DD 409 Sims - Destiny of a Destroyer in WW2

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Ship Logbook 25/1/1942
Position: 300 miles, NW of Palmyra
Heading/speed: 270deg/12kts
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Fuel: 349
Damage sys/flt/fire: 0/0/0
Orders: Operation Cold Steel

Lt.Sanders: Why we are moving so slowly, sir?
Lt.Com.Reich: We are waiting for replacemenet cruiser from Pearl.
Lt.Sanders: And our fuel-tanks are going to dry.
Lt.Com.Reich: There are two tankers going to replenish us on our way home.
Lt.Sanders: I've seen the bombardment task force on horizon today - Chicago, Mineapolis and San Francisco with som Destroyers around
Lt.Com.Reich: Not much firepower for that rock we are cruising to.
Lt.Sanders: I hope they will at least harras the enemy airfield to allow our planes to operate freely.
Lt.Com.Reich: Thats the purpose they are here for.
Lt.Sanders: There are some rumors that Japanese Kido Butai retired from Java area through Makassar strait to Palau tuday. Our subs reported that sir.
Lt.Com.Reich: I will be not in a good mood if they emerge somewhere near us.

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Ship Logbook 26/1/1942
Position: 540 miles, NW of Palmyra
Heading/speed: 270deg/15kts
Weather: Clear
Fuel: 326
Damage sys/flt/fire: 0/0/0
Orders: Operation Cold Steel

Lt.Sanders diary:
... We have not seen any enemy before. I'm worried about our first combat action. Will we and the ship handle with the enemy actions well? Yes we are trained to fight a war, but nobody knows what may happen. A bomb may hit our depth charges or magazines and this ship could blown up in a second letting no man alive. I'm excited and panic-striken at the same time...

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Ship Logbook 27/1/1942
Position: 840 miles, NW of Palmyra
Heading/speed: 270deg/15kts
Weather: Thunderstorms
Fuel: 303
Damage sys/flt/fire: 0/0/0
Orders: Operation Cold Steel

Lookout: Two ships, port 1-4-5, three miles away.
Lt.Com.Reich: Hmm, the first ship had four smokestacks, looking like an old destroyer.
Lt.Sanders: Omaha-class cruisers had also four.
Lt.Com.Reich: Sure, they've sent us an old wreck. The other ship look like an Farragut-class destroyer.
Lt.Sanders: Hmm, this operation is going from bad to worse in my own oppinion.
Lt.Com.Reich: Calm down Lieutnant. Orders are orders. Even when they will send us alone against the whole Kido Butai we will do it.
Lt.Sanders: Could I prepare my life belt for use to feel better, capitain?
Signalist: From Yorktown, sir. Detroit and Hull are joining us. Increase speed to 20knots. Begining with the operation Cold steel.

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Ship Logbook 28/1/1942
Position: 540 miles, E of Marshalls
Heading/speed: 270deg/15kts
Weather: Thunderstorms
Fuel: 280
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Operation Cold Steel

Remembrances of Yorktown crewman
As soon as sun rised up, an Emily begin to slink around our fleet hiding in clouds. Some Wildcats were send to intercept him but enemy eye dissappeared in clouds. Our radar operators keep an eye out for any contact. Soon after enemy formation of Nells and Bettys appeared. Just in that moment heavy thunderstorm disallowed Yorktown to start their combat air patrol. VF-6 from Enterprise was in air in a few minutes and soon they attacked enemy torpedo bombers with all fury. One after another planes with red circles were going down in flames. 7 of 18 Nells and 3 of 7 Bettys were shot down promptly.
But the rest used up a cloud cover and snaked in to drop their fishes. They do not try to reach our carriers but instead they choose our bombardment task force for their target.
In a few minutes Pensacola was attacked by 8 Nells, claiming one hit, destroyer Balch was struck with two torpedoes sinking in three minutes with 126 sailors on board. Louisville was also struck with two torpedoes released from Bettys causing flooding of two engines rooms. Then the rest of Japanese planes fly back to their base at Kwajalein. Rescue teams on damaged ships begin with repairs immediately.
After a few hours passed, our radar reported new enemy attempt. Once more Wildcats from VF-6 tried to repel enemy attack, once more they were not succesfull. Only two Nells and one Betty were shot down before reaching their targets. Heavy Cruiser Northampton was hit by one torpedo.
After the enemy planes flew out from range, Comander of this operation, RAdm. R. Spruance ordered to withdraw back to Pearl Harbor. It was a wise decision I think. We had lost a destroyer, three cruisers were heavy damaged with high losses on crews. 126 sailors killed, missing or wounded at Balch, 46 at Pensacola, 84 at Louisville and 59 at Northampton. One of our Wildcat pilots was forced to jump out of his damaged plane, but was rescued by one of destroyers. Horrible cost for only 9 Nells and 4 Bettys shot down.

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Ship Logbook 29/1/1942
Position: 240 miles, E of Marshalls
Heading/speed: 90deg/12kts
Weather: Thunderstorms
Fuel: 257
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Escort damaged ships to Pearl Harbour

Lt.Sanders: Yesterday was a bad day Capitain.
Lt.Com.Reich: Yes. Many lives were lost. But I think it was necessary. Now our pilots are bit better trained, radar operators will act more precise in the future and crews gained experience.
Lt.Sanders: But at what cost!
Lt.Com.Reich: War is hell Lieutnant.

Lt.Sanders diary:
My misgivings fulfiled yesterday. Japanese planes led by deadly accuracy succeded in inflicting heavy damage to 3 heavy cruisers and sinking one destroyer. Many mens lost their lives yesterday. Now we are returning to Pearl Harbor providing cover and support to those crippled cruisers. Cpt. Reich said that it was necessary to give some experiences to our crews. But at terrible cost!

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Ship Logbook 30/1/1942
Position: 540 miles, E of Marshalls
Heading/speed: 90deg/12kts
Weather: Partly cloudy
Fuel: 234
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Escort damaged ships to Pearl Harbour

Lt.Sanders diary:
Today we closed to those damaged cruisers. What a painfull look! Louisville is sneaking in those high waves with 10% list to port. With two engines room flooded they could make 17 knots at maximum. Pensacola and Northampton are a little better with their damages, but they will need months of repairs in our docks. The other ships are prepared in every moment to assist those that will need it. I hope the cruisers will made it to Pearl succesfully...

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Ship Logbook 31/1/1942
Position: 540 miles, E of Marshalls
Heading/speed: 75deg/12kts
Weather: Partly cloudy
Fuel: 215
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Escort damaged ships to Pearl Harbour

Joe: Bad news are spreading quick. Our high command tried to intercept enemy convoys to Lae. Some Bostons accompanied by P-40Es were send there. We are loosing 5-8 P-40Es to one Zero.
Phill: The guys from Air force proved not very well.
Joe: Leastwise the Dutch bombers are taking a heavy toll on japanese shipping.
Phill: This will be very long war...

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Ship Logbook 1/2/1942
Position: 240 miles, E of Johnson Island
Heading/speed: 75deg/12kts
Weather: Overcast
Fuel: 177
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Escort damaged ships to Pearl Harbour

PS: sorry for being quiet some time, but now I've had some 25 days to write about [;)]

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Ship Logbook 2/2/1942
Position: Johnson Island
Heading/speed: 75deg/0kts
Weather: Overcast
Fuel: 159
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Escort damaged ships to Pearl Harbour

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Ship Logbook 3/2/1942
Position: 540 miles SW from Pearl Harbor
Heading/speed: 45deg/15kts
Weather: Overcast
Fuel: 131
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Return to Pearl Harbor

Capitains Cabin:
Lt.Sanders: New orders, Capitain!
Lt.Com.Reich: Well, what are they saying?
Lt.Sanders: Both carrier task forces will proceed to Pearl Harbor for refueling, and minor repairs. Then Enterprise will escort convoy of aircrafts to Pago Pago. Yorktown will escort convoy of supplies there.
Lt.Com.Reich: I don't like to sneak up and down there, we will be a sitting duck for every sub in that area.
Lt.Sanders: Sir, Damaged cruisers will be escorted to Pearl by their own escorts. The Louisville crew managed to slack fires and their pumps are slowly decreasing level of floatation.
Lt.Com.Reich: Thank to the god and to men on board. We will send them best wishes.
Lt.Sanders: Yes, sir.

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Ship Logbook 4/2/1942
Position: 60 miles W from Pearl Harbor
Heading/speed: 90deg/15kts
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Fuel: 103
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Return to Pearl Harbor

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Ship Logbook 5/2/1942
Position: at anchor in Pearl Harbor
Heading/speed: 0deg/0kts
Weather: Overcast
Fuel: 459
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Refuel, and repair, wait for convoy to escort

Bus from Mary Point landed his passangers in army-navy YMCA at Hotel street. Amongst them, three sailors from Sims confusedly observed the surroundings. Without a word, Joe, closely followed by Phil and Mike dipped into Black Cat Bar on the opposite side of street. The bar was crowded by sailors, marines and infantry-mens. After few drinks our sailors struggled through crowded Hotel street.
Phill: UH! What a smell!
Mike: The whole navy must have tickets.
Joe: Have you seen those holes on front side of that boutique?
Mike: Looks like Nipps missed some targets.
Phill: I wander if I will met my brother here in that crowd.
Joe: Do you have a brother?
Phill: Yes, he was on Nevada. They run aground on the december 7th.
Joe: Look at those girls, guys. I thik the one black-haired just smiled at me.
Mike & Phill: Uúúúúúú.... *uncovered Joes head*
Joe: HEY !!!

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Ship Logbook 8/2/1942
Position: Leaving Pearl Harbor
Heading/speed: 220deg/10kts
Weather: Overcast
Fuel: 459
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Sail with Yorktown group providing distant cover to convoy

Mike: Uhm guys, I think my head is about to explode soon.
Phill: How many drinks did you have?
Mike: About a milion i think.
Joe: Look at the battleship row. Light smoke is still visible there.
Mike: Bleeeeuuurgh! *keck*

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Ship Logbook 9/2/1942
Position: 180 miles South of Pearl Harbor
Heading/speed: 180deg/10kts
Weather: Overcast
Fuel: 439
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Sail with Yorktown group providing distant cover to convoy

Same time, another place:
An aircraft warning was declared at Akyab airfiled. Mechanics were starting the engines, pulling out stoppers from the wheels. Twenty-two years old FLT. Trent is jumping to his cabin cliping on his parachute. He had a little headache from yesterday night. He and other flyboys from 67th RAF squadron were celebrating his birthday all night. Engines are roaring as Bufalos af their squadrons rolled to the runway. Green flare rise on the sky and Buffalos are gaining altitude quickly. After forming up they are directed to protect english cargo ship heading to Rangoon. Soon formation of twelve torpedo bombers covered by 20 Zeros appeared. Squadron begins its attack run. FLT. Trent gets behind one Zero and follows him in maneuvers. In the thick of battle he overlooked another Zero at his tail.
Few days later, comander of the squadron writes to his family:
FLT. Andrew Trent is missing in action, likely killed. His Buffalo I, was last seen hitting the sea surface two miles north-west of burning cargo ship....

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Ship Logbook 10/2/1942
Position: 360 miles South of Pearl Harbor
Heading/speed: 180deg/10kts
Weather: Rain
Fuel: 421
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Sail with Yorktown group providing distant cover to convoy

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Ship Logbook 11/2/1942
Position: 540 miles South of Pearl Harbor
Heading/speed: 180deg/10kts
Weather: Rain
Fuel: 402
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Sail with Yorktown group providing distant cover to convoy

Honolulu Advertiser 11/2/1942
Yesterday 10th february, strongest British stronghold in the East asia surrendered to the Empire of Japan. British soldiers without enough supplies, with no way to retreat were holding the city for two weeks agains enemy two times stronger in numbers, supported by Imperial Japanese Army Air Force(Kogun Koku Hombu) and Imperial Japanese Navy (Dai-Nippon Teikoku Kaigun). After numbers of wounded soldiers were as high as numbers of soldiers combat-capable, highest British officer, sir Lt.Gen Arthur Percival asked Japanese general Yamashita to ceasefire.


Lt Gen Arthur Percival, led by a Japanese officer, marches under a flag of truce to negotiate the capitulation of Allied forces in Singapore, on February 10, 1942. (in realilty, Singapore felt february 15th).

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Ship Logbook 12/2/1942
Position: 660 miles South of Pearl Harbor
Heading/speed: 180deg/10kts
Weather: Overcast
Fuel: 383
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Sail with Yorktown group providing distant cover to convoy

Ship Logbook 13/2/1942
Position: 780 miles South of Pearl Harbor
Heading/speed: 180deg/10kts
Weather: Rain
Fuel: 364
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Sail with Yorktown group providing distant cover to convoy

Ship Logbook 14/2/1942
Position: 900 miles South of Pearl Harbor
Heading/speed: 180deg/10kts
Weather: Overcast
Fuel: 345
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Sail with Yorktown group providing distant cover to convoy

Ship Logbook 15/2/1942
Position: 1020 miles South of Pearl Harbor
Heading/speed: 180deg/10kts
Weather: Rain
Fuel: 418
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Sail with Yorktown group providing distant cover to convoy

10:23 - refueled from CA Mineapolis

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Ship Logbook 16/2/1942
Position: 1140 miles South of Pearl Harbor
Heading/speed: 180deg/10kts
Weather: Overcast
Fuel: 399
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Sail with Yorktown group providing distant cover to convoy

Same time, another place:
Japanese Officer Tomiharo Motsushita, 18th Infantry Division is reading a diary founded in a foxhole 60 miles South of Kota Bharu between other personal belongings:
Our company now have only 30% of TOE, we are under command of a Corporal. Soon after we were encircled by the Japanese, some Dutch submarines shipped us some supplies and evacuated the wounded, but it was two weeks ago. We have tried to break out from this trap several times, but Japs are holding us tight. We are starving, almost out of ammo, but we are holding our positions at our best and we will hold them to the last men and bullet. It is important that we are tiing some 10,000 Nipps here. Every day we are holding, they cannot be commited elsewhere. Im praying to god to end our missery with all possible mercy soon...

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Ship Logbook 17/2/1942
Position: 1260 miles South of Pearl Harbor
Heading/speed: 180deg/10kts
Weather: Overcast
Fuel: 380
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Sail with Yorktown group providing distant cover to convoy


DD 409 Sims seened from CA 29 Chicago

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Ship Logbook 18/2/1942
Position: 1380 miles South of Pearl Harbor
Heading/speed: 180deg/10kts
Weather: Clear
Fuel: 361
Damage sys/flt/fire: 1/0/0
Orders: Sail with Yorktown group providing distant cover to convoy

11:49 - Message from Yorktown recieved: Detach to convoy. Deliver important change of convoy heading visually. "18:00 - heading change to 190 deg." Then return.
11:52 - Heading 045deg, speed 25kts
16:32 - convoy spotted, port side at 060 deg
17:25 - message "18:00 - heading change to 190 deg." dellivered
17:30 - heading 205deg, speed 25kts
18:53 - visual contact with convoy lost
22:04 - visual contact with Yorktown Task force established, starboard 015 deg
22:45 - night position ( 2 miles behind Yorktown ) reached, heading 190 deg, speed 15kts, zig zag begun


Convoy as seen from DD 409 Sims AA gunner position