herbiesan vs Cantona!!!

[1275psi]

from the diary of Col Kanbayashi
8 Dec 41

Another incredibly busy day today - finally got to fly the KI 44 this afternoon -pleasant plane -once in the air
Ground visibility is terrible!!!

The Unit seems to have already settled into things well -as it should being on the Chinese front
Orders are to cover Canton -a big convoy in the port -and . this is frustrating -i am not allowed to investigate wuchow -where i am told the AVG may have moved in.

We will see
The field is now at optimum capacity -us, a sentai of KI-15s, of KI 30's and another of 32's.
I have liasoned with their commanders -more on them later -they seem very brave men.
I believe thay are quite efficient too -they claim a ML, a DD and a DM sunk today.

very tired today at the end of it -sore too -the KI 44 is a lot heavier at speed than I expected .
Orders for tomorrow -from air HQ -maintain CAP canton.

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the radio takes some time to warm its valves up -but the sound is good -maybe that fine walnut case helps

..............and forces today siezed or landed at the following places, guam, Kuching,aparri, vigan, buatan, Kota bharu and laoag.
The Imperial Navy claims the USS Housten sunk in a fierce naval battle near buatan in the southern phillipines. Navy reports the loss of "a single old destroyer"
Eleswhere the United States formally declared war, some 24 hrs after their aggression began in the pacific, Goverment sources............

[1275psi]

The two men looked nothing alike. One seemed smooth -clean, a proud haughty face -in stark contrast to his twin brother -rugged, creased, and open to whatever came his way.
Yet the two twins were inseperable -and taody found them where one would always expect them -in the crude ready room -playing cards. A bottle of Scotch between them.

Col Kanbayashi enterd -and respectfully the two men -and the half dozen or so ground staff with them stood

"relax men. First rule - this room is your room - I for one fly badly when tense"
The men relaxed - "Poker?" Juni B - Ban -nodded his assent "Scotch?' -again the nod of assent -nervous assent -after all this was the ready room -darkness or not outside.
"Good -deal me in -and make it a good one"


As one would expect conversation with the new CO was at first stilted -but he had an answer to this -flying

Soon he knew all he wanted to know -and did not want to know -about the KI 44 -the AVG to the north -and the lack of Chinese planes to fight lately.
then, unexpectantly -a question
"Sir, you have read the files on us -whats the story - 1Lt Hyakutake -why the english name Sam? -can you spread any light?"

"No - but Im sure it might make a good story -now the P40 e - your opinions?"

KI 15 babs -operating from canton to Hongkong

[1275psi]

Operations diary
47th sentai

Dec 9 1941
Weather very cold - early morning mists, afternoon clear

Conducted continous CAP over Canton
Pilots involved
Hyakutake
Juni v
Juni b
Iwaya
Izumida
Takenaka
Kuroe
COl Kanbayashi

Sorties flown 8
Total 16
A/C availability 7am-8 pm
WO Inoue , 2lt Inoute both aborted take off -a/c unable to obtain full power on start
Nil damage
Nil contacts

[1275psi]

from the diary of Col Kanbayashi
9 th December

The fickle Gods of war are playing their games today
We had some problems this morning -icing of carburretors and the like -but we did achieve a good patrol over canton again today
Flew myself again with the unit -still orientating myself to this area

We were unlucky -some SBC2s -maybe Illushins? operated to our north today -we must have just missed them, and worse -P40es were reported over hong kong today.

The Chinese are marching down from Wuchow towards here - but our army has sent 2 divisions North to stop them - and another appears to be massing near Hong kong -the army sure is taking its time investing the place

We have been released from CAP duties tomorrow -proceed with individual operations!
I think I might have a shot and see if we can intercept the bombers tomorrow -I will set a CAP to the north tomorrow.
We need to blood this unit.

[1275psi]

daily news broadcast as heard by 47th sentai evening of 9/12/41

............and our glourious navy flyers continue to sink shipping south of davao. In second naval engagement CL natori today confirmed sunk the heavy cruiser Houston - and our navy successfully beat of an attempt to interfere with landings at bautan by what a Navy spokesperson describe as "No less than a battlecruiser -based on wieght of fire" .
Again regrettfully this action cost the Navy "several destroyers damaged"

General HQ reports thet the Army"is essentially ashore intact" in Northern malaya, and the Northern phillipines.
In other war related news, the Minister of production declared "that our naval shipbuilding must be vastly increased -sparking debate that many ship yards may be converted from
merchant shipping -with subsequent impacts on the empires economy.
In entertainment news..........

[1275psi]

2lt Inoute took the ribbing well - its never a good look trying to start a fighter -and even if its not your fault -failing.

It had been a long day waiting for the mechanics -and even longer watching the C/O take the plane once it was repaired.
No action today -but his time here already in china told him this -it would come, it would come.
Inoute compared dog fighting to his homelife of fishing -some times one had to be very patient!
After the men returned -tired -but pleased still -they debated the days news - The war -it appeared -had started well - Of courrse one could not help notice that the Houston had been sunk twice already!.
But tomorrow would be a better day- P 40es about!
Would the C/O go for them - or play it conservative -whatever -tomorrow must be better than sitting on the ground -freezing ones butt off.

[1275psi]

The intended target -who have been sniffing around to the North of canton field

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Operations diary
47th sentai

Dec 10 1941
Weather : non Flying -strong winds, driving sleet -nil visibility
Field in operative

Conducted Nil operations
Sorties flown 0
Total 16
A/C availability 9
Nil Flights
Nil damage

[1275psi]

from the diary of Col Kanbayashi
10 th December

Already beginning to detest China
Horrible weather -no flying today!

Undertook complete inspection of the airfield and facilities -there is much that can be improved -especially AA defences -and I am NOT impressed by the early warning arrangements -far to reliant on unsen men -sitting on unseen hills, far away -at the end of uncertain communications.

Would you be religously on the lookout for planes on a day likr today? -or in your warm hut?.

Further frustration -our bomber friends were able to fly -attacked our divisions to the North West -we are apparently clearing the threat from Wuchow before investing Hong Kong -or so I assume.

Orders for tomorrow -CAP over Canton -orders from HQ -another Troop convoy coming in -thats the second already.

[1275psi]

it was rapidly becoming a routine
As darkness fell -and the pilots stood down -the big radio -would be warmed up in its corner of the ready room.
Under the encouragement -subtle, but there -the ready room after 1900 hours was becoming open to all ranks - mechanics, pilots, all staff -an effort by him to open up the lines of communication between pilots, and the men who worked so hard to keep them in the air.
This was unique -as far as Capt Iwaya Knew, in the Japanese air force -where the boundries between pilots and men were normally clearly defined.
He did not like it. But until he could truly get a handle on the new CO -he would hold his hand - His father most certaintly would be busy enough at the moment to not bother about his particular problems.
No, he would wait

Ahh -here was the days news


........Imperial forces continue to establish themselves on the Malaya peninsula, and new landings are reported at Davao.
Kuching on the Western coast of brunie fell to our troops today.
the imperial navy reported sinking several submarines -but reports one of ours missing near the coast of America.
A reconisance of Wenchow also occured today - troops landing at the invitation of the local warlord -however goverment troops -dishonourably breaking a prievious agreement - brought fire upon them
The navy denies reports of a destroyer being sunk by mines during the operation.
the Goverment announced today a "massive increase in Naval shipbuilding", and plans to deploy a new 4 engine bomber -"better than the B-17" -a plane claimed to already have been secretly trialled.

In entertainment news..........

[1275psi]

"Ida" army co operation plane -Dec 9 -Canton airfield. 47th sentai in background

[1275psi]

Operations diary
47th sentai -Canton

11/12/41
Weather: Am - cold clear, PM -heavy sleet -field again closed
Sorties flown 4
Total 20
Sorties flown today (Totals since war began in ())


LT Hyakute 1 (2)
Juni V 0 (1)
Juni B 1(3)
Inoute 0(0)
Iwaya 1 (2)
izumuda 0 (1)
takenaka 0 ( 1)
Kuroe 0 (3)
inoue 0 (0)

LTCOL kanabayashi 1(2)

Comments: 4 plane CAP scrambled to meet incoming raid of 3SBC2 attacking troops to northwest of Canton. Unit although sighting enemy unable to engage as enemy fled

A/C available 9
damage -nil - nil damage to enemy

[1275psi]

extract from a letter From Col Kanabayashi to his father, dated dec 11,1942


.............I must admit father that I was not surprised to hear that the Navy "borrowed " our fine fleet of Maru's. 10 years to grow a company to ten ships is a very good achievement -I hope the Navy does its best to look after them - are we receiving suitable compensation for them? You must keep me up to date on how they go as best you can -security of course well in mind!. I am surprised though at your comments about so many ships gathered in Tokyo bay -I think this is good - a big convoy system i think would be the way to go.
Anything to protect our ships -look what the Germans are doing -people underestimate the submarine menace!
We had our first"scrape" today - a real dissapointment - they got away from us.
Our norther friends have moved into Wuchow -again sighted over Canton -only a matter of time before we clash I should think.
It may be seen in a bad light by some -but i believe in stacking the odds - I've asked for reinforcements before tackling them...

The field is always wet -but overall is suitable...........

[1275psi]

Capt Izumida was a little frustrated
Although new here at this unit, he knew he would soon have to speak his mind.
The 4 KI 44s were almost Bingo fuel on their return to the field - and their pilots were all excited.
Lt Hyakute was very vocal" Izumida! -you should have seen them run! -they almost s#$t themselves when they spotted us"

For a long while the 4 pilots described the sighting of the bombers, the chase -and the dissapointment of the escape into the looming storm front -a front now sweeping across the field.
Izumida's frustration grew -should he speak? the questions were so obvious -why did the COl not ask them how they escaped? Why were they spotted so late? Were our tactics good? who was keeping to the real task -CAP over Canton?. Why did they remain grounded -and not scrambled to replace them?

Was this new war different to Manchuria?
No -he would bite his tongue. When he had some missions up here -then he would be able to speak.

[1275psi]

And the news for the 11/12/41.

Our Chinese armies today delivered a sharp reversal to enemy probes to the North west of canton, our troops are now reported to be advancing on Wuchow.

The Navy reported "that all offensive operations are continuing as planned" -with the securing of the beach heads in the north and southern Phillipines, and northern malaya and borneo.

But leading todays news is the report of the stunningly audaciuos attack by units of the 1st paratroop brigade operating from hanoi - flying at the very limit of their transports range they have successfully siezed the important bridges at Lashio -deep inside Burma -and now are reported to be advancing to cut off the Burma highway -supply link to India.
Cutting this link must be a high piority for our war aim -the successful conclusion to the China question.

We salute the brave men of the Dash forward Sentai -and the 1st para brigade!

In Sports today............




The lurking enemy to our north:

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try again

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Operations diary
47th sentai -Canton

12/12/41
Weather: Am - cold clear, PM - cold -clear
Sorties flown 2
Total 22
Sorties flown today (Totals since war began in ())


LT Hyakute 0 (2)
Juni V 0 (1)
Juni B 0(3)
Inoute 1(1)
Iwaya 0 (2)
izumuda 0 (1)
takenaka 1( 2)
Kuroe 0 (3)
inoue 0 (0)

LTCOL kanabayashi 0(2)
Unit at immediate notice to scramble today - 2 sorties sent to investigate reports of strange aircraft over canton - identified as friendly floatplane from naval forces
Nil Incidents today

Comments: A/C available 9
damage -nil - nil damage to enemy

[1275psi]

Operations orders for47th Sentai for 13/12/41

reinforced by the 64th fighter sentai - this unit will conduct offensive sweep against enemy air unit reported at Wuchow

1000 : proceed with takeoff of 64th sentai
1005 : proceed with take off of 47th sentai

64th will proceed in standard formation at 12000 feet, we will fly top cover at 20000 feet

Maintain tight formation!
Remain with your wing man!

If shot down -do not surrender to the local chinese -maintain your honour

Good luck as we go for our first hunt!

Col Kanbayashi.

[1275psi]

Maj Takenaka was a very happy man

Today was the sort of day that he had as a child he had dreamed off

To be a fighter pilot -to be free as a bird, to fly.
The day had been perfect - sitting on his chair on the steps of the ready room -taking in the cold crisp air - waiting for the call. The world -even here-on this great paddock they called a field - was a beautiful place.
And the light snow hid so well all the ugly bits -the empty oil drums, the bits and pieces -the rubbish a busy field acumalates.
Then the call - investigate a contact to the North west

How mighty he feels when that great engine bellows into life -and the cockpit comes alive with vibration -the dials springing into life.
Today he can simply charge across the field -he alone is being dispatched, the poor visibility does'nt matter that much.
Like a sparrow (in his mind) he springs into the air -free from the ground -free from that former life!
The mission was easy -the foriegn plane found easily -a friend - good.
Then the pleasure of just flying -why return in a hurry?

Finally , home for lunch
How fortunate that the war should come along -and give him such a life!




On this day 38th division launched a quick shock attack against a chinese division probing south
The action was quick, violent -and completely successful.
A mile below Maj Takenaka's stunting plane -where the war seemed so far away -only 1000 men today found what war really meant.
For them, war had taken their life.