I am still getting dates mixed up -15/5/42
A busy day
KB steams due east at high speed, with the wind in our face, and the 27 knots , its almost hard to stand on the deck
Your heart leaps as we launch a massive strike
I was escort, with 40 zeros, 100plus vals, and 100 plus kates, a co ordinated strike
We leap into the air, reports of Port moresby is closed ringing in our ears -our BBs have hammered the place -and caught his air on the ground
We found some enemy short of the coast -6 dds hunting one of our subs
how superb our bombers!
I watch disspassionaly at 16000 ft as our glittering planes stream down
The sea erupts, and bombs flash
I feel sorry for our helpless enemy below
All six are sunk
We lose 1 kate
We return.
We rest, we debrief.
Despite the victory, we are grim -I think we all realise -those ships could easily be us
Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
Briefing again
Yamaguchi again briefs us
the enemy Must have moved his CV air into PM.
Our BBs pounded it
It should be trapped there now
The enmy CVs are somewhere on the Australian coast
he guesses townsville
As all his air went north -we attack the south.
I do not fly today
Misfortune dogs us - all the bombers launch, and we hit a solid weather front -only 9 zeros go with them
And they hit cairns instead -no carriers
The port is pounded.
A poor result
This evening another briefing
many enemy planes at cooktown -and many, many CA's, BBs? at rockhampton
The enemy is fleeing
Planes to the north, ships to the south
We will charge south further -and attack again!
Moral is good
Yamaguchi again briefs us
the enemy Must have moved his CV air into PM.
Our BBs pounded it
It should be trapped there now
The enmy CVs are somewhere on the Australian coast
he guesses townsville
As all his air went north -we attack the south.
I do not fly today
Misfortune dogs us - all the bombers launch, and we hit a solid weather front -only 9 zeros go with them
And they hit cairns instead -no carriers
The port is pounded.
A poor result
This evening another briefing
many enemy planes at cooktown -and many, many CA's, BBs? at rockhampton
The enemy is fleeing
Planes to the north, ships to the south
We will charge south further -and attack again!
Moral is good
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
17/5/42
hrs 2542
101 landings
early morning vals on search launched, then a nerve wracking day sitting around awaiting for word to attack.
It never came - terrible weather over the target
We did fly CAP, and sometime after lunch we were attacked.
Not much too see, 4 hudsons shot down almost at the extreme range of my vision
No other news, the war is shrinking down to just this task force.
At dusk we turn North east, still at high speed
We are bitterly disapointed.
hrs 2542
101 landings
early morning vals on search launched, then a nerve wracking day sitting around awaiting for word to attack.
It never came - terrible weather over the target
We did fly CAP, and sometime after lunch we were attacked.
Not much too see, 4 hudsons shot down almost at the extreme range of my vision
No other news, the war is shrinking down to just this task force.
At dusk we turn North east, still at high speed
We are bitterly disapointed.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
18/5/42
102 landings
2550 hrs
Tired, flew all day CAP over the fleet.
We are refuelling some 500 miles east of Cairns.
We were not attacked.
I think many are grateful for the rest
caught a catch of a conversation from the bridge near dusk - intense anti submarine actions near Gilli, Gilli, the area is infested with them
Intense discussions LT Sato and ADM yamaguchi - where would you be, what would you do if you were the enemy CV captain.
We must continue fuelling tomorrow, then - well lets just hope we live through tomorrow.
102 landings
2550 hrs
Tired, flew all day CAP over the fleet.
We are refuelling some 500 miles east of Cairns.
We were not attacked.
I think many are grateful for the rest
caught a catch of a conversation from the bridge near dusk - intense anti submarine actions near Gilli, Gilli, the area is infested with them
Intense discussions LT Sato and ADM yamaguchi - where would you be, what would you do if you were the enemy CV captain.
We must continue fuelling tomorrow, then - well lets just hope we live through tomorrow.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
19/5/42
I flew CAP again today, now 2554 hrs, 103 landings
Saw nothing, just the KB steaming in a square, refuelling, refuelling
The news from Tokyo rose was exciting - our troops in the face of fierce resistance are landing at Port Moresby -and in a life or death struggle with the Americans
Later we went down to the fantail - the wake glowing in the dark -and tuned into the Australian radio - they are crowing about some major surface battle at an island called Baker.
The men about us are confident that its not as bad as the enmy claim, silently I wonder -were we not to invade this place?
I flew CAP again today, now 2554 hrs, 103 landings
Saw nothing, just the KB steaming in a square, refuelling, refuelling
The news from Tokyo rose was exciting - our troops in the face of fierce resistance are landing at Port Moresby -and in a life or death struggle with the Americans
Later we went down to the fantail - the wake glowing in the dark -and tuned into the Australian radio - they are crowing about some major surface battle at an island called Baker.
The men about us are confident that its not as bad as the enmy claim, silently I wonder -were we not to invade this place?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
20/5/42
106 landings
2562 hrs
A long, long day
Took off at dawn, CAP again
Observed our 1st massive strike towards townsville -Yamaguchi has taken the bit between his teeth again
The 1st strike reports many, many ships in the roads at Townsville - it is not a port proper -more of a sheltered anchorage.
Just after this , I was called down, for a tank top up.
At this moment the enemy attacked - now we test the theory of Carrier Vs land air.
No contest - our zero's tear into them -I miss out again
Masuyama - he scores 5, 5 beuforts!
he is an ACE in one swift day
We nock down the entire strike
I launched again - as the 1st strike returned.
There is no wasted moments, how vulnerable KB is at this moment
But there is no need to panic -the second strike soon is winging west.
I land at dusk after they return
Kaga remains a lucky ship - Kasai too scores a kill over townsville
The excitement is unbelievable -the bomber boys grin, and grin, and grin
21 merchant men have been hammered, plus 3 warships, all for only 3 kates lost
How glorious today is
And then Tokyo rose ends the day - CV Hiyo and her escorts have attacked and sunk several cruisers near Baker, the enmy is in dis array!
We steam east again, time to refuel -again.
106 landings
2562 hrs
A long, long day
Took off at dawn, CAP again
Observed our 1st massive strike towards townsville -Yamaguchi has taken the bit between his teeth again
The 1st strike reports many, many ships in the roads at Townsville - it is not a port proper -more of a sheltered anchorage.
Just after this , I was called down, for a tank top up.
At this moment the enemy attacked - now we test the theory of Carrier Vs land air.
No contest - our zero's tear into them -I miss out again
Masuyama - he scores 5, 5 beuforts!
he is an ACE in one swift day
We nock down the entire strike
I launched again - as the 1st strike returned.
There is no wasted moments, how vulnerable KB is at this moment
But there is no need to panic -the second strike soon is winging west.
I land at dusk after they return
Kaga remains a lucky ship - Kasai too scores a kill over townsville
The excitement is unbelievable -the bomber boys grin, and grin, and grin
21 merchant men have been hammered, plus 3 warships, all for only 3 kates lost
How glorious today is
And then Tokyo rose ends the day - CV Hiyo and her escorts have attacked and sunk several cruisers near Baker, the enmy is in dis array!
We steam east again, time to refuel -again.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
21/5/42
No flying for me today
I spend the day goofing off, watching the facinating process of refuelling at sea
There is one alarm today - B17's so high, tracking us - one dropped bombs -they exploded far in our wake before we were even aware they were there
Asada , my wingman, 4th of our group grins- he is keen to get one of the giants in his sights.
No other news - rumours of fierce fighting to our north - how do people hear these things way out here!
No flying for me today
I spend the day goofing off, watching the facinating process of refuelling at sea
There is one alarm today - B17's so high, tracking us - one dropped bombs -they exploded far in our wake before we were even aware they were there
Asada , my wingman, 4th of our group grins- he is keen to get one of the giants in his sights.
No other news - rumours of fierce fighting to our north - how do people hear these things way out here!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
Asada is dead
His left wheel collapsed as he landed, and he skidded straight over the side
here one second, his smiling, country boy face gone the next.
We could never hope to get through this war unscratched, yet , it still is a shock.
So we are 5 now
No action today, we steam east slowly, waiting on intelligence of the enemy.
I have heard that the army is stalled at Port moresby - we must now ensure that the divisions coming arrive -and that the enemy gets no more in.
Tension is terrible -where are the carriers?
His left wheel collapsed as he landed, and he skidded straight over the side
here one second, his smiling, country boy face gone the next.
We could never hope to get through this war unscratched, yet , it still is a shock.
So we are 5 now
No action today, we steam east slowly, waiting on intelligence of the enemy.
I have heard that the army is stalled at Port moresby - we must now ensure that the divisions coming arrive -and that the enemy gets no more in.
Tension is terrible -where are the carriers?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
23/5/42
I tried my hardest to avenge Asada today - CAP today, and the B17's found us again - but it was just too fast, and high for me.
To attack from the rear would have been fatal
KB moved east today, we await tankers, having sucked our current ones dry
This evening the news seemed -well -we seemed to have hit a wall
Reports of air battles in burma - and china -but none of Port Moresby.
is the invasion going well -or has something gone wrong.
cannot dwell on the war.
We have our own mission
yamaguchi intends to refuel in 3 days time -then strike Brisbane wards.
Hiyo intends to come across and blockade PM
This, apparently is the plan.
we do not even have a map of brisbane onboard.
I tried my hardest to avenge Asada today - CAP today, and the B17's found us again - but it was just too fast, and high for me.
To attack from the rear would have been fatal
KB moved east today, we await tankers, having sucked our current ones dry
This evening the news seemed -well -we seemed to have hit a wall
Reports of air battles in burma - and china -but none of Port Moresby.
is the invasion going well -or has something gone wrong.
cannot dwell on the war.
We have our own mission
yamaguchi intends to refuel in 3 days time -then strike Brisbane wards.
Hiyo intends to come across and blockade PM
This, apparently is the plan.
we do not even have a map of brisbane onboard.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
25/4/42
KB turns south, we got just enough fuel to make one more stab south
I fly CAP all day again today -108 landings, 2566 hrs
I am exhausted
Tokyo rose reports that Changsa in China has fallen to us, apparently this is good
No sightings today
We spend much time tonight in deep reflection, the mess is very subdued.
war is very different to how we imagined it.
many of the crew are seasick today, we are heading south, the tropical waters of the coral sea are far behind us.
KB still makes a magnificent sight as we slide silently along.
We expect to attack the enemy again in 3 days time.
KB turns south, we got just enough fuel to make one more stab south
I fly CAP all day again today -108 landings, 2566 hrs
I am exhausted
Tokyo rose reports that Changsa in China has fallen to us, apparently this is good
No sightings today
We spend much time tonight in deep reflection, the mess is very subdued.
war is very different to how we imagined it.
many of the crew are seasick today, we are heading south, the tropical waters of the coral sea are far behind us.
KB still makes a magnificent sight as we slide silently along.
We expect to attack the enemy again in 3 days time.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
A horrible day of wind and rain, a flight deck in these conditions is no place to be
Spent the entire day in the ready room, curled up with a good book.
About midday, we swung around violently back to the north, and dramatically increased speed again.
no announcements, just the turn around
Towards evening LT Sato came in. Interesting conversation. Apparently a very large force of cruisers had been spotted off cairns -possibly the enemy CVs.
if this was the case, yamaguchi would try for them
Sato was disgusted in yamaguchi, "yesterday he was full of confidence - now, he just seems confused, and uncertain"
Also, the maintenance boys have been listening to a allied broadcast - they are claiming 2 of our battleships sunk near port moresby by submarine -fuso and hyugo.
I cannot imagine that to be true.
No word of a victory at Port moresby -I wonder what is going on
I believe that yamaguchi is ina bind here- we must sink the carriers, yetat the same time protect the army that must surely be coming south.
Tokyo rose reports that the enemy struck at a place called adaman island, for little result
Changsa in china apparently fell with out a fight, the population meeting our liberating troops with flowers.
we had the last of the fresh vegetables today.
And very , very interesting news, PO2 Sagara tells me he knows of a still in the black gang quarters.
Spent the entire day in the ready room, curled up with a good book.
About midday, we swung around violently back to the north, and dramatically increased speed again.
no announcements, just the turn around
Towards evening LT Sato came in. Interesting conversation. Apparently a very large force of cruisers had been spotted off cairns -possibly the enemy CVs.
if this was the case, yamaguchi would try for them
Sato was disgusted in yamaguchi, "yesterday he was full of confidence - now, he just seems confused, and uncertain"
Also, the maintenance boys have been listening to a allied broadcast - they are claiming 2 of our battleships sunk near port moresby by submarine -fuso and hyugo.
I cannot imagine that to be true.
No word of a victory at Port moresby -I wonder what is going on
I believe that yamaguchi is ina bind here- we must sink the carriers, yetat the same time protect the army that must surely be coming south.
Tokyo rose reports that the enemy struck at a place called adaman island, for little result
Changsa in china apparently fell with out a fight, the population meeting our liberating troops with flowers.
we had the last of the fresh vegetables today.
And very , very interesting news, PO2 Sagara tells me he knows of a still in the black gang quarters.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
26/5/42
another day of no flying, we were spotted again, again we must refuel tomorrow.
The enemy ships spotted have slipped through the Timor straight - very puzzling.
Tokyo rose reports many C47s shot down over port moresby today, yet does not mention the ground fighting at all.
We are itching for more battle, and news....
another day of no flying, we were spotted again, again we must refuel tomorrow.
The enemy ships spotted have slipped through the Timor straight - very puzzling.
Tokyo rose reports many C47s shot down over port moresby today, yet does not mention the ground fighting at all.
We are itching for more battle, and news....
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
27/5/42
another day at sea, in a complete communication blackout.
Did not fly again, and we spent the day refuelling our DDs, before we refuel ourselves.
We are still now crawling north back towards port moresby
another day at sea, in a complete communication blackout.
Did not fly again, and we spent the day refuelling our DDs, before we refuel ourselves.
We are still now crawling north back towards port moresby
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
28/5/42
Totally bored, I again make my way down to the maintenance guys.
It takes a bottle of SAKE - do not ask, and Im now "in"
I leave later -disgusted - I fly far better than I play poker
Another rumour -the british have pounded Adaman island with a huge fleet.
Even I can see japan's dillemma -we must be superior at the important points, we can not be strong every where -here at PM is the important point, the rest will have to manage.
How much longer will we be out here -surely the troops cannot be so far away.
Tokyo rose announces further successes against very light opposition in central china, it appears an offensive is going on there.
An alert just on dusk -spotted again by B17's
We cannot do anything about them
I hope i fly tomorrow - Im totally sick of being deck bound.
Totally bored, I again make my way down to the maintenance guys.
It takes a bottle of SAKE - do not ask, and Im now "in"
I leave later -disgusted - I fly far better than I play poker
Another rumour -the british have pounded Adaman island with a huge fleet.
Even I can see japan's dillemma -we must be superior at the important points, we can not be strong every where -here at PM is the important point, the rest will have to manage.
How much longer will we be out here -surely the troops cannot be so far away.
Tokyo rose announces further successes against very light opposition in central china, it appears an offensive is going on there.
An alert just on dusk -spotted again by B17's
We cannot do anything about them
I hope i fly tomorrow - Im totally sick of being deck bound.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
29/5/42
there are enemy ships west of the timor straight
Yamaguchi announces that we will attack them.
The Old girl cranks her way back up to 27 knots, 35000 ton of steel -a sword for the emperor
We are off the tip of papua -can we get there in time?
Tokyo rose tonight talked about a huge air battle in burma today -claiming hundreds of planes knocked down.
I don't believe it.
Lt sato came from the bridge at dusk -the enemy is still persisting on a C-47 supply bridge to PM, things are grim
Apparently we pounded the place today -over 100 zeros and bombers -very heavy action, many ,many enemy fighters shot down
Why is he so grimly defending the place?
Word has come down that some one wants to know what , if any beaches are in the townsville area - are we considering a ad hoc invasion?
I spent the day getting steadily more excited - I am allocated to the strike for tomorrow
there are enemy ships west of the timor straight
Yamaguchi announces that we will attack them.
The Old girl cranks her way back up to 27 knots, 35000 ton of steel -a sword for the emperor
We are off the tip of papua -can we get there in time?
Tokyo rose tonight talked about a huge air battle in burma today -claiming hundreds of planes knocked down.
I don't believe it.
Lt sato came from the bridge at dusk -the enemy is still persisting on a C-47 supply bridge to PM, things are grim
Apparently we pounded the place today -over 100 zeros and bombers -very heavy action, many ,many enemy fighters shot down
Why is he so grimly defending the place?
Word has come down that some one wants to know what , if any beaches are in the townsville area - are we considering a ad hoc invasion?
I spent the day getting steadily more excited - I am allocated to the strike for tomorrow
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
30/5/42
Calamity!!!!
the day started very well, rose at 0330, then breakfast.
0400 -action stations
And then I fell down the ladder -I must use this ladder from my sleeping area to the ready room a 100 times a day -today -I fell down it - and cracked 2 ribs
So while I curse and frett -LT sato absolutely wont let me fly today -I watch the massive strikes take off
We are lucky
If the enemy had have had some CAP, our kates would have been wiped out
Weather hid the enemy all morning, and we could not launch until after lunch
How frustrating -report, after report -ships in timor straight -at max range
How strange to listen to the strikes go in.
The CL adelaide explodes almost immediately,
and the enemy fleet is pounded.
At the end of the day the reports are tallied
CL adelaide sunk
CA Chicago 3 bombs
CA canberra 9 bombs
CA australia 2 bombs
ca new orleans -2 bombs
dd voyager -4 hits
Cl achilles -4 hits
dd sims -1 hit
kaga loses 2 vals today -both apparently in the explosion of the adelaide.
Morale is very, very high today as we frantically prepare for the kill tomorrow.
i am kept busy all day -gathering info on our stocks of munitions -we are at 50%
we risk the timor straight tonight -full ahead all -we attack.
I am desperate to fly
Tokyo rose announces a 155 zero raid on PM, and hengchow falls in china
we cannot figure out what the Kiwi is up to -but his early aggression is playing into our hands here.
there is much talk about the stripping of australia's air cover -can we take advantage of it.
Calamity!!!!
the day started very well, rose at 0330, then breakfast.
0400 -action stations
And then I fell down the ladder -I must use this ladder from my sleeping area to the ready room a 100 times a day -today -I fell down it - and cracked 2 ribs
So while I curse and frett -LT sato absolutely wont let me fly today -I watch the massive strikes take off
We are lucky
If the enemy had have had some CAP, our kates would have been wiped out
Weather hid the enemy all morning, and we could not launch until after lunch
How frustrating -report, after report -ships in timor straight -at max range
How strange to listen to the strikes go in.
The CL adelaide explodes almost immediately,
and the enemy fleet is pounded.
At the end of the day the reports are tallied
CL adelaide sunk
CA Chicago 3 bombs
CA canberra 9 bombs
CA australia 2 bombs
ca new orleans -2 bombs
dd voyager -4 hits
Cl achilles -4 hits
dd sims -1 hit
kaga loses 2 vals today -both apparently in the explosion of the adelaide.
Morale is very, very high today as we frantically prepare for the kill tomorrow.
i am kept busy all day -gathering info on our stocks of munitions -we are at 50%
we risk the timor straight tonight -full ahead all -we attack.
I am desperate to fly
Tokyo rose announces a 155 zero raid on PM, and hengchow falls in china
we cannot figure out what the Kiwi is up to -but his early aggression is playing into our hands here.
there is much talk about the stripping of australia's air cover -can we take advantage of it.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
31/5/42
a very, very tense night as we crash through the timor straight, how dangerous these waters are, so narrow.
Superb navigation
dawn
Again I watch in frustration as the waves of bombers and planes take off
The enemy is scattered to the north west -running for its life
68 zero escort 18 val, and 4 jake , they hit the new Orleans just once -she has a very good captain it appears
16 val, 58 kate attack the CL achilles, she will sink
18 kate attack the australia, and 5 torpedoes rip her apart
her sister the canberra goes shortly after
They return
Lt sato climbs grimly from his cockpit, and waves me to my fighter - I fly at last with the 2nd strike
Again I watch disspassionately as the Vals gitter as they dive - 70 vals attack the chicago - she is hit again, and again
we fly home.
Already the carriers are heading back to the straight.
More enemy ships ahve been sighted, this time south of Lunga - and this is very, very dangerous.
we de brief
the strikes, again were scattered, and again many were un escorted.
But again we got away with it
For about 8 planes (another 2 vals here on kaga)
we sunk
CL adelaide
Ca Australia
Ca canberra
Ca minneapolis
Ca chicago
Cl achilles
DD voyager
dd sims
the new orleans got away
Moral is superb
a very, very tense night as we crash through the timor straight, how dangerous these waters are, so narrow.
Superb navigation
dawn
Again I watch in frustration as the waves of bombers and planes take off
The enemy is scattered to the north west -running for its life
68 zero escort 18 val, and 4 jake , they hit the new Orleans just once -she has a very good captain it appears
16 val, 58 kate attack the CL achilles, she will sink
18 kate attack the australia, and 5 torpedoes rip her apart
her sister the canberra goes shortly after
They return
Lt sato climbs grimly from his cockpit, and waves me to my fighter - I fly at last with the 2nd strike
Again I watch disspassionately as the Vals gitter as they dive - 70 vals attack the chicago - she is hit again, and again
we fly home.
Already the carriers are heading back to the straight.
More enemy ships ahve been sighted, this time south of Lunga - and this is very, very dangerous.
we de brief
the strikes, again were scattered, and again many were un escorted.
But again we got away with it
For about 8 planes (another 2 vals here on kaga)
we sunk
CL adelaide
Ca Australia
Ca canberra
Ca minneapolis
Ca chicago
Cl achilles
DD voyager
dd sims
the new orleans got away
Moral is superb
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
damaged ribs or not, i fly Cap again today
We are dangerously close to port moresby again -awaiting the tankers
Tokyo rose announces our stunning victory.
In india we again here of massive battles, and reports of oil fields burning in India
This evening yamaguchi makes a pipe
we must not get cocky
The main objective, the capture of port moresby is yet to be achieved.
3 divisionss are at sea, in a huge convoy, just east of gilli, gilli.
they are covered by our 2nd CV task force, and 3 BBs (so rumours of sub sinkings may be true!!!)
at rabual a massive naval bomber prescence is ao standby
Port moresby is subdued, but not yet dead
We must refuel -again, 2 days this will take.
And at least 3 CAs are stopped 360 miles due south of lunga.
the enemy CVs have not been found, and there has been plenty of time to deploy them here.
we are at 45% ammo left -enough for one more big battle.
And yes, we are growing tired.
Our duty is now clear -escort the army to PM.
he is still throwng C-47s into the place -and must still yet want to fight for the place.
The emporer is pleased, but we must finish the job, PM is too dangerous to allow to stay in his hands.
We are dangerously close to port moresby again -awaiting the tankers
Tokyo rose announces our stunning victory.
In india we again here of massive battles, and reports of oil fields burning in India
This evening yamaguchi makes a pipe
we must not get cocky
The main objective, the capture of port moresby is yet to be achieved.
3 divisionss are at sea, in a huge convoy, just east of gilli, gilli.
they are covered by our 2nd CV task force, and 3 BBs (so rumours of sub sinkings may be true!!!)
at rabual a massive naval bomber prescence is ao standby
Port moresby is subdued, but not yet dead
We must refuel -again, 2 days this will take.
And at least 3 CAs are stopped 360 miles due south of lunga.
the enemy CVs have not been found, and there has been plenty of time to deploy them here.
we are at 45% ammo left -enough for one more big battle.
And yes, we are growing tired.
Our duty is now clear -escort the army to PM.
he is still throwng C-47s into the place -and must still yet want to fight for the place.
The emporer is pleased, but we must finish the job, PM is too dangerous to allow to stay in his hands.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
An excellent AAR. I love the format you've picked, one of the best in the AARland right now, great read.
Surface combat TF fanboy
RE: Wobbly vs herb, ens hanamato
2/6/42
110 landings on carriers -and we still have not celebrated my joining the 100 club
Cracked ribs or not, I fly CAP again - 4 more hrs.
toyal today 2570 hrs
I flew mostly at 22000 feet today, to the west I could see the dark shadow of papua new guinea -the mountains look so forbidding!
Again below me, the ships carve pretty little scars on the ocean, we are refuelling -again.
How much fuel do we use.
Someone told me -I actually speak to members of the black gang, having some affection for them-that Kaga burns 20 ton of oil per hr at speed.
This is amazing.
A crappy landing -blinding shoots of pain when I hit the deck - flying injured is not good -but this is war.
Tokyo rose again proclaims massive raids on calcutta - apparently the city is ablaze, the refinerys destroyed
the news is good -the enemy airforce has ceased to challenge us.
returning onboard all i want to do is sit - the ready room stinks -and there is nothing left to read that I have not read twice already.
The speakers blare - one of our submarines has been attacked by those ships way down south of lunga -it survives.
The task force consists of at least 6 destroyers.
Are they a picket - or escorts, or a bait
As the sun sets i go to the stern of kaga -and contemplate life as the wake swishes past.
we buried 8 val pilots today.
110 landings on carriers -and we still have not celebrated my joining the 100 club
Cracked ribs or not, I fly CAP again - 4 more hrs.
toyal today 2570 hrs
I flew mostly at 22000 feet today, to the west I could see the dark shadow of papua new guinea -the mountains look so forbidding!
Again below me, the ships carve pretty little scars on the ocean, we are refuelling -again.
How much fuel do we use.
Someone told me -I actually speak to members of the black gang, having some affection for them-that Kaga burns 20 ton of oil per hr at speed.
This is amazing.
A crappy landing -blinding shoots of pain when I hit the deck - flying injured is not good -but this is war.
Tokyo rose again proclaims massive raids on calcutta - apparently the city is ablaze, the refinerys destroyed
the news is good -the enemy airforce has ceased to challenge us.
returning onboard all i want to do is sit - the ready room stinks -and there is nothing left to read that I have not read twice already.
The speakers blare - one of our submarines has been attacked by those ships way down south of lunga -it survives.
The task force consists of at least 6 destroyers.
Are they a picket - or escorts, or a bait
As the sun sets i go to the stern of kaga -and contemplate life as the wake swishes past.
we buried 8 val pilots today.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt