herbiesan vs Cantona!!!

[1275psi]

Inoute's plane today..........

[1275psi]

16/1/42

WO Kuroe could barely hide his shame as he looked down onto the cot holding Inoute.
Inoute smiled back " Don't take it to heart friend - crap happens"

Yes -Crap happens
But what he had done was in excusible.
He would have to make it up -somehow.



15/1/42
Weather: morning clear, afternoon clear -Sentai temporarily at Siagon
47 sentai now under the command of Malaya command .

LT Hyakute 11 3 kills
Juni V 14
Juni B 12 2 kills
Inoute 13
Iwaya 10
izumuda 10 2 kills
takenaka 13
Kuroe 16
inoue 9

LTCOL kanabayashi 14

7 A/c available -repairs continue on one A/C
Sentai to move to Khota Bharu tomorrow

[1275psi]

from the diary of Col Kanbayashi

Losing a plane yesterday was a blow - and we were very lucky not to lose 2 -and 2 pilots to go with them.
I must find something tomorrow to get Kuroe's mind back onto the job.
I expect that Inoute will be back in a month or so -all things considering.

have had a hell of a day trying to find out from any one where the hell I am meant to take us tomorrow.
I have learnt a big lesson today -regardless of the imperitive -no more long range transfer missions -all that ocean yesterday worried me -and navigating and flying over water -well -Im not up to it.
I admit it.
we were lucky indeed -any bad weather and e may not have made it.

Khota Bharu tomorrow -I am getting a sheep dog to guide us -some fine fellows I met at the mess today promise to do the job............

[1275psi]

Our fine sheep dogs -who will lead us across "the ditch" tomorrow

[1275psi]

The sheep dog is a successful tactic -the entire Sentai -now reduced to 8 planes and 8 pilots, makes a incident free transfer to Khota Bharu.
It was a very long flight -and few of the pilots have the energy to explore the new surroundings -simply grabbing their allocated tents -and collapsing

The field is intensly busy this day - Japan is opening her bombing offensive proper against Singapore today -and the field thunders to the sound of KI-21 medium bombers, and the snarl of the escorting oscars.

The war is going well -the army closes in on Singapore itself -Clarke airfield has been taken, and the battle for Soerabaya is ripe for taking.

[1275psi]

17/1/41

extract from letter Capt Izumida, addresses to Lt Argo, 33rd Sentai

(letter apparently never delivered)


...........and we made it with out another loss -a surprise if you ask me.
The KI-21s took a hammering today -aren't you glad we made fighters? -flying those trucks would be a nightmare.
There are some British Hudson bombers wrecks here -well the remains of some - and Im not impressed at all - I think even our pathetic guns can take them down.
However -if you meet an American Fortress -what a giant of a plane - you will learn a lesson real quick!
We are going to move again tomorrow -following the Army South..........

[1275psi]

Capt Izumida's flying trucks

The sallies begin the bombing campaign against Singapore

[1275psi]

18/1/42
47sentai move south today to kuantan -recently captured by the advancing Army

It is not a happy re deployment - 8 planes arrive safely at the field -again a sheep dog leading the way - but Major Takenaka's plane suffers a badly bent prop taxiing into the reverments here -courtesy of the plowed up field.

TOn the other hand -the pilots are very pleased with what they find in the way of support -Colonel Kanbayashi has already been with some of the transports -and support seems to be coming out of the fields ears.

The pilots happily are told to"go and rest" -Even Takenaka's plane is promised to be repaired for tomorrow -yet another long flight -to palembang

[1275psi]

The twins are walking around the field, inspecting some of the remains of war scattered about the field -various Dutch and british wrecks.

Just to the south of the field -where some of the wreckage lays thickest -is a series of small ponds -each about 10 metres across.
Already the jungle is starting to claim them -but there is no doubt at the moment that these ponds have not formed naturally

Juni V points to them " And that my friend -is why our father wanted us in the Navy"
"So we could skulk around under the ocean -with no daylight -and splash around in puddles?"
The twins grin.

"Idiot" - Juni V outlines the ponds with his hands" That you ignouramous -is where a big fat Navy shell -in fact -a whole series of big fat Navy shells landed."His Brother looked carefully.
he was right. Soberingly right
" I understand now why the opposition has been so light in the air - who'd want to be at the end of this lot?"

[1275psi]

kauntan Airfield operations - KI -48's on ASW duties

[1275psi]

19/1/42

Again the Sentai move - the pilots are now getting tired - 3 days of long distance flying have strained backs, patience -and bladders.
All Are dirty, both in mind and spirit , as the Sentai finally reaches its destination -palembang.

But they remain professional -even as the strip comes into view -Captain Izumida leads them in a great circle -orientating the Sentai to its field -the Port -and the prize to defend -the oil facilities.
These are undamaged -siezed early in the war through agressive action - they must remain undamaged

The group land safely - and the mechanics swarm over the plane -The Colonel is waiting there for them, the transports already empty -needed elsewhere urgently

2 planes are declared non combat ready -both low in manifold pressure -they will require engine changes.

It is intended to rest tomorrow -and then to join the air war over singapore.

[1275psi]

From the diary of Colonel Kanbayashi



...................losing one plane and pilot(temporarily) to ops losses is disapointing -but it could have been worse.
Morale is poor -the pilots are testy to say the least - I need to get them back into the war ASAP.
Big day of discussions with the Air Commander here - the battle for Singapore will soon be joined -and there is still an enemy air prescence about -the Dutch have not given up yet!

Spoke with the Navy today - they have some bombers here as well as the Army bomber"trucks". I think we will be very busy.

regretfully, the main reason for our being here -defence against the B-17's seems to have evaporated -they are operating out of India it appears, a pity, we would dearly like to bring some of them down.............

[1275psi]

Combat diary for 47th sentai again remains a little unclear

records seem to show that at this stage our sentai pilots had flown the following number of missions - missions where enemy planes were active in the area seem to be the only ones being counted.

Hyakutake 11
Juni v 14
Juni b 12
Iwaya 11
Izumida 10
Takenaka 14
Kuroe 16
Inoue 9

Hyakutake has 3 confirmed kills, Juni b 2, and Izumida 2

Palembang is 100% operational, and supporting 2 Sally sentai -and a nell chutai?, plus search planes.

Soerabaya has just fallen, fighting rages at batavia -where the dutch hold on, and Japanese troops are assualting rangoon.

[1275psi]

G3m -Type 96 -deployed at soerabaya -a case of Sake and suddenly they are the Colonels best friends!

[1275psi]

20/1/42
The first full day at soerabaya is spent shaking down the sentai - the 2 damaged planes are rectified in that mysterious way that skilled machanics can never explain to the pilots.

test flights are flown -the pilots continue to orientate themselves to the area -all though secretly hoping to contact the dutch -batavia remains an active dutch field by all reports.
The Colonel is particularily concerned at the lack of early warning -naval search in particular is poor -the Allied CV's could concievably return.

Overall the day goes well - the accomadations are good -the field is large, solid, and well drained.
The weather is hot -but not to bad at the moment.

Tomorrow will be interesting -the Navy has already called in the chit for the case of sake -escorts required for anti shipping patrols tomorrow.

[1275psi]

Captain Iwaya came through -as usual.

Since his chewing out by the Colonel, he has been fairly low key -but tonight he he again shows the other side of his personality.

Not for the first time a tsmall truck is sheperded to the new tempory mess -and large amounts of seafood, rice and delicacies are brought in -along with a cook. Several crates of beer -Singa beer - also are brought in.

The party is a good one - .

" So you want to fly a zero Kuroe!?" boistrously Iwaya kids his fellow pilot
"Iwaya blearily eyes his compatriot -this night has not helped him at all -but what the hek!"
"Of course -who would'nt!"
" Then if you are going to be a traitor and fly for the Navy scum -then you have to carrier qualify!"
'Ahh -yes -and how do i do that?'
"Trial and error my friend, trial and error!"
'Turn the carrier into the wind!!"

A great cheer meets this call -and quickly the "carrier" -a great big table -is produced.
Its"deck" is liberally lubricated with some beer

And "qualifications begin"


Either you have to have been there-or have "qualified"yourself - to truly understand the hilarity -and damage that can result.

[1275psi]

21/1/42

From the moment Hyakutake opened his eyes in the pre dawn light –he knew (despite the pounding head, terrible dry mouth, and other generally disagreeable effects of the night before) that this was going to be a good day.

He was going to fly today –fly in combat –this he just knew –and it felt good –it felt right.

He quietly dressed, made his way onto the fields edge –sniffing the air. Around him the base was coming to life – over at the hangers –crews already wheeling the navy bombers out – down at the end of the field –a babs already taking to the air.
It is calm –that lovely cool pink period before the tropical sun comes up –and ruins the moment

Its only a quick walk to the mess tent –and the simple meal and tea goes down well – Iwaya, takenaka and Inoue joining him. There is little conversation –maybe it’s the sore heads –but Hyakutake thinks its something more.
This morning strangely reminds him of his training days – waiting for the instructor to take him up again, the joy of flight still just being explored, savoured.

Its time –and they make there way to the fighters.
Hyakutake takes his time –pre flighting carefully his beast. His ground crew have prepared her as best they can –he knows this –but He is flying her –not them.

The cockpit is now a very familiar home –and beginning to take on its own personality –the missing paint here –the worn patch there –that trim wheel with the chip in it. It’s a familiar home, a comfortable office. It’s the only place he wants to be.

The Navy Bombers begin to depart –and Hyakutake brings his plane to life –the big Nakajima bellowing, beginning the vibration, the noise, all of his plane into life.

They depart –every take off is an adventure –but this one is a joy –the sun bursts into the cockpit as the ground falls away –Hyakutake keeps the canopy back –its just too good a day to close it.

Patrol -4 fighters, 9 bombers –heading due east – the babs have found prey.

The target is disappointing –a single small freighter –so they spend another hour searching –but the seas remain empty, so they go to attack –the torpedoes have to be used –nobody can land with them

He sees them first -4 unknown fighters - circling way above them.
Wing waggle –acknowledged –and Inoue agrees –and he pulls the stick back hard –and pushes the throttle to the wall. 2 arrows climb -2 stick to the bombers

The enemy fighters are some 5000 feet higher – the KI-44 can climb astonishingly fast –and he climbs like a rocket –caring not that this is a terrible tactical position.

The Dutch hawk 75’s -four of them –however, have met Japanese fighters already in this war – and they break –and dive hard for Batavia, and not even the swiftest plane is going to stop them..

It’s a terrible let down.

By the time the bombers are rejoined –it is all over –the little AK –and its crew –are gone –as if never been.

Hyakutake gives them not a thought.
Only the joy of climbing so high, so hard, fills his mind.
Maybe tomorrow he might get to fire his guns. Maybe tomorrow.

[1275psi]

Diving for home -and too quick today for us!

[FeurerKrieg]

ORIGINAL: 1275psi



21/1/42

From the moment Hyakutake opened his eyes in the pre dawn light –he knew (despite the pounding head, terrible dry mouth, and other generally disagreeable effects of the night before) that this was going to be a good day.

He was going to fly today –fly in combat –this he just knew –and it felt good –it felt right.

He quietly dressed, made his way onto the fields edge –sniffing the air. Around him the base was coming to life – over at the hangers –crews already wheeling the navy bombers out – down at the end of the field –a babs already taking to the air.
It is calm –that lovely cool pink period before the tropical sun comes up –and ruins the moment

Its only a quick walk to the mess tent –and the simple meal and tea goes down well – Iwaya, takenaka and Inoue joining him. There is little conversation –maybe it’s the sore heads –but Hyakutake thinks its something more.
This morning strangely reminds him of his training days – waiting for the instructor to take him up again, the joy of flight still just being explored, savoured.

Its time –and they make there way to the fighters.
Hyakutake takes his time –pre flighting carefully his beast. His ground crew have prepared her as best they can –he knows this –but He is flying her –not them.

The cockpit is now a very familiar home –and beginning to take on its own personality –the missing paint here –the worn patch there –that trim wheel with the chip in it. It’s a familiar home, a comfortable office. It’s the only place he wants to be.

The Navy Bombers begin to depart –and Hyakutake brings his plane to life –the big Nakajima bellowing, beginning the vibration, the noise, all of his plane into life.

They depart –every take off is an adventure –but this one is a joy –the sun bursts into the cockpit as the ground falls away –Hyakutake keeps the canopy back –its just too good a day to close it.

Patrol -4 fighters, 9 bombers –heading due east – the babs have found prey.

The target is disappointing –a single small freighter –so they spend another hour searching –but the seas remain empty, so they go to attack –the torpedoes have to be used –nobody can land with them

He sees them first -4 unknown fighters - circling way above them.
Wing waggle –acknowledged –and Inoue agrees –and he pulls the stick back hard –and pushes the throttle to the wall. 2 arrows climb -2 stick to the bombers

The enemy fighters are some 5000 feet higher – the KI-44 can climb astonishingly fast –and he climbs like a rocket –caring not that this is a terrible tactical position.

The Dutch hawk 75’s -four of them –however, have met Japanese fighters already in this war – and they break –and dive hard for Batavia, and not even the swiftest plane is going to stop them..

It’s a terrible let down.

By the time the bombers are rejoined –it is all over –the little AK –and its crew –are gone –as if never been.

Hyakutake gives them not a thought.
Only the joy of climbing so high, so hard, fills his mind.
Maybe tomorrow he might get to fire his guns. Maybe tomorrow.

Nice writing! - I could almost feel the humid morning air....

[1275psi]

22/1/42
Weather: morning clear, afternoon clear
47 sentai now under the command of Malaya command .

LT Hyakute 13 3 kills
Juni V 15
Juni B 13 2 kills
Inoute 13--------------detached WIA
Iwaya 13
izumuda 10 2 kills
takenaka 16
Kuroe 17
inoue 11

LTCOL kanabayashi 15

7 planes operational -Izumida returned to base with low manifold pressure.
Conducted offensive sweep over Singapore - 9 enemy fighters identified as brewster buffalos failed to engage