16/8/42
now that the war for us has lost its edge, we again try to find out what is happening in the outside world.
news is always hard to come by, but it is amazing how "the buzz" can travel down the corridors of this old ship, almost as quickly as the smell of the galley can -especially when the menu includes dumplings.
there is of course little to actually do while in the ready room -unless of course one plays cards, or chess, or like i recently finished one had a million assignments to do.
now that i am finished, i have actively engaged in many of the discussions on tactics and strategy that occupy our lives.
the mighty battlewagon -the yammato - sailing so majestically with us is a good example.
the conversations on her use that we have!
Many here -even despite the string of victories we have had in this war -still argue that the carrier is so vulnerable.
i agree -to a point -but you have to get into range first!
today we had a good donny brooke of an argument -we recieved a combat report of a battle in Akyab waters.
the situation there is very interesting, the allied army is cut off 9in our view) although Im sure the troops north of Akyab feel that it is them cut off.
again Im glad Im not infantry
we are obviously trying to starve the place -and the enemy is using his carriers to deny us -big air battles over the base today
the army oscar does not appear to be much good
the army claims one enemy carrier burning and sunk - the illustrious -but I looked her up in the intelligence brief -her armour probably is a bit too strong for the water balloons the army calls bombs.
i gain a bit of comfort with the thought of all the armour this old girl carries.
In china the fighting continues -the enemy flees tlowards Kweiyang
Good news there.
We pass lunga, still retiring north and rest at truk.
Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: convoy cover
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
promotion
17/8/42
I write with mixed feelings today
At 0800 I became a SBLT, no more gun room for me -i now enter the wardroom.
Mixed feelings, on one hand I feel i have deserved this promotion, on the other, I do not -especially since I have yet to really contribute to the war in serious battle.
Never mind.
There will be a celebration tonight.
promotion or not, i will remain close to my black gang friends below.
an interesting day.
met Lt sato in the ready room today, he smiled when he let me look at some sighting reports just recieved.
Although I hardly seem to know him, he seems to like me, and increasingly he lets me in on the intelligence that this ship recieves every day.
I think it has a bit to do with our joint attitude to this war.
last year in China, we both got drunk together after one of our missions over canton -I was a pure rookie then.
We both contemplated war against america -and both agreed it was very foolish to consider a victory likely.
despite all the territory we hold, all our real power seems to rest on these few ships, and our shoulders..
So, today some news, there is heavy fighting at dobadura -the B17s and B24s fly over the stanley rangesalmost daily.
In China the enemy attacks towards Chenting, and we attack towards Homan, and continue to advance towards Kwieang.
More disturbing -a full squadron of zeros was shot down in China today -rookies running into the AVG
But what made Sato really smile was the sheaf of submarine reports from the waters around noumea -the rats are scurrying back...
Maybe next time
I write with mixed feelings today
At 0800 I became a SBLT, no more gun room for me -i now enter the wardroom.
Mixed feelings, on one hand I feel i have deserved this promotion, on the other, I do not -especially since I have yet to really contribute to the war in serious battle.
Never mind.
There will be a celebration tonight.
promotion or not, i will remain close to my black gang friends below.
an interesting day.
met Lt sato in the ready room today, he smiled when he let me look at some sighting reports just recieved.
Although I hardly seem to know him, he seems to like me, and increasingly he lets me in on the intelligence that this ship recieves every day.
I think it has a bit to do with our joint attitude to this war.
last year in China, we both got drunk together after one of our missions over canton -I was a pure rookie then.
We both contemplated war against america -and both agreed it was very foolish to consider a victory likely.
despite all the territory we hold, all our real power seems to rest on these few ships, and our shoulders..
So, today some news, there is heavy fighting at dobadura -the B17s and B24s fly over the stanley rangesalmost daily.
In China the enemy attacks towards Chenting, and we attack towards Homan, and continue to advance towards Kwieang.
More disturbing -a full squadron of zeros was shot down in China today -rookies running into the AVG
But what made Sato really smile was the sheaf of submarine reports from the waters around noumea -the rats are scurrying back...
Maybe next time
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: promotion
18/8/42
2 days and we arrive at truk -and leave I hope again
rumours abound -we may be rotating some squadrons off the ship, and going south to relieve some of the Port moresby squadrons.
I suspect we will be training bomber crews on the hapless kokoda track troops
battles reported on the kokoda track -the enmy tried to break out, defeated heavily at dobadura and on the track.
heavy air battles over akyab - the army claims a heavy cruiser damaged by its bombers
maybe a period of shore time wont be too bad.
2 days and we arrive at truk -and leave I hope again
rumours abound -we may be rotating some squadrons off the ship, and going south to relieve some of the Port moresby squadrons.
I suspect we will be training bomber crews on the hapless kokoda track troops
battles reported on the kokoda track -the enmy tried to break out, defeated heavily at dobadura and on the track.
heavy air battles over akyab - the army claims a heavy cruiser damaged by its bombers
maybe a period of shore time wont be too bad.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: promotion
19/8/42
truk tomorrow
A very busy day today onboard, as new billets are organised, we are going to be recieving new planes and men tomorrow, all recently from Lae -so experienced men.
The empty bunks are going to be filled again.
A very large rumour that we are going to be detached for a special op continues.
Lt sato is not pleased, despite the lack of action on that cruise , we need a rest, need to re organise, not travel half way around the globe.
But ours is not to wonder why!
The enemy B17 and liberators attacked Gilli Gilli today, China fighting seems to be dying down again.
me -a few drinks to celebrate my promotion are ging to be very welcome tomorrow.
truk tomorrow
A very busy day today onboard, as new billets are organised, we are going to be recieving new planes and men tomorrow, all recently from Lae -so experienced men.
The empty bunks are going to be filled again.
A very large rumour that we are going to be detached for a special op continues.
Lt sato is not pleased, despite the lack of action on that cruise , we need a rest, need to re organise, not travel half way around the globe.
But ours is not to wonder why!
The enemy B17 and liberators attacked Gilli Gilli today, China fighting seems to be dying down again.
me -a few drinks to celebrate my promotion are ging to be very welcome tomorrow.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Angry and exhuasted
20/8/42
dawn, and the speakers blare -all pilots to the ready room.
Lt sato is there -grim faced.
The news is not good.
The enemy will not come to battle here in the pacific, but is heavily engaged in burma. Thus will strike a sharp blow against him there.
the news unfolds almost un believably before our eyes -never, never have i left a ready room with a stomach knotted like this.
After a month of no flying, i am headed towards burma -1st stop kendari
Kendari!!!
The zero squadrons are departing, the Vals are going to Lae -I guessed partially right -training combat missions for them.
Our lucky kate pilots grin, they will remain onboard.
Within the hr, as the sun began to rise, and with Truk a grey smudge on the horizon we launch, 200 plus zeros.
Lt sato leads.
we settle down, and begin the job of squeezing every last drop of fuel from our fighters.
It has been so long, the launch was poor, far too much rudder, and i find myself snatching at the controls.
but after a while the feeling settles back, and I begin my favorite trick for these flights -tucking in as tightly as i can to masuyama's wing tip, and sticking there.
As the ocean slides endlessly below us we poke tongues at other, and make rude gestures.
the flight goes on and on, and ones back and arse become stiff and numb.
land -Biak -and several squadrons peel off, we plow on.
sorong, ambonia, and the sun is already getting low as the celebes begin to come into view.
a simple description, but how can one convey the stress of the navigation -the worry of crossing so many miles of empty ocean and jungle
To die in battle i can accept -to be killed by a mechanical failure is intolerable.
we are lucky, the weather at kendari is clear.
we land, heavens, to open the canopy, to stiffly remove ourselves from the cockpit
Ones legs literally tremble when one walks to the small facilities here
Dust, dust and more dust.
Nobody expected us -and we arrived totally by surprise, imagine if we were B17's!
never met such a feeling of complacency at a base -how different to rabual.
the night will be a nightmare -we will be sleeping under our planes wings tonight.
i am just grateful to be here -we did lose one pilot, a fellow I never knew enroute -no one knows where he went
Tomorrow we accept replacements -rookies all.
supplies and food at least are plentiful in this part of the empire.
Lt sato will decide tomorrow if we continue.
if it rains tonight I will be very annoyed.
dawn, and the speakers blare -all pilots to the ready room.
Lt sato is there -grim faced.
The news is not good.
The enemy will not come to battle here in the pacific, but is heavily engaged in burma. Thus will strike a sharp blow against him there.
the news unfolds almost un believably before our eyes -never, never have i left a ready room with a stomach knotted like this.
After a month of no flying, i am headed towards burma -1st stop kendari
Kendari!!!
The zero squadrons are departing, the Vals are going to Lae -I guessed partially right -training combat missions for them.
Our lucky kate pilots grin, they will remain onboard.
Within the hr, as the sun began to rise, and with Truk a grey smudge on the horizon we launch, 200 plus zeros.
Lt sato leads.
we settle down, and begin the job of squeezing every last drop of fuel from our fighters.
It has been so long, the launch was poor, far too much rudder, and i find myself snatching at the controls.
but after a while the feeling settles back, and I begin my favorite trick for these flights -tucking in as tightly as i can to masuyama's wing tip, and sticking there.
As the ocean slides endlessly below us we poke tongues at other, and make rude gestures.
the flight goes on and on, and ones back and arse become stiff and numb.
land -Biak -and several squadrons peel off, we plow on.
sorong, ambonia, and the sun is already getting low as the celebes begin to come into view.
a simple description, but how can one convey the stress of the navigation -the worry of crossing so many miles of empty ocean and jungle
To die in battle i can accept -to be killed by a mechanical failure is intolerable.
we are lucky, the weather at kendari is clear.
we land, heavens, to open the canopy, to stiffly remove ourselves from the cockpit
Ones legs literally tremble when one walks to the small facilities here
Dust, dust and more dust.
Nobody expected us -and we arrived totally by surprise, imagine if we were B17's!
never met such a feeling of complacency at a base -how different to rabual.
the night will be a nightmare -we will be sleeping under our planes wings tonight.
i am just grateful to be here -we did lose one pilot, a fellow I never knew enroute -no one knows where he went
Tomorrow we accept replacements -rookies all.
supplies and food at least are plentiful in this part of the empire.
Lt sato will decide tomorrow if we continue.
if it rains tonight I will be very annoyed.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Angry and exhuasted
hmmm.. you took the squadrons off? .. Will the airfields follow? [:D]
Surface combat TF fanboy
replacemants
21/8/42
Now at 112 CV landings and 2590 hrs.
We remain at kendari -it did rain and I am annoyed , and its still raining
Fortunately the army comes to the rescue, we have comfortable billets in some old colonial building for the night, rattly old trucks are used to transport us through the still shattered town.
During the day today more zeros fly in, pilots recently blooded over Lae.
these fine fellows are distributed amongst our units, bringing us all up to full strength again -a welcome addition of experienced men, not rookies as we feared might happen.
We will try for singapore tomorrow -another tremendous flight.
I am welcome of the rain today, still so sore and still pretty tired.
Good radio reception here -the news unfortunately not too good, the British fleet has delivered what appears to be a stinging blow to our navy near akyab -sinking 3 DDs, and damaging others.
the news from China is still good -fighting around Homan.
tomorrow we fly again.
I bet the Kaga is feeling empty now.
Now at 112 CV landings and 2590 hrs.
We remain at kendari -it did rain and I am annoyed , and its still raining
Fortunately the army comes to the rescue, we have comfortable billets in some old colonial building for the night, rattly old trucks are used to transport us through the still shattered town.
During the day today more zeros fly in, pilots recently blooded over Lae.
these fine fellows are distributed amongst our units, bringing us all up to full strength again -a welcome addition of experienced men, not rookies as we feared might happen.
We will try for singapore tomorrow -another tremendous flight.
I am welcome of the rain today, still so sore and still pretty tired.
Good radio reception here -the news unfortunately not too good, the British fleet has delivered what appears to be a stinging blow to our navy near akyab -sinking 3 DDs, and damaging others.
the news from China is still good -fighting around Homan.
tomorrow we fly again.
I bet the Kaga is feeling empty now.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: replacemants
my log book now shows 2594 hrs, and again i am exhuasted
how much jungle is there in the world?, borneo seemed to be just endless jungle
The squadrons have dispersed somewhat, we are at some piddling little field called Miri.
the stay at Kendari had a downside, both Kasai and masuyama, our top ace , fell sick at kendari.
Quite a few pilots remained behind, planes iether not available, or the men ill.
sagara and myself again are glad to be here safe, this long range flying still worries me.
how much jungle is there in the world?, borneo seemed to be just endless jungle
The squadrons have dispersed somewhat, we are at some piddling little field called Miri.
the stay at Kendari had a downside, both Kasai and masuyama, our top ace , fell sick at kendari.
Quite a few pilots remained behind, planes iether not available, or the men ill.
sagara and myself again are glad to be here safe, this long range flying still worries me.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: replacemants
23/8/42
thunderstorms here and at our destinations keep us at the rough field of Miri.
At lunch time Kasai and Masuyama flew in, stomach bug now OK.
having a bad case of wind at 25000 feet is nothing to dismiss.
No news at this little hole today.
For something to do we commandeered a old Ford, and motored to the fellows at the refinery, thought a look at the reason for this war would be worth it.
It was not.
so we motored back into the village, and managed a meal of Chilli Crab -absolutely delightful meal.
Actually it was hard to imagine a war going on today.
thunderstorms here and at our destinations keep us at the rough field of Miri.
At lunch time Kasai and Masuyama flew in, stomach bug now OK.
having a bad case of wind at 25000 feet is nothing to dismiss.
No news at this little hole today.
For something to do we commandeered a old Ford, and motored to the fellows at the refinery, thought a look at the reason for this war would be worth it.
It was not.
so we motored back into the village, and managed a meal of Chilli Crab -absolutely delightful meal.
Actually it was hard to imagine a war going on today.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
made it!!!
24/8/42
made it to raheang
here pleasantly surprised -a nice sized field, very well supported.
many, many fighters here, and quite a few Army bombers
these guys seem to be very good - the notion of torpedoe attack is not strange to them iether -some having already tangled with the british fleet.
maybe this trip may be worth it.
27 nells are at this base -and these guys make me smile -the BB Prince of Wales and Repulse already in their bags
We go into briefing almost immediately -the enemy is pounding mandalaby -cover for a supply run into Akyab.
All planes will attack ASAP -weather permitting
I will definately fly the next mission -at last -all planes are assigned to attack, the field can be more easily repared than a enemy ship or our bomber crews
I sleep well tonight -the base has a great mess, good food, a proper support arrangement.
Almost as good as the Kaga.
made it to raheang
here pleasantly surprised -a nice sized field, very well supported.
many, many fighters here, and quite a few Army bombers
these guys seem to be very good - the notion of torpedoe attack is not strange to them iether -some having already tangled with the british fleet.
maybe this trip may be worth it.
27 nells are at this base -and these guys make me smile -the BB Prince of Wales and Repulse already in their bags
We go into briefing almost immediately -the enemy is pounding mandalaby -cover for a supply run into Akyab.
All planes will attack ASAP -weather permitting
I will definately fly the next mission -at last -all planes are assigned to attack, the field can be more easily repared than a enemy ship or our bomber crews
I sleep well tonight -the base has a great mess, good food, a proper support arrangement.
Almost as good as the Kaga.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: made it!!!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, one of the most (if not just the most) enjoyable AAR's on this forum. Great format which really gives a different point of view.
Surface combat TF fanboy
RE: GRounded -still
26/8/42
Another day on the ground -at full alert -but the weather never lifts here.
rangoon does strike at Akyab.
The difference between our navakl pilots and the land based ones is eveident.
Only 3 naval pilots reported lost at rangoon today -27 others lost.
A savage day is reported over Akyab
104 zeros , 30 oscars escorted 11 sally and 62 helens, met 7 spits and 43 P40e
the reports are we lost 30 zero, 12 oscars, but only 1 helen, shooting down 25 confirmed P40e and 5 spitfires
the enemy ships were hit -
A CL, the emerald 3 bombs, 1 torp
dd express -1 bomb (maybe 2)
dd napier -1 torp
and 2 AKs hit -one exploding
The losses give us pause -the zero,it seems is starting to be matched.
tomorrow we will have our turn, please weather, let me have my turn.
The entire Chinese front is reported ablaze.
3 of our divisions march north towards Akyab
Now I know why we are here- the enemy is trapped at Akyab -he is to be crushed
Another day on the ground -at full alert -but the weather never lifts here.
rangoon does strike at Akyab.
The difference between our navakl pilots and the land based ones is eveident.
Only 3 naval pilots reported lost at rangoon today -27 others lost.
A savage day is reported over Akyab
104 zeros , 30 oscars escorted 11 sally and 62 helens, met 7 spits and 43 P40e
the reports are we lost 30 zero, 12 oscars, but only 1 helen, shooting down 25 confirmed P40e and 5 spitfires
the enemy ships were hit -
A CL, the emerald 3 bombs, 1 torp
dd express -1 bomb (maybe 2)
dd napier -1 torp
and 2 AKs hit -one exploding
The losses give us pause -the zero,it seems is starting to be matched.
tomorrow we will have our turn, please weather, let me have my turn.
The entire Chinese front is reported ablaze.
3 of our divisions march north towards Akyab
Now I know why we are here- the enemy is trapped at Akyab -he is to be crushed
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Blooded.
Im still shaking.
Its not much, just a steady trembling in the limbs, a tightness in the chest.
On the outside i still look the same, but inside, well im changed now.
first off Kasai is dead - he never had a chance to display his skill in aerial combat, and i think this is what has got too me the most -no matter how skillful you are, the sheer brutallity of war can simply claim you.
we lost 5 men as well as him today, our unit has been terribly hit.
The day dawned dark and threatening -again I thought we would not fly.
the briefing was confused, i still think that the orders had become confused somewhere down the line, some think we took this mission due to our known skill.
Im not so sure.
just after 9 we took off -82 zeros escorting 27 nell for Chandapur -a port on the Indian coast.
Slung under our planes we all -yes, we all carried a 60 KG bomb.
The flight was bad -heavy cloud, rain , and I admit it, alone we would never have found the target, but the Nells knew the way.
Somewhere we lost some of the fellows, as we approached the coast only 15 nells were with us.
We attacked -screaming into the attack at 200 feet.
on the horizon a line of grey shapes -enemy ships -spitting death at us.
you cannot manouvre at this height, especially with a bomb slung to your belly.
I saw the P 40's long before many others did -but lt sato was adamant -we must hit the target.
2 000 yrds to go -already i briefly saw the flash of a torpedoe hitting a shape ahead -but like lightening they were upon us -P 40's -some dozen or so of them.
I side slipped, tracer wildly flinging over me, and he was past.
A flash to my right -someone going in, other flashes.
Flak -god -how shocking it is up close.
kasai simply explodes -struk sqaure by something heavy.
A looming shape -a desperate sideslip turn -500 yards
I barrel role,desperate to throw of the flak, and pull the release, spraying the target.
Its the CL Sumutra -and as i pull away i see her burning -did I hit her.
I think so
less than i minute from sighting to leaving.
I breathe again
We reform -we have lost planes -yet the ships behind us reveal towers of smoke.
the flight home is grim -and the debrief seems to go on and on.
later -LT sato joins me on the veranda.
we share a beer for kasai -another good man lost.
Only Masuyama, Sagara and myself left now
Our intelligence officer states we hit the CA devenshire with one torp, the CL sumutra with 2 bombs, CL glascow with a torp, and the CA Maurituas with a bomb
he is pleased, 2 cruisers crippled for only 16 aircraft lost.
tell that to kasai - whos body will never return home.
Its not much, just a steady trembling in the limbs, a tightness in the chest.
On the outside i still look the same, but inside, well im changed now.
first off Kasai is dead - he never had a chance to display his skill in aerial combat, and i think this is what has got too me the most -no matter how skillful you are, the sheer brutallity of war can simply claim you.
we lost 5 men as well as him today, our unit has been terribly hit.
The day dawned dark and threatening -again I thought we would not fly.
the briefing was confused, i still think that the orders had become confused somewhere down the line, some think we took this mission due to our known skill.
Im not so sure.
just after 9 we took off -82 zeros escorting 27 nell for Chandapur -a port on the Indian coast.
Slung under our planes we all -yes, we all carried a 60 KG bomb.
The flight was bad -heavy cloud, rain , and I admit it, alone we would never have found the target, but the Nells knew the way.
Somewhere we lost some of the fellows, as we approached the coast only 15 nells were with us.
We attacked -screaming into the attack at 200 feet.
on the horizon a line of grey shapes -enemy ships -spitting death at us.
you cannot manouvre at this height, especially with a bomb slung to your belly.
I saw the P 40's long before many others did -but lt sato was adamant -we must hit the target.
2 000 yrds to go -already i briefly saw the flash of a torpedoe hitting a shape ahead -but like lightening they were upon us -P 40's -some dozen or so of them.
I side slipped, tracer wildly flinging over me, and he was past.
A flash to my right -someone going in, other flashes.
Flak -god -how shocking it is up close.
kasai simply explodes -struk sqaure by something heavy.
A looming shape -a desperate sideslip turn -500 yards
I barrel role,desperate to throw of the flak, and pull the release, spraying the target.
Its the CL Sumutra -and as i pull away i see her burning -did I hit her.
I think so
less than i minute from sighting to leaving.
I breathe again
We reform -we have lost planes -yet the ships behind us reveal towers of smoke.
the flight home is grim -and the debrief seems to go on and on.
later -LT sato joins me on the veranda.
we share a beer for kasai -another good man lost.
Only Masuyama, Sagara and myself left now
Our intelligence officer states we hit the CA devenshire with one torp, the CL sumutra with 2 bombs, CL glascow with a torp, and the CA Maurituas with a bomb
he is pleased, 2 cruisers crippled for only 16 aircraft lost.
tell that to kasai - whos body will never return home.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
28/8/42
reinforcements flew into the field today, experienced men again.
we were rested today, and probably a mistake too.
A very very heavy raid is reported to have penetrated the thunderstorms and hit our nieghbors at rangoon, many planes damaged and destroyed.
but i really do not care.
today has been a frantic and frustrating day of trying to assemble some kit.
Zeros do not carry much luggage!
Besides this , my shaving kit and some spare socks i posses currently no other possessions in the world, what i wear is what I have.
hardly satisfactory affairs for an Imperial officer of lofty sub leutenant rank!
the news from the world is heavy fighting continues in china, our para troops landing for a surprise attack at sian
Also..
No time to finish - we are off -follow me says LT sato -Hopefully finish this soon...
We are in Wuhan, china!.
This place is 6 feet thick with dust!
we were rested today, and probably a mistake too.
A very very heavy raid is reported to have penetrated the thunderstorms and hit our nieghbors at rangoon, many planes damaged and destroyed.
but i really do not care.
today has been a frantic and frustrating day of trying to assemble some kit.
Zeros do not carry much luggage!
Besides this , my shaving kit and some spare socks i posses currently no other possessions in the world, what i wear is what I have.
hardly satisfactory affairs for an Imperial officer of lofty sub leutenant rank!
the news from the world is heavy fighting continues in china, our para troops landing for a surprise attack at sian
Also..
No time to finish - we are off -follow me says LT sato -Hopefully finish this soon...
We are in Wuhan, china!.
This place is 6 feet thick with dust!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: 28/8/42
29/8/42
2612 hrs
We are now in a huge field at Wuhan, china.
massive field, many, many squadrons are here, all covered in a thin film of dust.
I will plainly express that we are not happy, this magical mystery tour of the world seems to be for ill effect.
My plane is recieving a much needed engine change out today, as are many others in our units.
My back is again killing me
I watch the activities of the field from yet another ready hut -amaxing how no matter where you fly in the world, ready huts all feel the same.
Crummy coffee - or tea, magazines that have passed through a million hands, flys and the smell of mustiness.
Oscars fly off every 30 minutes -big business to the north at sian -where the sky is apparently black with those brave dakato fellows.
the enemy loves throwing them to the wolves.
Heavy bombers arrive in the afternoon.
the briefing this time is a good one.
Fighting at some place to the north east -Homan , is going very badly for us -we are to change this, escorting the bombers tomorrow.
Our opposition is expected to be large numbers of hurricanes -a general engagement is expected.
We have been given a hunting license tomorrow, others to look after the bombers.
more replacements today, raw recruits.
I feel sorry for them
i miss the still on the kaga, wonder what she is doing?, the rest of the war seems to be very , very quiet.
2612 hrs
We are now in a huge field at Wuhan, china.
massive field, many, many squadrons are here, all covered in a thin film of dust.
I will plainly express that we are not happy, this magical mystery tour of the world seems to be for ill effect.
My plane is recieving a much needed engine change out today, as are many others in our units.
My back is again killing me
I watch the activities of the field from yet another ready hut -amaxing how no matter where you fly in the world, ready huts all feel the same.
Crummy coffee - or tea, magazines that have passed through a million hands, flys and the smell of mustiness.
Oscars fly off every 30 minutes -big business to the north at sian -where the sky is apparently black with those brave dakato fellows.
the enemy loves throwing them to the wolves.
Heavy bombers arrive in the afternoon.
the briefing this time is a good one.
Fighting at some place to the north east -Homan , is going very badly for us -we are to change this, escorting the bombers tomorrow.
Our opposition is expected to be large numbers of hurricanes -a general engagement is expected.
We have been given a hunting license tomorrow, others to look after the bombers.
more replacements today, raw recruits.
I feel sorry for them
i miss the still on the kaga, wonder what she is doing?, the rest of the war seems to be very , very quiet.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: 28/8/42
Still same day, a post script
LT sato spoke to us half an hour ago -he is aware that we feel we have been used poorly
he made an announcement
today the enemy attempted to run a convoy into Akyab -and our planes hit several ships, our companions of E-ii unit scoring very heavily.
Our presence has helped disperse the enemy air, allowing such a success
Now we must help here -clear the enemy air.
then -OH Magic! -a week at Kagoshima is looking good!!!!
Home!
could this really happen?
LT sato spoke to us half an hour ago -he is aware that we feel we have been used poorly
he made an announcement
today the enemy attempted to run a convoy into Akyab -and our planes hit several ships, our companions of E-ii unit scoring very heavily.
Our presence has helped disperse the enemy air, allowing such a success
Now we must help here -clear the enemy air.
then -OH Magic! -a week at Kagoshima is looking good!!!!
Home!
could this really happen?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
In combat
30/8/42
Air to air combat at last.
Over 100 of us took of today, our unit -A11-1 leading the pack, as we escorted 50 odd bombers to Homan
LT sato spotted the enemy CAP 1st - hurricanes -dead ahead, only 7 of them.
Our unit charged dead ahead into them, and again the speed of aerial combat astounds me.
I never had even a chance to lock onto a victim, before the sky was clear of enemy planes.
PO Masuyama was shot down -reports are though that he bailed out successfully, we hope to see him tomorrow.
An exciting day
After the attack on the shipping last week, my nerves are a lot better.
I now will just trust to skill and fate.
This evening was quiet, tomorrow we will remain on scramble alert.
more enemy ships reported hit at Akyab today in the news -the army reports a successful debut of a Tony unit -their new army fighter.
Im settling in slowly here -managed to get some bedding even today.
Air to air combat at last.
Over 100 of us took of today, our unit -A11-1 leading the pack, as we escorted 50 odd bombers to Homan
LT sato spotted the enemy CAP 1st - hurricanes -dead ahead, only 7 of them.
Our unit charged dead ahead into them, and again the speed of aerial combat astounds me.
I never had even a chance to lock onto a victim, before the sky was clear of enemy planes.
PO Masuyama was shot down -reports are though that he bailed out successfully, we hope to see him tomorrow.
An exciting day
After the attack on the shipping last week, my nerves are a lot better.
I now will just trust to skill and fate.
This evening was quiet, tomorrow we will remain on scramble alert.
more enemy ships reported hit at Akyab today in the news -the army reports a successful debut of a Tony unit -their new army fighter.
Im settling in slowly here -managed to get some bedding even today.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: In combat
A week at Kagoshima huh? I hope Hanamato enjoys his leave if he gets it!
I agree with String. This is one of the best AARs out there, love the format, keep it up!
I agree with String. This is one of the best AARs out there, love the format, keep it up!
RE: In combat
Spent all of today in the ready room, amazing how this place is so similar to kaga's ready room -the same smell, the same dog tagged magazines -the same stink.
Spent the day listening to the BBC -having English as a second language is very handy -not a skill I am eager to advertise in case the intelligence fellows snaffle me and I get taken off flying.
Very bad news today in Burma -it seems the Zuiho val pilots were destroyed over Akyab -the war in the air has turned sour there.
LT Sato and myself, with sagara, the last of our little band, discuss the last whirl wind weeks -we all agree this experiment to leave the carriers did more harm than good.
I feel we may be headed back soon.
Watched 63 oscars take off for a sweep over Homan today -they return all of them triumphant -many enemy planes -chinese mainly destroyed.
Its 2 pm - and we are off again!
A11-1 is ordered to KAGOSHIMA !!!!!
We go home -maybe for just 2 days -but we go home!!!!
Spent the day listening to the BBC -having English as a second language is very handy -not a skill I am eager to advertise in case the intelligence fellows snaffle me and I get taken off flying.
Very bad news today in Burma -it seems the Zuiho val pilots were destroyed over Akyab -the war in the air has turned sour there.
LT Sato and myself, with sagara, the last of our little band, discuss the last whirl wind weeks -we all agree this experiment to leave the carriers did more harm than good.
I feel we may be headed back soon.
Watched 63 oscars take off for a sweep over Homan today -they return all of them triumphant -many enemy planes -chinese mainly destroyed.
Its 2 pm - and we are off again!
A11-1 is ordered to KAGOSHIMA !!!!!
We go home -maybe for just 2 days -but we go home!!!!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt