hamano S commanding, also departs on the heels of I-26 and heads for Brisbane.
CV Junyo enters service in Sasebo. She will join a task force with the seaplane carriers and head for Manila.
Day 8
The Coral Sea.
Kido Butai 1 steams deeper into the Coral Sea. The radio announces the position of an enemy task force and the strike package departs.
55 fighters, 22 level and 18 dive bombers find the enemy ships. They are the same task force that KB had savaged at Milne Bay, fleeing to the southeast. Tracian and Ceres sink, the former from two direct bomb hits and the latter from a single bomb and two torpedo strikes. DD Nizam blessed by the sea gods, apparently, once again escapes unscathed.
Cheribom captured.
昭和 17 3月九日
Day 9
Truk.
The ensign stands at attention in front of the admiral in command of the South East Area Fleet and the Truk submarines. He hands him a message flimsy.
Vice Admiral Kusaka Inichi reads it aloud.
From: IJN submarine I-153, Cmdr Maki E. At sea.
To: South East Fleet submarines.
Sir, last night, patrolling 80 miles East Brisbane met enemy submarine on the surface. Launched 4 torpedoes and hit with one of them. Enemy submarine exploded. From debris found later on the surface identified it as USS Nautilus. Low in fuel. Returning to base.
“Sasuga, Commander Maki,” the admiral mutters.
Kwajalein.
Fragment of a letter from Lcdr Ohashi Katsuo to his wife.
"Have to write in a hurry. Departing for patrol. Of course I cannot tell you where, but I hope to bag an aircraft carrier..."
He hands the missive to a friend, a Mavis pilot who will drop it in the mail at Tokyo thus avoiding military censors.
SS I-26 departs Kwajalein to patrol between Noumea and Sidney. Ohashi stays in the conning tower until the ship submerges.
SS I-174 Cmdr Hamano S commanding, also departs on the heels of I-26 and heads for Brisbane.
CV Junyo enters service in Sasebo. She will join a task force with the seaplane carriers and head for Manila.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: ?÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath
昭和 17 3月十一日
Day 11.
広島
“Ojaio, Hattori-san,” Kobayashi greets his colleague when the bookish young man arrives at work.
“Tadaima,” he replies.
“Oteri nasai. I got news that the port at Singapore completed its repairs yesterday. The shipyard will be operational soon.”
“Excellent. I shall start re-routing convoys. Heavy industry numbers keep dropping, and I think this is in excess of what we are using up retooling and expanding factories.”
“Can you solve it?”
“Yes, I am sure. Soon.”
SS-159, off Newcastle.
“Pass the word for the captain.”
The order is given in a hushed tone, as if the shadowy form, two or three miles away, on the dark sea would hear if the officer of the watch spoke in an ordinary tone of voice. He gave further orders that turned the bow of the submarine in the direction of the, as yet unidentified contact and increased the sub speed.
The KD 3 class submarine obeyed its rudder and the growl of its diesels raised by one or two octaves.
“Captain on the bridge.”
The lookouts, and the executive officer saluted. Commander Yoshimatsu Tamori acknowledged the salute with a grunt.
“As you were. What is it XO?”
“There is a ship, right ahead.”
The captain peered at the blacked out shape through his binoculars.
“Looks like a converted troop transport.” He mumbled.
“Hai, that’s what I thought too, sir.”
“Two miles?”
“No more than that. They have not seen us.”
The plot was clearer now. The enemy ship was traversing across the submarine’s bows, unaware of the low, dark and sleek shape that knifed through the waves towards her.
“Make it two, no, four degrees starboard, and let’s go all ahead standard.”
“Any escorts XO”
“We’ve seen nothing sir. She’s traveling alone.”
The plot points for a torpedo attack begin to be read down to the team in the control room.
“Let’s go to battle stations torpedo,” Yoshimatsu ordered.
“Battle stations,” the XO spoke into the speech tube and the reply came immediately.
“All men at battle stations. All sections ready.”
The men had gone, unordered, to battle stations as soon as the captain had been called.
The XO described the ship to the tracking crew who, in turn, looked her up in their ship ID book. This early in the war, it was quite likely that they could get a good ID on her, at least her class.
An ensign climbed the stairs with the identification manual open, “xAP Koolinda, we think sir.”
“Solution checks out sir,” the voice pipe said.
“Fire one, two, three, four.”
The four torpedoes streak towards the ship, now less than a kilometer away. Time passes slowly and, right on time, the first torpedo strikes the enemy ship with a loud clang. But no explosion follows.
“Kuso!” swears the captain, but seconds afterwards the second torpedo strikes and a great explosion shakes the target followed by a second one. The fourth torpedo missed ahead. The target on fire, rolls on her side.
“Yatta!” the XO and lookouts yell.
Commander Yoshimatsu smiles, “Well done, men. Send off a report: Sunk, off NewCastle one Koolinda class converted transport.”
“Hai!.”
“Make our course north northeast, and go to full speed. I want to be well away from here when the Australian search planes arrive.”
At Milne Bay, two brigades attack the two SNLFs which hold on to their beach head by the skin of their teeth. Reinforcements in the way of 2 SNLFs are arriving anytime, and there is a full division en route to Truk from Manila. They just need to hold on a little more.
Gambatte!
Day 11.
広島
“Ojaio, Hattori-san,” Kobayashi greets his colleague when the bookish young man arrives at work.
“Tadaima,” he replies.
“Oteri nasai. I got news that the port at Singapore completed its repairs yesterday. The shipyard will be operational soon.”
“Excellent. I shall start re-routing convoys. Heavy industry numbers keep dropping, and I think this is in excess of what we are using up retooling and expanding factories.”
“Can you solve it?”
“Yes, I am sure. Soon.”
SS-159, off Newcastle.
“Pass the word for the captain.”
The order is given in a hushed tone, as if the shadowy form, two or three miles away, on the dark sea would hear if the officer of the watch spoke in an ordinary tone of voice. He gave further orders that turned the bow of the submarine in the direction of the, as yet unidentified contact and increased the sub speed.
The KD 3 class submarine obeyed its rudder and the growl of its diesels raised by one or two octaves.
“Captain on the bridge.”
The lookouts, and the executive officer saluted. Commander Yoshimatsu Tamori acknowledged the salute with a grunt.
“As you were. What is it XO?”
“There is a ship, right ahead.”
The captain peered at the blacked out shape through his binoculars.
“Looks like a converted troop transport.” He mumbled.
“Hai, that’s what I thought too, sir.”
“Two miles?”
“No more than that. They have not seen us.”
The plot was clearer now. The enemy ship was traversing across the submarine’s bows, unaware of the low, dark and sleek shape that knifed through the waves towards her.
“Make it two, no, four degrees starboard, and let’s go all ahead standard.”
“Any escorts XO”
“We’ve seen nothing sir. She’s traveling alone.”
The plot points for a torpedo attack begin to be read down to the team in the control room.
“Let’s go to battle stations torpedo,” Yoshimatsu ordered.
“Battle stations,” the XO spoke into the speech tube and the reply came immediately.
“All men at battle stations. All sections ready.”
The men had gone, unordered, to battle stations as soon as the captain had been called.
The XO described the ship to the tracking crew who, in turn, looked her up in their ship ID book. This early in the war, it was quite likely that they could get a good ID on her, at least her class.
An ensign climbed the stairs with the identification manual open, “xAP Koolinda, we think sir.”
“Solution checks out sir,” the voice pipe said.
“Fire one, two, three, four.”
The four torpedoes streak towards the ship, now less than a kilometer away. Time passes slowly and, right on time, the first torpedo strikes the enemy ship with a loud clang. But no explosion follows.
“Kuso!” swears the captain, but seconds afterwards the second torpedo strikes and a great explosion shakes the target followed by a second one. The fourth torpedo missed ahead. The target on fire, rolls on her side.
“Yatta!” the XO and lookouts yell.
Commander Yoshimatsu smiles, “Well done, men. Send off a report: Sunk, off NewCastle one Koolinda class converted transport.”
“Hai!.”
“Make our course north northeast, and go to full speed. I want to be well away from here when the Australian search planes arrive.”
At Milne Bay, two brigades attack the two SNLFs which hold on to their beach head by the skin of their teeth. Reinforcements in the way of 2 SNLFs are arriving anytime, and there is a full division en route to Truk from Manila. They just need to hold on a little more.
Gambatte!
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: ?÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath
昭和 17 3月十二日
Day 12
広島
Juichi Hattori sits on his chair. On the desk, a spread of reports covers the surface while the young man, slide rule in hand, works through columns of figures with incredible speed. Yamashita, who had been worried at first about the bookish man’s ability, now feels reassured.
Hattori mumbles something unintelligible.
“Naniga Hattori-san?” Yamashita asks.
“I am not sure yet of what is happening with the heavy industry but,” he points to a line on a small sheet of paper, “this may have something to do with it.”
“What is it?”
“Tokyo’s heavy industry failed to produce anything yesterday due to lack of resources. The light industry at Sendai and Tokyo also failed to run for the same reason.”
“But we’ve been shipping resources from Shangai into Nagasaki and from Shikuka into Ominato all this time.”
“I don’t know yet if there’s just not enough been shipped or whether Tokyo is using them faster than the trains can bring it from Ominato and Nagasaki.”
“What do you suggest?” The voice of Yamashita drifted in from his office.
“I suggest we land the next resource task force directly in Tokyo, and also set the capital to stockpile resources. That way they will not ship them out.”
“Make it so.”
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: ?÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath
Oh Ko! Short of resources in the HI? At this point you should easily have +5M resource in the HI if your convoys are set up right. Check Hokkaido and Port Arthur to be sure you are pulling all that you can.
Pax
RE: ?÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath
You should be able to easily remedy you resource shortfall, and do it quickly. You will miss that supply later in the game...
Logistics are priority number one for the Empire, if boring unless you are an accountant or a jfb.
Gozans are the most efficient out of Ominato, but for now, you should use anything that can haul a load...
Logistics are priority number one for the Empire, if boring unless you are an accountant or a jfb.
Gozans are the most efficient out of Ominato, but for now, you should use anything that can haul a load...
RE: ?÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath
The problem will be solved soon. Stay tuned[;)]
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu