28/7/42
Fierce and confused fighting is again reported on the China front
The AVG is reported active again over Burma - regrettfully our bomber boys were ambushed today
Another incredibly busy day, I again drew the Duty
We pilots met Yammato today -such a pugacoius (is that the word?) fellow.
the operation against Nidindi is now clear - capture of the island means nothing -it is only a tool -we are heading for a decisive battle -if it can be forced.
At dusk Kagas great anchors rise from the sandy bottom, and again the ship fills with the background noise of the great boiler room fans rising in pitch as we begin to clear the harbour.
Always have a funny feeling as the land slides into the distance -will we see it again.
We did not fuel prior to sailing -the great fleet here has sucked the base dry -yamaguchi intends to tanker somewhere south.
The great hammer sails again
Tonight I sat in my cockpit for a while -it is one of the few places on this beehive of a vessel where one can be alone, to think and pray.
Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
To the WAR!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: To the WAR!
Some communication problems with wobbly -he's been out in the sticks somewhere!
29/7/42
A very quiet day for us pilots
For the rest of the crew an intense day of damage control drills, more drills and more drills.
We exercise our guns against drogues -and I can see now why dive bombing is so deadly -our light AA seems to really lack stopping power.
We sail north today, will swing south tomorrow.
29/7/42
A very quiet day for us pilots
For the rest of the crew an intense day of damage control drills, more drills and more drills.
We exercise our guns against drogues -and I can see now why dive bombing is so deadly -our light AA seems to really lack stopping power.
We sail north today, will swing south tomorrow.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: To the WAR!
30/7/42
reports of a naval battle are broadcast to us late today
A cruiser force of ours tried to strike enemy shipping at Espirito island , the sea is filled with fleeing ships.
An inconclusive battle -PT boats only sunk, our damage is unknown.
We are now headed south again - I am assigned strike, so more twiddling of thumbs.
I no longer worry about the lack of flying -its like riding a bike -you never forget.
reports of a naval battle are broadcast to us late today
A cruiser force of ours tried to strike enemy shipping at Espirito island , the sea is filled with fleeing ships.
An inconclusive battle -PT boats only sunk, our damage is unknown.
We are now headed south again - I am assigned strike, so more twiddling of thumbs.
I no longer worry about the lack of flying -its like riding a bike -you never forget.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: To the WAR!
31/7/42
We steam south, we working up to full speed -tankers are well ahead of us, waiting for us
Like rats shipping exploded out of espirito -I am wondering if yamaguchi will go for them.
Probably not -its the carriers, its the carriers.
No news anywhere else, the war seems to have gone quiet.
I have a new wingman, some rookie, he is hopless, so i have given him simple instructions -follow me, stick with me like glue, never leave me.
I am eager to fly.
My ribs are healed, the weather is fine.
the might of the empire chews up the distance between us and destiny.
We steam south, we working up to full speed -tankers are well ahead of us, waiting for us
Like rats shipping exploded out of espirito -I am wondering if yamaguchi will go for them.
Probably not -its the carriers, its the carriers.
No news anywhere else, the war seems to have gone quiet.
I have a new wingman, some rookie, he is hopless, so i have given him simple instructions -follow me, stick with me like glue, never leave me.
I am eager to fly.
My ribs are healed, the weather is fine.
the might of the empire chews up the distance between us and destiny.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
-
Mattremote
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2005 12:11 pm
RE: To the WAR!
Nice AAR! I like checking to see how your aviator is doing. BTW, my Hanamoto is in Burma where he just got his second kill in my shake-down cruise attempt at WITP (as Japan vs. AI).
Vibrations
1/8/42
An exhausting day of battle drill after battle drill.
But also an exilorating day -32 knots does not sound fast, but when its a huge fleet such as this one, and its a crystal clear day, calm seas -what a sight.
The whole of this mighty ship shudders and shakes -great bone in her teeth .
Ahead somewhere, the battle fleet, around us, hidden we are overtaking submarines by the dozens.
A sub marine report of many ships some 1200 miles to our south, abruptly cut off.
I feel so alive today.
The BBC briefly came into range today, Gilli, gilli was attacked heavily.
No news anywhere else.
Again the world comes down to our windswept flight deck, and this single highly trained crew.
An exhausting day of battle drill after battle drill.
But also an exilorating day -32 knots does not sound fast, but when its a huge fleet such as this one, and its a crystal clear day, calm seas -what a sight.
The whole of this mighty ship shudders and shakes -great bone in her teeth .
Ahead somewhere, the battle fleet, around us, hidden we are overtaking submarines by the dozens.
A sub marine report of many ships some 1200 miles to our south, abruptly cut off.
I feel so alive today.
The BBC briefly came into range today, Gilli, gilli was attacked heavily.
No news anywhere else.
Again the world comes down to our windswept flight deck, and this single highly trained crew.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Vibrations
2/8/42
You can guess what the fleet did today
Fuelling
We always seem to be fuelling
Totally bored today I hung around the back of the bridge, watching the captain manouver this giant so gently beside the waiting tanker.
He is certaintly skilled.
Down in the command room , much excitement.
Our emilies report many Cruisers returning to espirito -a fine target, if we ever get there.
The ocean is so large.
An interesting evening, we played a game of hypertheticals -if I was the enemy, where would I send my carriers?
Java -strike soerabaya or Palembang .
I hope our naval land bombers are ready there!
No other news on the war, the BBC came through loud and clear today -some air action over burma, but little else.
The China front seems to have gone quiet again as well.
I have an exam in 3 days, if I pass, I may be promoted.
Long nights ahead I feel.
You can guess what the fleet did today
Fuelling
We always seem to be fuelling
Totally bored today I hung around the back of the bridge, watching the captain manouver this giant so gently beside the waiting tanker.
He is certaintly skilled.
Down in the command room , much excitement.
Our emilies report many Cruisers returning to espirito -a fine target, if we ever get there.
The ocean is so large.
An interesting evening, we played a game of hypertheticals -if I was the enemy, where would I send my carriers?
Java -strike soerabaya or Palembang .
I hope our naval land bombers are ready there!
No other news on the war, the BBC came through loud and clear today -some air action over burma, but little else.
The China front seems to have gone quiet again as well.
I have an exam in 3 days, if I pass, I may be promoted.
Long nights ahead I feel.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Vibrations
3/8/42
On little things great strategies can fall.
another cloudless day, deep into the pacific.
We are again very tense -the invasion ships are approaching an invasion -Nidindi, and although it appears the base is empty, we are not sure.
We are following behind the fleet -on full alert, trying to avoid detection.
Just past midday one of our Val pilots attacks a submarine, diving out of the sun -and put his bomb 150 yrds directly behind it.
A disgrace
The submarine was very cool, radioing the attack to all and sundry before diving.
So now the enmy knows we have carriers in the area.
We will be on immediate alert tomorrow, so after the CAP launches , Im expecting another long, sweaty day in the ready room, or worse.
On little things great strategies can fall.
another cloudless day, deep into the pacific.
We are again very tense -the invasion ships are approaching an invasion -Nidindi, and although it appears the base is empty, we are not sure.
We are following behind the fleet -on full alert, trying to avoid detection.
Just past midday one of our Val pilots attacks a submarine, diving out of the sun -and put his bomb 150 yrds directly behind it.
A disgrace
The submarine was very cool, radioing the attack to all and sundry before diving.
So now the enmy knows we have carriers in the area.
We will be on immediate alert tomorrow, so after the CAP launches , Im expecting another long, sweaty day in the ready room, or worse.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
a long day
4/8/42
a long, long day in the ready room at 5 minutes notice
The CAP flys hard all day -set at 50% -so we are very, very busy.
My plane rests in the hanger, we need the deck clear.
The fleet is accompanied by a CS -she is really our eyes at the moment
Apparently one of the CLs is fitted with radar -it is hoped she will give us warning of an approaching attack.
The day ends with no action for us - we continue south
We have had Hiyo and junyo detach -they swing to our west.
Tokyo rose announces we are invading Ndini -nothing like telling the world quickly that we are about.
are we that short of good news that we have to announce the capture of some miserable rock in the pacific?
a long, long day in the ready room at 5 minutes notice
The CAP flys hard all day -set at 50% -so we are very, very busy.
My plane rests in the hanger, we need the deck clear.
The fleet is accompanied by a CS -she is really our eyes at the moment
Apparently one of the CLs is fitted with radar -it is hoped she will give us warning of an approaching attack.
The day ends with no action for us - we continue south
We have had Hiyo and junyo detach -they swing to our west.
Tokyo rose announces we are invading Ndini -nothing like telling the world quickly that we are about.
are we that short of good news that we have to announce the capture of some miserable rock in the pacific?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: a long day
5/8/42
Another day exactly as yesterday -we steam ever south wards
A naval battle -the enemy attack the invasion fleet in broad daylight.
The entire battle fleet is involved, and the enemys courage is rewarded, we have a crippled CA and 2 Crippled DDs now retiring
The miserable rock has fallen
But what of the war?
Some place called Akyab in burma has been lost announces the BBC.
some place in the jungle -what import is it?
Obvoiusly i did not fly today.
Another day exactly as yesterday -we steam ever south wards
A naval battle -the enemy attack the invasion fleet in broad daylight.
The entire battle fleet is involved, and the enemys courage is rewarded, we have a crippled CA and 2 Crippled DDs now retiring
The miserable rock has fallen
But what of the war?
Some place called Akyab in burma has been lost announces the BBC.
some place in the jungle -what import is it?
Obvoiusly i did not fly today.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
The wildcats appear
6/8/42
third day in a row in the ready room.
Today i crammed myself into the radio room, we are in range of Ndini, and the air waves fill with the sound of battle.
During the night we naval bombard espirito - but it still has teeth
15 wildcats and some army fighters escort the dreaded dive bombers towards our friends on the hiyo and junyo.
a tense half hour as we listen to the battle.
Strange -we can here the americans clearly on their TBC -but not our boys, our radios are far inferior.
Fortunately it is a grim business -our men cut down the wildcats almost to a man.
Then heart in mouth we listen to the attack go in.
strange how we can listen to death occuring just seemingly over the horizon
Junyo is attacked, but missed.
We breathe again
The fleet picks up speed -we slide south west now -still unsighted.
The plan is this -Hiyo and junyo will draw the enemy - the fleet will pound the fields, and we will sweep in from the east -and crush the enemy in a vice.
Surely I will be in action tomorrow -if no ships appear tomorrow , we hit the ports, and I must finally see if I have courage in battle at last!
third day in a row in the ready room.
Today i crammed myself into the radio room, we are in range of Ndini, and the air waves fill with the sound of battle.
During the night we naval bombard espirito - but it still has teeth
15 wildcats and some army fighters escort the dreaded dive bombers towards our friends on the hiyo and junyo.
a tense half hour as we listen to the battle.
Strange -we can here the americans clearly on their TBC -but not our boys, our radios are far inferior.
Fortunately it is a grim business -our men cut down the wildcats almost to a man.
Then heart in mouth we listen to the attack go in.
strange how we can listen to death occuring just seemingly over the horizon
Junyo is attacked, but missed.
We breathe again
The fleet picks up speed -we slide south west now -still unsighted.
The plan is this -Hiyo and junyo will draw the enemy - the fleet will pound the fields, and we will sweep in from the east -and crush the enemy in a vice.
Surely I will be in action tomorrow -if no ships appear tomorrow , we hit the ports, and I must finally see if I have courage in battle at last!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The wildcats appear
7/8/42
The fog of war descends
We continue heading south east , swinging south of Efate.
Considerable confusion in the command quarters, did we bombard Lunganville and Efate last night?
We have lost contact with the battle fleet -with everyone.
I believe that yamaguchi will grimly carry on.
Several Cats circle us today, little doubt about the enemy knowing about us.
some news of light air strikes against the Maya -she apparently shrugs of the hit.
Again its the BBC that gives the best picture.
Some sort of victory for the Army in central china -it is in pursuit straight into the heart of China.
The tension is intense on board -iether the enemy is fleeing, or tomorrow will be the day of decision.
If I die tomorrow Mother, I will have been a brave warrior.
look after my Sister.
may the empire last 1000 years
The fog of war descends
We continue heading south east , swinging south of Efate.
Considerable confusion in the command quarters, did we bombard Lunganville and Efate last night?
We have lost contact with the battle fleet -with everyone.
I believe that yamaguchi will grimly carry on.
Several Cats circle us today, little doubt about the enemy knowing about us.
some news of light air strikes against the Maya -she apparently shrugs of the hit.
Again its the BBC that gives the best picture.
Some sort of victory for the Army in central china -it is in pursuit straight into the heart of China.
The tension is intense on board -iether the enemy is fleeing, or tomorrow will be the day of decision.
If I die tomorrow Mother, I will have been a brave warrior.
look after my Sister.
may the empire last 1000 years
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
frustration
This mighty Armada has punched into thin air
last night our battle wagons spread fire and destruction on both Espirito and Efate, all for little apparent damage.
All day the Cats prowled about us - we shot down several -but all around us the seas are empty of shipping and worth while targets.
We are eager to attack noumea - but it has no shipping, yamaguchi declares that he will not engage "blunt his rapier" on airfields.
So today we turn north again, the immediate mission canceled
As far as i can tell we have lost a CA damaged, and 2 DDs sunk for no effect.
very depressing.
Maybe we will fade away, and come back again.
In China we here that some sort of breakthrough may have happened, and that another chinese army is under heavy pressure in the north.
Not knowing the country at all, it is very hard to form a picture, I get the feeling both sides think they are winning..
many pilots in the ready room for so many days -we are very restless.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: frustration
9/8/42
We continue to retire.
At about 10 AM a report of 3 CAs in Espirito.
A massive strike is launched, the decks become incredibly busy.
Almost immediately , as the second Kate crawls forward something horrible happens, its undercart suddenly folds up, and the plane crashes onto its belly, sliding to within a foot of the decks lip.
Fire erupts, and frantic action occurs.
Although no one is hurt, it takes 22 agonising minutes to clear the deck.
Kaga, and myself do not launch.
Akagi also holds fire.
In the end we might have been better off, 6 kate are lost, 32 damaged by terrible flak over Espirito -and the 3 CAs turn out to be 3 pt boats.
The frustration levels are now extreme - give us a target!
At dusk, sensing I think our terribly hurt honour, yamaguchi makes a pipe.
We will refuel, and try again.
We continue to retire.
At about 10 AM a report of 3 CAs in Espirito.
A massive strike is launched, the decks become incredibly busy.
Almost immediately , as the second Kate crawls forward something horrible happens, its undercart suddenly folds up, and the plane crashes onto its belly, sliding to within a foot of the decks lip.
Fire erupts, and frantic action occurs.
Although no one is hurt, it takes 22 agonising minutes to clear the deck.
Kaga, and myself do not launch.
Akagi also holds fire.
In the end we might have been better off, 6 kate are lost, 32 damaged by terrible flak over Espirito -and the 3 CAs turn out to be 3 pt boats.
The frustration levels are now extreme - give us a target!
At dusk, sensing I think our terribly hurt honour, yamaguchi makes a pipe.
We will refuel, and try again.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
retirement
10/8/42
The fleet appears to be making a general withdrawal
Another day of refuelling
All day our CAP plays act and mouse with enemy catalinas.
I finish my last assignment today, as an Ensign my promotion is now due.
Im rather surprised that it has not been a battlefield one!
The fleet appears to be making a general withdrawal
Another day of refuelling
All day our CAP plays act and mouse with enemy catalinas.
I finish my last assignment today, as an Ensign my promotion is now due.
Im rather surprised that it has not been a battlefield one!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: retirement
11/8/42
we sucked the tankers dry today.
yamaguchi is still waiting for bad weather -but the enemy recon is just on us like a leach.
todaythe BBC is full of news about heavy fighting in china -we have broken through at some place in the central front -and are advancing towards Kweing quickly.
Stiring news indeed.
The ready room is distinctly un attractive today -this is worse than prison, except in prison you do not run the risk of being drowned.
Over the TDS we listened to allied bombers attacking buna today -those tough fellows at rabual will deal with them!
we sucked the tankers dry today.
yamaguchi is still waiting for bad weather -but the enemy recon is just on us like a leach.
todaythe BBC is full of news about heavy fighting in china -we have broken through at some place in the central front -and are advancing towards Kweing quickly.
Stiring news indeed.
The ready room is distinctly un attractive today -this is worse than prison, except in prison you do not run the risk of being drowned.
Over the TDS we listened to allied bombers attacking buna today -those tough fellows at rabual will deal with them!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
12/8/42
Another catalina shot down today -but they persist
another raid reported over buna, and the BBC again reports heavy fighting North of AKYAB
This is puzzling -did the enemy not take this place?
Maybe we have cut them off?
Ships in the middle of the ocean are no good for getting a clear picture of the war.
today the last of the fresh vegetables ran out, the rice gets plainer every day now.
we play cards endlessly today, 500 is the game.
another raid reported over buna, and the BBC again reports heavy fighting North of AKYAB
This is puzzling -did the enemy not take this place?
Maybe we have cut them off?
Ships in the middle of the ocean are no good for getting a clear picture of the war.
today the last of the fresh vegetables ran out, the rice gets plainer every day now.
we play cards endlessly today, 500 is the game.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
convoy cover
Well at least we know what we are here for today -a large convoy is at Ndini -we are its long conver
the enmy boldly attacked rangoon today -enemy ships attacked transports in the harbour -sinking 2
For the 1st time in days no enemy were observed following us, this eases the tension somewhat.
reports filter in today that the enemy is trying something desperate in PNG
They have many troops trapped on the kokoda track -today they captured dobadura with a small party of sub transported men
very strange, and we do not have a clue what they are up too..
The enemy remains aggressive -but not in this ocean -it is totally clear of enemy shipping.
the enmy boldly attacked rangoon today -enemy ships attacked transports in the harbour -sinking 2
For the 1st time in days no enemy were observed following us, this eases the tension somewhat.
reports filter in today that the enemy is trying something desperate in PNG
They have many troops trapped on the kokoda track -today they captured dobadura with a small party of sub transported men
very strange, and we do not have a clue what they are up too..
The enemy remains aggressive -but not in this ocean -it is totally clear of enemy shipping.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: convoy cover
14/8/42
yamaguchi turns our fleet for Truk, this entire op is a bust.
deep gloom in the operations room
So much fuel burnt for so little results.
yamaguchi turns our fleet for Truk, this entire op is a bust.
deep gloom in the operations room
So much fuel burnt for so little results.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: convoy cover
we stand down today -and we sleep, and sleep
the fleet retires towards truk.
the fleet retires towards truk.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt