The little ship that could.

[1275psi]

Dec 14th

In peace time, it’s a routine operation
But this is war –and Zuiho is deep in enemy territory –twice already today martin bombers have probed the task force perimeter –and although her aircraft remain on deck, tension is very high through out the ship.
To the north, manando is being invaded, to the south, troops land on ternate.
Zuiho marks her piece of ocean at a steady rate –her plant at instant readiness.

But now, a tense discussion is taking place in the Double bottoms bin.
Boilers operate on pure, pure water – salt, any salinity is an enemy more deadly than anything short of shell or shot –it eats at the tubes, it forms scale, it can cause sudden, catastrophic losses of water level – or worse, cause complete tube failure.
Three times a day on Zuiho the Charge has his small team of double bottom sailors sample and test the waters chemistry –now, after two days of hard steaming, chloride is climbing too high.

He has to do a “blow down”
Another simple process – raise the water level artificially –then release through valves a lot of it out the bottom of the ship –replacing the contents with new, claen water, dropping the salinity to safer levels.

In peace time –a routine operation..
In war –major problems.
You raise the level –hold for 5 minutes –and blow –wait, repeat.

NO Maneuvering allowed.
Tell that to a CVL skipper in a hostile sea –with a deck full of aircraft waiting to launch.
You blow a huge , roaring blast out through the bottom of the ship – simply screaming your position to every submarine in the area.
Tell that to a skipper in confined waters, crawling with those hidden killers………….

So the charge views the results. Licks his lips, considers.
“We have to wait, “test every hour”
He will have to find LCDR Minobe –let that barsted tell the captain the happy news..



PO Nashiguchi paces the ready room, his suit stained with sweat.
The ready room is today humid hell – all day they have waited either here, cooking, or on the flight deck –baking-waiting for the word to board their zero’s.
It has not come. Dusk falls, and he could easily ………..heavens –something, anything to relieve the tension!
When will he see combat?
When will he get to prove himself?

And then the Tanoy crackles into life



“Captain speaking”
A silence as the crew gathers, in passageways, in small store rooms, in the busy hangers, around the pointing guns.
‘I have received a message from Yamamoto –commander Combined fleet.
It reads

Have engaged enemy task force in Tarawa area.
Following enemy ships confirmed sunk
CV Enterprise
CV Lexington
CA Salt lake city
CA Chester
CA Chicago
CA Astoria
CA Northhampton
CA Portland
CA Penescola

Our losses, 10 a/c
That is all”

And even as the ship bursts into an excited roar – the news for Nashiguchi just makes it worse.


Captains LOG

Supporting landing operations
Light opposition
Ship still performing well

Operations LOG
Nil flights, at immediate notice

Charges diary

Concern over 1 A boiler chemistry –no word from the Engineer. Might be able to kill two birds one stone here – main stop is now getting worse.
No major defects reported today!

[1275psi]

15 December

Ogawa peers intently through the canopy – rain beeding and beating down against it.
Around him the skies are grey, clouded, and again and again the ocean below disappears into the murk.
In short –flying conditions are terrible.
Again his head swivels –searching, searching, hand resting easily on the stick, other comfortably on his thigh.
He takes the fighter into a gentle turn port, somewhere below, the invasion fleet lies anchored.
The world vanishes again into grey soup – momentarily, and the fighter emerges into a gap –grey skies above –rippled waters below –clouds ahead, all around
And three bombers in neat vee vanishing below under the clouds………

There is no hesitation, the stick is slammed hard over , the world inverting as he dives down, pulling her upright again now –diving steep –and the buggars vanish into the cloud ahead, and he dives in –rain beating again heavily against him….

Another gap- and the Hudson is there! –right there only 50 yarrds away, and he rolls into her in one swift movement, cutting across and behind and down her tail –and the cannons, everything happening on automatic now –crash , thump, thump, thump, -deliberate, decisive..
And the cloud swallows him up –but not before that last vital image –port wing separating, fire flaring…………..

He swings her hard left –dancing on wingtip –and emerges again –now in bright sunshine –and the next Hudson is there too – and he slashes in from the side – fighter, bomber almost colliding, metal filling the air –and now he is coming hard around, curling over inverted –Heavens what this plane can do! –grunting with the effort –and diving on the third bomber even as the second impacts into the sea…..

Cannons hiss empty – but it doesn’t matter –tracer reaches out, and smashes the cockpit into a red spray ruin

And the sky is empty –but for the damn rain



Surprisingly, little Zuiho sits in the sun – an island in a sea of bad weather –creasing the ocean with a pretty wake.
Ogawa turns in, circuits, and lands with out fuss.
He is a short man really – and already his crew have nicknamed him bulldog.
They gather around, begin the task of refuelling, re arming –the little deck clear today –the kates below
His crew chief reaches in –eyebrow cocked enquiringly.
“Three –Hudsons”
Smiles, and grins. Zuiho’s first fighter skills belong to them!
“Woof Woof!’ Ogawa laughs –with out pretension –but with much humour, the new killer climbs down, and goes hunting for some lunch.

[1275psi]

Dec 16
Once again the crash of depth charges hammers against Zuiho’s hull.
Once again the men below can do little except glance at each other, grit teeth, and continue on.

And continue on…………..
While on the upper decks , and in the wardroom, men celebrate the recent successes, life continues below.
Boiler Chloride levels continue to climb, and climb….

“Sir, we must conduct blows” The Charge is almost pleading now –face glistening with sweat.
LCDR Minobe grimaces equally in return. ‘At the moment –you must know that they” he savagely points a finger forward towards the bridge area “ won’t countenance it –flying ops continue”
“Oh crap to that –they are all sitting on their arse right now – go and have a look”
‘I know that Charge…………..look, what is the level now?
‘Too bloody high –sir –there will be pitifully little flight ops if we blow a boiler tube!’
“calm down Charge – I will do my best”

“Bottom blows?”
“yes sir”
Hasegawa considers the sea –the quiet flight deck. He looks at the figure again. Damn high –why has Minobe waited so long?
“I see no problem with this Engines –get it done as quick as you can please”

Just like that.

The task group marches across the ocean, skies again clear today –the flight deck a desert –hot, baking.
The war seems far away –as far away as the ever present thunder heads on the hazy horizon
Over there –just behind view –the troops are going in, first objectives in 16th Armies planned advance.
On schedule.



From the Captains LOG
Continue to cover invasion forces. Multiple SS contacts today –but nil flight ops.
First phase operations nearly complete

Operations log
We have had a quiet day. Spent time in serious discussion with command over torpedo situation, although not yet crippling, I consider it essential before next planned operations that we have full magazines.
Am not yet sure if Palua is capable of re stocking us!
Congratulated PO1 Ogawa on his recent kills.
May there be many more

From the diary of the Charge

Cruddy, crappy, God awful day!
Although blows conducted –am afraid we were over safe limits vis a vis Chloride for nearly 6 hours today.
Developed defects main circ pump governor , L/O pump Governor Port ME, that damn 150 reducer is hunting again, and a pin hole leak has developed in the dosing tank –again!
Feedwater, freshwater expenditure today exceeded production –have once again initiated water waster patrols……………..



(if any knuckle draggers are rading this - I wonder if you can see whats coming............not sure how to replicate this in the game yet!)

[whippleofd]

(if any knuckle draggers are rading this - I wonder if you can see whats coming............not sure how to replicate this in the game yet!)

The casualty possibilities are numerous (and fun to generate as any drill team member can tell you)

- ME LLO causing a SnL
- Low Vac in the MC caused by LO SW press
- Loss of 150# steam caused by the reducer
- DFT steam blanket loss

Just to name a few.

Then there are the cascade casualties you can initiate with these issues that would be just plum evil for those poor snipes. Can't wait to see when and how you initiate them.

Whipple

[Local Yokel]

ORIGINAL: Whipple

(if any knuckle draggers are rading this - I wonder if you can see whats coming............not sure how to replicate this in the game yet!)

The casualty possibilities are numerous (and fun to generate as any drill team member can tell you)

- ME LLO causing a SnL
- Low Vac in the MC caused by LO SW press
- Loss of 150# steam caused by the reducer
- DFT steam blanket loss

Just to name a few.

Then there are the cascade casualties you can initiate with these issues that would be just plum evil for those poor snipes. Can't wait to see when and how you initiate them.

Whipple

Most of this looked like double dutch to me at first (and some still does!) What's 'SnL'? Shaft non-lubrication? Seizure of something?

Potential loss of 150 psi steam sounds like particularly bad news if that's what's powering your auxiliaries e.g. oil and circ. pumps. And repeated pinholing of the dosing tank suggests there's something very active and nasty at work there.

Actually, I think what's coming as part of the fallout is a posting of Lt Cdr Minobe to the vital task of supervising the boilerhouse on Paramushiro. Whatever happened in the fire on Junyo must have been traumatic for him, but clearly he's not currently fit to run a carrier's engineering department. I'll bet Junyo's skipper was only too happy to recommend him for Zuiho when the request for drafts came through.

I think I'll stick to firetube boilers. Simple and straightforward. Worst case: if you see me running try to keep up. [X(]

[1275psi]

Hi Yokel!
Thanks for the comments

The Minobe story will unfold over time i am sure (unless Zuiho gets sunk first!!!)
Oh -and we will turn you guys into stokers yet!


17 December

Sorry Cantona -, can you exit please –too many secrets about to be given away!








Zuiho enters the small lagoon area that masquerades as a port facility, comes to a gentle stop at its designated boy –(Captain Hasegawa may finally be getting the hang of just how little stopping power she actually has).
Soon, as the ship falls out from defence watches – they begin to line her guard rails, and the flight decks –agog at the chaos around them..

Other than the Combined fleet units, the great bulk of First fleet is trying to squeeze into the anchorage with them.
Two classes of ships dominate the area -6 great battlewagons, and a vast number of transports –still stately and aloof despite the hastily slapped on grey paint.
Zuiho may have anchored, but if anything the work is ramping up.

Nashiguchi, Ogawa and Diogawa, our three zero pilots lean on a guard rail on the Stbd side, one level below the flight deck –the ready room is behind them.
“So now we know whats up” notes Nashiguchi ‘so many troop ships………”
“Ahhhhhh, the young man recovers somewhat” laughs Ogawa “you emerge at last”
Nashiguchi is a good pilot –it appears - but the last 6 hours of increasing swell have shown he has no sea legs at all .
“Give it over Ogawa – the only reason you don’t get sick is your arse is so close to the deck –no lofty frame like mine to sway about”

(Ogawa is only 5 ft 5, Nashiguchi 5 ft 6 )

“So what do you think is being planned?” Diogawa wonders aloud –‘So many troop ships, so many battle ships”
‘An invasion of something big I suspect –some one told me that we have 4 divisions here”
Ogawa laughs “I wish I could meet the “someone one day –they always seem remarkably well informed!”
“Whatever”, replies Diogawa –“we will be busy I suspect –anyone know where our esteemed leader is?”
“Hunting for torpedoes I suspect”
PO Diogawa surveys the packed anchorage –and a seasoned eye compares it to the less than impressive Port facilities “personally, I think he will be s#$t out of luck”


Captain Hasegawa climbs Mutsu’s gangway, not with out some conflicting emotions
This should have been his new Command. This should have been his career pinnacle.
Ahh, karma.
Damn it.
He keeps a neutral face as he is lead to the wardroom – totally unneeded of course, but he notes carefully many things –as XO he left this ship immaculate –now his eagle eyes can see that the last few years may have not been so kind to her.
But then again, stripped bare of anything that can burn –any comforting contrast to hard steel cannot help her look he supposes.

The wardroom is packed –and he notes immediately the large numbers of Army Officers here as well.
At one end –large maps, diagrams, piles of orders, everything that such a massive operation will demand.
The room falls silent
The Admiral speaks “ Gentlemen. First fleet, in conjunction with Southern Army command, has been charged with seizing the following objectives (Smack goes the pointer onto the map) . This objective in particular. (Smack!) . Today –how we will go about it……”

Two hours later, Hasegawa emerges into the baking heat of the day. Two things clear to him. “All, or nothing” And little Zuiho would be smack in the middle of it.


Lt Hidaka grinds his teeth –again.
Before him stands the immovable object –a First Fleet supply officer.
It also appears that not only is he the immovable object –he is also the un solvable problem
“Lt –the facts are this. You need, demand Torpedos. I don’t have any”
‘But you are First fleet HQ for heavens sake!”
‘No –first fleet HQ resides out there –on one of those transports. If it has any torpedos with it –they are out there too”
Hell.
Hell in a hand basket.
How in the hell do I operate as a strike group with just ten fish left?
‘And how long before First Fleet gets ashore?’

The immovable object shrugs its shoulders –then shows a bit of Humanity “ Its FUBAR my friend. 40 transports all trying to unload, then re load into amphib assault mode, all at once –at this little piss hole. Your guess is as good as mine……….”


Below decks, the happy phoenix, is not so happy.
Three boilers have been shut down, and she steams auxiliary. In the Port Boiler room 1A boiler is “being killed” – the pressure being removed from it as quickly as possible – steam now plumes out her stack, as soon as humanly possible men will be attacking the main stop , re packing it again
Other men work rapidly on still hot machinery in all the spaces –repacking minor leaks here – welding there – dismantling, rebuilding, adjusting there.
The 150 reducer comes out –it will need to be rebuilt – for the rest of the crew this means no hot water today –for the galley –no hot food.
Critically –for as long as it is out –there will be no gland steam available for the Starboard main engine –meaning no vacuum, meaning no engine at all.
The Charge watches this work with a critical eye – the leading seamen however, he knows will do this job in good order.
The ship fuels, the ship remains alive.
During the night, a spiral will blow, and the ship will have to swing boilers, shut down the leaking boiler- and attempt to kill it too.
LCDR Minobe will know of this defect –know that for at least another twelve hours, Zuiho will not be able to exceed 18 knots –too few to fly.
He also knows that Hidaka waits for torps. Twelve hours -more then enough time…….

Captains LOG
At Anchor Palua
Fuelled -600 tons
At 12 hours notice, awaiting delivery (or not) of new torpedos. Command briefings for future offensive operations on Mutsu.
Majority of First fleet here.

War news
Advance in Malaya – Georgetown taken
Slow advance in Phillipines – enemy B17 bombers have twice hit Takao now
Ambon invasion underway.
Naval engagement near Shortlands –enemy AMC sunk


Operations LOG
Air groups stowed below – availability 90%
Attempts to obtain new weapons futile -we may have to sail with only ten fish –unsatisfactory in the extreme.
First Fleet unable to unload torps here at this time –although I remain in hope!


From Diary of the Charge

Oh the joys of auxiliary steaming!
Forced swing 2A to 2B –blown spiral steam drum vent valve
Work on 1A main stop overnight.
Majority of defects rectified overnight.
Fuelled.
And of course –was abused by everybody in the mess –where is the hot water!
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[1275psi]

18 December
Steady tropical rain pounds down on the anchorage
It turns the surface of the sea into soup, churning it into billions of tiny little ripples. It pours of the ships in streams, running of scuppers, water falling of decks.
It brings welcome coolness (but not much) to the ships, and hides the anchorage nicely from anything that prowl above –or –as yesterdays sinking of a AP showed –anything that prowls unwanted outside.
It also brings Chaos

The 33rd, the 21st, the 4th, and soon, the 38th Division are gathering here –all loaded nicely for further deployments.
That is:
All uselessly loaded for combat unloading –for what is now assumed will be an opposed landing.
The troops must be landed, and the combat stores as well –and then, all carefully reloaded again.

The rain, of course, spells chaos to anything cardboard, anything not waterproof, to any hold open to the weather………..
Japanese Soldiers, sailors, even airmen are known for being stoic under any circumstance –they live confident that nothing the enemy throws at them will disturb their moral. This, this chaos, however, goes against everything they live for…….

As the rain continues to fall, as barges get lost, as cargos get drowned, as communications foul up –LT Hidake has to admit defeat –First Fleet, and First air division HQ will not be able to help them. Ten torps it is then…………

There is little to report today –no stirring descriptions of action, of glory.
Yet, today reveals much – this Chaos, this collapse of logistics –was most definitely not in the plan.
With out an allied unit firing a shot, Japanese plans are being derailed…………

[herwin]

Just curious. American air-groups usually flew ashore when their carrier entered an anchorage. Was Palau so small that it could not host the Zuihos' air-group? Or did Japanese air-groups stay on their carriers?

[1275psi]

Hi herwin
Answer to that - herbiesan make mistake -and stand down airgoup!
Also -other great mistake - all his "invasion" troops -loaded as transport-duh!
AAR will reflect herbiesans war -victories, defeats, and cockups - no ego here!
Also, he has mis understood port limits ect for torp replenishment -so I think I need an AKE to give me some -or a bigger port!
(LOTS to learn in this game isn't there!LOL)

[CV Zuikaku]

You need an AD to replenish torps.

[aprezto]

You need an AD to replenish aerial torps? That's news to me - thanks!

[John 3rd]

This is a Stock Scenario--Right?

Isn't all that a little Japanese CVL able to handle is about a dozen TT?

[1275psi]

19 December

Captain Hasegawa , not with out some regret, watches Mutsu and her sisters slide out of the anchorage.
They are steaming into battle –of this he feels in his bones.
Real battle – gun against gun –not this piss piddling sitting near a radio speaker as men do your fighting over the far horizon……..
Zuiho lies still at anchor – currently shorn of all escorts, swinging around a boy waiting for new arrivals, waiting for the chaos of Army to sort itself out.

This, thankfully, is coming good –there is still much, much to do –but now, with the rain gone, (relaced by blazing crushing heat and humidity) the work is picking up pace.

There is little for Hasegawa to do.
What to do?
Well, to that, there is only one answer –he will take a walk –and truly see what this new Command is .

It is a revealing walk…..

The hanger deck is strangely quiet today –packed with aircraft, all ready for action, Zuiho’s flight group is at 100% availability.
He notes immediately the small of aircraft – do they all always smell like this –and the steady low hum of great ventilators battling the faint, but present small of avgas.
The Hanger is bright –the great arc lamps throw each plane into stark relief –only a few men are crouched under one of the fighters –and a pilot sits quietly in its cockpit

“HIE!”
The crew noticing him, spring to attention, salutes crisp, disciplined.
Good. Discipline , so far, on this ship, has been good.
“at ease men.”
But of course Lower ranks can never be at ease around commanding officers, they remain standing, nervous. He can almost read their minds –‘what does he want –what does this mean –are we in trouble?’
He has to encourage them further
“Just a curious old man –what are we doing?”
The PO –obviously the crew leader, speaks “PO Nashiguchi has reported a problem with a drop tank sir –we are investigating”
Drop tank?
Ah, he remembers –a tank for extended range. “One hopes they always drop on an enemies head other than ours neh?”
Small smiles. Nervous still.
For a moment Hasegawa considers the plane, the pilot in the cockpit.
And recalls his thought –that here is the man who he will listen too.
Is he any good?
He indicates his desire –and some of the men have to help, but with some effort the old man joins the young . The Cockpit to Hasegawa seems incredibly complicated.
But a 16inch turret must appear the same to the untrained eye too, he thinks, and I learnt that quickly enough………

“Po Nashiguchi sir”
‘Have you been onboard long son?”
“No Sir, only since we sailed –before that flight school”
‘I see”
Okura is of average build, narrow faced. And so young –heavens, so young.
But dressed just in shorts, and singlet, he looks incredibly comfortable in the cockpit –as if he was born in it.
“And the ship –do you like her?”
For a moment, the young pilot hesitates, then a shy smile breaks across his face “its all I ever dreamed of sir”
Hasegawa notes this, stores it away. Those who struggle to achieve –often fight hardest to keep……….
‘Good”
He turns to climb down, and something around Nashiguchi’s neck catches his eye.
A small crucifix
‘Are you Christian Pilot?”
A small nod –and eyes now suddenly anxious………
‘we fight a ‘Christian people’ Nashiguchi –I would keep that thing around your neck hidden if I was you………..”

Next stop, the ready room.
Hot, stinking humidity –and an unpleasant odour of sweat, and other smells –un identifiable.
Through a door on the other side –leading to a companionway perched on the side of the ship –laughter.

He passes through the room, onto the companionway –into cool shade (thanks to the overhanging flight deck) and a pleasant vista.
A Prime spot this, perched above Zuiho’s curving bulge, gun tubs delineating its boundaries for and aft.

The laughter comes from , Okura Kamisaka and Kurihama. –good loud laughter –that abruptly stops at his appearance
These men cannot spring to attention – due to the minor matter that Okura is hanging upside down from the gangway –the two others holding his legs.
Hasegawa notes with humour – that Okura has been fishing –he can clearly see the snagged hook mere millimetres from his outstretched hand……….

Tablue……………
Silence
Okura’s face, slowly going red as the blood rushes to it, and veins straining in the arms of his companions

“catching any men?”
‘No”….grunt, regrasp………..”sir”
‘I see. Gentlemen. My spear or not –the whole ship is at work –a little discretion eh?”

As he departs, behind him –out bursts of more laughter –he does not, however hear the half expected splash…………
Hasegawa continues to explore – he disrupts many men as he goes – it is almost unheard of for a CO to wander thus –but Zuiho is so damn busy today preparing, storing, working on the million things a week at sea has exposed as needing doing –that his disruption is minimal.
Most salute, shrug –continue on…..

Below the hanger deck, and well aft –in the machine shop, he encounters two more men, PO Okano, Po Hirate.

Dressed in shorts, sandles only, bodies slick with sweat, they have their backs to him, bent over some strange piece of machinery.
He watches quietly, listening with an amused ear at the steady steam of profanities directed at the dumb piece of metal.
It is obvious that whatever the piece of machinery is –she is female –she is a stubborn bitch –but that she would submit………..
Obviously cursing machinery helps, he notes wirily –as whatever they are trying to force into place goes –and a cry of triumph rattles the workshop.

He does not disrupt them, quietly slipping away.


He encounters Minobe above the hatch leading down to the Port boiler room, he is looking down below – shouting to some hidden noise.
From below, the rattle, rattle of chain blocks.

He straightens, obviously surprised at his presence.
‘All good engines?’
‘Ahhh, yes sir –almost. A few little things apparently…….(apparently, an interesting word engines, this word apparently).but we will be 100% by dusk. Defect free I think”
‘Good”

The hatch looms beside him.
Hasegawa lets its presence linger –does he not see I am waiting for an invite to see below?
But it does not come.
What does come, out of the hold, face black, oil streaked, a frown fighting the sweat on his brow, is the charge.
He salutes, nervously wipes oily hands on the back of his coveralls – (God-how many spanners can he fit in that pocket?)
Minobe excuses himself, scuttles elsewhere. (as if he is embarrassed by this man?)

Curious man……..not only a pocket of spanners, but I see a torch, a steel ruler, heavens that rag could fuel the ship –and what the hell is that thing?
‘Ahh Chief…….tell me –what is that thing in your hand?”
“Wheel spanner sir –“ and suddenly there is enthusiasm, and is it –delight? –“ see this curve sir, clip it over the handle, this bit gives purchase –and you can open any prick of a valve ….”
Hasegawa lets THAT word hang……. “made it myself sir”
Mmmmmmmmmmmm
“care to show me below Chief?”
A great grin. “With pleasure sir – the last skipper never came down here at all………..


Hasegawa considers the sea, from the quiet bridge.
His limbs ache, and he is tired, sweaty.
Needs a bath.
But he has learnt much

Little Zuiho has two boiler rooms, port, starboard. Two matching engine rooms. An auxiliary diesel compartment, machinery separating the two main spaces.

Another diesel down aft, where the large diesel fire pump also resides.

The boilers, he actually knows. Standard Kanpows , 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b
Recip fuel pumps.
Standard DD machinery, 4 generators, 2 for each engine room.
2 evaporators.
The charges description –what was it –“farm machinery”
But so far, farm machinery that has not let him down.
Good.

The next phase of operations are beginning already – ahead lies much hard steaming –and probably hard fighting.
Hasegawa considers what he has seen. Potentially a god little ship, a good hard little ship.
And although in his heart of hearts, he thinks it’s the BB’s that will do the killing –he hopes he can have Zuiho contribute her score……………







h

[1275psi]

20th of December, 1941

For LT Hidaka, it is a minor miricle.
The fat little transport is rusty, beaten, and well past retirement.
But those little letters painted on her stern…………

AD vessel No 3
Her crane is new –brand new –and so are the sleek, shiny fish in her belly…….

By midday, Zuiho is ready for war again.





‘Ship at state 1 sir –Both main engines ready to obey telegraphs, all four boilers online’
‘very good. Slip forward please, slow ahead both, port 20”

Silence settles onto the bridge. Calmness, interrupted by Hasegawa’s quiet orders, the sing song of the helmans repeats.
There is little to be said – each deep in their own thoughts..
Out there, the unknown enemy, Dutch and British determined to sell themselves dearly.
There is the unknown, the probability of death.
But also –the great adventure awaits………

[John 3rd]

Absolutely delightful. Keep on writing...

[CV Zuikaku]

ORIGINAL: aprezto

You need an AD to replenish aerial torps? That's news to me - thanks!

I thought you were talking about replenishing cruisers. Not sure for carriers. Never needed to replenish them in some small backwater base. AKE I guess....

[1275psi]

Well i solved the torp problem by -growing port to size 4, deploying 228 extra naval support points, and AD, and a AKE -all at the same time -so I still don't know what works -but Hidake has 15 torps and thats all that matters to him
Appreciate the comments guys........

22dec

To my darling wife

Well, Old sort –your Old man is at sea again.
This little ship has been trying to wreck me from the day I arrived, but I think we have come to an understanding now –if I don’t fling her about the ocean, she will remain (I hope) faithful and true to me.

We are heading towards the war, and I suspect, serious action again.
However –I don’t think you have to worry too much –several battleships are with us, and I don’t think the enemy have anything to match them here……
A carrier is a strange beast –almost two ships in one – the pilots are a world apart –and , I regret to say –we all bow to their needs –I spend countless hours chasing the wind……..
I hope Tokyo is not too cold at the moment –remember the extra futons I told you about!
Well, my dearest, I post this now.
Hasegawa



From LCDR Minobe
To
Commander, Engineering
Combined fleet


Sir,

I direct you to paragraph 5 of the report, and again wish to emphasize its error.
Fuel piping here was correctly installed, and inspected by…………………
……….Again, I ask you to reconsider the preliminary findings, for the reasons as stated above

respectfully
KCDR Minobe


To My children

This is a letter from Daddy, to his vast treasures –both of which I love equally.
Daddy is currently away again, and doing his duty for the emperor.
He hopes, and prays that you are all doing your school work –and obeying mother.
It is very warm here –and yes –there are coconuts Miroi!
The Boiler room is very hot now though!

Love and kisses

Daddy Okano

Father.
We are somewhere deep in the pacific –as you probably have guessed.
The ship goes well, and I am fine
I have as yet, not yet received mail from Kuko, and I fear that the hoped for move to the new address has become a disaster.
I beg of you to see to her welfare
We sail to likely battle

Your son
Hirate.




Zuiho slips quietly from the anchorage, and on a sparkling sea –lit by a beautiful moon, makes rendezvous with a battle ship task group..
Over the next four hours, as they slowly cruise, the seas begin to fill with ships.
And as Sunburst breaks over a delightful sea, Japans great thrust turns towards its objective………….


Diogawa slams the canopy back, begins to reach for the straps that hold him down .
What a damn awful landing that was………….
A shadow falls across the cockpit-Hidaka.
‘I’ve seen one winged storks land better than that”
Diogawa nods his head ‘Sorry –I will do better!”
‘yes you will” statement, not question ‘you have ten minutes –eat, relieve yourself –and drink. Then get aloft again. And for all our sakes –look for subs – they sunk an AP ahead of us –the place is crawling with them”

Diogawa feels the rod of pain in his back, the numbness of his arse. 8 hours today already –at least another 4?
Crap – war is hell


The bells ring, ting, ting –and the numbers roll.
‘Revolutions 260!”
Strong arms take the great throttle wheels, and begin to turn them –eyes keenly tunesd to a million things at once –pressure, vacuum, oil pressure, gland steam pressure, the main circ is tweeked again…….
A full day of continuous flying ops – a full day of heavy revs, and hard steaming.
But then, this is what steam plants are made for…………..


‘is it fu#$%^ed?”
“yes chief –Its Fu#$%ed” –its arcing all over the place
“Fu#$%k
“How long?”
6 hours
A quick decision
‘’get set up ready to go –as soon as I get the word –shut it down”
‘yes Chief!”


‘the carbon rings on the port generator are arcing”
‘F%$k”
Minobe rubs his brow.
‘How long Chief?”
‘I need 12 hours”
That long?”
Its Fu#$^ing F*&ked”
“OK –I will tell the captain ten – no more. Anything else?”
‘Just small Stuff”
Good

Hasegawa listens carefully to his engineer
“Loss of one generator you say?
‘regretfully yes sir –its repairable however”
‘How long did you say/”
“12 hours sir”
‘make it eight engines”
‘We will do our best”


“Shut it down, get it done!”
The young seamen hits the trip –begins the process of shutting down the generator –first step of what will be a straightforward, but fiddly repair job
‘How long do we have PO Okano?

“Charge says 4 hours –I reckon about 6”





And that is how chains of command really work

From the Captains LOG

Zuiho is like an elephant –once you get her up to speed, she’s got a momentum of her own…….
Escorting in lose attachment main invasion body –have departed palua at 100% fuel. Ammunition and aircraft
One defect only ships at 75% power availability today
War news today –invasion Ambon stalled, advance in Malaya seems to be very slow, same with phillipines.
However Tokyo reports lae occupied, Buna taken, and 24th flotilla is bombing port Moresby.



Operations log

Continous CAP operations
No incidents to report
Type o is a delight to fly –truly


From the diary of the Charge
Commenced full flash up 2200 hrs –online 0200, sailed 0230
Nil defects until 0900 –carbon ring defect on No1 generator, rectified 1400 hrs
Continued battle preparations, damage control drills – firefighting in main hanger exercise.
I got three hours sleep today!

[a7v]

Really great writing, consider me a follower of this one[:)]
 
BTW I wish ZUIHO and the men on board much luck. Maybe you should consider to take a little snake on board...[;)]
 
Regards
 
Rainer

[1275psi]

(I don't think Im worthy of that particular AAR[&o][&o][&o])



Dec 23rd

Hidaka points to you.
“First Shotai today –15 minutes”
you nod –it is not unexpected, the least experienced at dawn – before hunting bombers can be expected to attack –but not before helpless float planes can be shot down –a good way finally blood a rookie like you.
But Hidake is no fool – Ogawa –keep an eye on him will you?”
Ogawa –he of the young face, and nervous disposition casts a baleful eye your way. You are not fooled of course –this almost child already has 3 kills to his name.
But having him lead fills you with confidence.
“CAP patrol –10000 feet –5 miles out –dismiss!’
Already the butterflies are circling in your stomach, as they must. There are so few of you on Zuiho –and so many depend on you. Death lurks –and you give it not a thought. You must not, will not let anyone down.
You simply cannot
“Hie!’ There is much to do.
You practically live in your flight suit at the moment –so that is done –but you have a map board to sort, a pistol to check, a water canteen to fill, a chute to throw on, a life vest to wear, a radio frequency to find (not that that heap of junk will be used), and a plane to sign for
Ogawa’s words are simple. You –left flank –and stick together!


You make your way to your fighter –The PO seibicho (crew chief) salutes in the whipping breeze, two men crouch below on the chocks.
Another sits in the cockpit –he has started your bird 10 minutes ago –even now full power would be a risky business –radials are fragile beasts –fail to warm them and they WILL crack a head.

You use a handy rope to pull your self onto the wing –the mechanic yells to you as he climbs out the other side “Port manifold was a bit up and down –its settled now!”
Lef leg in –stow your sword down the starboard side –hold the cockpit edges, and swing in and down –and magically the wind is not blasting you, the blip, blip, rumble of the engine subdued.

Your mind is blank now –the 100 metre sprint lies ahead, and you are settling into the blocks…………………..
Your mechanic helps with the straps – with everything you wear, and carry, things are crowded, and awkward –reaching over shoulders an impossible task.

Click –home –you pull hard –right hip, left hip, shoulder right, shoulder left –eyes already bust scanning instruments,.
A quick adjust of mix –not much, temperatures are good.
Your eyes seek the Seibicho –he nods –and with no pitch, you open the throttle –and the engine roars, turning your world into a vibrating mass.
But all is good.
Throttle down –and now you are looking out……

Zuiho is working to full speed, punching into a grey, grey sea –a choppy white horse sea today –and the spray is flying back –coating your screen, wetting everyone –turning the flight deck dark.
The steam spray indicator is at 30 degrees, and you can feel the little ship healing as Hasegawa turns her into the wind.
There –silhouetted against the grey horizon –my the skies are nasty today –full of rain clouds and darkness- Hidake is watching you critically. Of everyone –above all –you won’t let him down.
You give him a thumbs up –and then all eyes to front as the ship turns into the wind –and you feel your fighter already coming alive –eager to be free of this ship.
Her wings tremble –you feel it.
You tremble –a shiver –a swallow.
You wait
And now the red banners are going up –and the chocks are free.
Ogawa departs –and now its your turn.
Zuiho’s bow drops a little –diving into the next swell –and you open the throttle smoothly –and she rolls quickly.
Tail up –hand and feet working automatically –quickly –left wing drops alittle, stick over, a bit of rudder, and you are clear-and rain already beats against the screen, stops at 1000 feet, and you work the gear up –trim, set the throttle, reset the mix, 4000 feet, turning over the head of the mighty formation of ships, and now, formed up, you follow Ogawa into the first of countless laps around the formation

A thousand man hours of effort has put you here –here in circuit over our task force.
You will be here now for the next four hours.
Thoroughly bored.







From Cmdr 1st fleet
To
Captain Hasegawa

With departure of main battle group you are senior commander
Assume Command of task group
Regardless of losses, you will deliver southern army to its objective.
The fate of the Empire rests with you.



From AMC Siagon Maru
‘have been torpedoed by SS, 10 miles north AMBON
Am abandoning ship……….

“Thicker then nits ney”
Hasegawa grimaces ‘ One of my daughters once had nits –a disgusting thing. Trouble is –they are so hard to kill.”



The “fire” rages uncontrolled in the steering compartment.
Outside the door to it, PO Hirate leads his small team of stokers.
The smoke masks are uncomfortable, ill fitting –almost useless.
Orders are muffled, incoherent.
The yelling of the umpires however –(they are not so encumbered) is clear and to the point.
‘The door is hot!, the door is hot to touch!” they yell
“As if it would not be’ wonders Hirate –since when in a fire exercise a door had never been hot?”
he grabs one of his hose team men –gestulates at the frightened lad – who fortunately gets the message – the door is subjected to a healthy ‘spray”of water –a ridicoulous yet deadly sight –empty fire hoses pretending to spray invisible water onto a fake hot door.
Games
Silly games
Yet deadly, silly games –and all play it that way

They crack the door –jam the hose through.
They open the door –they ‘attack the fire”
They encounter Okano lying half asleep at the doors entrance.
Hirate risks it –slips the mast of his face while the umpires are not looking “Did you HAVE to chose to die right there you great lump –how the hell am I meant to get over you?”
Okano smiles ‘Just trying to make it realistic for you friend”
Then disaster
“An umpire spies the mask off……. ‘YOU! PO –you are casualty! –no you! –right there –die right there. Damn you to hell –whole hose team is dead!”
Okano’s smile turns to a grin ‘care to join me? This particular patch of steel is quite cosy you know”
“Yeah –why the heck not –I need a break . With a quite realistic groan, Hirate “collapses”, rests his head on Okanos shins.
With luck they may even get an hours kip yet.


From the Captains LOG

Zuiho takes command of invasion task group.
Our forces have landed Kendari –are attacking Ambon –flanks for advance are free.
Continuous CAP operations, heavy naval search operations.
Our bombers are based now in Madang –and we spot from time to time one or two of them searching.
No sign of enemy forces –radio intercepts place enemy ships Soerabaya.

I have an impressive force to command –it includes Kongo and Kirishima –but also a heavy responsibility.
Ship performing well, no reported defects.


Operations log

Continous CAP operations in 50/50 weather.
Nil incidents
Aircraft availability 100%!


From the diary of the Charge
Heavy day of damage control exercises.
Lost 2A main feed pump to seizure today –set team to work on it – auxiliary pump working satisfactory
Damn salinity 1A creeping up again…………..
Seas getting a bit rough –my department this evening had a few green faces – and I got seconds at meal time –so this is good!

[whippleofd]

Damn salinity 1A creeping up again…………..

Rut-Roe Raggy. Bigger issues are afoot.
BTW, this is an outstanding AAR shipmate.

Whipple