A fleet sent to die
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
The day, 2nd lt Asada
The T bolts had arrived over manado without warning, 18 strong
Junyo's CAP, spread all over the sky about the rapidly retiring fleet, has, with many of the other carriers , some fighters
at the edge of the CAP, here above Manando
Asada initially does not see them He is flying at 15000 feet, trailing 3 other zeros in a lazy arc, eyes focused, well, he will tell you now, on the islands below.
He only just catches the zeros ahead abruptly scattering ahead of him...
The t bolts are diving down ahead of him,1000 metres ahead, a zero exploding, another wheeling away on fire
For the moment, stunned
Asada looks about, hard, as taught, Gods!, more coming down
In almost panic, the wrench of the stick, the kick of the rudder, sending him, his plane into a wild skid, bleeding airspeed, Sending stomach lurching upwards, dust rising.
Without thought the throttle is slammed hard forward...he inverts, and falls from the sky, desperately craning to see behind, every muscle tensed against the expected killing blows.
A T bolt roars past, already zooming away, and Asada more in hope and anguish squeezes his trigger
he stabilises his bird, suddenly embarressed and ashamed......this was not how he was taught....
But the sky is clear, except for the smoke trails of planes falling to the ocean below....
Junyo's CAP, spread all over the sky about the rapidly retiring fleet, has, with many of the other carriers , some fighters
at the edge of the CAP, here above Manando
Asada initially does not see them He is flying at 15000 feet, trailing 3 other zeros in a lazy arc, eyes focused, well, he will tell you now, on the islands below.
He only just catches the zeros ahead abruptly scattering ahead of him...
The t bolts are diving down ahead of him,1000 metres ahead, a zero exploding, another wheeling away on fire
For the moment, stunned
Asada looks about, hard, as taught, Gods!, more coming down
In almost panic, the wrench of the stick, the kick of the rudder, sending him, his plane into a wild skid, bleeding airspeed, Sending stomach lurching upwards, dust rising.
Without thought the throttle is slammed hard forward...he inverts, and falls from the sky, desperately craning to see behind, every muscle tensed against the expected killing blows.
A T bolt roars past, already zooming away, and Asada more in hope and anguish squeezes his trigger
he stabilises his bird, suddenly embarressed and ashamed......this was not how he was taught....
But the sky is clear, except for the smoke trails of planes falling to the ocean below....
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Re: A fleet sent to die
To do Glorious battle....
TF 35, CL Yanghi and 5 DD entered Talaud waters first, driving the PT boats away. These could do little, tubes already empty from DD Oite's heroics the night before.
The TF sweeps through, and runs for home
TF 38 came next, DD Hibiki leading her mixed bag of DDs, they seep, but fail to sea the pt boats now tucked up hard in the islands shadows
TF49, under Admiral Oda, that lands the crushing blow
BB ise leads, and the bombardment is devastating, less against the handful of Landing ships thaqt will bve sunk, more against the airfield where over128 hits are scored on the field alone, the base destroyed, the port wrecked. 1000 casualties are also inflicted on the 32nd division, 6th Aust division
TF 185, Capatain Hori, with 6 CA's, simply adds to the carnage
At dawn, Tanaka and his 4 Kongos, remain at Talaud
Guessing correctly that allied airpower would either be withdrawn or destroyed, he lingers until dawn, and then adds another bombardment, with another 500 casualties ashore
The B25 attacks against him damage a single DD slightly, another loses her radar.
Nagumos 180 plus dive bombers achieve little, there is simply too many fires , and too few targets left
The Japanese fleet retires Westward, hunted by countless SS (less 3 sank this day)
Tomorrow, every plane he has will be on ASW
The allies have BBs east of ternate, and undoubtably the ships evacuated from talaud.
In a black moment for him, 60 plus Francis bombers, the cream of his naval strike, fling themselves there, and die to a man.
Has anything really be achieved?
Time will tell
TF 35, CL Yanghi and 5 DD entered Talaud waters first, driving the PT boats away. These could do little, tubes already empty from DD Oite's heroics the night before.
The TF sweeps through, and runs for home
TF 38 came next, DD Hibiki leading her mixed bag of DDs, they seep, but fail to sea the pt boats now tucked up hard in the islands shadows
TF49, under Admiral Oda, that lands the crushing blow
BB ise leads, and the bombardment is devastating, less against the handful of Landing ships thaqt will bve sunk, more against the airfield where over128 hits are scored on the field alone, the base destroyed, the port wrecked. 1000 casualties are also inflicted on the 32nd division, 6th Aust division
TF 185, Capatain Hori, with 6 CA's, simply adds to the carnage
At dawn, Tanaka and his 4 Kongos, remain at Talaud
Guessing correctly that allied airpower would either be withdrawn or destroyed, he lingers until dawn, and then adds another bombardment, with another 500 casualties ashore
The B25 attacks against him damage a single DD slightly, another loses her radar.
Nagumos 180 plus dive bombers achieve little, there is simply too many fires , and too few targets left
The Japanese fleet retires Westward, hunted by countless SS (less 3 sank this day)
Tomorrow, every plane he has will be on ASW
The allies have BBs east of ternate, and undoubtably the ships evacuated from talaud.
In a black moment for him, 60 plus Francis bombers, the cream of his naval strike, fling themselves there, and die to a man.
Has anything really be achieved?
Time will tell
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Re: A fleet sent to die
not surprising this result, even a night strike would have horrendous casualties. At this point of the war, the allied AA is like a cloud ... I only go after CV's, only at night, use my "special" pilots that I store in TRACOM, and with not less than 3x27, I prefer 3x36 and up ... I plan to lose 50%, but I also expect to get 10% torp hits ... that's a lot of RSY time for 3 - 5 CV's ... a big hit to the DeathStar ...1275psi wrote: Mon Nov 09, 2026 12:59 am ...
In a black moment for him, 60 plus Francis bombers, the cream of his naval strike, fling themselves there, and die to a man.
...
Pax
11 july, CV Unryu
You cannot keep men at action stations forever. To Ashishi it seemed that the japanese Navy beleived that it could.
But, mercifully, this evening, they had reverted to state 2
Eyes like dust bowls, he has staggered below, found his hammock, and crashed.
only to be rudely awakened 2 hours later
'Your watch sailor"
But how sweet those 2 hours
And even sweeter the small meal brought to the bridge
It is evening now, and Unryo sails still across the waters, on the port side unidentifiable land, about them a staggering number of ships
At regular intervals, the bombers come in, are taken below, and another comes up, and takes its place in the constant buzz above.
Despite the desperate tiredness, the ache and pains, the headache, Ashishi understands how lucky he is.
he could have been down there on the flight deck, slaving for the beasts, or even worse, down below where the stokers were.
Or even baking in one of the gun tubs
He lowers his glasses for a moment, starts to clean them
he can see straight into the bridge from here, see Ban on the helm, erect as ever.
But he also can see Captain sagaki- a man usually so precise, so correct
Now?. Now he looks..........wilted?
He is grey with fatigue. In fact, all of the officers are looking........utterly exhausted
Below him, another bomber roars into life
Sagaki calls across the bridge to the operations officer
"How many is that now?
'We have no less than 20 ss operating to our North east,, none, apparently ahead"
"Bukas!"
20!
Even a lowly seaman understands what this means
Ashishi raises his glasses again. It wil not be him who does not spot it
But, mercifully, this evening, they had reverted to state 2
Eyes like dust bowls, he has staggered below, found his hammock, and crashed.
only to be rudely awakened 2 hours later
'Your watch sailor"
But how sweet those 2 hours
And even sweeter the small meal brought to the bridge
It is evening now, and Unryo sails still across the waters, on the port side unidentifiable land, about them a staggering number of ships
At regular intervals, the bombers come in, are taken below, and another comes up, and takes its place in the constant buzz above.
Despite the desperate tiredness, the ache and pains, the headache, Ashishi understands how lucky he is.
he could have been down there on the flight deck, slaving for the beasts, or even worse, down below where the stokers were.
Or even baking in one of the gun tubs
He lowers his glasses for a moment, starts to clean them
he can see straight into the bridge from here, see Ban on the helm, erect as ever.
But he also can see Captain sagaki- a man usually so precise, so correct
Now?. Now he looks..........wilted?
He is grey with fatigue. In fact, all of the officers are looking........utterly exhausted
Below him, another bomber roars into life
Sagaki calls across the bridge to the operations officer
"How many is that now?
'We have no less than 20 ss operating to our North east,, none, apparently ahead"
"Bukas!"
20!
Even a lowly seaman understands what this means
Ashishi raises his glasses again. It wil not be him who does not spot it
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Re: A fleet sent to die
11 june, CVL Shoho
SMn Asada spends today, almost the same as yesterday, pushing planes as the ASW patrols cycle through
It remanis terribly hot, and they seem( to him) to be making terrible slow progress along whatever coast line hints of which can still be seen to port.
The mood about him, is grim, 5 zeros lost yesterday, the pilots of the rest shaken. The T bolts, it seemed were invulnerable flying tanks
Asada can spare little time for them, today will again be heat, curses, the yells and whistles that must be obeyed...
SMn Asada spends today, almost the same as yesterday, pushing planes as the ASW patrols cycle through
It remanis terribly hot, and they seem( to him) to be making terrible slow progress along whatever coast line hints of which can still be seen to port.
The mood about him, is grim, 5 zeros lost yesterday, the pilots of the rest shaken. The T bolts, it seemed were invulnerable flying tanks
Asada can spare little time for them, today will again be heat, curses, the yells and whistles that must be obeyed...
Last edited by 1275psi on Thu Nov 12, 2026 2:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Re: A fleet sent to die
Ise remains at state 2, yet almost hourly it seems, the ship goes to action stations, yet another ss attack
3 times today Tokiwana can see the petes, the Jakes, the Jills circling, dropping their bombs and charges
he has no idea if they are killing the bukas, but they must be having an effect
20 plus ss are now known, have been sighted, attacked in the area
But no torpedo attacks today
Just alarms, stress, and the sheer frustration od not being able to do anything but watch, and hope.
3 times today Tokiwana can see the petes, the Jakes, the Jills circling, dropping their bombs and charges
he has no idea if they are killing the bukas, but they must be having an effect
20 plus ss are now known, have been sighted, attacked in the area
But no torpedo attacks today
Just alarms, stress, and the sheer frustration od not being able to do anything but watch, and hope.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Re: A fleet sent to die
to do glorious battle
Nagumo hugs the coast off near Tandjoengselor, every plane available on ASW duties.
They are, literally hemmed in
The guns on the Battleships, the cruisers, are empty, his flight crews, all of his crews at the peak of exhaustion
he gives new orders
The battle line, KB3 will break for Soerabaya, full speed, the rest of the fleet must refuel, here, close to the coast, risk grounding
Then, somehow, under land based aircover as well, break for Miri
Nagumo hugs the coast off near Tandjoengselor, every plane available on ASW duties.
They are, literally hemmed in
The guns on the Battleships, the cruisers, are empty, his flight crews, all of his crews at the peak of exhaustion
he gives new orders
The battle line, KB3 will break for Soerabaya, full speed, the rest of the fleet must refuel, here, close to the coast, risk grounding
Then, somehow, under land based aircover as well, break for Miri
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Re: A fleet sent to die
June 12th
Puerto Princesa
204th KUS-1
Kanda and Akishiba stand side by side looking at the dusty (today) excuse that Japan calls a major airstrip
They stand in native grasses almost knee high, stark contrast to the rutted dirt of the strip
Behind them, the jungle, and the hills, and before them, some kilometre away, the bay
"I hear Shiga has been transferred to training command until at least next month, maybe later"
"he was hurt that bad?"
""Not really, but...."
They descend into silence
Ogowa is missing
Tamiguchi is listed simply as WIA, location currently unknown
There is just the two of the originals left...
A depressing though
The bay below has some 10 transports anchored, still unloading.
Some 5 squadrons of various types of bombers, some sallies, worn and faded, some lillies, some recon, have flown in
They are all cycling now on ASW patrols, and , apparently, killing.
The enemy have closed Mininado, dajangas, davao, Cotatabo, the list is long of fields now abandoned, crushed under the B-24's
204th is almost back to full strength
But for how long?, nothing it seems can stop those 4 engined tanks
Puerto Princesa
204th KUS-1
Kanda and Akishiba stand side by side looking at the dusty (today) excuse that Japan calls a major airstrip
They stand in native grasses almost knee high, stark contrast to the rutted dirt of the strip
Behind them, the jungle, and the hills, and before them, some kilometre away, the bay
"I hear Shiga has been transferred to training command until at least next month, maybe later"
"he was hurt that bad?"
""Not really, but...."
They descend into silence
Ogowa is missing
Tamiguchi is listed simply as WIA, location currently unknown
There is just the two of the originals left...
A depressing though
The bay below has some 10 transports anchored, still unloading.
Some 5 squadrons of various types of bombers, some sallies, worn and faded, some lillies, some recon, have flown in
They are all cycling now on ASW patrols, and , apparently, killing.
The enemy have closed Mininado, dajangas, davao, Cotatabo, the list is long of fields now abandoned, crushed under the B-24's
204th is almost back to full strength
But for how long?, nothing it seems can stop those 4 engined tanks
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
12 June
Nagasaki
First class welder Ban leaves the warhouse where he is currently accomodated, it is evening, hot, humid, and he needs a drink.
Its quite a walk to get to the dockyard gates, quite a procedure to get past the secret police, the usual guards, and an even longer walk into the town.
The walk, it turns out, isn't worth it.
The city centre is depressingly quiet, barely a civilian to be found, and what bars are open are simply packed with freshly uniformed soldiers, or regrettfully, sailors from Hyuga.
The bars offer ittle, and Ban finds it almost impossible to find one serving food-this, it appears , has been set aside for uniformed personal only.
Eventually he finds a keyhole bar, 4 stools, a bench, a few cooking items, and a grim bar keeper who can provide something, noodles, a little fish.
"Do you have money?' The question should, normally, be rude
But the war....
"I have plenty, yes"
The grimness melts a little
"Come in, have you heard the news?"
"The radio says we have dealt the allies a crushing blow'
For ban, to hear such nonsense, yet again just confirms it
He should have stayed in the warehouse. But fish, is fish.
First class welder Ban leaves the warhouse where he is currently accomodated, it is evening, hot, humid, and he needs a drink.
Its quite a walk to get to the dockyard gates, quite a procedure to get past the secret police, the usual guards, and an even longer walk into the town.
The walk, it turns out, isn't worth it.
The city centre is depressingly quiet, barely a civilian to be found, and what bars are open are simply packed with freshly uniformed soldiers, or regrettfully, sailors from Hyuga.
The bars offer ittle, and Ban finds it almost impossible to find one serving food-this, it appears , has been set aside for uniformed personal only.
Eventually he finds a keyhole bar, 4 stools, a bench, a few cooking items, and a grim bar keeper who can provide something, noodles, a little fish.
"Do you have money?' The question should, normally, be rude
But the war....
"I have plenty, yes"
The grimness melts a little
"Come in, have you heard the news?"
"The radio says we have dealt the allies a crushing blow'
For ban, to hear such nonsense, yet again just confirms it
He should have stayed in the warehouse. But fish, is fish.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Re: A fleet sent to die
On Junyo
Asada sleeps
he has 25 missions now, and might, he thinks, be becoming a pilot at last
(Until he thinks of that T bolt)
he sleeps, gently vibrated as Junyo steams hard towards Soerabaya
Fighters stood down, but the bombers still hard at it.
Tomorrow, one can hope, new planes, replacements, and maybe , maybe , mail
Asada sleeps
he has 25 missions now, and might, he thinks, be becoming a pilot at last
(Until he thinks of that T bolt)
he sleeps, gently vibrated as Junyo steams hard towards Soerabaya
Fighters stood down, but the bombers still hard at it.
Tomorrow, one can hope, new planes, replacements, and maybe , maybe , mail
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Re: A fleet sent to die
BB Ise reaches Soerabaya just on dark
Tokiwana is on the bridge with Captain Izuka
Both men scan the anchorage anxiuosly, just one shared thought on their minds, the empty magazines below
"There!, see them!" Izuka points
3 AKE's, heavily ladened
They are going to be busy, these two. They have to be, time is against them, how long before the allies move back into the vacuum they have created?
Tokiwana is on the bridge with Captain Izuka
Both men scan the anchorage anxiuosly, just one shared thought on their minds, the empty magazines below
"There!, see them!" Izuka points
3 AKE's, heavily ladened
They are going to be busy, these two. They have to be, time is against them, how long before the allies move back into the vacuum they have created?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Re: A fleet sent to die
The fleet, essentially seperates into 2, one half refuelling hard against the coast, the other, sprints south towards soerabaya
The ASW war simply intensifies, again, and again they are sighted, bombed, forced down
The fleet creeps along the Borneo coast, hunted, hunted, hunted
The ASW war simply intensifies, again, and again they are sighted, bombed, forced down
The fleet creeps along the Borneo coast, hunted, hunted, hunted
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
13th June
CV Unryu and her sisters, are still trapped North of Balikapapn, having spent an exhausting night
refuelling destroyers
How they have survived the night is anyones guess, to the east the E class escorts of 3rd fleet are again busy, (and many are almost out of ammunition), yet, somehow they have remained unmolested
Ashishi again meets that old friend, sheer exhaustion
He keeps a watch, yes, but spends most of the late night, early morning hauling on a heavy jackstay, as Unryu gives precious fuel to destroyers
Then, midday, back on watch
he has a helm shift, surrounded by men who have barely slept in 4 days, or is it 5?
Voices are cracked, Captain Sagaki his- a bare croak
But they stick to their duties. They must
The morning refuelling ends, at action stations still. Overhead army Sonias are providing extra cover, and regularily
elderly sallies pass overhead, joining the hunt of the Jills, the Judy's.
Sagaki and the Navigator bend over the chart, mere feet from Ashishi
"We have no choice" the Navigator urges " so many ss to the north and east, some, maybe , in the gap
He looks almost imploringly at his Captain "3 more days of this if we make for Miri, or just one if we dash south"
Sagaki pauses
"please, please. please thinks the Seaman, gripping the wheel, terrified of what he might hear next, south, south!, so we can sleep!"
A single croaked whisper "Bukas"
"Alright then, we make 32 knots, straight down the guts , Soerabaya, and out of this madness"
refuelling destroyers
How they have survived the night is anyones guess, to the east the E class escorts of 3rd fleet are again busy, (and many are almost out of ammunition), yet, somehow they have remained unmolested
Ashishi again meets that old friend, sheer exhaustion
He keeps a watch, yes, but spends most of the late night, early morning hauling on a heavy jackstay, as Unryu gives precious fuel to destroyers
Then, midday, back on watch
he has a helm shift, surrounded by men who have barely slept in 4 days, or is it 5?
Voices are cracked, Captain Sagaki his- a bare croak
But they stick to their duties. They must
The morning refuelling ends, at action stations still. Overhead army Sonias are providing extra cover, and regularily
elderly sallies pass overhead, joining the hunt of the Jills, the Judy's.
Sagaki and the Navigator bend over the chart, mere feet from Ashishi
"We have no choice" the Navigator urges " so many ss to the north and east, some, maybe , in the gap
He looks almost imploringly at his Captain "3 more days of this if we make for Miri, or just one if we dash south"
Sagaki pauses
"please, please. please thinks the Seaman, gripping the wheel, terrified of what he might hear next, south, south!, so we can sleep!"
A single croaked whisper "Bukas"
"Alright then, we make 32 knots, straight down the guts , Soerabaya, and out of this madness"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
13 June, CV kaga
WO Eto drops to a knee.
Vertigo.....damn, I need to...to...
"Are you alright sir?" one of his crewman bends to him
"half in anger, he tries to wave him away....but the strength just isnt there
"Yes!, he half croaks "Damn you, get back to work, that bomb wont load itself"
For a minute the WO stays there, staring at the hanger floor, the world a hustle about him, breathing hard
He has never been this tired,
Ever
One more minute
I need one more minute
He gathers himself, stands
The bomber is already ascending the elevator.
They have made the corner, Miri calls
Come on, old man, we can do it....
Vertigo.....damn, I need to...to...
"Are you alright sir?" one of his crewman bends to him
"half in anger, he tries to wave him away....but the strength just isnt there
"Yes!, he half croaks "Damn you, get back to work, that bomb wont load itself"
For a minute the WO stays there, staring at the hanger floor, the world a hustle about him, breathing hard
He has never been this tired,
Ever
One more minute
I need one more minute
He gathers himself, stands
The bomber is already ascending the elevator.
They have made the corner, Miri calls
Come on, old man, we can do it....
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Re: A fleet sent to die
Akizuki pulls into Brunie bay slowly, finds a spot, anchors
"Finished with Main engines"
Wanely Minobe smailes at Kizuka
"How is it possible, with all those Buka's, that we didn't get involved?'
Kizuka cannot answer
he is still alive
the ship is undamaged
Nothing, incredibly, broke
"Are we falling out to harbour stations sir?"
"damn right...a drink, then, my friend, bed for all of us"
"Finished with Main engines"
Wanely Minobe smailes at Kizuka
"How is it possible, with all those Buka's, that we didn't get involved?'
Kizuka cannot answer
he is still alive
the ship is undamaged
Nothing, incredibly, broke
"Are we falling out to harbour stations sir?"
"damn right...a drink, then, my friend, bed for all of us"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
13 June, BB Ise
Tokiwana sleeps
Duty has been done. It has taken a day, but now his magazines are full, and Ise lies at anchor in Soerabaya roads,
as safe as it is going to possibly get
Duty, for now done, he sleeps
Duty has been done. It has taken a day, but now his magazines are full, and Ise lies at anchor in Soerabaya roads,
as safe as it is going to possibly get
Duty, for now done, he sleeps
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
13 June 18th Division
They stream past 18th HQ all day, 52nd division , 19th division, moving up, 21st brigade moving south
Goto and Watambe watch with much interest, the men going south have little to offer, the men coming up, seemingly not much more- but they do look refreshed, and even fed
"Some good shopping to be has eh lad?"
" I think so, should we begin?'
Wo Eto feels the stiffness in his legs, "No, we might hang off a bit, the General....."
It had been a long walk, NOT worth that bag of rice...
"At least we have petrol"
"yes, at least we do"
A soldier stops on his March North
"is it true the allies are only bombing Moulmien field?"
"They only bomb what they can see... so stay un seen...do you have a camoflage net?, i have a few if you are willing to trade...."
Goto and Watambe watch with much interest, the men going south have little to offer, the men coming up, seemingly not much more- but they do look refreshed, and even fed
"Some good shopping to be has eh lad?"
" I think so, should we begin?'
Wo Eto feels the stiffness in his legs, "No, we might hang off a bit, the General....."
It had been a long walk, NOT worth that bag of rice...
"At least we have petrol"
"yes, at least we do"
A soldier stops on his March North
"is it true the allies are only bombing Moulmien field?"
"They only bomb what they can see... so stay un seen...do you have a camoflage net?, i have a few if you are willing to trade...."
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
13 June CVL Shoho
Shoho's flight deck is quiet
Everyplane has been stood down
Smn Asada looks at the anchorage about him, crowded with the fleet
Soerabaya.
So this is the exotic east
They can have it. his hammock calls...
Everyplane has been stood down
Smn Asada looks at the anchorage about him, crowded with the fleet
Soerabaya.
So this is the exotic east
They can have it. his hammock calls...
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt