“Kinsei, yes” says Sugiyura, “Kinsei, assume the ship is in battle and taking damage. A shell has knocked out the torpedo director station and communications are disrupted. Your officers are dead or disabled. The bridge calls for torpedoes to be launched. What formula do you use to calculate a firing solution?” Kinsei looks nervous.
“Sir,” he says, “you get the line of fire by calculating…by calculating the sight angle. To get this you need to know the speed and bearing on the target…I mean, the angle on the bow. Uh, you divide the angle on the bow by the speed of the torpedo and…no, wait, you need to multiply the target’s speed by the angle first, then…” Sugiyura holds up a hand.
“Enough,” he says. “You will have to do better than that. Much better.” Kinsei looks mortified.
As they say in the Army -- never be last!
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
I have just caught this thread.... and have spent an entire day,nonstop reading though it. Well done Cuttlefish! Only a couple of well written Novels have caught my attention like that. (Rabble in Arms, The Rommel Papers) You should seriously consider changing professions [:D] I'm going to have visions of saluting crabs in my brain for a while. Keep up the creative work.
Welcome aboard, and thanks for the kind words. Reading this thing from the beginning is getting to be quite a project. I should probably do that myself, actually. I went back and looked at some of the earlier entries recently and was surprised at how much the writing and format have changed as the AAR has progressed.
It tickled me that you mentioned the crab episode. That was one of my favorites to write. And it’s a nice little coincidence considering the subject of the next entry.
Location: Tokyo
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Tokyo and await assignment
---
Ensigns Izu and Handa stand together on the deck. Nearby a short ladder leads down to where one of the ship’s boats bobs alongside the destroyer. A sailor holds the boat in position while he waits for his passenger. Ensign Handa looks around at the ship.
“I’m going to miss this old rust bucket,” he says. The term is not exactly fair; Hibiki has never been “an old rust bucket”. But the phrase helps disguise the depths of Handa’s feelings for the ship he has served for over two years.
“But you are going to Musashi,” says Izu. “You can’t complain about that.” Handa looks at him.
“Remember the conversation we had a couple of months ago?” he says. “You claimed you would rather stay here than serve aboard Yamato. Still feel that way?” Izu looks around at Hibiki.
“Yes, I do,” he says. “I am pleased for you, but I’m glad it’s you and not me.” Handa sighs.
“I know what you mean,” he says. He grins. “Besides, how am I going to get used to sleeping every night without having to check whether or not my pillow has been replaced by a flounder?”
“The same way I will have to get used to putting on my shoes without checking them for sea urchins,” answers Izu. “It will be difficult, but we will have to adapt.” He looks around. “By the way, where is your sea bag?”
“It’s already ashore,” says Handa with a smile. “I took care of that as soon as Lieutenant Miharu told me I was being transferred, before I told anyone else. I did not want you to leave me any going away presents.” Izu smiles back. Then their smiles fade and they just stand there for a second.
“Better take off,” says Izu finally, “before the pilot gets bored and leaves without you.” He pauses. “Good luck go with you, my friend.”
“And with you,” Handa says. “I will be disappointed if I hear you let anything happen to Hibiki.”
“Don’t worry about us,” Izu says. “Captain Ishii will bring us through the war in one piece, you will see.”
“I hope so,” says Handa. He looks around at the ship one more time, then climbs down into the boat. As it pulls away from Hibiki and heads towards shore Handa gives a final wave. Izu returns it.
As he returns to his duties Izu is a little downcast. But he cheers up a bit when he pictures the surprise waiting for Handa when he collects his bag. A friend of his had overheard the conversation when Lieutenant Miharu gave Handa his new orders, and Izu had moved quickly. If he has it figured right the eggs should start hatching any time now.
Location: Tokyo
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Tokyo and await assignment
---
Taiki sits on a stone bench outside his parent’s small but tidy little home and rubs his stomach. His mother, he is convinced, is trying to keep him from returning to Hibiki by feeding him until he is unable to move. So far the young sailor has been a willing accomplice. The food aboard Hibiki is good by Imperial Japanese Navy standards, but it does not begin to compare to his mother’s cooking.
His father steps out of the house and comes and sits beside him. Taiki glances at him and wonders, not for the first time since coming home, when his father had begun to get so much gray in his hair. He still appears hale and strong, though, and there is a bright, inquisitive look in his eyes. The two men sit in silence for a moment.
“So,” says his father at last, “do you wish to speak of it?”
“Speak of what?” asks Taiki.
“About whatever has been bothering you since you got here,” answers his father. “If you do not want to talk that is fine. But if you do, I will listen. Is it the war?”
“No,” says Taiki, “it is not the war. At least, not directly.” He and his father have always been on good terms, and he trusts the old plasterer’s wisdom. He begins to tell his father about Sayumi. He finds it is a great help to talk about it, as it helps him organize and clarify his own feelings. His father listens quietly.
“She sounds like quite a woman,” he says when Taiki is done. “Though I admit I am not sure what I think about a woman in our…that is, my…profession. She must have a very strong character.”
“She does,” says Taiki. Taiki’s father sits for a moment, thinking.
“We always favored your brother,” he says at last. “It was not fair to you.”
“He is the eldest,” says Taiki. “It is right that he should come first.”
“Yes,” says his father, “but I think we took such pride in his achievements that we overlooked yours. I am proud of what you have done, Taiki.”
“Thank you, father,” says Taiki. He is extremely pleased by this, but wonders what it has to do with the conversation at hand.
“Your mother and I have spoken recently about you,” says his father. “Since your brother’s injury she is worried that it will be hard to find a wife for him. She has been saying that perhaps we should see about getting you married. She is eager for grandchildren, you see. And she sees that perhaps you have much to recommend you as a husband. You are intelligent, hard working, and are now an officer.”
“A non-commissioned officer,” Taiki reminds him. His father smiles.
“I know that,” he says. “And it is a promotion to be proud of. But to your mother an officer is an officer.”
“So…does she have anyone in mind?” asks Taiki, slightly alarmed.
“Not yet,” says his father. “But given the war and the fact that either or both of you might have to make the ultimate sacrifice for the Emperor…well, you may find she is not as picky as you feared. Let me speak with her. By the time you return to Japan I may have had a chance to prepare her somewhat for this unconventional sweetheart of yours.”
“Thank you, Father,” says Taiki sincerely. His father nods in acknowledgement.
“A woman plasterer,” he says musingly. “Women are working everywhere, in the factories and in the fields. This war is changing many things. I wonder if we will recognize all the changes while they are happening. However the war turns out I suspect that this will not be the same Japan we have known.”
Location: Tokyo
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Tokyo and await assignment
---
Riku rises early. He dresses quietly and then packs his bag before slipping out of his tiny room. There is no one to greet him. His mother has already left to go to work. His father is present but snoring loudly in his favorite chair, which is surrounded by several empty bottles of sake.
From the back of the house he can hear his sister and her husband yelling at each other. The argument has something to do with money. Riku pays it little attention. He has heard few civil words between the two of them since coming home.
He looks around at the shabby house before opening the front door and stepping outside. Once on the street he takes a deep breath. He is very glad his leave is over and is suddenly eager to be back aboard Hibiki. He will get to the destroyer a day early, but there will no doubt be a lot of work to do before the ship returns to the war.
He quickly finds a taxi and asks the driver to take him to the train station. It feels good to be going home.
Some really excellent "home front" scenes. If I might make a humble suggestion though, there might be a scene where the conversation reveals that the war has started to turn against Japan -- couched in terms to evade the ears of the secret police.
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
CF has alrady, in a subtle way, broached the topic that things are not going so great for Japan. Don't forget that it's not as if the Japanese gov't gives accurate reports to the public concerning the war and a ship's crew only knows what they have seen. Hibiki has seen many damaged CVs, air raids on Rabul, etc. and these things don't bode well for the Japanese.
Some really excellent "home front" scenes. If I might make a humble suggestion though, there might be a scene where the conversation reveals that the war has started to turn against Japan -- couched in terms to evade the ears of the secret police.
I think we will see more than a little of this as the war goes on. Looking at things even from Captain Ishii's view, however, I don't think it's clear to Hibiki's crew yet that the war has started to turn. It's gotten harder, certainly, and there have been some recent setbacks. But with a couple of victories perhaps Japan can regain the initiative and finish the Allies once and for all...
What we have here is a nice example of "dramatic irony", where the readers know a lot more about what is going on than the characters do. I have a feeling, though, that wolffpack is going to do his best before long to make it clear to our heroes just how much the nature of this war has changed.
Location: Tokyo
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Tokyo and await assignment
---
“Almost all crew are back aboard, Captain,” says Lieutenant Miharu. “There are only three left, and all of them are expected to report today.”
“Very good, Exec,” says Ishii. “What about that one fellow, Moshizuki?”
Lieutenant Miharu smiles grimly. “He was brought aboard by shore police this morning. We can hold the disciplinary hearing at your convenience, sir.”
“Very well. Anything else?”
“No, sir,” says the lieutenant. “Though I wanted to ask you, sir – have you heard anything about Port Moresby?” Captain Ishii lifts an eyebrow.
“So much for military secrets,” he says. “Even I’m not supposed to know about that. Where did you hear it?”
“From Sakati, sir. He has a brother who is married to a woman whose cousin is an Army signals officer.”
“I see,” says Ishii. “Yes, the town was overrun by the enemy yesterday. Our troops there have been pushed back up into the mountains.”
“Is there any chance of recapturing it?”
Ishii shakes his head. “Not unless we can regain control of the air over eastern New Guinea. As I understand it we will be doing well if we can get some of those troops out of there. At least it is being seen as an Army defeat.”
“It would be a nice change if such rivalries could be set aside in the face of the enemy’s growing threat,” Lieutenant Miharu says. Ishii gives a short laugh.
“Don’t count on it,” he answers.
---
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Marson, commander of the 2/25 Battalion of the 7th Australian Infantry Division, looks out across Port Moresby from his vantage point on the ridge just east of Walter Bay. He can see smoke still rising from the harbor and here and there around the town. But for the first time in over a month he doesn’t hear the sound of small arms or artillery fire. The Japs are gone.
They put up a fight, he admits. They held out for over a month and the town is well and truly wrecked. But already bulldozers are clearing the streets of rubble and crews are working to get the airfield back in shape. They work carefully, though. The Japs left in a big hurry, but they were here for a long time and already several booby traps have been found.
Marson turns and looks up at the Owen Stanley Mountains rising green and somehow ominous to the north. As he does so the old bullet wound in his chest, his souvenir from Timor, gives a twinge. The Japs are on those slopes, and scouts report that they are heading higher up, probably trying to make for Dobodura. It will take them weeks, Marson reflects, probably low on food, and when they get over the mountains more than likely they will find only more Allied soldiers waiting for them. He almost feels sorry for them.
Almost, but not quite. After the long siege here it feels good to see the Australian flag flying over the town. And after Timor it feels very good for the Japs to be the ones on the run for a change. It’s a long way from here to Tokyo, Marson thinks, but at least they have the enemy moving in the right direction now. It’s a start.
Location: Tokyo
Course: None
Attached to: TF 46
Mission: Transport
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Escort tankers to Truk
---
Captain Ishii gathers his officers in Hibiki’s small wardroom. When everyone is seated he clears his throat and begins speaking without preliminaries.
“We have new orders, gentlemen,” he says. “We are assigned as one of three escorts to a convoy of seven tankers bound for Truk. The tankers are already loading, and I expect we will be ready to depart the day after tomorrow.”
“Convoy escort?” scoffs Lieutenant Sugiyura. “That is the best duty our combat record warrants?”
Captain Ishii looks at him. “It is not exciting duty,” he says, “or glamorous duty, but it is necessary duty. Enemy activity is increasing in the Solomon Sea area. Just a few days ago several of their carriers were spotted off Buna. Our fleet is concentrated at Truk, waiting for a chance to engage them, and this fuel is badly needed there.”
“Well,” comments Chief Engineer Sakati, “it should at least be easier on the engines than some assignments we’ve had.” Sugiyura makes a scoffing noise. Captain Ishii ignores him and continues.
“I don’t have to tell you,” he says, “what a danger the enemy’s submarines pose. Few recent convoys have gotten through without encountering them, and losses to our fleet of tankers have risen alarmingly. They are big targets and they are easy targets. It is going to be our job to protect them, and I am determined that this convoy will get through unharmed.”
“Sir,” says Lieutenant Miharu, “I think there are advantages to this assignment. It will give us a good chance to work in the new members of the crew.”
Lieutenant JG Kuwaki, the gunnery officer, nods. “I agree,” he says. “And this is a good time to mention that with Ensign Handa’s departure we will need someone to take over the depth charge racks and throwers.”
“Get together with Lieutenant Miharu and come up with recommendations,” Ishii says. “Are there any further questions or comments?”
“Yes sir,” says Lieutenant Miharu. “Are we going to flag this convoy?”
Ishii shakes his head. “No,” he says, “that duty will fall to Akebono.” There are frowns around the table, but no one says anything.
“You all know your duties,” says Captain Ishii. “Let’s get this ship ready to sail.”
Location: Tokyo
Course: None
Attached to: TF 46
Mission: Transport
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Escort tankers to Truk
---
“Lieutenant Sugiyura hates me!” groans Seaman Kinsei and he flops into his hammock. It sways a little bit and thumps into a steel girder. As new crewmen Kinsei and his mates do not get the best real estate available to Hibiki’s enlisted men. Not that any of the real estate is very good, of course.
“He does not hate you,” says Hosogaya tiredly. “He just thinks you’re an idiot.” Kinsei pitches a shoe at him, then flops back again.
“I am an idiot,” he says mournfully.
“Do not be so hard on yourself,” says Chuyo, trying to get his hammock untangled nearby. “Anyone could have accidentally started that torpedo’s motor. It isn’t like you didn’t shut it off before it armed itself.”
“Or launched it by mistake, sending it out into Tokyo Bay,” says Hosogaya. “It could have been much worse.”
“True,” says Kinsei, then he adds “He should not have said that about my parents. Officer or not, I had half a mind to slug him.”
Chuyo chuckles. “I would not recommend that,” he says. “I was talking to someone about Lieutenant Sugiyura earlier. He teaches the ship’s unarmed combat classes. There is even a story he fought Shun once and won.”
“Shun!” groans Hosogaya. “What a terror he is! No one that large and strong should be able to move so quietly.” The conversation dies there, as if the three fear to somehow summon Shun by the further mention of his name. It has not taken them much time aboard ship at all to learn everything they need to know about the Chief Petty Officer.
Kinsei drifts slowly off to sleep, every now and then thumping gently against the girder. He dreams that a torpedo is running in its tube and he cannot remember how to shut it off. He tries to jump overboard before it can explode, but he is seized by Sugiyura and Shun and forced to try and calculate a proper firing angle. But they won’t tell him the target’s speed, bearing, or range, and he is frantically trying to escape their grasp when there is a titanic blast and the ship abruptly sinks, leaving him frantically dog paddling alone among the waves. A pelican with Hosogaya’s face lands nearby.
