Yamamoto's Diary #16

[Sergeant]

10 July 1942

Gasmata attacked ( No CAP )

Dobadura captured... Banzaii

-- DISASTER -- MAYHEM -- RUIN --

Sir, the HEI battleship group was attacked by carrier based aircraft near Luganville.
Intelligence believes two enemy CV were involved at Grid 51-56. Our ships survived heavy air attack without air cover of our own. The group commander, however, is !

"NAGUMO San, where were you?" Oh, I waz a jest hang'n around follow'n yer orderz, Sir.

"NAGUMO San, Anatawa Okii Yotsume Tobeda, DAMADE"

Orderly, prepare my float plane - I must report to the Emperor. He'z not gonna like dis... I thought they were in Australia...

[Sergeant]

11 July 1942 STAFF CALL:


The SS TAUTOG was sighted on the surface attacking one of our troop carriers at Grid 21-29. All available anti-sub assets are being marshalled to that location.

Also S39 attacked inside our port at LAE.

Port Morseby airfield has been reduced 14% according to latest BDA report. One Hudson bomber was reported destroyed on the runway.

Since commensment of hostilities on 1 June 1942 we have sunk 6 Allied ships.

A barge network is being setup to ensure flow of supplies.

No word yet on identity of the two US Carriers that struck the HIEI.

[Sergeant]

12 July 1942

Sir, S42 fired at another one of our transports. Same location as before.

"Mmmm Hmmmm Kill it."

Yes sir, also the preveous transport sank 60 miles East of Rabaul. The survivors will need to be picked up. They're on a deserted beach having a cookout.

A cookout? What was in the cargo hold of that ship? SAKE, sir....

============================

13 July 1942 STAFF CALL:

Sir, Kaito Maru was hit the other night with a 21" Mk10 Torpedo. While trying to return to Rabaul she ran aground and sank. There were no survivors.

Port Morseby BDA indicates the airfield is down 30%. Air raids on shipping have stopped (for the moment).

[Sergeant]

14 July 1942

Thunder storms Hey you up there in da float plane...
You better land its a gonna rain.

========================

15 July 1942

Why is S-42 still floating?

Our forward bases need fuel and supplies -- deal with that sub immediately.

========================

16 July 1942 STAFF CALL:

Sir, grave news; the battleship Hiei was making her way towards port without difficulty, however, last night an explosion was heard by her escorting ships. It is uncertain what caused the explosion. The Hiei went down in shallow water. One theory is that a mine broke away from its mooring and drifted into the sea lane. An investigation is underway to determine the cause.

Also, Greenling was spotted again at grid 17-42. It fired one torpedo but missed. It baffles us as to why the Allies haven't canned that commander yet. Whoever he is, he can't hit the broad side of a pagoda from the inside! [:D]

"MMmmmmhm... I withdraw the reward offered for the Greenling. I also want some eyes on this spot in the Coral Sea... what is that unidentified marker? " Yes Sir.

[Sergeant]

17 July 1942 STAFF CALL:

Yamamoto seated at the end of the table surveys his staff officers. He whispers an order to his orderly. The orderly leaves the room.

"I understand that GREENLING returned again last night and fired two torpedos inside the port at Gili-Gili. Fortunately again it missed its target, twice."

The staff officers look at each other embarrassed wondering who should speak.

The orderly returns witrh a tray of hot sake (rice wine) in cerimonial shot cups. He places one before each officer and pours the wine.

Yamamoto raises his cup "a toast gentlemen, to the GREENLING -- may her aim never improve COMPAII." The officers begin to laugh and shout COMPAII downing their drinks.

==============================

18 July 1942 STAFF CALL

Sir, a new submarine menace has appeared at grid 21-29. It has been identified as the Grenadier.

Good news, NEVEA has been captured without resistance. [:D]

Also, there was a B-17 attacked one of our submarines near Australia. The submarine escaped.

[Sergeant]

19 July 1942

Yamamoto paced the deck of his flag ship observing the repair work. An orderly ran up and saluted while extending a message. Action Report, Sir.

Yamamoto took the message and read it quietly.

Air raid at NEVEA. Intel believes planes came from at least two enemy carriers at grid 55-48.

DD Yugiri 8 bomb hits - sunk
AP Koe Maru 11 bomb hits - sunk
AP Naniwa 3 bomb hits - crippled.

Thinking to himself -- this brings the list of ships sunk to 26. The Emperor is not pleased. Possibility of release of more ships to my command is LOW.

"Inform Admiral Nogumo" the orderly saluted and left.

[Sergeant]

20 July 1942 STAFF CALL:

Sir, I-5 reports an enemy convoy at 55-49. "Composition?" Daaa,I donno -- [&:]

Sir, I'm happy to report that depth charges were dropped on the GRENADIER. "Did any of them hit it?" Daaa, I donnooo -- [:(]

Sir, our meatball flag was raised over our new base at SALAMAUA. "Meatball flag? SALAM -- what? Orderly, take this idiot out and shoot him!"

"Now, I have some news -- I have assigned Vice Admiral Takasu to oversee the anti-sub ops. You all know his reputation for aggression." [:D]

[Sergeant]

21 July 1942 STAFF CALL:

VADM Takasu informs me that he has begun his hunt for the GRENADIER.

An enemy sub-chaser #645 was sunk this morning when it struck one of our mines. [:D]

VADM Nagumo is not happy with his flag ship and has asked for a transfer. I will grant his request when he returns to port. [:'(]

===========================

22 July 1942 DAILY STAFF CALL:

Sir, SS TAUTOG surfaced at Gili-Gili and sank one of our barges (#107) with its deck gun.

"MmmmHmmm do we have any coastal artillery at Gili-Gili?" I don't think so, Sir, that type of gun is not organic to the 65th Brigade's composition.

NEVEA was shelled last night by an enemy surface group. There's nothing there yet so no serious damage.

SS-42 was sighted at BUNA.

AP Naniwa sank in deep water N.E. of Irau.

"Hmmmm... alert Nagumo to prepare for action with the weather clearing up."

Yes Sir...

[Sergeant]

23 July 1942 Daily Staff Call:

Sir, Good news -- the TAUTOG fired two torpedos inside Gili-Gili harbor and missed. It made the mistake of firing on two of our Destroyers. They retaliated and believe they hit the sub with a depth charge. A massive explosion was heard. They think it is severly damaged but not sunk.

Last night's BDA on PM estimates a dozen British soldiers killed in the raid.

Now for the bad news, Sir, a massive Allied air raid on NEVEA killed 80 of our
troops. Reports indicate 66 level bombers struck the island from Luganville. [X(]

=========================
24 July 1942

No reports except that enemy using B17(s) in Anti-Sub role out of Australia.

=========================

25 July 1942 Daily Staff Call:

Sir, ADM Takasu reports that he has begun hunting S-39 east of Gili-Gili.

Ummm... Sir, Bombers from Luganville struck at Nevea again this morning. The commander reports 130 casulaties. They also hit Irau but RUFF chased them off -- no casualties. [:'(]

"Mmmm... Issue citations to the RUFF pilots under my signature."

Sir, shore batteries are being transported to Gili-Gili and Woodlark.

"Good -- there will be no more submarines surfacing inside the ports and taking pot shots at our barges."

[Sergeant]

26 July 1942

[size=3]--- Clang Clang -- BATTLE STATIONS -- ALL HANDS BATTLE STATIONS -- Clang Clang --[/size]

Sir... Da enemy iz a tacking all along da front. "What front"? EVERYWHERE, sir.

* S-37 was sighted at 36-38 in the SLOT.

* S-38 attacked a DD and an AP at grid 21-29. The AP took 3 fish and sank.

* An enemy surface group attacked Gili-Gili last night and hit one of our ships in port. There was also 2 KIA reported.

* NEVEA was bombed again BDA = 34 casualties and some mortar batteries destroyed. One of our CVs was sighted by an enemy scout plane during the raid.

* Irau was also bombed but once again RUFF chased the bombers away. [:D]

-----------------

* We bombed Cooktown airfield BDA = 7 hits.

* We also hit Luganville airfield, BDA = 3 hits with two Mitchell Bombers destroyed on the runway.

* Two of our Destroyers hit Port Morseby = minor damage to the port.

Sir, our air crews are showing signs of stress. They need a rest. [>:]

[Sergeant]

27 July 1942 Daily Staff Call:

Sir, We bombed Luganville again this morning and BDA shows two craters in the runway.

Nevea was likewise bombed by the enemy causing 9 casualties. The lower casualties is attributed to the AA unit we flew in there yesterday. FLAK caused the bombers to release their load early.

IRAU was also hit by the enemy but no BDA report.

S-37 attacked a destroyer in the SLOT last night.

Weather is turning bad again and our battle group needs fuel. They're such Hogs!

=======================
28 July 1942 Daily Staff Call:

Sir, the enemy sub GRENADIER attacked one of our troop carriers at grid 9,33. Ten sailors fell into the sea from the impact. A shark feeding frenzy began before they could be rescued. They did not survive.

"Mmmm... orderly get my fishing gear ready."

[Sergeant]

29 July 1942 Daily Staff Call:

* Sir, S-29 torpedoed our Aviation ship inside the port at Buna and sank it. Fortunately the aircraft had already been transferred.

* Nevea was again bombed without air cover. I know air cover was assigned and an investigation is being conducted to afix blame. There were 23 casualties.

* Irau was attacked but again RUFF chased them off. [:-]

* One of our subs I-27 was attacked by air patrol but it escaped damage.

----------
Air recon shows activity in and around Australia. Intel believes an attack is immenant.

We tried a day light raid on Luganville to test their CAP. No BDA available and CAP over the target was light.

As usual we hit Port Morseby but no BDA availble at this time.

Additionally, a stretch of beach suitable for landing troops has been captured 30 miles West of Port Morseby. Your staff recommends that the 65th Brigade be assigned to Lea Lea while the 35th Brigade moves through the Kakoda Trail from Buna. Intel, however, recommends another Brigade (at least) be included. Two brigades may not be sufficient to take the port. It is estimated that the enemy has about 20k troops located at PM.

Oh yes... an enemy TF was sighted at grid 11-50 South of Port Morseby.

A refueling operation has begun for ADM Nagumo taking advantage of the poor weather.

The barge system is 90% complete and supplies are flowing well. Fuel, on the other hand remains a problem since routine convoys will ONLY carry supplies. [8|]

Finally, Irau has recieved engineer support and is now building up the base. Medics have been flown in to Nevea to deal with the casualties there, but the base Cdr wants more AA support.

Sir... this concludes our briefing -- now lets go fishing. [8D]

[Sergeant]

30 July 1942

S-39 attacked and sank an AP as it was leaving Buna port.

Nevea was bombed causing 11 casualties.

===========================

31 July 1942 Morning Staff CAll followed by a monthly report to the Emperor:

Sir, an Allied APD struck one of our mines last night. Damage unknown. Also S-45 was sighted inside the port at Lunga when it torpedoed a gunboat. We are hunting it.

"Mmmm Very well -- prepare your reports and have them to me by 1400 Hrs. Orderly inform my pilot to prepare for flight to Japan. I must meet with the Emperor".

[ ...It is hard to immagine that we have already been in this conflict for two months. The Emperor will want to hear a good progress report... ]

=============================

[Sergeant]

1 August 1942

ABOARD YAMAMOTO's EMILY PATROL PLANE ENROUT TO TOKYO TO MEET WITH EMPEROR

Sir, Frantic action report - they want to send it in the clear, do you want to recieve it?

"Who is sending this FRANTIC report?"

ADM NAGUMO, Sir.

"NO, tell him to send it to Tokyo in CODE. I will pick it up there before I see the Emperor."

======================================= ACTION REPORT

1 August 1942 - NIGHT -

Surface action 4 IJN DD encountered USN battle group with 14 ships (1 BB, 4 CA, 2 CL, 7 DD) at Grid 51-47. All 4 IJN DD sunk. USN BB (North Carolina) 1 shell hit and 1 torpedo hit.

British sub S-45 sighted at Lunga port.

-- DAY LIGHT --

JAP I-27 escapes from hunter killer group.

S-45 fires on JAP gunboat at Lunga.

British recon flight over Buna.

53 x B-17 attack Buna at 16k feet. JAP zero CAP intercepts. BDA = 43 casulaties on ground.

Zero sweep over Gavigamana reveals no CAP.

56 bombers hit NEVEA -- Zero CAP intercepts and turns away 10 bombers. BDA = 22 casualties.

[Sergeant]

2 August 1942 TOKYO

Yamamoto walked into the IJN intelligence office to pick up ADM Nagumo's decoded action report. The officer in charge did not even notice that Yamamoto had walked in. He was busy barking orders at a code translator who was working feverishly trying to decode a second action report from Nagumo's flag ship. The Officer in Charge suddenly noticed Yamamoto and called the room to attention. The clatter of code machines and typewriters stopped and the silence was palatable.

"Where's Nagumo's report?" he inquired calmly. The OIC handed him the report and stated; Sir, a second report is coming in just now, I'll have it decoded in just a few hours.

Yamamoto nodded approval and walked back out to his staff car and headed for the palace.

====================

2 Aug 42 Action Report #2

Sir, The airfield at Port Morseby has been re-occupied by the Allies.

-- NIGHT --
Sir, the enemy flies during thunderstorms, why can't we? "I will allow it for the current crisis only".

NIGHT SURFACE ACTION: Grid 7-56 (Cairns, Aus)

6 Japanese ships run into 17 USN ships at 5k yrds. A visious battle errupts. Nagumo declares "It waz Glorious"!
DD Usugumo takes 23 hits and is sunk first. The 5 remaining ships try to distance themselves from the huge enemy
TF increasing the range to 10k yrds. BB KONGO opens up with 14" guns. The gun flashes draw fire from USN
destroyers but the 5" shells bounce off the Kongo. USN CA New Orleans is set on fire by the 14" shells.

Mean while at grid 15-38 S-41 fires at a JAP AP.

--- DAY LIGHT --- 2 AUG 42

Japanese air raid on Port Morseby. BDA unknown.

Enemy CV Wasp is sighted near Australia.

Allied bombers hit an AP 3 times at Gili-Gili.

Allied CV group gives chase after the crippled CA Kako and launch air strike with TBFs. CA Kako takes 2 torpedo hits. [X(]

Allied search planes discover our CV group East of Guadalcanal.

Port Morseby launches strike on JAP CA Furutaka S.E. of PM. Furutaka takes 1 bomb hit. This is the famed lone CA that hit
the allied base on the northern end of New Caladonia.

A USN DD sinks -- the victim of KONGO's 14" guns.

S-41 fires again but misses target.

END ACTION REPORT

[Sergeant]

3 August 1942 Yamamoto's Hotel Room

Yamamoto sat down for breakfast, looked at his personal staff officer, "Any more action reports from Nagumo?" No Sir - the night was quiet probably due to heavy rains. I'll check for a report in a few hours to see if day light has brought with it any new developments. Yamamoto began to eat thinking about the meeting with the Emperor. It was a rough meeting filled with raised voices and anger. Why do I put up with this he thought? I'm already eligible for a comfortable retirement.

IJN Intelligence HQ:
The OIC once again hovers over the code translator as information from Yamamoto's HQ flows from the code machine A 3d action report at day break, not as frantic as the previous two, but important just the same.

===========================

4 August 1942 Daily Staff Call (By ADM Nagumo while ADM Yamamoto is in Japan):

-Night Report-
* Sir S-47 fired on one of our sub chasers at grid 19-42. Also, the USN Sub Pickerel fired at a troop transport at LUNGA.

* Sir, our sub I-4 sank an enemy sub chaser #641 at NOMEA. She's out of torpedos and headed home.

-- DAY REPORT --
* Sir, I-5 was attacked by SBD and PBY planes at Luganville. Minor damage - she's returning to port.

* Port Morseby was bombed BDA = only minor damage.

* Bombers hit NEVEA. Our CAP intercepted. BDA = 13 casualties.

* Port Morseby bombers attacked a convoy in the Finschafen Straits. The convoy was empty so we did not suffer loss of supply.

* PM bombers also hit Gili-Gili (No CAP), and Finschafen port (No CAP).

* Sir that sub PICKEREL fired again at day-break. This time depth charges were dropped. No status on the enemy sub.

* Final Item Sir, BIA beach was captured by 3d SNLF. It has no potential so those troops will need to be picked up.

=======================

5 August 1942 { Aboard Yamamoto's Transport Plane }

Sir, ADM Nagumo wants to know if he should conduct Staff Call?

Yamamoto sitting quietly with his eyes closed, thinking about the success of his meeting with the Emperor, replies; "He's an Admiral, tell him to make a dicision".

Yes Sir [&o]

So the Emperor will give me more ships, eh? I hope he sends more submarines and aircraft carriers, he thinks to himself.
"Moderate Release" he called it. Humfff....

[Sergeant]

6 August 1942 Aboard the BB Yamato

Gentlemen, much has happened over the past few days. Get some rest, prepare your action reports since the 3d of August. Then report back here tomorrow evening for a dinner staff call. It will be a long night but we must see the whole picture of the last several days.

Yamamoto-------*

============================

----- Rainy Night 3 August 1942 ------
( No Report )

----- Day Light 3 August 1942 --------

* Enemy CV Wasp sighted.
* Port Morseby bombed BDA = 5 hits.
* Aircraft from PM attack ships at BUNA and Gili-Gili (No CAP), a DD and 2 APs are hit.

* Fighter sweep on Port Morseby reveals no CAP over PM.
*Townville, Australia bombed BDA= 2 enemy DD hit.
*Dogfight errupts during sweep over Luganville. 1 Wildcat shot down. Recon slipped in and photographed Luganville during dogfight. Follow-on bombers got chewed up over the target.

* Aircraft from Luganville attacked NEVEA. Our Zero fighters intercepted. BDA = 22 casualties.

*Enemy CV group attacked ships near Basiliki Island and 2 APs were hit.

*Enemy sub PICKEREL fired but missed ships at LUNGA.

[Sergeant]

5 August 1942 (ADM Nagumo's Action Report)

[size=3]----- Night -----[/size]

* Enemy Sub S-41 Torpedoed AP Azuma Maru.
* Our Cruiser KAKO sank just as it was being tied up to the dock in port at Gili-Gili. [:(]

[size=3]------- DAY ---------[/size]

* Enemy Sub PICKEREL was sighted and chased at LUNGA.
* Our Nell Bombers hit Port Morseby, BDA = 30 enemy casualties.
* The enemy's 69th Bomb Squadron attacked a convoy at NEVEA.
* Bombers from Port Morseby attacked APs at Woodlark, and an AP/PG leaving port at Gili-Gili. (No CAP) [:@]
* Wildcats attacked one of our Mine Sweepers 150 miles N.W. of Luganville. It is aborting mission and returning to port.

END Report [8|]

[Sergeant]

6 August 1942 ACTION REPORT

- Night -

* The US Sub PICKEREL was chased away at LUNGA harbor. [:-]

* Surface ambush at grid 50-43; 8 USN ships attack an AP and a DD from 8k yrds. DD Oite takes 18 hits.

* Meanwhile at Gili-Gili (17-42) another surface attack takes place. ADM Takasu's DD group (8 DDs) while on ASW patrol of the harbor, suddenly came under fire from 9 USN ships at 8k yrds. Both forces trade punches leaving 4 IJN and 4 USN ships burning. The intruders press the attack closing to 5k yrds then to 4k yrds.

ADM Takasu is heard to shout "Cry HAVOC and let slip the dogs of war", his excitement over the battle is obveous. Enemy DD Dewey, goes down and the intruders try to back out to 5k yrds and then out to 6k yrds so they can range fire with their Cruiser's bigger guns. The battle continues as Takasu gives chase. The enemy retreats to 8k then 10k yrds. 6 IJN ships are hit. 5 USN ships stream smoke as they disappear into the night. When it is over ADM Takasu shouts -- "Tell Yamamoto that it was GLORIOUS." Suddenly DD Oite's magazine explodes lighting up the night as she goes down. [X(]

* At NEVEA an enemy surface group shells the island causing 27 casualties.

- Day Break -

* As the sun begins to rise S-47 torpedoes an MSW inside Gili-Gili harbor sinking it. [:@]

* Our planes bomb Port Morseby twice with 15 hits and an estimated 4 casualties on the ground. BDA = 16%.

* Our troops on the Kakoda Trail are strafed by enemy aircraft, 16 soldiers killed.

* Air raid on NEVEA results in 26 casualties.

* MSW and escorting DD Okikaze sink 90 miles west of Luganville.

-- Operation Stop Light begins --

* PALASULU Atoll is captured by Japanese Marines.

* Rennell Island is also captured by Japanese troops of the 144th Regiment out of Guadalcanal. [:D]
(There was no resistance)

[Sergeant]

-------- Night 7 Aug 42 -----------

* USN Sub Pickerel fired and missed at LUNGA. [:-]

* AP Azuma Maru sank for unknown reasons.

-------- Day 7 Aug 42 --------------

* Enemy air raid on NEVEA convoy rain 500 lb bombs onto 3 ships scoring 26 hits. There were no survivors.

* Recon flight over Efate Port Villa reveals the presence of cmbt grp consisting of two CV.

* Recon over Towenville, Australia likewise revealed one CV.

* Enemy sub S-47 torpedoed a DD at Gili-Gili and sank it. [X(]

* GREENLING has returned. It fired on an AP at Woodlark and actually hit it. It must have a new Captain.
================================

8 Aug 42

Intel blackout.... maybe maybe not.

Or maybe Yamamoto and his staff simply went fishing.

A coast watcher was captured and they're using him for bait.