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This has been a terrific AAR. Would be great if you can continue it.

A nice touch might be to have a third party account of Ens H's demise, perhaps even by his successor in the AAR (although it could be told to his successor by a third party if you want to move the perspective to a different unit).

Whatever you decide many kudos and thanks. [8D]

A sad day indeed. I have been following the career of Ensign Hanamoto for some time now and his service will be remembered.

Perhaps his protege Lt Oda ca
n take over his work?

thanks for the replies guys

I will check tonight to see if LT ODA survived the debacle that destroyed A-11 daitai -and if so, he can carry on the story -although as a 51 experience pilot -I wonder how long he will go for

regardless, A-11 daiai has a bit of rebuilding to do!

More tonight.

maybe a closing post would be nice, do a short biography, summarising Hanamoto's life and explaining his death. Than ask that a mod close the thread and continue the AAR if you want to in an other thread...

Poor guy, I really got the feeling of what being a young jap pilot in that war could be...

RIP.

So this is war.

Today promised so much, the chance to tangle with the imperialists over Ndini.

Our planes looked so powerful, 27 of us lined up on each side of the strip, propellers spinning in the sun
I actually felt confident yesterday, my plane feels more and more familiar with each flight.

Then came the wait
And more wait
We heard Ndini is covered in storms, the Dinah pilot gives a wry shake of his head as he returns -its a delay

we shut down, and i made my way to the shelter of the shade from the jungle lining the strip.

The pagoda controlling the field remained silent
Time passed, i think I dosed.
Were we going to fly, or not?
Hanamato -good friend - wandered over
would i like to go and do some aerobatics if today was scrubbed?
yes
I had so much to learn from him
I still remember the next moments so clearly
The scrub flag waving from the tower
His smile -how he just loved to fly
His plane trundling down the strip, as I climbed into my bird

And then the scream off dozens off bombs falling upon us.
There was terrible noise - truly terrible - as they hit
just flashes of light -and violent -terrible movement
My plane was flung upside down, and the world filled with dust, and terror.
Blood -from my ears, my face -seemingly everywhere.

Someone pulled me out.
and the B17s -so long the elusive target of my friend -dronned unmolested away -their mission done

The unit is destroyed - only 4 planes remain.
ironically, only 2 pilots are missing - they say missing -we just cannot identify the body of my friend -a huge crater exists where only a moment before his plane taxied ready for flight.

So this is war
masuyama flew the last 4 planes out today -the rest of us -it is planned will leave by ship when they finish unloading.
The Tonies flew in -and provide CAP -only a day late.

I will have my revenge -by the blood in my veins, by the blood I have spilt -I will have my revenge.


Lt Oda.

yeah that's the spirit!

Amazing that this pilot was killed on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. I just had to check because I didn't remember when started this game and it was a May 42 game, so he didn't last one year.

Please continue

9/12/42
A bitter depressing day as we buried our dead, and struggled to repair our squadron

4 planes flew out today, the best pilots amongst them
i nervously eye the rusty steamers anchored off the beach - i hope we do not travel to truk in them

The enemy -the scum -have invaded Adaman island
I hope the emperor has a surprise for him!

it has been a dirty day, and I wonder -if the best we have can be killed so easily -how will we fair
I will sell my life dearly for the empire
I look at my classmates
Lt Hori -8 missions
Lt banno -12 missions
Lt Womura -10 missions

We are on our own.
The experienced men are quiet, and brooding -they will not talk to us.
One final painful duty today -Lt hamanatos sister wrote a letter today -well we recieved it today
I know her from school
Should I write to her -how do I describe his death?
How can I possibly call it "death in honourable combat'?

10/12/42
A relief felt day today
Several large transport aircraft arrived and ferried us back to truk, the last of A-11 daitai -39 unemployed pilots with only 9 battered old zeros amongst us.

We are to recieve reinforcements -eventually
The strain is telling on the empire - apparently the supply of fighters is very tight at the moment.
One rumour is that we are to recieve and train up with the new fighter -the jack -when it comes on line -but this is some time away.

bad news for our glorious empire today -the enemy is crowing about a naval battle near Andaman island -the CVL Ryuho has been sunk, and the island taken

Im sure we will take it back

The yankee bombers extended their reach today -bombing Lea .
wonder if the mission building got hit?
Truk is strangely empty here -wonder where the fleet is?

11/12/42

Our CO is in a terrible rage today
Quite simply, we have been told that it will be "a matter of some time until replacements are available -so sorry"

So Sorry!!
What is going on!
The skies steadily fill with more and more Imperialist aircraft -and we sit on the ground because _"of so sorry!"

Some one should do the responsible thing and apologise with their death over this matter.
death to all who oppose the empire.

12/2/43

The news is this today -Andaman island has definately fallen -some troops fight on -gloriously -but its only a matter of time
In China fighting all along the front - the trapped 50000 men struggle on
cannot anything be done to relieve them!

We still await replacement planes
In fact, we await a lot of stuff -Truk seems to be terribly short of everything -from petrol to bullets to basic clothing supplies.

I am disgusted by what i see here
The tropical heat and humidity seems to have sapped the fighting spirit of the HQ staff here -the lasitude is incredible.
All here seem to think the war is won -that the Americans will never come back.

I recieved a letter from my brother sagi -it appears that the duties of a SBLT on the Nagato have been very boring of late
No clue where he is -"but the barnacles are having a fine time" he writes.


A convoy is not due for a week.
truk, I feel is going to drive me to distraction

13/12/42
A 40000 ton convoy -complete with spare zeros is due in a week.
the more i see Truk -the more I hate it

For fun we went and raided some native gardens today - supplies of food are apparently getting a bit tight.
Our brave betty pilots sunk 2 ships off Andaman island today -the useless army pilots missed totally

I hold the army air in contempt -why does the army need planes anyway?
take for example what is happening on the field today -the army mechanics are slowly assembling 2 squadrons of Nates.
nates!

Army hot heads got us into this war -and ruined my life -at least they could come to fight it properly equipped.
If we are not given planes to fly soon -we are going to get into serious mischief i feel.

I am in trouble

"the natives gardens are not to be touched"

As if they matter.

Our new planes turned up today.
As punishment we have been put to work with some of the enlisted men putting them together.
When do we get upgraded crates?!
when do we fly again?!
This is no way to treat an Imperial officer of the empire.
I handle weapons -not screwdrivers!
This war stinks.

15/12/43

Too tired to write much, a full day of assembling planes today.
The war in China apparently is hotting up again, we have managed to isolate wuchow from its supply lines.
Our Army in the North continues to show how to fight on against all odds.
Still a steady stream of planes flying through here headed south.

16/12/42

My hands are a mess, we now have 19 planes assembled, flown and tested OK.

Truk remains a terrible place, the big convoy promised is still not here.


17/12/42
Electrifying news today -a naval battle at Lunga
4 of our DDs valiantly battled overwhelming numbers, but were sunk.
Where is our vaunted carrier fleet?
Why did they get surprised?
is this war being run by incompetents?


18/12/43
I am absolutely exhausted, we all are
dawn today saw the squadron declared operational again -27 planes, 34 pilots.
We bagan to prepare to move to Lae -for training.
Then before breakfast, disturbing news -Wake island is being invaded.

A short radio alarm -enemy ships approaching -and then silence
No one knows what has happened.
We took off at midday -a large Emily fortunately lead the way -no way i could have navigated today safely -even I know my limits.
A nightmare flight -hour after endless hour -to the limit of our endurance -mental, physical and fuel.
marcus island
A tiny dot in the middle of no where -a tiny, tiny, undeveloped field -no facilities at all.
We will even have to pump fuel by hand it appears.
Tomorrow we are on 90% CAP roster.
Masuyama is grim -he tells us that he does not expect it to be long before wake is the home of the B17s
I remember lunga too well.
Can't the empire do something to strike back.
The ocean looks so gentle and peaceful -hard to imagine terrible danger lies over its gentle horizon.

19/12/42
Marcus island is a strange place.

low and flat - and not very big.
But that hardly mattered -we remained at instant readiness all day -a long terrible day of heat and bugs.

Everywhere you go the surf can be heard.
The island is only lightly defended -1 SNLF, but 2 base units -so there is no shortage of mechanics for our planes.

Some comfort -we are only a single flight from home -one can hope.

An exciting day

Inspection

Admiral herbiesan himself came and inspected us today
A terrible scowl never seemed to leave his face -he is apparently greatly displeased.

But , then he invited us to dinner, and under the canvas he was very open.
he invited comment on the war, and did not seemed to mind , in fact encouraged opinions
yes -the zero is inadequate
yes -we are having trouble bringing the enemy to battle on our terms.
No -the fleet is in good condition

Then, after several drinks he began a very interesting discourse of the war, the way he saw it developing

The wake thrust -a central thrust -was very disturbing
very
Herbiesan laid out his thoughts thus
What is essential to the empire
The gilberts -no
The solomons -no
DEI -yes
Siapan, the bonins, marcus -yes

If this is so -then strategy would demand that what we need to hold -must be, what does not, should not be.
he left us with this warning

War is not won through maintaining honour
War is one by breaking the enemy on unexpected rocks.

So, the day ends.
And his last words ring in our ears
A-2 daitai will be in the centre of the defence.

editors note

OK
Ive beenplaying wobbly for so long I almost forget when we started
We have had about 3 UV games(he won each one[:@]) and several battles in WITP

but in the latest UV game (check out the AAR) i have made his life nothing but hard work chewing up the solomon chain.
For the last month our e mails have had a lot of references to " I am not looking forward to doing the solomon island thing again" and other hints: "you are getting too good at defence" ect, ect

So I think he wont come up the chain at all
And Wake scares me

Saipan and guam are already fortresses, so are the paluas, the gilberts are not so.
My centre of gravity is currently the solomons, and I think its in the wrong place
SO -
Im stripping out of there from this point on -The DEI -kendari area is the main area I will fill -that and the bonins and the central islands.
Its going to take a while, and a lot of effort, but if Im to get serious about this game -I better get my act into gear.

marcus is a size 1 port, and no forts -man, Id better rectify this 1st!!!

20/12/42

I am so angry i can hardly speak!
the day has been totally chaotic

news came in early -our troops are still resisting on wake.
Where are our carriers?

Then, around 10 -news of a very large enemy task force headed directly towards us, it must bombard this place tomorrow.
Not a bomber on the island, or in range.
But we will fight!
Then came the order -we fly to the bonins -the enemy will get a free shot!
I cannot bare the shame -our own land, sacred japan is under threat of being bombed, and we run away.
Bonin island -a small strip, a rugged group of hills, and mass confusion.
contary orders, counter orders, and cancelled orders.

many planes flying in.

the enemies intentions are unclear -a deep raid i would say.
Let him come, I believe many, many betty bombers are winging our way.

Cursed Kiwi commanders and their evil, wicked plans
We's hates you we's do!

21/12/42

This is getting ridiculous!!
Another move today, now we are at Iwo Jima
A lot bigger field -bleak and nasty, but a lot of Naval bombers and other fighters here.

No BBC radio here, only Tokyo rose

There has been a huge battle near Homan, again it appears the army has been rebuffed.

No one seems to know where the enemy fleet is -or ours for that matter.
Wake went off the air today -although some troops swore to fight on, and Andaman island continues to resist.