20/6/42
for 3 days i have been in this stinking ready room, on 5 minute alert.
we crawl north, today yamaguchi has ordered all planes to prepare for a naval strike.
great concernation - we are down to 30% ammunition, and fuel is very low again.
At dawn s-29 reported "am attacking 2 lexington class carriers" at a position 420 miles to our north east.
no further news from her.
yamaguchi must reconcentrate -he must.
will the enemy attack us -i hope he will, we cannot chase
Fuel - why is it always fuel that stops us!
The weather is nasty, huge thunder clouds everywhere -we lose 2 planes to them today, in their black horrible interiors.
Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: I miss out again
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: I miss out again, and again,
and again
21/6/42
Our cap scores its 3rd Hudson today
guess what I did - nothing. again
We crawl north, a totally anti climatic day.
The tension is terrible, where did the enemy go- he has us pinned to the foot -and we have no idea whetre he is.
The sky is empty, the sea dark and horrid.
Terrible foreboding about what lies ahead.
21/6/42
Our cap scores its 3rd Hudson today
guess what I did - nothing. again
We crawl north, a totally anti climatic day.
The tension is terrible, where did the enemy go- he has us pinned to the foot -and we have no idea whetre he is.
The sky is empty, the sea dark and horrid.
Terrible foreboding about what lies ahead.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: I miss out again, and again,
22/6/42
The weather is worsening, and KB is marking time.
Kaga is slamming into each wave, and at least 60 knots of wind screams across the deck
And yet the ships refuel.
Suddenly the ready room is not such a bad place to be
Funny how your whole world shrinks even further when it gets rough, now its just my soft chair here, and occasionally the "veranda" -the catwalk that runs down the stbd side of the hull, towards the bow area.
It disapears regularily today further fwd, but some of us are being forced to visit it at regular intervals.
fuelling is horrific -yet must be done
A steady stream of injured men are carried below.
They call us brave pilots for the empire -here is true bravery, men against the sea.
The horrible day finishes with another announcement -a naval battle at port moresby - 4 enemy destroyers intercepted and sunk , no reported losses to our side.
I am feeling very miserable today.
The weather is worsening, and KB is marking time.
Kaga is slamming into each wave, and at least 60 knots of wind screams across the deck
And yet the ships refuel.
Suddenly the ready room is not such a bad place to be
Funny how your whole world shrinks even further when it gets rough, now its just my soft chair here, and occasionally the "veranda" -the catwalk that runs down the stbd side of the hull, towards the bow area.
It disapears regularily today further fwd, but some of us are being forced to visit it at regular intervals.
fuelling is horrific -yet must be done
A steady stream of injured men are carried below.
They call us brave pilots for the empire -here is true bravery, men against the sea.
The horrible day finishes with another announcement -a naval battle at port moresby - 4 enemy destroyers intercepted and sunk , no reported losses to our side.
I am feeling very miserable today.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: I miss out again, and again,
23/6/42
The nightmare continues.
No flying at all today - just the bitter struggle to fuel the fleet, as we crawl slowly north home.
We are sighted again and again by catalina's, and Hudsons, somehow though the war has slipped into the background -the real war is now against the sea, Kaga, incredibly is taking damage.
How can the destroyers handle this -they dissapear again and again.
2 BBs join us today, their barrells blistered and paint peeled from delivering destruction to noumea.
Today the sea is terrifying.
The power of it.
terrible.
The nightmare continues.
No flying at all today - just the bitter struggle to fuel the fleet, as we crawl slowly north home.
We are sighted again and again by catalina's, and Hudsons, somehow though the war has slipped into the background -the real war is now against the sea, Kaga, incredibly is taking damage.
How can the destroyers handle this -they dissapear again and again.
2 BBs join us today, their barrells blistered and paint peeled from delivering destruction to noumea.
Today the sea is terrifying.
The power of it.
terrible.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Nome invaded
24/6/42
Incredible news - our soldiers are fighting on the American homeland!!!
A large raid against some place called Nome -teaching those dogs that nowhere is safe from the Empires reach.
how annoying this must be for the Americans.
The weather is better today, still heavy heavy seas, but the task force is refuelled
We might even be able to fly tomorrow, and do something about the pesty hudsons again shadowing us
further reports -Wake was hit today, and in China some place called wuchow is reported to be burning fiercly
The mood onboard brightens with every hr we sail north again.
I would be delighted to eat some fresh vegetables again
Incredible news - our soldiers are fighting on the American homeland!!!
A large raid against some place called Nome -teaching those dogs that nowhere is safe from the Empires reach.
how annoying this must be for the Americans.
The weather is better today, still heavy heavy seas, but the task force is refuelled
We might even be able to fly tomorrow, and do something about the pesty hudsons again shadowing us
further reports -Wake was hit today, and in China some place called wuchow is reported to be burning fiercly
The mood onboard brightens with every hr we sail north again.
I would be delighted to eat some fresh vegetables again
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Nome invaded
25/6/42
Isuppose this is what being at sea is like sometimes
A seemingly endless ocean, some days grey and horrible
today, a brilliant emerald blue
each day is blurring into the next, we steam steadily north, apparently off lunga today.
No action, no contacts, no flying.
frankly bored
the Admiral looks haggard.
The emperor has tasked us yet again -his personal division -the imperial guard is going to break the allies at Port moresby -we must escort it.
A month, and still the enemy hold on.
The allies report the raid at Nome is trapped ashore, something has gone badly wrong there.
Wunchow is being called a terror campaign, we are burning it to the ground.
Isuppose this is what being at sea is like sometimes
A seemingly endless ocean, some days grey and horrible
today, a brilliant emerald blue
each day is blurring into the next, we steam steadily north, apparently off lunga today.
No action, no contacts, no flying.
frankly bored
the Admiral looks haggard.
The emperor has tasked us yet again -his personal division -the imperial guard is going to break the allies at Port moresby -we must escort it.
A month, and still the enemy hold on.
The allies report the raid at Nome is trapped ashore, something has gone badly wrong there.
Wunchow is being called a terror campaign, we are burning it to the ground.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Nome invaded
26/4/42
Our fleet now cleaves a calm, mirrored sea -so deep and blue.
Dolphins briefly escort us, and we are sweating freely in the heat.
The ship is cleaned up, and a general loosening of tension can be felt
We are passing up the solomon chain, a mighty fleet.
Rabual in 2 or 3 days, and something real to drink.
Then I suppose We must face the enemy again.
Our fleet now cleaves a calm, mirrored sea -so deep and blue.
Dolphins briefly escort us, and we are sweating freely in the heat.
The ship is cleaned up, and a general loosening of tension can be felt
We are passing up the solomon chain, a mighty fleet.
Rabual in 2 or 3 days, and something real to drink.
Then I suppose We must face the enemy again.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
rest
27/6/42
We continue our steady progress north.
A long day of paperwork, the gym, and sleep
new britian to our right, a dark and forbidding looking place on the horizon.
CAP over the ships today -friendly planes from shortlands
The radio brings the news, heavy bombing of Wuchow in China, large allied air raids in Burma, and the raid in Nome has got away.
The supply departments are very busy, calculating our demands.
The ammo supplies are down to 30%
There is much debate about replacements for the pilots we have lost, LT sato (and I agree with him) does not want rookies in our unit -they are more dangerous to us than the enemy.
But where are we going to get trained men from - we all know how long the program takes at home.
LT sato says he will be seeking volunteers from Rabual, I do not think it will be hard to find anyone.
I for one am looking forward to getting ashore.
I wonder what rabual holds?
We continue our steady progress north.
A long day of paperwork, the gym, and sleep
new britian to our right, a dark and forbidding looking place on the horizon.
CAP over the ships today -friendly planes from shortlands
The radio brings the news, heavy bombing of Wuchow in China, large allied air raids in Burma, and the raid in Nome has got away.
The supply departments are very busy, calculating our demands.
The ammo supplies are down to 30%
There is much debate about replacements for the pilots we have lost, LT sato (and I agree with him) does not want rookies in our unit -they are more dangerous to us than the enemy.
But where are we going to get trained men from - we all know how long the program takes at home.
LT sato says he will be seeking volunteers from Rabual, I do not think it will be hard to find anyone.
I for one am looking forward to getting ashore.
I wonder what rabual holds?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: rest
28/6/42
We arrive at rabual at dawn
Did you know that this place has a volcano?
And that it spews smoke nearly every day.
Our arrival was met by an explosion of activity.
Ports should not be measured by the size and number of wharfs -but there ability to support you.
And the Admiral at this place really knows his job.
Swarms of barges, and lighters and small vessels of every kind gather around us, seemigly to materalise from the trees and coconut groves surrounding the bay.
we arrived at dawn , and are ready for further operations by dusk.
I had a horrible day -of all days, I draw assistant Officer of the day.
1st the uniform -back into the tight whites -such a contrast to our comfortable flying rig
Then the dozens of Captains and the like that arrive -each to be saluted.
Supervision of security, of ship rounds -magazine inspections -ceremonial colours -and a 100 liason calls as the base personal swarm onboard.
I have enough to do with that, let alone co ordinate the ships boats.
Amazing sights -large lumps of machinery leaving the ship in the morning, and returning at night.
How busy the black gang is.
Such a sight.
And every minute the sky growls with large numbers of zeros on patrol above us.
We are filled again with ordinance, and fuel -and glory be -fresh food!
6CV,3CVL,4BB,5CA,5CL and 40 plus DDs ride at anchor here.
The 3rd war cruise of The Kido baru is completed
The 1st destroyed the Americans at pearl, the 2nd the British in the Indian ocean and at Darwin, and this one
The men add the totals to the bridge wing -
4CA
2CL
8DD
3ss
1AV
30 AK
1AP
1AO
65 aircraft
the rumour is that we sail day after tomorrow -and leave will be granted tomorrow.
Mail
many tender letters from home.
Things do not seem to be too bad, my father continues to catch fish in Kagoshima bay, Mother tends the garden, and sister continues to work down the street in the small workshop -fabricating the very nice trim wheel that I have in my zero -some 50 a week she says.
I miss them all.
They do not recieve much news on the war -it appears static.
China is strategic bombing, and Burma seems to be very quiet.
The allies failed to catch the troops at nome, but have bombed wake
he continues to raid Timor every day -training pilots, and the siege at Port moresby continues -where the allies have stopped shooting back at our bombers.
I am comforted.
Tomorrow I step ashore -ahh, I will enjoy some beer with my fellows, and some fresh seafood -crayfish are readily available I hear.
We arrive at rabual at dawn
Did you know that this place has a volcano?
And that it spews smoke nearly every day.
Our arrival was met by an explosion of activity.
Ports should not be measured by the size and number of wharfs -but there ability to support you.
And the Admiral at this place really knows his job.
Swarms of barges, and lighters and small vessels of every kind gather around us, seemigly to materalise from the trees and coconut groves surrounding the bay.
we arrived at dawn , and are ready for further operations by dusk.
I had a horrible day -of all days, I draw assistant Officer of the day.
1st the uniform -back into the tight whites -such a contrast to our comfortable flying rig
Then the dozens of Captains and the like that arrive -each to be saluted.
Supervision of security, of ship rounds -magazine inspections -ceremonial colours -and a 100 liason calls as the base personal swarm onboard.
I have enough to do with that, let alone co ordinate the ships boats.
Amazing sights -large lumps of machinery leaving the ship in the morning, and returning at night.
How busy the black gang is.
Such a sight.
And every minute the sky growls with large numbers of zeros on patrol above us.
We are filled again with ordinance, and fuel -and glory be -fresh food!
6CV,3CVL,4BB,5CA,5CL and 40 plus DDs ride at anchor here.
The 3rd war cruise of The Kido baru is completed
The 1st destroyed the Americans at pearl, the 2nd the British in the Indian ocean and at Darwin, and this one
The men add the totals to the bridge wing -
4CA
2CL
8DD
3ss
1AV
30 AK
1AP
1AO
65 aircraft
the rumour is that we sail day after tomorrow -and leave will be granted tomorrow.
many tender letters from home.
Things do not seem to be too bad, my father continues to catch fish in Kagoshima bay, Mother tends the garden, and sister continues to work down the street in the small workshop -fabricating the very nice trim wheel that I have in my zero -some 50 a week she says.
I miss them all.
They do not recieve much news on the war -it appears static.
China is strategic bombing, and Burma seems to be very quiet.
The allies failed to catch the troops at nome, but have bombed wake
he continues to raid Timor every day -training pilots, and the siege at Port moresby continues -where the allies have stopped shooting back at our bombers.
I am comforted.
Tomorrow I step ashore -ahh, I will enjoy some beer with my fellows, and some fresh seafood -crayfish are readily available I hear.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: rest
30/6/42
Well the thumping head is receeding
the day was spent doing the thousand things LT sato -he too has a evil hangover_can find for an Ensign to do.
final fuelling
Tokyo rose speaks of another tremendous day of air battles over wuchow, we lose 26 fighters to his 54, but 13 bombers are lost as well.
The enemy remains agressive it appears
Today I counted spares, did the mess bill, attended defaulters, witnessed 42 promotions, welcomed onboard 3 new pilots, all raw recruits it appears, attended a fire exercise -and vomited four times.
Dusk, and a mighty fleet sails from rabual -the imperial division is entering the area -it should do the job.
Then we must cover the evacuation.
Will we go to noumea -it seems doubtful to me, We all agree, the enemy carriers must be, must be found.
I need to get into combat, my mind is filling with doubts again.
Well the thumping head is receeding
the day was spent doing the thousand things LT sato -he too has a evil hangover_can find for an Ensign to do.
final fuelling
Tokyo rose speaks of another tremendous day of air battles over wuchow, we lose 26 fighters to his 54, but 13 bombers are lost as well.
The enemy remains agressive it appears
Today I counted spares, did the mess bill, attended defaulters, witnessed 42 promotions, welcomed onboard 3 new pilots, all raw recruits it appears, attended a fire exercise -and vomited four times.
Dusk, and a mighty fleet sails from rabual -the imperial division is entering the area -it should do the job.
Then we must cover the evacuation.
Will we go to noumea -it seems doubtful to me, We all agree, the enemy carriers must be, must be found.
I need to get into combat, my mind is filling with doubts again.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: rest
1/7/42
Kb sails once again towards danger, and opportunity
we meet the invasion fleet tomorrow, somewhere near woodlark
the enemy is recklessly throwing away C-47s over PM, another 7 shot down today
news of major air battles in China again, and a advace in the central front there.
I am definately on strike assignment for this week, Cap flies - i do not
Kb sails once again towards danger, and opportunity
we meet the invasion fleet tomorrow, somewhere near woodlark
the enemy is recklessly throwing away C-47s over PM, another 7 shot down today
news of major air battles in China again, and a advace in the central front there.
I am definately on strike assignment for this week, Cap flies - i do not
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: rest
2/7/42
The invasion fleet appeared outvof the haze today, 3 great rows of rusty, stained merchantmen -how horrible to be crammed into their holds for so long -waiting every moment for the torpedoe.
I am glad i never joined the infantry
We have not be sighted today, good.
Tomorrow, or the day after, we turn the corner again near Gilli, gilli, de ja veu! -or whatever.
At least this time GG has our fighters helping cover us from there.
Its over 2 weeks since I flew.
The invasion fleet appeared outvof the haze today, 3 great rows of rusty, stained merchantmen -how horrible to be crammed into their holds for so long -waiting every moment for the torpedoe.
I am glad i never joined the infantry
We have not be sighted today, good.
Tomorrow, or the day after, we turn the corner again near Gilli, gilli, de ja veu! -or whatever.
At least this time GG has our fighters helping cover us from there.
Its over 2 weeks since I flew.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: rest
4/7/42
rabual seems a dream now, and life here on Kaga is back into its deadly routine
My zero is below deck -ready to be brought up at the 1st instant.
All day we fly CAP, zeros rising and landing in a continous stream.
Tomorrow Hiryu and soryu are requested to help lea air pound PM.
Lucky men.
When will I get a chance?
rabual seems a dream now, and life here on Kaga is back into its deadly routine
My zero is below deck -ready to be brought up at the 1st instant.
All day we fly CAP, zeros rising and landing in a continous stream.
Tomorrow Hiryu and soryu are requested to help lea air pound PM.
Lucky men.
When will I get a chance?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: rest
5/7/42
A frantic day for the fleet, not for myself -as if anything will ever change for me on that score -but action a plenty around us today.
CV div2 sends zeros over PM, yet it is not enoufgh to suppress the place.
Several waves of bueforts attack the fleet, a CL -katori is hit, and hit hard
The BBs are attacked as well
Our CAP downs 4 -Zuiho apparently claiming them
Its the submarines that fill the day, Shokaka avoids a spread very narrowly, and zuiho also is attacked.
We are lucky- no hits
Tomorrow we should pound the enemy, and 2 days later the imperial Div should attack.
I remain hopeful that the enemy will come and fight us
A frantic day for the fleet, not for myself -as if anything will ever change for me on that score -but action a plenty around us today.
CV div2 sends zeros over PM, yet it is not enoufgh to suppress the place.
Several waves of bueforts attack the fleet, a CL -katori is hit, and hit hard
The BBs are attacked as well
Our CAP downs 4 -Zuiho apparently claiming them
Its the submarines that fill the day, Shokaka avoids a spread very narrowly, and zuiho also is attacked.
We are lucky- no hits
Tomorrow we should pound the enemy, and 2 days later the imperial Div should attack.
I remain hopeful that the enemy will come and fight us
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: rest
if anyone is reading this there will be a break of a week -Im off to see the actual waters ENS Hanamato is swanning about in, having a cruise with the RAN for a week.
Ill check Cairns out as a target again.[:D]
Be back soon!
Ill check Cairns out as a target again.[:D]
Be back soon!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Striking again
6/7/42
Another frantic day of activity, i still remain on 5 minute standby -the frustration!
We launch heavy strikes of zeros over Port moresby, our bombers are striking heavily
last night was strangestanding with other bunches of men down on the quarterdeck -contemplating the hiss of the ocean as it slides from our stern.
So peacful -and the stars so bright.
yet to our east -the rumble and flash of heavy, heavy artillery as our BBs pound the enemy.
We know that the Imperial Division will land in 2 days - make or break -this we feel deeply.
A Val from Kaga kills a Submarine today, destroyers get another.
Will a submarine soon get us?
Another frantic day of activity, i still remain on 5 minute standby -the frustration!
We launch heavy strikes of zeros over Port moresby, our bombers are striking heavily
last night was strangestanding with other bunches of men down on the quarterdeck -contemplating the hiss of the ocean as it slides from our stern.
So peacful -and the stars so bright.
yet to our east -the rumble and flash of heavy, heavy artillery as our BBs pound the enemy.
We know that the Imperial Division will land in 2 days - make or break -this we feel deeply.
A Val from Kaga kills a Submarine today, destroyers get another.
Will a submarine soon get us?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Another friend
Kuboto is dead
the second of our 6 has done his duty.
he flung his zero at one of the waves of B17 bombers attacking the Imperial Division at Port moresby, and apparently took one down with him, both spinning locked together into the blue, blue sea.
I salute you Kuboto
We lost several other pilots today, and still I wait at 5 minutes notice.
I want revenge.
The troops are unloading -we sink 2 more submarines, BB Hiei is torpedoed, twice -yet her captain carries on, he will remain fighting.
We have never been defeated or checked in this war, we will not be checked here.
100000 lives for the emperor!
the second of our 6 has done his duty.
he flung his zero at one of the waves of B17 bombers attacking the Imperial Division at Port moresby, and apparently took one down with him, both spinning locked together into the blue, blue sea.
I salute you Kuboto
We lost several other pilots today, and still I wait at 5 minutes notice.
I want revenge.
The troops are unloading -we sink 2 more submarines, BB Hiei is torpedoed, twice -yet her captain carries on, he will remain fighting.
We have never been defeated or checked in this war, we will not be checked here.
100000 lives for the emperor!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt