The Story of Galloping Ghost... Subchaser Keep Out:)

[Przemcio231]

12th December 1941
 
Location: 180 miles SE of Tobali.
Course: W
Speed 16 Knots
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 4
Orders: Procced to Palambang and Join up with Force Z ships assambling there.


Lt. Carlson's Diary:

Well a peacefoul Day here in Palambang, Houston should be here tommorow me and the captain had a busy day. We were invited to VAdm. Paliser Commander of the Force Z flagship the "Prince of Wales" there we had a discution about the incoming battle also present was the Capitain of the "Exeter" and "Java". I think the main problem will be comunication's especialy with the Dutch. As for now "PoW" will have a direct link to Houston and Java and order's to the Dutch and ouer DD's will be relayed by us to Parrott and Porter and by Java to their DD's. VAdm. Paliser told us that we will fallow "Prince Of Wales" while the first ship in ouer formation will be "Exeter" and after her "Repulse" and then "PoW". Bechind us we will have Java and vintage british CL's. There is a word that a modern Radar Equiped CL is enroute to Palambang but it may not reach us in Time. After the Discution we had a nice dinner on the PoW and after that some scotch and beer. Im Really confident that we will be able to defeat Jap's when they come looking for Trouble. Capt. Riker seams a bit nervous about leaving Houston but orders are orders. Good New's reached ABDA command today ouer troops recaptured Legaspi. But there are disturbing news from the Macassar Streait as Japanese Carrier was spotted there and planes from her sunk few Civilian Freighters. Commander of the Joint Air Force Air Marshal Peirse told us that he ordered a coupple of squadrons rebased from Java to Southern Borneo to try to hunt down this CV. Well if they are succesfoul maybe Japan will reconsider and will stop this foulish war...

[Przemcio231]

13th December 1941

TF: Force Z 
Location: Palambang
Course: none
Speed: docked
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Engage enemy surface forces and counter any Invasion attempts on Kuching and Mersing.


On the Bridge of the Houston:

-Capt. Riker: So XO how is my ship? any adventures on your way here
- XO: well its not even scratched *laugh's* and the voyage was great like on some summer cruise
-Capt. Riker: Watch it we are at war if you didn't forget that...
- XO: Well i know we picked up 2 S.O.S singnals apparently from civilian ships hit by Sub's we comunicated the Dutch and they send some PBY's to search for survivers i don't know if they found any..., any way we got ouerselfs quite collection of ships.
Capt. Riker: Well yes but as soon as CL Glasgow Arrives those two *Points at Dragon and Danae* will leave to join the southern striking force i also heard that another Brit BB will be on Java soon and it will to join the Southern Striking Force oh and XO i learned that we will have a Radar Installed aroud February i learned that a Ship Carrying the Parts for a small refit Left Norfolk 2 Day's ago...

In the Mean time in the Mess of the Houston 4 Sailors play a bit of Poker:
Seamen Lewis: Well gents Full ageain *grines* see Clark i told you can't Bluff so don't try it or you will lose your whole pay
Seamen Clark: Damn you why do you always win? Ok i had enogh of this no more weasting money playing you guy's and btw. did you heard the news? Radio Tokyo sunk us coupple of day's ago *all hearing this are starting to laugh* i learned it from this new Lt. Carlson or something
Seamen: Ok Clark if you'r done let me try to cut Lewis winnig streak...

[Przemcio231]

14th December 1941

TF: Force Z 
Location: Palambang
Course: none
Speed: docked
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Engage enemy surface forces and counter any Invasion attempts on Kuching and Mersing.
 
Captains of all ships in Force Z were summoned to Prince Of Wales in a great Rush... when Capt. Riker enterd the Ship he was lead to Officers mess where all other Ship Captain's were Present. The Commander of "Force Z" steps up:
-VAdm. Paliser: Gentelmen 30 minutes ago a Dutch Dornier Flying Boat spotted 8 enemy ships of wich 2 Look like "Kongo" Class BC's they are heading West 120 Miles SW of Saigon. This may be an Invasion attempt on East Coast of Malaya. We think that this may be a Group to Cover Landing in Kuantan as Japs were stoped 60 miles south from Khota Bahru and they didn't break the Alor Star Barrier. Therfore we will sail Around Noon Tommorow to a point 120 Miles SW from Singapore and we will await there for any Invasion Attempt made on Kuantan if it begins we will steam there at night and make advantage of ouer Radar to suprise Japanese ships. I was assured that we will have Air Cover through out the Way, we can count on 2 Squadrons of Yank AVG plus some of ouer Buffalos as well as some Dutch one's to... Genetelmen the fate of Malaya is at Stake i expect every one to do his duty. WE WILL PREVAIL.
 
Wild *Cheers* burst around the Room...

[Przemcio231]

15th December 1941

TF: Force Z 
Location: 120 Miles SW of Singapore  
Course: NE
Speed: 16 Knots
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Engage enemy surface forces and counter any Invasion attempts on Kuching and Mersing.

Force Z steam's NE in the Direction of Singapore. On the Bridge of the Houston.

Watch Officer: Look Captain another P-40 Group to the starboard.
Capt. Riker: Well at least the Air Force Guy's keep their promise.
Watch Officer Captain POW is singanling tourn about and head for Palambang?!
Capt Riker: Are you sure? i wounder what is going on. Show me those Binoculars.
Watch Officer: Yes Capt.
Capt. Riker: Well yes look's like it. Helmsman Bring her about...

[Przemcio231]

16th December 1941

TF: Force Z 
Location: Palambang
Course: none
Speed: docked
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Engage enemy surface forces and counter any Invasion attempts on Kuching and Mersing.
 
Lt. Carlson's Diary.
 
So here we are at Palambang Ageain. It turned out that Japanese Ships were Sailing to Singora and this area is to far North to try Interception. The crew is a bit Dissapointed by this turn of Event's. We Learned that Japanese CV that were hitting shipping around Tarakan was attacked but not a single hit was scored. The Good news is that Danae and Dragon are leaving "Force Z" for Soreboja to join Allied squadron based there. As Replacement's the Brits send CA Cornwall and CL's Capetown and Glasgow so now we got more ships with Radar. I realy hope the ship with Parts will Reach Cejlon as planned so we can have one set installed to. The Brit say that this Device work's miracle during poor weather or at Night.

[Przemcio231]

17th December 1941

TF: Force Z 
Location: Palambang
Course: none
Speed: docked
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Engage enemy surface forces and counter any Invasion attempts on Kuching and Mersing.

Lt. Carlson's Diary:
 
...another dull day we haven't seen any action from the beggining of the War. We had another Conference today but as you can say "All Quiet on the Western Front". The Brits think they can hold Malaya and they will send 18th Division in few day's from Karachi and when it arrives we are to guard the convoy. If you ask me this is not wise to send more units into a place you can't supply regulary, im a bit worried we had not heard anything about jap CV's from the time of Pearl Harbor Raid, if you ask me they probably on their way here. We had some News from Manila, it looks like ouer troops are in good shape and fighting spirits but the entire N. Luzon is Lost as for now Dutch say that they can send Supplies into Manila as loong as the entrence to the bay will not be blocaded. Good new's is that Japanese attacks are not as strong as Intel predicted. The Entire DEI is safe and more time they will give us the more stronger we will get. I really wounder how Ann is doing i think i will write a letter to her...

[Przemcio231]

18th December 1941

TF: Force Z 
Location: Palambang
Course: none
Speed: docked
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Engage enemy surface forces and counter any Invasion attempts on Kuching and Mersing.

Lt. Carlson's Diary:
... Interesting news in the Papers today alrought i can't speak Dutch one of the crew members helped me out. The Paper said that Chinise begun a Offensive in Central China near some city called Nanchang. The crew is bored and eager to get into a fight. But from what i know this moment may not be even close. Capt. Riker told me that the situation in the Philippines is bad. Asiatic Fleet HQ send coupple of PT's to harras enemy shipping unlading at San Fernando. Non of them made it back but they intercepted a wireless signal from one of the boat's stating that 5 enemy BB's were sighted. Hmmm i don't know what to make of it...

[Przemcio231]

19th December 1941

TF: Force Z 
Location: Palambang
Course: none
Speed: docked
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Engage enemy surface forces and counter any Invasion attempts on Kuching and Mersing.

Mess on the Houston: The Breakfeast is served
Seamen Clark: Hey Lewis have you heard the New's ?
Seamen Lewis: What new's? we were sunk by Radio Tokyo ageain?
Seamen Clark: Nope it's worse this time the Nip's took Hong Kong
Seamen Lewis: *without any suprise* Well i wounder why did thay take so long?
Seamen Clark: What the? so long? what in the hell do you mean?
Seamen Lewis: Let's see whe have a fort cut bechind enemy lines how long do those last?
Seamen Clar: Well you'r right...

Lt. Carlson's Diary:
... this was expected what an idiot send's his troops to a place far from any friendly Teritory without any possibity of reinforcement or Resupply. Well the Good news is that Chinese sized Nanchang Routing enemy units there. It will probably in the Papers. I saw P-40's flying off Palambang i wounder where they went...

[Przemcio231]

20th December 1941

TF: Force Z 
Location: Palambang
Course: none
Speed: docked
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Engage enemy surface forces and counter any Invasion attempts on Kuching and Mersing.

Lt. Carlson's Diary:
... Well i found out where those P-40 went the other day. They Flew to Singapore and ambushed japanese planes attacking the Field. They did veary well from what i heard, any way i also heard rumors about some big operation from Singapore soon. Well i wounder what this will be. I finaly got myslef to write a letter to Ann. I just hope the Censors will not be to eager with doing their job.

[Przemcio231]

21st December 1941

TF: Force Z 
Location: Palambang
Course: none
Speed: docked
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Engage enemy surface forces and counter any Invasion attempts on Kuching and Mersing.

Lt. Carlson's Diary:
... Today we were invited to VAdm. Paliser's Flagship for Dinner well i must say that British food is not so bad as i thought. We talked a lot about recent event's so i learned a lot about what is happening. It look's like the Brits are Holding Malaya Firmly and say that with the reinforcements of 18th Division they even may be able to counter attack. We have been told about a recent Air Raid on Saigon from Singapore lunched by USAAF bombers. The brits are suppose to reinforce ouer forces with 2 CV's and a coupple of other ships. so i think we will be able to hold the DEI.
 

[Przemcio231]

22nd December 1941

TF: Force Z 
Location: Palambang
Course: none
Speed: docked
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Engage enemy surface forces and counter any Invasion attempts on Kuching and Mersing.

[Yava]

They aren't too busy out there[;)]

[Przemcio231]

Well yes my opponent is really cautious[;)] but sooner or later Houston will fight.

[Przemcio231]

23rd December 1941

TF: Force Z 
Location: Palambang
Course: none
Speed: docked
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Engage enemy surface forces and counter any Invasion attempts on Kuching and Mersing.

[Przemcio231]

24th December 1941

TF: Force Z 
Location: Palambang
Course: none
Speed: docked
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Engage enemy surface forces and counter any Invasion attempts on Kuching and Mersing.

Quiet late Afternoon in Palambang Harbor. Some Freighters and Tankers load up all kind of cargo while Force Z ships are Anchored and await order to move out. There are some Minelayers to laying up Defensive minefields. Suddenly Alarm Sirens wake up all over the Port their sound is heard on all anchored ships...
 
Bridge of the Houston:
Capt.Riker: What the hell is going on???
XO: Maybe its a Drill?
Seaman Smith: Captain i see planes 30 Deg Portside at about 10k Feet and they Got MeatBalls on their Wings!!!!!
Capt. Riker: Sound General Quarters all AA gun Crews to their Post preapere to rise Anchor and get underway!
XO: *looking throught binoculars* Capt. I belive those are Zero Fighters but i don't see any Bombers and look there *point at a spot over the harbor* and here is the welcoming comitte.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 houer Later
 
Capt. Riker: XO we got a word from Prince of Wales we are leaving to Batavia in 30 minutes
XO: Why we did not see any bombers maybe we are still out of Range?
Capt. Riker: nope they were there but attacked one of the minelayers lucky for her they mised. And we can't count on ouer Air Force to Cover us here.
XO: Why they put up a fight and shoot down one Zero
Capt. Riker: Well you have seen it yourself they also lost 5 fighters and such loss ration is not something good i bet the Air Force will move their planes to Java...

[denisonh]

Maybe he is just "deliberate".....

ORIGINAL: Przemcio231

Well yes my opponent is really cautious[;)] but sooner or later Houston will fight.

[Przemcio231]

25th December 1941

TF: Force Z 
Location: 60 Miles NW of Batavia
Course: SE
Speed: 16
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Procced to Batavia and await further orders.
 
Force Z steams peacefouly for Batavia. Houston is holding her place in Formation and the day passes without any Adventures.

[Przemcio231]

26th December 1941

TF: Force Z
Location: Docked at Batawia
Course: N/A
Speed: 0
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Await Further Orders

Quiet Afternoon In the Captains Cabin:

Lt. Carlson Knocks on the Door and he is invited in. Inside except for the Captain XO is also preasent.

Lt. Carlson: You wanted to see me Sir?
Capt. Riker: Yes Lt. Do you recall this Officer that came to me right when we docked?
Lt.Carlson: Yes. Do we have new orders from Adm. Hart?
Capt. Riker: Nope but he delivered some info from Adm. Hart and what you are about to hear is confidencial.
Lt. Yes sir i understand. So what's the news.
Capt. Riker: Well so the news are bad for us. As you might predict "Reinbow-6" plan is scrubed. At Pearl we lost a BB and 3 others are so heavyly damaged that won't be ops ready for another 6 months so Cent. Pac. decided that it will not help us as thy need to cover places like Midway , Canton , Pago-Pago and New Caledonia to secure the routes to Australia.
XO: and what about Wake Sir?
Capt. Riker: It fell on the secound day of the War.
Lt. Carlson: Well even without Pac. Fleet Support we should be able to hold Japs here and we still have the Philippines.
Capt. Riker: Not quite Lt. Adm. Hart inform me that Japs landed in force and the PT's there as well as ouer Submarines in the area that were supposed to interdict japanese shipping took a beating. Moreover ouer Ground troops are winthrawing to Manila to make a stand there but Adm. Hart wrote me that in the view of Ground staff they might not last long. And Japs already sized Davao on Mindanao.
XO: Sir what about ouer Air Force? couldnt do they do something about Jap Shiping?
Capt. Riker: They are already gone some flew to the DEI but the Pursuit Squadrons made it to China. Moreover the B-17 didnt work out in antishipping role as the Air force had hoped before. The other important thing is that enemy Fleet Carriers are missing after Pearl they retired in direction of Japan but no one have seen them from that time.
Lt. Carlson: So what about the reports on enemy CV near Tarakan?
Capt. Riker: well she is still in the area but now off coast of Mindanao. Any way Adm. Hart has authorized me to head for Cejlon if i fell the Defence of the Dutch East Indies is a lost casue...

[Przemcio231]

27th December 1941

TF: Force Z
Location: Docked at Batawia
Course: N/A
Speed: 0
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Await Further Orders
 
Sorry for the break but i got a test from Philosophy of Law so i got to study[;)] but i passed so on with the story.
 
Houston is in Batavia Harbor the crew gets a shor leave as orders may come any minute. But for now men of the Houston Enjoy a quaiet and lovely day on Land.

[Przemcio231]

28th December 1941

TF: Force Z
Location: Docked at Batawia
Course: N/A
Speed: 0
Mission: Surface Combat
Sys Damage: 5
Orders: Await Further Orders
 
Captain Riker is standing near the reling looking on the warehaouses on the Dock he looks really like he is in some distatn place... but suddenly he's brought back to reality when a young Dutch officer runs along the pier shouting something. Capt. Riker knows him he's name is Van Oijen one of Adm. Helferich's aid's atached to Prince of Wales . The youg Dutchmen enters the ship saluts giving honors to the flag then imiedietly heads in Direction of the Captain.
-Van Oijen: Captain i got an important message from VAdm. Paliser, Sir entire squadron is departing you are to be ready in 1 houer to take your place in the Formation!
-Capt. Riker: what happend?? where are we heading?
before Van Oijen is able to reply sirens wake up in Batavia, this a signal,agreed on earlier, to all sailors to get back to their ships
-Van Ojien:Captain Japanese ships bombarded Tarakan port and airfield it may be an Invasion! and the southern Strike Force is to slow to Intercept, the orders are to head for Balikapapan refuel there and attak enemy ships of Tarak
-I see Lt. Beter get back to your ship and inform Paliser that we will be ready.
 
When young Dutch officer leave's Captain Rikers starts shouting Commands to get Ready to Depart.