9/10/43
Amongst the pilots at Rabual, there is little sleep this night.
Too many men are facing mortality. But equal numbers too –are seeking to fight.
This is a clean fight –man on man –fighter on fighter, gladiator against gladiator.
The press are here –even a movie crew – High Command wants all of Japan to know that its bushido warriors fight here.
Despite yesterdays losses, morale is still high – many of the pilots shot down yesterday have returned in dribs and drabs –all with tales to tell.
The Navy is paying back the debt it owes with valiant service in the harbour and the surrounds –no pilot has had to swim for long.
The day will dawn bright, clear and hot. No clouds here today.
Rabual will shake to the beat of many engines well before dawn, and Nakamura again leads as many fighters he can into the soft yellow dawn light.
They climb – a steady climb, the fighters circling rabual in a great circle – spreading out, 36 Tigers only today, and already beginning to string out across the sky.
Above, well above, launched almost an hour earlier, the swallows circle, they glint occasionally in the sun..
The Tigers are passing through 19000 feet when the P38’s attack –40 odd twinned tailed devils –doing what they do best –diving in from the heavens.
Its telling who see’s them first, Juni, Nakamura, Shiramaya – the guys who have racked up the kills –they all simultaneously give the warning, and the Sentais turn into the attack.
The 38’s, some blinding silver, others dark green, crash into the Japanese formation, and fighters scatter, guns hammer, engines scream, and two tigers explode, pieces scattering all over the sky.
The 38’s begin the pull up –and the Tonies, the swallows, strike.
No rookies these –these pilots are good, very, very good.
Never give a sucker an even chance………….
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 P38’s go down -shattered in the counter attack, and the swallows continue the dive, fuel done, ammunition done .
Nakamura is, as always breathing hard – fighter pilot is a young mans game –already he is sweat soaked, limbs aching, mouth dry.
He levels out, glances at the tumbling brocken 38’s, at the remaining sharks climbing again into the sun……..
“All sentai on me!”
He wheels into a turn, begins to circle –never taking eyes of the fighters climbing away above. The Tojo can climb, climb brilliantly –but the 38 is better.
Fighters begin to join him, and the circle grows, each man protecting the tail of the next.
The engine roars. The world vibrates. Sweat flows. And eyes squint as they pierce the sun, seeking the devils now so far above.
Fuel?, ammo?.
Fuel already 50%, his guns are full, but many are not………
“85th, 87th- anyone needing ammo, break for home –47th, we will cover. I think this is going to be a long day”
The acknowledgments come in, and a dozen fighters peel away, begin to circle lower, and lower, seeking the nest, seeking sustenance.
The 38’s dive into the attack again.
A dozen or so break into the circle, and the mad dance begins – I bag you, you bag my mate, my other mate bags you, and the world gets very, very busy.
It’s the other fighters that do the damage –they break the patteren they have followed for so long –they dive –and keep on diving –seeking those unable to fight.
Tigers begin to fall – and yells for he;p fill the air.
Nakamura can only curse.
Juni, as ever now, is still on his wing –they break down hard, a spiraling spinning break – a desperate dive.
A 38 follows them, and both break again, Nakamura to the left, Juni to the right –scissors – the 38 blasts through between them ----- is expected to blast between, but it knows this trap too well, it barrel rolls, and breaks even harder away.
Fighters are falling, and the sky is now a scattered mess of individual fights – and then, as so often happens, its suddenly all over, and the fighters begin to return.
Juni pulls up hard, and his crew race out, one man up the wing – canteen in hand.
Two others race to the guns, the great belts heavy on his shoulders.
2 more scramble the hose into the tank, struggle with the dolly and drums.
Nothing can be said, or heard over the engines great beat, the propeller blows the dust hard.
All over the field, the picture is being repeated.
To his left – Nakamura is scribbling some sort of note –he hands it to a crewman, the note comes to him. “report from HQ –enemy carriers still to south. We must get higher!”
The crewman taps him on the shoulder – he is ready.
A glance around –other fighters are rising again back into the air, 3 in formation roar past, climbing hard.
He slams the throttle, and races down the strip, begins to climb hard.
A blazing mass fills his screen, flashes past, he bursts through the smoke, a gun is hammering behind him – and gear still down or not, at a mere 500 feet, he slams stick and rudder, standing her on her wingtip, wings vertical to the sky –and the p38 snarls behind and past him –still firing, still hitting the second of the 3 tojo –and it joins the first in a blazing trail into the harbour.
He keeps her on its tip –sinking, sinking into his seat, the G forces crushing him –the gear lever is so, so heavy, he gets her around, flashing across the field –and some idiot is shooting at HIM, and suddenly, genuinely frightened, he swings her hard the other way, out over the jungle, and around and behind the mountain of rabual.
What a trucking way to make a living…………
12 Tojos down today
No kills
The Tonies score those 5
47th lose 4 men, 5 planes.
There will be no time for funerals.
The fight will continue.
herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
At last -coming into service!
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big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
10/10/43
Hosho is tired
Its been a frantic few days. Soerabaya, Dilli, Kendari
Was Tanaka making progress?. There certaintly had been enough pilots to talk to – Hosho has a fair idea where the bulk of Japans forces are lurking now.
He’d even caught glimpses of battleships – looking a little tattered –but still menacing.
Kendari - a party.
Some GM2 pilots had snuck into Broome harbour last night –and slotted a cruiser –a brave and well executed mission. Drinks all round.
Broome harbour -apparently – was stuffed with ships –as some one suggested – drop a torpedo anywhere near there and it had to hit something.
Still, Hosho has to admire the skill shown.
By now Hosho has started to work Tanaka out –is this coup he plans really for the “Empire” –or was it really to satisfy a revenge for a career cut short?.
Or a mixture of both?
Whatever –both reasons are dangerous enough.
Kendari has another surprise.
A signal for Tanaka
Congratulations on your new command
Battleship Yamato
Report to combined Fleet Tokyo –immediate.
Hosho can only whistle at the news. Then a thought strikes him –one probably racing through tanaka’s mind as well.
Its hard to stir up trouble from the bridge of the flagship –especially with the commander in chief only feet away…………….
Hosho is tired
Its been a frantic few days. Soerabaya, Dilli, Kendari
Was Tanaka making progress?. There certaintly had been enough pilots to talk to – Hosho has a fair idea where the bulk of Japans forces are lurking now.
He’d even caught glimpses of battleships – looking a little tattered –but still menacing.
Kendari - a party.
Some GM2 pilots had snuck into Broome harbour last night –and slotted a cruiser –a brave and well executed mission. Drinks all round.
Broome harbour -apparently – was stuffed with ships –as some one suggested – drop a torpedo anywhere near there and it had to hit something.
Still, Hosho has to admire the skill shown.
By now Hosho has started to work Tanaka out –is this coup he plans really for the “Empire” –or was it really to satisfy a revenge for a career cut short?.
Or a mixture of both?
Whatever –both reasons are dangerous enough.
Kendari has another surprise.
A signal for Tanaka
Congratulations on your new command
Battleship Yamato
Report to combined Fleet Tokyo –immediate.
Hosho can only whistle at the news. Then a thought strikes him –one probably racing through tanaka’s mind as well.
Its hard to stir up trouble from the bridge of the flagship –especially with the commander in chief only feet away…………….
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
10/10/43
Some battles victory –and defeat, come quickly.
Some , the decision comes unexpectantly.
But most battles the decision takes time to reveal itself –often the battle is well decided long before the combatants know it themselves.
So it is today over Rabual
Nakamura begins the day with just 33 Tigers, 21 Swallows, and 11 zeros available – pilots a plenty, planes are a problem –the ground crews simply cannot keep them in the air.
Nakamura cannot put them all up at once – that is madness –with Shortlands operating, carriers stalking –he must try for a continuous defense.
The Allies go for continuous attack.
No massed formations today –just packets of planes rising, fighting, the survivors returning, rising again.
It starts well – 47th leading the way taking down a British hellcat, then the 63rd takes another.
The snarl of engines is faint overhead –and the thousands watching on the ground can only guess who kills who as the long black trails begin to show the dead as they plummet into the sea.
Half an hour later, the first real numbers of hellcats arrive – and now the fight is all over the sky – within 30 minutes, half a dozen tigers are down
By nine Am, the battle seems to die down a bit, and 47th come in to refuel.
A single hellcat races across the field at 500 feet – is he the one who almost got Juni last time? –and he enters the circuit from the opposite direction – attacking head on the Tojos turning into finals, or flaring out.
He takes down five –4 pan caking to ruin, one flipping, stalling, plunging into the very center of the strip.
The Japanese are now no longer fighting, they won’t admit that –now they are in survival mode –and as the numbers decrease –and the Allies increase –the pressure begins to tell.
At midday, 25 P38 sweep in –and now the fight becomes a hunt
The helldivers arrive –and the corsairs – now manned by far better pilots than when they debuted – take revenge –the helldivers need no real escort – by now a mere 8 tigers remain in the air……………..
Mid afternoon –and now the horror begins –the heavy bombers come thundering in –smoke from the burning victims of the helldivers slows them not at all..
Rabual takes a hammering – the first real bombing of the war.
Another wave –and they leave the now usual allied calling card –a tower of smoke, fat, black, wide.
A sign post to Japans future……….
Juni gets shot down.
It’s a terrible fight – a never ending parade of fighters shooting at him, endless avoiding the attacks, futile climbs, desperate rolls, hurried, desperate snap shots.
Too many. Too good. Too fast.
Maybe its exhaustion. Maybe its despair. He goes left and up –when he should have gone down and hard right.
The Corsair only hits with two cannon shells –one throws the entire engine out -the second passes straight through the instrument panel –adding to the engines destruction.
He is sprayed with shrapnel, glass –then oil, hot, hot oil.
Blinded, screaming in pain and shock –and anger, there is nothing for it – he almost lets her throw him clear –, away from the shattering noise and chaos.
Blinded he almost by instinct pulls the rip cord – and mercifully it works.
He is hurt –he knows it –and when the ocean rises up to smash him –there is very little resistance…………
From
HQ South east Fleet
To
8th Area Army
In light of Navy withdrawal of all remaining shipping, Rabual – consider it prudent to with draw your Air forces to positions as advised.
Navy thanks you for your co operation.
Losses Rabual today
18 tigers various Sentais – 2 tony
7 enemy claimed
47th sentai – now 15 planes left available –30 pilots
Juni also listed as WIA
47th, and other remnants have retired to Admiralties.
However –the fight is not finished –Japan will try to strike back!
Some battles victory –and defeat, come quickly.
Some , the decision comes unexpectantly.
But most battles the decision takes time to reveal itself –often the battle is well decided long before the combatants know it themselves.
So it is today over Rabual
Nakamura begins the day with just 33 Tigers, 21 Swallows, and 11 zeros available – pilots a plenty, planes are a problem –the ground crews simply cannot keep them in the air.
Nakamura cannot put them all up at once – that is madness –with Shortlands operating, carriers stalking –he must try for a continuous defense.
The Allies go for continuous attack.
No massed formations today –just packets of planes rising, fighting, the survivors returning, rising again.
It starts well – 47th leading the way taking down a British hellcat, then the 63rd takes another.
The snarl of engines is faint overhead –and the thousands watching on the ground can only guess who kills who as the long black trails begin to show the dead as they plummet into the sea.
Half an hour later, the first real numbers of hellcats arrive – and now the fight is all over the sky – within 30 minutes, half a dozen tigers are down
By nine Am, the battle seems to die down a bit, and 47th come in to refuel.
A single hellcat races across the field at 500 feet – is he the one who almost got Juni last time? –and he enters the circuit from the opposite direction – attacking head on the Tojos turning into finals, or flaring out.
He takes down five –4 pan caking to ruin, one flipping, stalling, plunging into the very center of the strip.
The Japanese are now no longer fighting, they won’t admit that –now they are in survival mode –and as the numbers decrease –and the Allies increase –the pressure begins to tell.
At midday, 25 P38 sweep in –and now the fight becomes a hunt
The helldivers arrive –and the corsairs – now manned by far better pilots than when they debuted – take revenge –the helldivers need no real escort – by now a mere 8 tigers remain in the air……………..
Mid afternoon –and now the horror begins –the heavy bombers come thundering in –smoke from the burning victims of the helldivers slows them not at all..
Rabual takes a hammering – the first real bombing of the war.
Another wave –and they leave the now usual allied calling card –a tower of smoke, fat, black, wide.
A sign post to Japans future……….
Juni gets shot down.
It’s a terrible fight – a never ending parade of fighters shooting at him, endless avoiding the attacks, futile climbs, desperate rolls, hurried, desperate snap shots.
Too many. Too good. Too fast.
Maybe its exhaustion. Maybe its despair. He goes left and up –when he should have gone down and hard right.
The Corsair only hits with two cannon shells –one throws the entire engine out -the second passes straight through the instrument panel –adding to the engines destruction.
He is sprayed with shrapnel, glass –then oil, hot, hot oil.
Blinded, screaming in pain and shock –and anger, there is nothing for it – he almost lets her throw him clear –, away from the shattering noise and chaos.
Blinded he almost by instinct pulls the rip cord – and mercifully it works.
He is hurt –he knows it –and when the ocean rises up to smash him –there is very little resistance…………
From
HQ South east Fleet
To
8th Area Army
In light of Navy withdrawal of all remaining shipping, Rabual – consider it prudent to with draw your Air forces to positions as advised.
Navy thanks you for your co operation.
Losses Rabual today
18 tigers various Sentais – 2 tony
7 enemy claimed
47th sentai – now 15 planes left available –30 pilots
Juni also listed as WIA
47th, and other remnants have retired to Admiralties.
However –the fight is not finished –Japan will try to strike back!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
11/10/43
In the Autumn
The great mountain roars
Tears in our eyes
12/10/43
Wolamie
47th sentai awaits its final refugees to escape the dragons maw.
85th sentai is down to 10 men. 87th, 15
Some how 47th can still muster 30 –but most are relying on transports to get here.
Planes are few –and unlikely to be received here in the middle of no where
Juni has the most terrifying flight of his life – eyes bandaged, blind –he has to endure the torture of sitting in the hold of a seaplane –a Mavis –as it skirts the multiple hazards of an evacuation from rabual.
Terrifying, to fly as a passenger, worse, flying blind.
Knowing Miyazuki shares his flight is some comfort –he will look after him, he knows this.
He is told he will recover –given time.
If he gets home to Japan.
Japan. Home. Now there is a thought. But will he be welcomed, or scorned –a defeated man?
That is true terror in Japan in late 43.
In the Autumn
The great mountain roars
Tears in our eyes
12/10/43
Wolamie
47th sentai awaits its final refugees to escape the dragons maw.
85th sentai is down to 10 men. 87th, 15
Some how 47th can still muster 30 –but most are relying on transports to get here.
Planes are few –and unlikely to be received here in the middle of no where
Juni has the most terrifying flight of his life – eyes bandaged, blind –he has to endure the torture of sitting in the hold of a seaplane –a Mavis –as it skirts the multiple hazards of an evacuation from rabual.
Terrifying, to fly as a passenger, worse, flying blind.
Knowing Miyazuki shares his flight is some comfort –he will look after him, he knows this.
He is told he will recover –given time.
If he gets home to Japan.
Japan. Home. Now there is a thought. But will he be welcomed, or scorned –a defeated man?
That is true terror in Japan in late 43.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
From Imperial HQ
to
Combined Fleet
Initiate SHO GO 1
to
Combined Fleet
Initiate SHO GO 1
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
13/10/43
Just eleven men remain from the 85th. Roughly the same from the 87th.
15 grim unhappy men alight from a transport -47th are still at full strength pilot wise.
A big fat transport sits in the lagoon - and a very welcome sight greets Nakamura - shiny new fuselages are being unloaded, and there appears every chance of rebuilding the units in numbers -if not in spirit.
Along with the fat transport, a half dozen transport planes fly in -and unload a blessing -and a curse -literally dozens of fuzz faced youngsters -uniforms frighteningly fresh -Japans so called trained fighter reserve.
Nakamura grits his teeth -alright -he has trained before -he will train again.
First, most importantly, rebuilding moral. There are too many men with hang dog faces here, too many men with out direction.
He moves towards the HQ of the 87th -Col Kobuki -who has taken this so hard -it is unspoken, but known -some of the men here only live because they ran away..........
He will restore this mans honour first........
He enters the office -and faces carnage
Col Kobuki lies dead, hunched over on the floor -his entrails spilling -the sword still in his stiffening hand.
Col Noguchi stands over him, ashen faced -the pistol at his temple.
"Our shame is too much............"
Nakamura freezes , he speaks, coldly, calmly......." Colonel Nogubichi -I absolutely order you to live -lower that pistol immediately!"
"We ran away. We do not deserve to serve the empire." tears begin to flow -"Col Noguchi has honour......"
"Col Noguchi has honour yes - but he cannot fly a plane for me now -fly or fight -all he can do now -is rot!"
'But...."
"better planes , more planes. We will have new planes soon. Now stop this foolishness, put down that gun!"
"I'm sorry Sir - we ran away.."
The shot is flat, the results terrible.
Nakamura stares at his dead friends. 'You stupid barsteds.'
he leaves the office, strides to the mess of the 87th.
A dozen men are playing desolutory cards, many bottles are scattered about
"LT Anabuki ! -'
A thin, thin man -stands -he carries the air of a veteran -a veteran who does not care anymore.....
'You are promoted to Major -commander of the 87th! -I want a training program on my desk 0600 hours tomorrow!"
He jabs a finger brutally at the others
'there is a cowardly mess in the HQ -clean it up!"
Just eleven men remain from the 85th. Roughly the same from the 87th.
15 grim unhappy men alight from a transport -47th are still at full strength pilot wise.
A big fat transport sits in the lagoon - and a very welcome sight greets Nakamura - shiny new fuselages are being unloaded, and there appears every chance of rebuilding the units in numbers -if not in spirit.
Along with the fat transport, a half dozen transport planes fly in -and unload a blessing -and a curse -literally dozens of fuzz faced youngsters -uniforms frighteningly fresh -Japans so called trained fighter reserve.
Nakamura grits his teeth -alright -he has trained before -he will train again.
First, most importantly, rebuilding moral. There are too many men with hang dog faces here, too many men with out direction.
He moves towards the HQ of the 87th -Col Kobuki -who has taken this so hard -it is unspoken, but known -some of the men here only live because they ran away..........
He will restore this mans honour first........
He enters the office -and faces carnage
Col Kobuki lies dead, hunched over on the floor -his entrails spilling -the sword still in his stiffening hand.
Col Noguchi stands over him, ashen faced -the pistol at his temple.
"Our shame is too much............"
Nakamura freezes , he speaks, coldly, calmly......." Colonel Nogubichi -I absolutely order you to live -lower that pistol immediately!"
"We ran away. We do not deserve to serve the empire." tears begin to flow -"Col Noguchi has honour......"
"Col Noguchi has honour yes - but he cannot fly a plane for me now -fly or fight -all he can do now -is rot!"
'But...."
"better planes , more planes. We will have new planes soon. Now stop this foolishness, put down that gun!"
"I'm sorry Sir - we ran away.."
The shot is flat, the results terrible.
Nakamura stares at his dead friends. 'You stupid barsteds.'
he leaves the office, strides to the mess of the 87th.
A dozen men are playing desolutory cards, many bottles are scattered about
"LT Anabuki ! -'
A thin, thin man -stands -he carries the air of a veteran -a veteran who does not care anymore.....
'You are promoted to Major -commander of the 87th! -I want a training program on my desk 0600 hours tomorrow!"
He jabs a finger brutally at the others
'there is a cowardly mess in the HQ -clean it up!"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
The enemy have returned to majuro
Just 2 regiments -expecting to find little opposition.
They are right -but what remains fights hard -and the battle rahes into its second day.
For the Army men -a moment passes that will sear them to the day they die.
A row of bunkers -a wide, cleared area in front, swept by machine guns.
The artillery pounds down, plowing the earth, tearing the bunkers apart
And disinterning the thousands of bodies left behind from the last failed invasion.
Japan took no prisoners.....................
Just 2 regiments -expecting to find little opposition.
They are right -but what remains fights hard -and the battle rahes into its second day.
For the Army men -a moment passes that will sear them to the day they die.
A row of bunkers -a wide, cleared area in front, swept by machine guns.
The artillery pounds down, plowing the earth, tearing the bunkers apart
And disinterning the thousands of bodies left behind from the last failed invasion.
Japan took no prisoners.....................
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Mr Iwaya is drunk
Its been a day he never thought would come.
CV Taiho commissions
The new fighter, the N1k shinden, completes deck qualifications on the same ship
And the last carrier, the Ikoma -commissions tomorrow.
He has done as the empire has asked.
Forged a mighty sword
Now to shatter the allies with it.
Its been a day he never thought would come.
CV Taiho commissions
The new fighter, the N1k shinden, completes deck qualifications on the same ship
And the last carrier, the Ikoma -commissions tomorrow.
He has done as the empire has asked.
Forged a mighty sword
Now to shatter the allies with it.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
13/10/43
Miyazuki, Juni have bothreached siapan
Juni -burns to face, eyelids -will make full recovery -in time
Miyazuki - also will fully recover -both are headed to a naval hospital Hiroshima
(I have no idea how long before the game gives them back)
Miyazuki, Juni have bothreached siapan
Juni -burns to face, eyelids -will make full recovery -in time
Miyazuki - also will fully recover -both are headed to a naval hospital Hiroshima
(I have no idea how long before the game gives them back)
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
14/10/43
Nakamura leads 15 tigers North, once again they are headed to manilla -once again the sentais will have to rebuild.
Flying is easy today - a large number of transports are accompanying them, some carrying spares, many personal who escaped from Rabual
The war is -for the moment -receeding behind them.
Nakamura holds the stick with his usual softness.
But his whole arm is shook by tremors -a strange feeling.......................
Nakamura leads 15 tigers North, once again they are headed to manilla -once again the sentais will have to rebuild.
Flying is easy today - a large number of transports are accompanying them, some carrying spares, many personal who escaped from Rabual
The war is -for the moment -receeding behind them.
Nakamura holds the stick with his usual softness.
But his whole arm is shook by tremors -a strange feeling.......................
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Extract from Shattering the Sword, A Cantona Production
The fighting at Majuro moved to inevitable climax.
There would be no mercy, could be no mercy.The crime unearhted at majuro infected every man there with an indivisable rage, a rage that as the word spread, passed to the fleet, and swiftly made its way home...........
To now, the Americans had been fighting for, for what -freedom?, democracy ?.But the news, and soon, the photos, of those trenches full of marine dead, gave the great giant something far, far easier to understand...........
As one, a great people unite, and sets itself to the task at hand..............
The fighting at Majuro moved to inevitable climax.
There would be no mercy, could be no mercy.The crime unearhted at majuro infected every man there with an indivisable rage, a rage that as the word spread, passed to the fleet, and swiftly made its way home...........
To now, the Americans had been fighting for, for what -freedom?, democracy ?.But the news, and soon, the photos, of those trenches full of marine dead, gave the great giant something far, far easier to understand...........
As one, a great people unite, and sets itself to the task at hand..............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Mr Iwaya faces Yamamoto.
The great ship is raising its anchor -and the last boat awaits his departure -but he must know, must know the truth
"They murdered all of them?" he can barely comprehend it......
Yamamoto sadly nods -"I knew nothing of it"
"Then, we are doomed"
The great Admiral nods his assent " Even if SHO Go 1 is a success - it willl only delay the inevitable..."
"What a mess"
"What will you do now Iwaya?"
He has to consider -"And this order -it came?"
The Admiral spreads his hands -a gesture -who knows?- "We can guess friend -we live in dangerous times" The Admiral smiles -gestures at the fleet about him " I think I would prefer to face the Americans"
Iwaya laughs "me too"
Iwaya watches the last ship sail, sliding into the mist.
His friend goes to war, the last great hope of Japan.
He will not dally - Mr Iwaya is a practical man, time to begin planning for the unthinkable
The great ship is raising its anchor -and the last boat awaits his departure -but he must know, must know the truth
"They murdered all of them?" he can barely comprehend it......
Yamamoto sadly nods -"I knew nothing of it"
"Then, we are doomed"
The great Admiral nods his assent " Even if SHO Go 1 is a success - it willl only delay the inevitable..."
"What a mess"
"What will you do now Iwaya?"
He has to consider -"And this order -it came?"
The Admiral spreads his hands -a gesture -who knows?- "We can guess friend -we live in dangerous times" The Admiral smiles -gestures at the fleet about him " I think I would prefer to face the Americans"
Iwaya laughs "me too"
Iwaya watches the last ship sail, sliding into the mist.
His friend goes to war, the last great hope of Japan.
He will not dally - Mr Iwaya is a practical man, time to begin planning for the unthinkable
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Captain Tama is asleep in his bunk -exhausted from no sleep in 72 hrs - the time this troop run has taken to get into rabual, and away.
With the base clear, and Yubari cleaving the water at 32 knots, Truk due tomorrow, he can safely hand the wheel to the ex.
Mercifully -the first torpedoe kills him instantly -better than the slow horrible death of drowning, trapped in the shattered forward half of the cruiser -where the next two torpedoes strike - killing so many.
Yubari simply plows into the ocean, gone in a minute.
The Navy continues to pay the price of "leave no man behind"
With the base clear, and Yubari cleaving the water at 32 knots, Truk due tomorrow, he can safely hand the wheel to the ex.
Mercifully -the first torpedoe kills him instantly -better than the slow horrible death of drowning, trapped in the shattered forward half of the cruiser -where the next two torpedoes strike - killing so many.
Yubari simply plows into the ocean, gone in a minute.
The Navy continues to pay the price of "leave no man behind"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
15/10/43
The remains of Nakamura's command begin to arrive in Davao
They land, they eat, they find somewhere to fling themselves down.
They sleep.
Sleep brings release from the nightmares that chase many of them............
Tanaka arrives by floatplane alongside the mighty Yamato.
The ships size, is well -daunting.
The formation she sails in -stunning.
Almost in a daze, he is lead up, and up, and up - up to her fighting bridge.
ADM Yamamoto awaits him.
They step out to the observation deck -
'Welcome aboard Tanaka" the voice is flat, level -the eyes, piercing, searching.
"Thankyou Admiral" careful, cautious. The cat approaches the mouse. But who is the mouse?, or are they both just the cheese?
"A good tour of the empire?"
So, he knows that much
"yes -it was.............enlightening" the words hang in the air
'Hmmph"
Yamamoto stares forward. below, ants line up - men at exercise. God, how big was this ship?
"This ship -this whole squadron is yours Tanaka - if"........
"Sir?"
"If I am sure the man who commands it would do anything -and I mean anything" -the eyes search him again -and yes, they are as one " to defend Japan, her people, her way of life"
"I have always put Japan first Admiral"
There is a silence for a while, the Admiral again stares out at the formation around them.
"After your last loss , many, including myself, felt that you should never be given Command again. I have changed my mind. I need a man who will never hesitate to attack - attack his enemies, Japans enemies -and fight to the death."
Tanaka remains silent.
"We have many enemies Tanaka -not all of them are white. But one enemy at a time"
So, we agree. Good
The Admiral has made his decision, for better, for worse. "This is a mighty warship Tanaka, and you are in charge of Japans spear. I intend to deliver you to the heart of the enemy. When you get there -tear it out"
The remains of Nakamura's command begin to arrive in Davao
They land, they eat, they find somewhere to fling themselves down.
They sleep.
Sleep brings release from the nightmares that chase many of them............
Tanaka arrives by floatplane alongside the mighty Yamato.
The ships size, is well -daunting.
The formation she sails in -stunning.
Almost in a daze, he is lead up, and up, and up - up to her fighting bridge.
ADM Yamamoto awaits him.
They step out to the observation deck -
'Welcome aboard Tanaka" the voice is flat, level -the eyes, piercing, searching.
"Thankyou Admiral" careful, cautious. The cat approaches the mouse. But who is the mouse?, or are they both just the cheese?
"A good tour of the empire?"
So, he knows that much
"yes -it was.............enlightening" the words hang in the air
'Hmmph"
Yamamoto stares forward. below, ants line up - men at exercise. God, how big was this ship?
"This ship -this whole squadron is yours Tanaka - if"........
"Sir?"
"If I am sure the man who commands it would do anything -and I mean anything" -the eyes search him again -and yes, they are as one " to defend Japan, her people, her way of life"
"I have always put Japan first Admiral"
There is a silence for a while, the Admiral again stares out at the formation around them.
"After your last loss , many, including myself, felt that you should never be given Command again. I have changed my mind. I need a man who will never hesitate to attack - attack his enemies, Japans enemies -and fight to the death."
Tanaka remains silent.
"We have many enemies Tanaka -not all of them are white. But one enemy at a time"
So, we agree. Good
The Admiral has made his decision, for better, for worse. "This is a mighty warship Tanaka, and you are in charge of Japans spear. I intend to deliver you to the heart of the enemy. When you get there -tear it out"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Hosho awaits his passengers on the broad strip at Siapan.
Tanaka is gone, gone to the fleet, but his staff remain. A staff more detirmined than ever to do their duty. There is a vast number in Japan today, who simply cannot understand the rage America feels over Majuro - is it not the dutyu of a warrior to die?, that one who surrenders should not only expect death -but demand it?
Is there no shame in them, surrendering?
The Dictator was correct - there could be no other choice - besides, how do you feed 10000 men on an atoll -deep in enemy territory?
This is war - war to the death.
But Hosho's passengers know there is more to this. A giant is aroused in rightous anger against them - a giant that will never negotiate a settlement -not while herbiesan lives, not while that evil breathes.
So they probe, they argue, they gain support. They risk their lives.
The "tour of Japans munition situation", continues
Tanaka is gone, gone to the fleet, but his staff remain. A staff more detirmined than ever to do their duty. There is a vast number in Japan today, who simply cannot understand the rage America feels over Majuro - is it not the dutyu of a warrior to die?, that one who surrenders should not only expect death -but demand it?
Is there no shame in them, surrendering?
The Dictator was correct - there could be no other choice - besides, how do you feed 10000 men on an atoll -deep in enemy territory?
This is war - war to the death.
But Hosho's passengers know there is more to this. A giant is aroused in rightous anger against them - a giant that will never negotiate a settlement -not while herbiesan lives, not while that evil breathes.
So they probe, they argue, they gain support. They risk their lives.
The "tour of Japans munition situation", continues
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
16/10/43
47th sentai arrive Clarke field.
Nakamura orders a standdown -his command is spread over 1000 miles -he will, needs to wait until it has straggled in.
Miyazuki, Juni arrive Hiroshima hospital.
Juni has the bandages removed -he will recover -he will be uglier than ever -but mercifully, he will still be able to see.
Miyazuki settles into his cot right alongside. This could be a good place. Clean sheets. Food. And nurses. Did we mention the nurses?
Really -did we mention the nurses?
47th sentai arrive Clarke field.
Nakamura orders a standdown -his command is spread over 1000 miles -he will, needs to wait until it has straggled in.
Miyazuki, Juni arrive Hiroshima hospital.
Juni has the bandages removed -he will recover -he will be uglier than ever -but mercifully, he will still be able to see.
Miyazuki settles into his cot right alongside. This could be a good place. Clean sheets. Food. And nurses. Did we mention the nurses?
Really -did we mention the nurses?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Midnight
Akagi's bridge
Captain Hara stands beside Nagumo.
Around them, the watch is changing, shadows in the red light. Outside the phosphorous gleams as the great ships steadily cleave their way south.
"latest intelligence estimate Admiral"
'Ahhh-the latest guess captain -lets see, 16 carriers, 32 battleships, a 1000 planes destroyed yesterday I presume?"
Hara smiles in the dark. Nagumo is in fine fettle. His confidence, already sky high climbs just a little more
"hardly sir - but what we have is pretty solid"
'Lets have it"
The enemy task force south of Rabual is withdrawing -prepatory to further offensives - Kavieng deemed likely target, or Gassmatta"
Nagumo snorts -"which would be ideal for us"
"Yes sir -ideal"
"Strength?"
Hara refers to the report -'This is pretty solid sir -Enemy identified so far - CV Bunker Hill, 4 CVL, the british CV, several minor CVE, CVL -but 2 more CV may soon rejoin the fleet - Essex should be back online sir"
Nagumo nods. 'The sooner we engage with the enemy -the better. It will be all or nothing Hara -all or nothing"
Akagi's bridge
Captain Hara stands beside Nagumo.
Around them, the watch is changing, shadows in the red light. Outside the phosphorous gleams as the great ships steadily cleave their way south.
"latest intelligence estimate Admiral"
'Ahhh-the latest guess captain -lets see, 16 carriers, 32 battleships, a 1000 planes destroyed yesterday I presume?"
Hara smiles in the dark. Nagumo is in fine fettle. His confidence, already sky high climbs just a little more
"hardly sir - but what we have is pretty solid"
'Lets have it"
The enemy task force south of Rabual is withdrawing -prepatory to further offensives - Kavieng deemed likely target, or Gassmatta"
Nagumo snorts -"which would be ideal for us"
"Yes sir -ideal"
"Strength?"
Hara refers to the report -'This is pretty solid sir -Enemy identified so far - CV Bunker Hill, 4 CVL, the british CV, several minor CVE, CVL -but 2 more CV may soon rejoin the fleet - Essex should be back online sir"
Nagumo nods. 'The sooner we engage with the enemy -the better. It will be all or nothing Hara -all or nothing"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Seamen Agarshi, Shimto are on watch below.
Ryujo's machinery is a pig -obstinate, smelly, always ready to bite the unwary.
But tonight, it produces steady revolutions, and they can spend the watch easily. It has been a long, long time since they have sailed -and many of the crew are sea sick -still finding sea legs.
Our pair of Stokers smile at the others misfortune, and think of the mornings breakfast.
They have seen the fleet about them -going below holds no fear tonight - no submarine is going to get to them tonight through this lot............
Extract from Shattering the Sword, a Cantona production.
And so, finally, the navy begins it move
we must quickly examine the fleet, and the plan, to fully understand the battles that lie ahead.
Ahead, Admiral Yamaguchi -, 6 CVLs, the 2 CS, 2 heavy cruisers, 7 dds. The search, the spunge -Yamaguchi knows his job, find the enemy carriers, strike with all he has, and absorb the return strike.
60 miles behind, Nagumo -the original 6 carriers of KB, plus Taiho. Taiho will provide CAP with her NK1 fighters, the rest -will strike -much is expected from her experienced pilots.
Then, a further 60 miles behind, the second carrier task group - the 6 new Unryu class -Osawa has his orders - cover the Battleships, get them into striking range -and then strike.
All know these ships pilots lack skill, it is hoped that KB's pilots will have worn down the enemy sufficiently for them to be effective.
The battleships - Tanaka with the Yamato, her sister, Komatsu with the 3 kongo class, and the remaining cruisers.
And hurrying from the east - Juno, Hiyo, the little Hosho, 3cve -and the remaining battle line.
They would gather at Truk - and , to quote Oswa's diary - attack the first damn target that presents itself.
This was SHO GO 1.
Nothing complicated. Nothing eleborate. No evasion. No deception. Simply, find the enemy -and attack.
Ryujo's machinery is a pig -obstinate, smelly, always ready to bite the unwary.
But tonight, it produces steady revolutions, and they can spend the watch easily. It has been a long, long time since they have sailed -and many of the crew are sea sick -still finding sea legs.
Our pair of Stokers smile at the others misfortune, and think of the mornings breakfast.
They have seen the fleet about them -going below holds no fear tonight - no submarine is going to get to them tonight through this lot............
Extract from Shattering the Sword, a Cantona production.
And so, finally, the navy begins it move
we must quickly examine the fleet, and the plan, to fully understand the battles that lie ahead.
Ahead, Admiral Yamaguchi -, 6 CVLs, the 2 CS, 2 heavy cruisers, 7 dds. The search, the spunge -Yamaguchi knows his job, find the enemy carriers, strike with all he has, and absorb the return strike.
60 miles behind, Nagumo -the original 6 carriers of KB, plus Taiho. Taiho will provide CAP with her NK1 fighters, the rest -will strike -much is expected from her experienced pilots.
Then, a further 60 miles behind, the second carrier task group - the 6 new Unryu class -Osawa has his orders - cover the Battleships, get them into striking range -and then strike.
All know these ships pilots lack skill, it is hoped that KB's pilots will have worn down the enemy sufficiently for them to be effective.
The battleships - Tanaka with the Yamato, her sister, Komatsu with the 3 kongo class, and the remaining cruisers.
And hurrying from the east - Juno, Hiyo, the little Hosho, 3cve -and the remaining battle line.
They would gather at Truk - and , to quote Oswa's diary - attack the first damn target that presents itself.
This was SHO GO 1.
Nothing complicated. Nothing eleborate. No evasion. No deception. Simply, find the enemy -and attack.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Miyazuki is healing well -it will only be a few days and he will be discharged -probably to a reserve unit here in Hiroshima
Juni -a week, maybe more, the burns to his face need more time.
At the moment he looks quite heroic -head swathed in bandages -but finds it strangely embarressing.
The big embarressment comes after lunch- the nurses usher in a rather large school group of very young school children.
They line up in their sailor suits -and sing patriotic songs.
For a while -for juni -its painful, excruciating in fact.
A part of him feels that he shouldn't feel this way -that he should be smiling along with every one else -but something in him just won't allow it.
It feels -feels -so fake. They sing of victory, of steel eagles, of cherry blossoms, little sing song voices rising and falling.
What do they know of victory?
What does anyone here in Japan know of the war?
Its only when they are gone -all those small faces, that it strikes him.
He has seen what the liberators can do to a field. What of this city of wood and straw, bamboo and material?
So, it is a success this visit after all.
Juni knows now -maybe again, but definately now -what they are truly fighting for.........
Juni -a week, maybe more, the burns to his face need more time.
At the moment he looks quite heroic -head swathed in bandages -but finds it strangely embarressing.
The big embarressment comes after lunch- the nurses usher in a rather large school group of very young school children.
They line up in their sailor suits -and sing patriotic songs.
For a while -for juni -its painful, excruciating in fact.
A part of him feels that he shouldn't feel this way -that he should be smiling along with every one else -but something in him just won't allow it.
It feels -feels -so fake. They sing of victory, of steel eagles, of cherry blossoms, little sing song voices rising and falling.
What do they know of victory?
What does anyone here in Japan know of the war?
Its only when they are gone -all those small faces, that it strikes him.
He has seen what the liberators can do to a field. What of this city of wood and straw, bamboo and material?
So, it is a success this visit after all.
Juni knows now -maybe again, but definately now -what they are truly fighting for.........
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt