03 April 1942
DD Kasumi
Location: Kuching
Course: None
Damage: None
Orders: Await further orders
***
In the radio room, Tamon is able to tune into the short wave communications of the Japanese Army fighters operating out of Bandjermasin. It is obvious as he listens in that the Army fighters have the upper hand now as they report four enemy fighters and one enemy bomber shot down for no losses of their own. However, they failed to stop the bombers from arriving on target and crippling several cargo ships.
Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
04 April 1942
DD Kasumi
Location: Kuching
Course: None
Damage: None
Orders: Await further orders
***
Looking over to Fuso yet again, Tamon could tell the work would be finished soon. The battleship was sitting upright and was no longer low in the water. Tamon watched as the repair technicians welded more steel plates into place. Soon the gaping holes in the side of Fuso would be covered over, and the battleship would be capable of making the trip back to Japan.
In the radio room, a coded message was received from Combined Fleet Headquarters which read:
‘Fuso and escorts divert and proceed to Nagasaki when emergency repair complete.’
DD Kasumi
Location: Kuching
Course: None
Damage: None
Orders: Await further orders
***
Looking over to Fuso yet again, Tamon could tell the work would be finished soon. The battleship was sitting upright and was no longer low in the water. Tamon watched as the repair technicians welded more steel plates into place. Soon the gaping holes in the side of Fuso would be covered over, and the battleship would be capable of making the trip back to Japan.
In the radio room, a coded message was received from Combined Fleet Headquarters which read:
‘Fuso and escorts divert and proceed to Nagasaki when emergency repair complete.’
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
05 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 120 miles North East of Kuching
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
At 3 AM, the Fuso, Hibiki and Kasumi broke anchor and slipped out of the port at Kuching. Moving silently through the night, the three ship task force put a good distance behind them before the sun broke over the eastern horizon. Fuso was in no longer in danger of taking on water, but damage to her engine room and hull had severely crippled the battleship’s ability to make speed.
Captain Kinoshita of the Fuso was in overall command of the task force. Under his direction, the formation was adjusted so that Kasumi would take picket duty and sprint ahead of the Fuso and Hibiki to hunt for enemy submarines in their path. Kasumi would be assisted by Fuso’s remaining float planes, however the launching of those float planes was complicated due to Fuso’s catapult being damaged. Meanwhile, Hibiki was assigned to stay close to Fuso and prosecute any submarines that might get past Kasumi.
The task force was limited to 10 knots, the fastest speed Fuso could manage without risking further damage to the ship. The task force would stop over at Takao to refuel before continuing on to Nagasaki. However, the crews of the ships had only one thing to concentrate on for now, making it safely to Takao.
Later that morning in the radio room aboard Kasumi Tamon picked up a coded message from Imperial General Headquarters…
‘Commence Operation Firestorm.’
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 120 miles North East of Kuching
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
At 3 AM, the Fuso, Hibiki and Kasumi broke anchor and slipped out of the port at Kuching. Moving silently through the night, the three ship task force put a good distance behind them before the sun broke over the eastern horizon. Fuso was in no longer in danger of taking on water, but damage to her engine room and hull had severely crippled the battleship’s ability to make speed.
Captain Kinoshita of the Fuso was in overall command of the task force. Under his direction, the formation was adjusted so that Kasumi would take picket duty and sprint ahead of the Fuso and Hibiki to hunt for enemy submarines in their path. Kasumi would be assisted by Fuso’s remaining float planes, however the launching of those float planes was complicated due to Fuso’s catapult being damaged. Meanwhile, Hibiki was assigned to stay close to Fuso and prosecute any submarines that might get past Kasumi.
The task force was limited to 10 knots, the fastest speed Fuso could manage without risking further damage to the ship. The task force would stop over at Takao to refuel before continuing on to Nagasaki. However, the crews of the ships had only one thing to concentrate on for now, making it safely to Takao.
Later that morning in the radio room aboard Kasumi Tamon picked up a coded message from Imperial General Headquarters…
‘Commence Operation Firestorm.’
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
06 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 240 miles North East of Kuching
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
All morning Tamon had been receiving messages from ships of the Imperial Navy reporting they were formed up and awaiting orders. There were hundreds of such messages. Messages were sent from transports, tankers, escorts and even capital warships. Then in the early afternoon, the task forces began to report ‘under way’. Tamon counted messages from no fewer than 18 separate task forces. While he had no information on what ‘Operation Firestorm’ was, there was no doubt that the scope of the operation was huge.
And as if to punctuate the scope of the mission, both army and navy aircraft began to report in that they were formed up and inbound to their targets. Hours later, the same air groups would report victory after victory, claiming to have destroyed numerous allied aircraft both in the air and on the ground. It wasn’t until one of the bomber groups reported heavy damage to the air facilities at Batavia that Tamon understood what ‘Operation Firestorm’ was. The invasion of Java had begun…
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 240 miles North East of Kuching
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
All morning Tamon had been receiving messages from ships of the Imperial Navy reporting they were formed up and awaiting orders. There were hundreds of such messages. Messages were sent from transports, tankers, escorts and even capital warships. Then in the early afternoon, the task forces began to report ‘under way’. Tamon counted messages from no fewer than 18 separate task forces. While he had no information on what ‘Operation Firestorm’ was, there was no doubt that the scope of the operation was huge.
And as if to punctuate the scope of the mission, both army and navy aircraft began to report in that they were formed up and inbound to their targets. Hours later, the same air groups would report victory after victory, claiming to have destroyed numerous allied aircraft both in the air and on the ground. It wasn’t until one of the bomber groups reported heavy damage to the air facilities at Batavia that Tamon understood what ‘Operation Firestorm’ was. The invasion of Java had begun…
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
07 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 360 miles North East of Kuching
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
Tamon listened to another days worth of task forces getting underway, and heavy aerial bombardments of Dutch targets on Java. He also noted that two new army dive bomber groups had begun attacks on the ground units dug in at Palembang. The flurry of activity was becoming more difficult to track.
Meanwhile at Saigon…
Yoshiro Harada had never been so glad to be back on solid ground in his life. The trip from Osaka to Saigon had been horrible with poor accommodations and unending sea-sickness. And while he still felt awful, at least he was on solid, non-pitching ground.
If Yoshiro thought he would have time to over-come the last bit of motion sickness he was experiencing he was sorely mistaken. Less than an hour after setting foot on the pier he and the other replacements were quickly herded onto a troop train bound for Haiphong. He would report to the 4th Infantry Division prior to the units debarking for its next assault. If all went well, the replacements would arrive at Haiphong within the next 48 hours…
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 360 miles North East of Kuching
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
Tamon listened to another days worth of task forces getting underway, and heavy aerial bombardments of Dutch targets on Java. He also noted that two new army dive bomber groups had begun attacks on the ground units dug in at Palembang. The flurry of activity was becoming more difficult to track.
Meanwhile at Saigon…
Yoshiro Harada had never been so glad to be back on solid ground in his life. The trip from Osaka to Saigon had been horrible with poor accommodations and unending sea-sickness. And while he still felt awful, at least he was on solid, non-pitching ground.
If Yoshiro thought he would have time to over-come the last bit of motion sickness he was experiencing he was sorely mistaken. Less than an hour after setting foot on the pier he and the other replacements were quickly herded onto a troop train bound for Haiphong. He would report to the 4th Infantry Division prior to the units debarking for its next assault. If all went well, the replacements would arrive at Haiphong within the next 48 hours…
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
08 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 480 miles North East of Kuching
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
The day passed uneventfully. The transmissions from the ships of the task forces slowly came to and end the previous night as the ships went into radio silence for the duration of the voyage. Where exactly they would land, Tamon did not know. However, with the heavy aerial bombardment of all the major airfields on Java, the destination was abundantly clear. Tamon was pretty sure that the Dutch defenders could figure out what was about to happen as well, but the real question was could they stop it?
With the reduction of incoming messages, the usual banter returned to the radio room. Tamon had been in the navy long enough to know that stopping such conjecture was a futile mission, so he simply sought to control it and steer it in a more constructive direction. Perhaps it was better to allow the men some leniency in their discussions than to allow them to succumb to the boredom that often accompanied long escort missions…
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 480 miles North East of Kuching
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
The day passed uneventfully. The transmissions from the ships of the task forces slowly came to and end the previous night as the ships went into radio silence for the duration of the voyage. Where exactly they would land, Tamon did not know. However, with the heavy aerial bombardment of all the major airfields on Java, the destination was abundantly clear. Tamon was pretty sure that the Dutch defenders could figure out what was about to happen as well, but the real question was could they stop it?
With the reduction of incoming messages, the usual banter returned to the radio room. Tamon had been in the navy long enough to know that stopping such conjecture was a futile mission, so he simply sought to control it and steer it in a more constructive direction. Perhaps it was better to allow the men some leniency in their discussions than to allow them to succumb to the boredom that often accompanied long escort missions…
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
09 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 600 miles North East of Kuching
Course: East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
The short wave radio cracked to life…
‘Lieutenant Ohno of Fuso Patrol Chutai reporting shadow in water at North 8 degrees 12 minutes 15 seconds and West 115 degrees 0 minutes 37 seconds’
Tamon quickly reported the contact to the Captain Murakami. The contact was approximately 10 miles from their current location. Murakami ordered Kasumi to combat speed and moved to the contact location, but after two hours of searching was unable to turn up any submarine. Unable to find any trace of an enemy submarine, Kasumi returned to picket duty but with a definite tension among the crew…
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 600 miles North East of Kuching
Course: East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
The short wave radio cracked to life…
‘Lieutenant Ohno of Fuso Patrol Chutai reporting shadow in water at North 8 degrees 12 minutes 15 seconds and West 115 degrees 0 minutes 37 seconds’
Tamon quickly reported the contact to the Captain Murakami. The contact was approximately 10 miles from their current location. Murakami ordered Kasumi to combat speed and moved to the contact location, but after two hours of searching was unable to turn up any submarine. Unable to find any trace of an enemy submarine, Kasumi returned to picket duty but with a definite tension among the crew…
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
10 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 300 miles West of Bataan
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
“Sir, was it a submarine?” Arata asked.
“I don’t know Sugiyama,” Tamon replied. “It is possible that the pilot just saw a dark spot in the water or even a large whale. If it was a submarine it could be stalking us without us knowing as well. There are far too many variables and with Fuso unable to make top speed we are in a very dangerous situation.”
“Wouldn’t they have attacked by now though?”
“Not necessarily. They would want to put themselves in the best position to both sink Fuso and get away. We will know if we make contact with it again, or if we are attacked. And we could make it all the way to Takao without problem. That is why we must always remain vigilant on watch Sugiyama.”
Many officers would have been at best annoyed with Arata’s questions and many would have punished him for even asking, but not Tamon. Tamon knew that Arata was very green and he saw it as an opportunity to reinforce the need to carry out one’s duty with diligence. And maybe he just might learn something in the process…
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 300 miles West of Bataan
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
“Sir, was it a submarine?” Arata asked.
“I don’t know Sugiyama,” Tamon replied. “It is possible that the pilot just saw a dark spot in the water or even a large whale. If it was a submarine it could be stalking us without us knowing as well. There are far too many variables and with Fuso unable to make top speed we are in a very dangerous situation.”
“Wouldn’t they have attacked by now though?”
“Not necessarily. They would want to put themselves in the best position to both sink Fuso and get away. We will know if we make contact with it again, or if we are attacked. And we could make it all the way to Takao without problem. That is why we must always remain vigilant on watch Sugiyama.”
Many officers would have been at best annoyed with Arata’s questions and many would have punished him for even asking, but not Tamon. Tamon knew that Arata was very green and he saw it as an opportunity to reinforce the need to carry out one’s duty with diligence. And maybe he just might learn something in the process…
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
11 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 600 miles South West of Takao
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
No further contact were made overnight, and the crew began to relax, a little. Still they stayed very much alert for other submarines that might be lurking in the murky waters they travel. Even the men in the signals room seemed on edge.
Meanwhile, the short wave radio continued to pick up the aircraft as they attacked targets in Java.
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 600 miles South West of Takao
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
No further contact were made overnight, and the crew began to relax, a little. Still they stayed very much alert for other submarines that might be lurking in the murky waters they travel. Even the men in the signals room seemed on edge.
Meanwhile, the short wave radio continued to pick up the aircraft as they attacked targets in Java.
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
12 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 480 miles South West of Takao
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
At Haiphong…
The 4th Infantry Division had received it orders and was now loading onto the waiting troopships. The heavy equipment such as the howitzers and anti-tank guns were loaded first, followed by the lighter equipment and finally the men. The loading process would take several days before the task force would form up and move toward it’s objective.
Yoshiro would be one of the last soldiers to load aboard the troopship Hakozake Maru. He was not looking forward to it after the horrible experience he had on the Genoa Maru. Yoshiro was going to enjoy every last minute on firm ground that he could.
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 480 miles South West of Takao
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
At Haiphong…
The 4th Infantry Division had received it orders and was now loading onto the waiting troopships. The heavy equipment such as the howitzers and anti-tank guns were loaded first, followed by the lighter equipment and finally the men. The loading process would take several days before the task force would form up and move toward it’s objective.
Yoshiro would be one of the last soldiers to load aboard the troopship Hakozake Maru. He was not looking forward to it after the horrible experience he had on the Genoa Maru. Yoshiro was going to enjoy every last minute on firm ground that he could.
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
13 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 360 miles South West of Takao
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
The task force had been slowed to 9 kts over night. The strain on Fuso’s operational engines was proving to be too much and the big battleship was forced to slow or risk losing the engines entirely. This did not sit well with the officers or crews of any of the three ships in the task force, but there was nothing that could be done about it.
***
Excerpt from the Diary of Arata Sugiyama:
I was chosen for lookout duty again today. I kept seeing things that weren’t there. Maybe it’s from seeing the damage done to Fuso by torpedoes. I don’t want the ship to sink; I hear the sharks eat people.
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 360 miles South West of Takao
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
The task force had been slowed to 9 kts over night. The strain on Fuso’s operational engines was proving to be too much and the big battleship was forced to slow or risk losing the engines entirely. This did not sit well with the officers or crews of any of the three ships in the task force, but there was nothing that could be done about it.
***
Excerpt from the Diary of Arata Sugiyama:
I was chosen for lookout duty again today. I kept seeing things that weren’t there. Maybe it’s from seeing the damage done to Fuso by torpedoes. I don’t want the ship to sink; I hear the sharks eat people.
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
14 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 240 miles South West of Takao
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
Tamon managed to tune in the BBC..
***
“This is a BBC Radio News Report. Rear Admiral Lord Mountbatten appointed to Chief of Staff of Combined Operations with a seat on the British Chiefs of Staff Committee. The appointed was official made on March 18th. In this capacity…”
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 240 miles South West of Takao
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
Tamon managed to tune in the BBC..
***
“This is a BBC Radio News Report. Rear Admiral Lord Mountbatten appointed to Chief of Staff of Combined Operations with a seat on the British Chiefs of Staff Committee. The appointed was official made on March 18th. In this capacity…”
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
15 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 120 miles South West of Takao
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
Another day of edgy nerves and no submarine sightings..
***
“This is a Radio Tokyo News report. France. Pierre Laval has been named head of the new Vichy government. Laval replaces…”
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 120 miles South West of Takao
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
Another day of edgy nerves and no submarine sightings..
***
“This is a Radio Tokyo News report. France. Pierre Laval has been named head of the new Vichy government. Laval replaces…”
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
Bravo on this AAR, this writing style is brilliant. Let those westerners have it! [8D]
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
16 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: Takao
Course: None
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
The ships of the task force docked at the port at Takao and began taking on fuel. This took longer than normal due to the damage to Fuso, which complicated the securing of the fueling pipes. What would normally have taken half a day, took nearly 20 hours. It would be dark before the task force would once again be underway.
Tamon, Arata, Isamu and Hideyoshi had been called to the Captain’s Quarters. Such a thing was usually not good news and Tamon braced himself for the worst. Upon knocking on the door he was told to enter.
“Ah, there you are. Tell me seaman Sato, are the baby rats ready to leave my ship?” Murakami said firmly.
“Sir they should be weaned…”
Murakami cut him off. “Let me rephrase Sato. I want those rat pups off my ship within the hour. Is that understood?”
“Yes sir.” Hideyoshi replied smartly.
“Good. Lieutenant Harada, you will make sure that every last one of the pups is set loose some where on shore. The mother rat may stay, but all of the pups must go. We have several hours before refueling is done so you should have plenty of time to accomplish this. I am making your personally responsible to see that it is done. Dismissed.”
With that Tamon followed the three seaman to the bunk area where the rat pups were collected. Emi-Chan was unhappy about this turn of events as any mother would be, but within minutes all the rat pups were gathered into a jar. Tamon then marched the trio down the gangplank and along the pier.
“Why don’t we just dump them here?” Isamu asked.
“No, they could find their way back onto the ship. The captain is holding me responsible and I’m going to make sure they are off the ship for good. We will continue into the jungle until I decide we are far enough from the ship.”
Forty five minutes later, Tamon called the group to a halt. The lid was taken off the jar and the rat pups were released onto the ground. The pups quickly scurried off into the jungle and were not seen again. An hour after that, the group was back on board Kasumi and Tamon was once again standing at attention in Murakami’s quarters.
“It is done?” Murakami asked.
“As you ordered sir. All the pups were gathered and set loose in the jungle.”
“Good, I hope that is the last of them. You can go back to your normal duties now Harada.”
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: Takao
Course: None
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
The ships of the task force docked at the port at Takao and began taking on fuel. This took longer than normal due to the damage to Fuso, which complicated the securing of the fueling pipes. What would normally have taken half a day, took nearly 20 hours. It would be dark before the task force would once again be underway.
Tamon, Arata, Isamu and Hideyoshi had been called to the Captain’s Quarters. Such a thing was usually not good news and Tamon braced himself for the worst. Upon knocking on the door he was told to enter.
“Ah, there you are. Tell me seaman Sato, are the baby rats ready to leave my ship?” Murakami said firmly.
“Sir they should be weaned…”
Murakami cut him off. “Let me rephrase Sato. I want those rat pups off my ship within the hour. Is that understood?”
“Yes sir.” Hideyoshi replied smartly.
“Good. Lieutenant Harada, you will make sure that every last one of the pups is set loose some where on shore. The mother rat may stay, but all of the pups must go. We have several hours before refueling is done so you should have plenty of time to accomplish this. I am making your personally responsible to see that it is done. Dismissed.”
With that Tamon followed the three seaman to the bunk area where the rat pups were collected. Emi-Chan was unhappy about this turn of events as any mother would be, but within minutes all the rat pups were gathered into a jar. Tamon then marched the trio down the gangplank and along the pier.
“Why don’t we just dump them here?” Isamu asked.
“No, they could find their way back onto the ship. The captain is holding me responsible and I’m going to make sure they are off the ship for good. We will continue into the jungle until I decide we are far enough from the ship.”
Forty five minutes later, Tamon called the group to a halt. The lid was taken off the jar and the rat pups were released onto the ground. The pups quickly scurried off into the jungle and were not seen again. An hour after that, the group was back on board Kasumi and Tamon was once again standing at attention in Murakami’s quarters.
“It is done?” Murakami asked.
“As you ordered sir. All the pups were gathered and set loose in the jungle.”
“Good, I hope that is the last of them. You can go back to your normal duties now Harada.”
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
17 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 120 miles North East of Takao
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
Once again under way, the task force leaves Takao and Emi-Chan’s children behind them. The mood aboard the ship is subdued, and some of the more superstitious sailors leave offering’s to placate the ships good luck charm. Some of them even worry aloud that removing the pups was bad luck.
None of this concerned the officer’s, Tamon included. While they tolerated the white rat aboard the ship, all of them still considered her nothing more than filthy vermin at best and a source of disease at worst. Katsuo spoke for the officer’s when he worried aloud about the Black Death. Plague was the last thing the officer’s wanted.
***
“This is a BBC News special announcement. His Majesty King George VI has awarded the King George Cross to the people of Malta for bravery shown in their resistance to Axis forces…”
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 120 miles North East of Takao
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
Once again under way, the task force leaves Takao and Emi-Chan’s children behind them. The mood aboard the ship is subdued, and some of the more superstitious sailors leave offering’s to placate the ships good luck charm. Some of them even worry aloud that removing the pups was bad luck.
None of this concerned the officer’s, Tamon included. While they tolerated the white rat aboard the ship, all of them still considered her nothing more than filthy vermin at best and a source of disease at worst. Katsuo spoke for the officer’s when he worried aloud about the Black Death. Plague was the last thing the officer’s wanted.
***
“This is a BBC News special announcement. His Majesty King George VI has awarded the King George Cross to the people of Malta for bravery shown in their resistance to Axis forces…”
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
18 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 240 miles North East of Takao
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
The task force turned due east in the afternoon, well on their way toward Nagasaki. A brisk wind blew across the railings, sure signs of a coming storm. To further complicate problems, Fuso’s engines were again straining and it was feared among the crew of Kasumi that the battleship might have to be taken under tow to complete the journey.
Late in the afternoon, the sky became cloudy and a light rain began to fall. However, the storm did not intensify and the three ships of the task force easily rode out the storm.
In the radio room, Tamon was still able to pick up transmissions from the aircraft assaulting Java. The pilots were now reporting that no aircraft could be seen at the major air bases. That could only mean the allies had moved them over-night.
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 240 miles North East of Takao
Course: North East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
The task force turned due east in the afternoon, well on their way toward Nagasaki. A brisk wind blew across the railings, sure signs of a coming storm. To further complicate problems, Fuso’s engines were again straining and it was feared among the crew of Kasumi that the battleship might have to be taken under tow to complete the journey.
Late in the afternoon, the sky became cloudy and a light rain began to fall. However, the storm did not intensify and the three ships of the task force easily rode out the storm.
In the radio room, Tamon was still able to pick up transmissions from the aircraft assaulting Java. The pilots were now reporting that no aircraft could be seen at the major air bases. That could only mean the allies had moved them over-night.
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
19 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 360 miles North East of Takao
Course: East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
Onboard the troopship Hakozake Maru…
Yoshiro found the accommodations aboard the troopship somewhat better than aboard the freighter. The troopship was at least designed to move men instead of crates. He was sea sick again, but not to the point of being incapacitated as he was aboard Genoa Maru.
Yoshiro also found himself anticipating the upcoming battle. To be honest he was growing quite nervous about it. He’d wanted to ask the more experienced soldiers about combat, but the veterans wanted nothing to do with the replacements. The only veteran that had anything to say to them summed up the feelings of the whole: ‘replacements are bad luck, they draw fire.’ Yoshiro sincerely hoped there was no truth to that…
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 360 miles North East of Takao
Course: East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
Onboard the troopship Hakozake Maru…
Yoshiro found the accommodations aboard the troopship somewhat better than aboard the freighter. The troopship was at least designed to move men instead of crates. He was sea sick again, but not to the point of being incapacitated as he was aboard Genoa Maru.
Yoshiro also found himself anticipating the upcoming battle. To be honest he was growing quite nervous about it. He’d wanted to ask the more experienced soldiers about combat, but the veterans wanted nothing to do with the replacements. The only veteran that had anything to say to them summed up the feelings of the whole: ‘replacements are bad luck, they draw fire.’ Yoshiro sincerely hoped there was no truth to that…
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
20 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 240 miles West of Nagasaki
Course: East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
A coded message was relayed from Southern Area Headquarters:
‘56th Division landing initiated, reports beachhead secured. Initial assault on airfield repulsed.’
The Battle of Java had truly begun…
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 240 miles West of Nagasaki
Course: East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
A coded message was relayed from Southern Area Headquarters:
‘56th Division landing initiated, reports beachhead secured. Initial assault on airfield repulsed.’
The Battle of Java had truly begun…
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
21 April 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 120 miles West of Nagasaki
Course: East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
One day from home. The task force chugged along at a snails pace, but barring further incident, they would arrive at Nagasaki sometime after midnight. A relief of tension was palpable all over the ship.
Late in the afternoon, a coded message was received from Combined Fleet Headquarters.
:::Kasumi, Hibiki proceed to Okayama following refuel at Nagasaki. Report to command Rear Admiral Tanaka, Raizo:::
DD Kasumi attached to TF 87
Location: 120 miles West of Nagasaki
Course: East
Damage: None
Orders: Escort Fuso to Nagasaki
***
One day from home. The task force chugged along at a snails pace, but barring further incident, they would arrive at Nagasaki sometime after midnight. A relief of tension was palpable all over the ship.
Late in the afternoon, a coded message was received from Combined Fleet Headquarters.
:::Kasumi, Hibiki proceed to Okayama following refuel at Nagasaki. Report to command Rear Admiral Tanaka, Raizo:::
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'