Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[tocaff]

Could this be the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end?

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: tocaff

Could this be the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end?

Yes. Yes it could. [:'(]

[Feinder]

Must...
 
Have...
 
Hibiki...
 
Fix...!
 

 
-F-

[HMS Resolution]

The framing of this seems almost like the lead-up to Gettysburg.
 
Still think the IJN will win.

[Cuttlefish]

November 9, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 441

Orders: Engage enemy forces attacking the New Hebrides

---

Although the Allied buildup at Noumea continues, there is as yet no sign of an invasion at Efate or anywhere else. The Japanese departure from Kwajalein is thus postponed by one day to allow time for last-minute preparations and repairs.

The huge atoll swarms with boats large and small ferrying supplies and personnel to and from ships. Aboard Hibiki men take advantage of the delay to write a last letter or two, get in a final drink ashore, or just get a little extra rest. It does not seem likely to anyone that the next couple of weeks will allow many chances to rest and relax.

[Cuttlefish]

November 10, 1943

Location: 60 miles northwest of Jaluit
Course: South
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 443

Orders: Engage enemy forces attacking the New Hebrides

---

Torpedomen Kinsei, Chuyo, and Hosogaya are standing by the forward torpedo mount. As the sun comes up it reveals an ocean covered with Japanese warships, all heading south.

“It is an inspiring sight,” says Kinsei, looking out across the water. Hosogaya nods.

“You know what else would be an inspiring sight?” asks Chuyo.

“Downtown Tokyo on a Friday night,” says Hosogaya promptly.

Chuyo looks at him. “How did you know I was going to say that?” he asks.

“Because you’ve said it before,” laughs Hosogaya. ”About twelve times. I’m afraid we’re going in the wrong direction to reach Tokyo, my friend.”

“Look on the bright side,” says Kinsei. “Maybe we’ll finally be able to put our training to use.” He reaches up and pats the curved metal of the nearest tube.

“Not much chance of that,” says Chuyo. “This is going to be a carrier battle. If the enemy doesn’t run away again, that is.”

“Hey, you never know,” says Kinsei. “I was talking to some of the old hands. They said we were nearly intercepted by battleships once while escorting carriers near Timor.”

Hosogaya nods. “I heard the same,” he says. “That’s the thing about war, it is never predictable. Who knows what may happen?”

“Speaks the veteran of zero battles!” scoffs Chuyo.

“Well, then, that is why I do not know what may happen,” says Hosogaya. Chuyo searches for an answer to this but does not find one, so he shrugs in acknowledgement and remains silent.

“Well, let’s stop jawing and get busy,” says Kinsei. “Besides, I thought I heard Shun a moment ago.”

“Then we are perfectly safe,” chuckles Chuyo. “If you think you hear him, he is nowhere around. If you do not hear him, he is right behind you.”

Kinsei turns nervously and looks behind him, but there is no one there. The other two laugh, and even Kinsei smiles. Then the three men get to work.

[Durbik]

Does it sound like good ol' naval clash prophecy to you too?

[histgamer]

hhahaha i love the shun comment.[:D]

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: flanyboy

One could aruge tactically Sharpsburg was a victory of the south seeing as the Union attacked and didn't drive the CSA from the field. Lee even held his ground the following day without the Union attacking, though that was due to McClellan's own confidence problem. Though without making this a civil war topic I will say that McClellan was prolly the best union army commander when it came to battlefield tactics, not once did lee ever catch his army with its pants down. If he just had the ability of Grant to see his army take heavy losses he woulda won the war in 62. No other union commander prolly could have done that because the CSA was strong enough to take heavy losses in 62 and replace them, Grant wouldnt have won it then.

Well when i say win it i mean take richmond. you can debate if in 62 that would have lead to the end of the war or not.

With "Little Mac" remaining in command, Richmond in 1962 is certainly plausible.

IMO CF made another sly comparison to the War of Northern Aggression. The editorial read a little while back concerning the Americans cannot win, and the Japs will not give up smacks of a lot of the Confederate diplomacy earlier in the war, ie. July '63 and earlier.


EDIT:
Dang! I should have delayed my catch-up reading for another week or so. Now I am on pins and needles.

[AcePylut]

We prefer to call it the War of Southern Rebellion.

[bobogoboom]

you call it wrong.[:'(]

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: bobogoboom

you call it wrong.[:'(]

War of Southern Aggression?? [:'(]

[Terminus]

Unfounded Irrational Northward Aggressive Movement By Illegally Declared Non-National Entity?

[bobogoboom]

ORIGINAL: rtrapasso

ORIGINAL: bobogoboom

you call it wrong.[:'(]

War of Southern Aggression?? [:'(]

i was gonna call it the rednecks war[:'(]

[1275psi]

This is so bad. I keep logging on to update my own AARs -only to end up here desperate to hear what happens next!

I put my money on the following..............
Huge CV clash
japan wins
Hibiki gets to engage in following surface engagement, and finally gets to use her tubes.
Hibiki gets sunk.........................

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Terminus

Seafires and Martlets, most likely...

Or maybe not. If memory serves, the Hellcat II and the Corsair IV are both available at this point.

[histgamer]

Hmm what does it make me if I love Lee and Longstreet... (not jackson so much) and Love Winfield Scott Hancock (and his 2nd corps) as well as the Iron Brigade (im a wisconsin boy).

What should i call the war then?[&:]

[Ol_Dog]

ORIGINAL: flanyboy

What should i call the war then?[&:]

A Glorious American Tragedy

[ny59giants]

I think we need a bookie to take odds on which six hour period (matrix time) that the "Mother of all Battles" is actually posted in this AAR. Right now I feel like I am back in the military...hurry up and wait. [:D]
 
We get this little bites and pieces of the ships moving towards each other, but nothing yet. The suspense wouldn't be so bad if CF's opponent had his own AAR. [;)]

[Terminus]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

ORIGINAL: Terminus

Seafires and Martlets, most likely...

Or maybe not. If memory serves, the Hellcat II and the Corsair IV are both available at this point.

Isn't it 10/43? If so, they're not there yet.