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11/2/44

47th Sentai spend a last day mock fighting the local KI-43's - it is a pleasing 'slaughter'
Reluctantly they hand the prototypes back to the Engineers - the design is frozen, production will be underway within the month.
In the meantime there still are the old 44's -they will become local area defence.
Not surprisingly, getting back into the old busses is not appreciated................

12/2/44

33rd division is a proud division.
It has fought many battles in Burma -and never tasted defeat. But now it faces its greatest challenge. from lashio -moving steadily westward, the attack comes -new troops - troops as tough and hard as any ever encountered.
The Australian 6th division is backed by an even greater challenge -American tank units.

Japanese high command is frozen -desperately wishing, believing that they will be stopped. But this is 44, not 42. from the highest command, to the lowest rank, Japanese military minds are turning thoughts south -south for new, alternative defence lines.

Nakamura grunts in disgust. He has finished sharing a meal with some pilots of a unit recently returned from Burma -and is disgusted to hear just how completely the allies control the air space North of rangoon..

Being home is good, and necessary -but why so soon?
if only 47th had not left -maybe rangoon would not be devestated like it now (apparently) is.
A wave of frustration sweeps over him. The new fighter? When!!!?

They need to get back to the front. Away from here -where his men grow fat, and forget the realities.

Hurry up and wait -the great curse of war.

He does it quietly, a single small memo, dispatched amongst the dozens he writes every day.
A memo that herbiesan probably should not see - a memo certain to spark that killer rage.

But Iwaya is a realist.
The war now demands new piorities...................


A dozen or so copies -sent all over Japan.

" all civilian ship construction other than barges, and specific AO production is to cease forthwith"

Cantona!!!!
No entry mate! -sorry!


















The wardroom of the Taiho is simply too small. A large area of the hanger is cleared, a temporary wall erected, and guards posted.

Into this area a sea of uniforms gather - Captains, Admirals, the elite Officer class of the Fleet.
The mood is bouyant, jovial even, many hands are shaken, many backs slapped.
Confidence oozes from them - Yamamoto is about to reveal the rumuored operation'D", and not a man amongst them doubts that it will lead to another victory.
Will it be Marcus? -the enemy seem keen on this island, or another attempt in the Bismark sea?
It does not matter -Nothing can stand against the Combined fleet.

Yamamoto enters, and the crowds hubbub dies away.
A large covered mapboard is brought in behind him
"be seated gentlemen"
'I have decided to take the fleet to sea -on advice of the goverment - the bath houses of Tokyo simply cannot sustain us any longer"
Grins -there is a grain of truth in this - the fleet has totally disjointed the cities night life (what there is of it)
Yamamoto's smile falls away - time for business
'We must gain the decisive battle. We must take the initiative. We must risk all"
He turns, takes the cloth hiding the map in one hand
'gentlemen -target for operation D"

The cloth falls -and a gasp passes through the crowd -and then stunned silence

Operation D - target : Pearl harbour.

13/2/44

The allies attack South east of Mandalay - -and 33rd division is put to the test.

It holds.

At Port blair -another attack - and the enemy resistance is now estimated to be half of that of a week ago.

Every man feels it. Its going to come down to the wire.

13/2/44

Admiral Spruance reads the signal

he has plans of his own -plans totally unknown to the Japanese - but this needs to be considered closely

Signals intelligence indicates that Combined Fleet has reformed in home waters -as is preparing to sail.
Indications of Operation "D' - as reported, may be underway'

14/2/44

Extract from "Shattering the Sword" a Cantona production
............. we now know the Yamamoto and Nagumo almost came to blows over the forth coming operation -Nagumo violently opposed to it. Nevertheless he dutifully sailed in command of the Second carrier fleet -the six new fast carriers.
Yamamoto takes personal command of the First carrier fleet, the seven older fleet carriers, and Yamaguchi the Third fleet.
It is a cold wet day as the fleets slip there moorings, and begin the journey north to Parishimo for rendevou.
There they would have to wait for the tankers -it would be a long, long thirsty trip for such a fleet..............





...............The attack from Lashio/Maladay continued - and 33rd division found itself hard pressed. So hard pressed that facts had to be faced. Reluctantly, but in good order, the Japanese Army begins to with draw south...............

from "fighting the Tide" by Col Nakamura


..........I cannot recall being so happy ever as I was during this time. We worked so hard - and I included myself in everything my men did. The long runs hurt - I was after all no longer some spring chicken, but honour would never let me be beaten by the younger men.

Then, when the sun sets - there was the mess. As tempting to escape to Tokyo was, I refused it. As always, I would share what my men shared -the good, and as we knew -one day again, the bad. But for now, it was good.
Flying by day - beer, cards, laughter, and above all companionship at night..
The lights would burn during the night -a call of warmth against the cold -and we would gather.
And truly - now with real time to get to know all of them - I could think of no better life...................

15/2/44

Captain Umeya shivers. 'Its too bloody cold here' he thinks , 'especially after all that time in the tropics'
The harbour is windswept again today - a sea of small white horses, wheeling gulls. The many small boats crossing it battle against the waves, white bits between teeth.
Grey sky, grey seas, cold. A warship is a miserable place on a day like this.
CV Juno is loading the last of her issue of torpedos from the fat barge alongside. The fuelling barge is already hurrying home -back to a warmer world.

Umeya views his ship from her bridge -a last check for overlooked. What had he forgotten this time? was there anything that could bring them undone?. How he wished they had just a few more AA guns!

To the east, grey shapes fading from view - the tankers departing. It was going to be a challenge refuelling in those northern wastes. Could he do it?.
The responsibility is enourmous -and God, I feel it all.
Take a breath -and do your duty.
"Have all ships reported in yet XO?"
"hie!"
Smile -let him see confidence you don't feel anymore. Heavens -are they really going to do this -sail right to the enemies maw? Yes, yes, he will.
He will do his duty
"Good. " This smile is genuine "Break out the Joly roger EX as soon as we clear land -I don't want the whole world to see that the Imperial navy is just a bunch of pirates nah?"

Juni and Miyazuki sit comfortably in deck chairs - well rugged up against the cold. They are watching the setting sun -saviouring the settling quiet of a field calling it quits at the end of a busy day.
They don't speak much, what is there to say?-the sunset is simply too beautiful to spoil with trivial conversation.

Its been a good week.
But how much longer can the luck hold?

Its totrally stupid of course -considering 47th's history -but both men, like many of their companions, are starting to feel a little guilty over these salad days.............

The General of the 54th division sounds terribly harrassed over the phone.
Iwaya winces at the call -is the man so stupid to actually ring him directly?
he is curt -rude almost -desperate to cut the conversation -the line is monitored -it must be -and this is sheer foolishness........

" The front at Burma is collapsing -I have been told to prepare my division to move at immediate notice, what shall we.............."
Iwaya cuts the fool of " general -if you need logistics, use the general channels - do not call me directly!'
'But what shall w............"
" "Do not call me directly for ANYTHING!' does the fool get it?
Yes, thank heavens -he is gone.

deploying?
When?
Why? - Burma -there are plenty of troops in Burma...
But if Burma is falling - they must strike soon...............

17/2/44

Setsuko Nakamura makes her way steadily home through the maze of alley ways and narrow streets. It is gatting dark, and the city is cold and daunting this evening -dirty furrows of snow are gathering in the corners.

Something in the city has changed -and its not the new blackout routines that are being practiced tonight, nor the darkened cinema's, or even the small knots of "special guard troops' to be seen on each corner.
No, she can feel it in her bones -sense it from the thousands of half hidden patches of warmth around the million cooking fires.
Rumours.
There are always rumours in a city -even more in war.
But this one tastes of truth.
And as much as that dictator may boast, bragg, and spin -this rumour tastes true.
A million cooking pots, a million tellings

Defeat
Defeat of the Army, of retreat in Burma, of defeat in China, and, the quietest whispers of all -defeat in the air............

The last, of course, fills her with dread.
No, she must not think of it, must dismiss it. Her husband would never be defeated..................

She stops just short of her home, near the great bridge that spans the Sumida river. And it is more than the winter cold that chills her bones.
It was not there this morning, but now it fills the small patch of ground besides the bridge. And even she can tell that this grey tube, pointing to the sky surrounded by its child soldiers, is going to be inadequate to protect them all....................

It is a victory in a defeat.
Small -but for the men involved -it will be the highlight of their lives, a task to treasure forever.

They line her rails, deeply fatigued, tired to the point of incomprehension.
But the wharf is there. Solid, real. Obtained at last.

No one but themselves will ever truly understand the act of salvage they have achieved. Nor should they. This is treasure for the heart.

Mutsu has made it home.

I am enjoying the narration. Thank you for making the effort.

And thankyou for the comment -its very encouraging.
Its hard to be exciting at the moment while cantona just bombs things -but action is coming........


18/2/44

' A glorious page in history'

We hear of that accolade many times
But the defenders of Port Blair have earnt it
Despite the heaviest bombing Japan has ever conducted -150 plus bombers, despite the naval bombardments -and despite the fanatical attacks of the Imperial forces -the Tommies hang on.

They hang on, and on, and on.
Tommies die as hard as any Bushido warrior.................[&o]

20/2/44

CVL Ryujo
3rd carrier fleet - 2 days east of Japan


Seamen Agarshi and Shimto of the Ryujo take the news with passitivity. They are not happy about it -but after all, this will be a job for experienced men.
Refuelling party tomorrow.

Northern latitudes. Winter. And the heavy seas. Both would quickly tell you -they would prefer to face the dive bombers than tomorrows task.
The chances of getting killed are considerably less.

ORIGINAL: 1275psi

Mutsu has made it home.

Well done Herbie! Always an achievement to nurse a cripple back to the dockyard successfully.

extract from Shattering the sword -a cantona production

..............Combined Fleet's mission was simple - lure the enemy into battle. Yamamoto intended to try to 'thread the needle" -pass his fleet through the wastes between Midway and the Aluetons. Captain Umeya's task force would lead the way - a lure if need be. Ideally he would stumble upon a convoy -and by doing so, bring the American fleet out into a trap.

Failing THAT - a surprise strike on Pearl would be ideal.
Yamamoto considered that remote. However -if discovered -if in striking range -he intended to strike regardless -counting on overwhelming a back area air defence with his overwhelming strength.
Glenn recon in December had revealed surprisingly weak air forces -2nd line fighters at that. radio traffic indicated massive ship concentrations.

Of course, the risk is tremendous -damaged ships this time would be very unlikely to get home.
But a surprise strike.......................





.............the allies continue pounding the Admiralties, Wewak, kavieg, with raids on marcus thrown in.
But no signs of further attacks. The Allied armies are firmly across the irrawady, and coming in strength.. But it is still a tremendous distance to the home islands yet.

22/2/44


Yamamoto reads the intelligence reports.
Japanese intelligence is - well -terrible. But one part works reasonably well - by monitoring Allied radio traffic -specifically air to ground traffic, a rough estimination of a bases air strength can be gained.

Midway - increased
french frigate shoals -increased
Pearl harbour - doubled in the space of two days.

Damn. Somehow they know we are at sea. Somehow they have become alert.
Damn.
And damn again





(editor notes. To any readers -I sent cantona a e mail 3 days ago - telling him that a massive operation -operation D is at sea -target unknown. In 1944 I cannot comprehend 21 carriers getting to sea with out allied intelligence knowing something is up.
(So i know he is not peeking at this AAR)
I'm trying to be realistic. Also -if he knows I am being agressive -he just might hold his next invasion - and thats good!
his latest E mail -'I'm sweating kittens trying to guess where i will strike -san fransico or darwin or perth?!)
All good I think. Dictator herbiesan is pleased)