Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[histgamer]

That last battle was alot like Gettysburg really. Ironic how people were comparing it to it.[:D] Ozawa's blunder sortta like Pickets Charge.[:D]

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg

Well, I think it is a topic for this AAR - I'd love to know if any carriers have been accelerated in CF's game. I doubt he'll answer us directly, but maybe we'll see some hints in the narrative soon.

This will come up in the AAR in the future. I will make some general comments, though. First, I am playing this game pretty closely along historical lines. This includes setting a defensive perimeter pretty close to what Japan actually had (exceptions: Port Moresby, New Caledonia/New Hebrides, Baker Island), limiting activity in China, and not abusing the PDU feature. It isn't the way I play every game, but it's the way I wanted this one to go.

Second, wholesale acceleration of Japanese carriers takes a lot of industrial muscle. Honda cited the large industrial base he conquered in his game as the key to his remarkable carrier victory; these are resources Japan does not possess in this version of reality.

That being said, I think that Japanese leadership will respond to this unexpected and disastrous defeat by doing what they can to get more carriers into the water as soon as possible. But as in real life, it might well be a case of too little, too late...

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Now that I think about it a little more, the battlewagon of most interest to the Hibiki would be the Nagato instead. Was she there?

Ah, I think you mean Mutsu, the ship that Taiki's brother serves on. Nope, Mutsu was not there either.

ORIGINAL: HMS Resolution

Well, with active Royal Navy participation in possibly the most important aeronaval battle of the Pacific War, the post-war political landscape should be very different indeed.

And let's not forget that the only carrier prior to this battle to face the Japanese and come out ahead was Victorious.

[NormS3]

Absolutely fantastic work!

Sorry for your losses, but I feel that myself and the rest of the forum will only continue to gain from your masterful storytelling.

[Cuttlefish]

November 21, 1943

Location: 180 miles southwest of Nauru Island
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 218

Orders: Get Zuikaku safely back to Kwajalein

---

Hibiki steams slowly northeast, now part of Zuikaku’s forward screen. The sea is choppy under a flat gray overcast, but this suits the crew just fine. Anything that helps to hide them from Allied search planes is a good thing right now.

There is still no sign of any pursuit. They know the enemy carriers are still out there, though. From time to time during the day Hibiki picks up frantic broadcasts from damaged Japanese ships under air attack. These are ships from the surface action of two nights ago, ships that were too badly damaged in the fighting to get far enough away from the battle area. Several ships are lost in this fashion, including battleship Haruna and Hibiki’s sister-ship Akatsuki.

The reports deepen the gloom aboard Hibiki and the other surviving ships. It does not slow them down, however, and every mile of ocean that passes under their keels brings them closer to protective air cover from bases in the Marshalls and the Gilberts.

---

Riku and Oizuma stand along the rail, looking out at the gray swells. Shiro, just coming off duty, stops and joins them.

“Is there any news?” he asks. Riku shrugs. Oizuma glances over at him.

“Nothing really,” he says. “It sounds like the enemy carriers are still well to the south.”

“Good!” says Shiro. “Maybe that snake of yours is still protecting us, Oizuma.”

“You would not be the only one to think so,” says Oizuma wryly. “They have started leaving offerings again. Be careful where you step when you come down to sleep this evening.”

The men stand in silence for a moment, each deep in his own thoughts. Finally Shiro stirs.

“I wonder what happens next?” he says.

“What happens next?” says Riku. “We go on, of course. This was one battle. There will be others. We have been defeated today, but that does not mean the war is over. We keep fighting.” Shiro looks at him, startled. There is a firmness and conviction in his friend’s voice that is new. It helps shake off a little of his own depression.

“I meant, where do we go if we reach Kwajalein,” he says. “But you are right, we are not beaten yet.”

“Maybe we will go back to Japan?” suggests Oizuma.

“Don’t bet on it, Snake Man,” says a gruff voice from behind them. The three men turn to see Chief Petty Officer Shun standing close at hand. They come to attention.

“Relax,” Shun growls. The men do so. “You think they are going to be in a hurry to send any of these ships back to Japan?” Shun says. “I do not think so. We know too much, it would be bad for morale at home.”

As the sailors digest this Shun turns his gaze on Riku.

“That was well spoken,” he said. “I’ve heard enough sniveling and moaning today to make me sick, Ariga, but you talked like a man. Damn right we keep fighting. If those dirty American devils and their British friends think they know what it takes to beat us then let them think again!” He turns and stalks away.

The three watch him go. “Come on,” says Shiro after a moment. “Let’s go get some food.”

---

Headline from a major Tokyo newspaper for November 21:

[font="Times New Roman"]Japanese Carriers Victorious in South Pacific

All Japan rejoices today at the news that a large British and American carrier force has been defeated by our brave sailors and airmen. In a battle near the Santa Cruz Islands six enemy aircraft carriers have been sunk. Japanese forces, determined to secure the victory, are pursuing the shattered remains of the enemy fleet to the southwest…[/font]

[Onime No Kyo]

[&o][&o][&o]

[histgamer]

HAHAHA I didn't see Shun coming there... I love that guy.[&o][&o][&o][&o]

[tocaff]

What's wrong with Shun?  He's going soft and talkative?  At least he is still the ship's apparition that appears without warning.  The battle must've hit him hard.

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

[font="Times New Roman"]Japanese Carriers Victorious in South Pacific

All Japan rejoices today at the news that a large British and American carrier force has been defeated by our brave sailors and airmen. In a battle near the Santa Cruz Islands six enemy aircraft carriers have been sunk. Japanese forces, determined to secure the victory, are pursuing the shattered remains of the enemy fleet to the southwest…[/font]

That sounds very much like what could be expected! [:D]

[Cuttlefish]

November 22, 1943

Location: 160 miles west-northwest of Nauru Island
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 189

Orders: Get Zuikaku safely back to Kwajalein

---

Singly, in pairs, or in large task forces, the Japanese ships fall back on Kwajalein. The Allied forces remain concentrated near Efate. Port Vila, the major town there, is quickly overrun by the invaders and the Japanese forces withdraw into the interior of the island to continue resisting as best they can.

In Japan the celebration of the reported Japanese victory continues. In the Allied countries the news of the battle is somewhat more accurately reported, and morale climbs sharply. Determination to see the war to its conclusion is renewed. President Roosevelt confers briefly with Prime Minister Churchill and then issues his unconditional surrender decree. It is understood without needing to be said that the Japanese peace proposal is dead and buried.

Both sides know that the war is a long ways from over. The Japanese are still strong and are by now heavily dug into their island bases. Whether or not these defenses are strong enough to stand up to the coming Allied offensives remains to be seen.

[Cuttlefish]

November 23, 1943

Location: 225 miles southwest of Jaluit
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 161

Orders: Get Zuikaku safely back to Kwajalein

---

“That is the best sight I have seen in several days,” comments Lieutenant Sugiyura. He is gazing through binoculars at a G4M bomber cruising high above the task force. The bomber is out of Kwajalein; there are a lot of them there, and a lot of fighters, and everyone aboard breathes more easily knowing that they are now within range of friendly air cover.

“It is indeed welcome,” says Captain Ishii. “We should reach Kwajalein within two days.”

“What will happen then, sir?” Sugiyura asks. “Do you think we will be sent out again soon? It occurs to me the enemy may be overconfident and not expecting us to return. It might be a chance to catch them off guard and avenge our defeat.”

Captain Ishii scowls irritably. “How should I know, Lieutenant?” he says. “I am not some kind of fortune teller and I am not wearing an admiral’s uniform. We will refuel. We will reprovision. We will do whatever the Imperial Navy orders us to do.”

“Of course, Captain,” says Sugiyura. “But I was just thinking about the recent battle and wondering if…”

“I am wondering if you should stop chattering like an annoying fishwife and see to your duties,” snaps Ishii.

Sugiyura winces. “Yes sir,” he says stiffly. He faces about and stands rigid, looking out at the sea. Elsewhere on the bridge everyone else suddenly becomes very busy and they are carefully not looking at either of the two officers.

Captain Ishii sighs to himself. He knows he has just been unfair to the enthusiastic young torpedo officer. It has been very difficult to keep his temper in check during these last few days. For a moment pride prevents him from saying anything, but then he steps forward next to Sugiyura.

“My apologies, Lieutenant,” he says quietly. “Keep thinking aggressively, I like to see that kind of spirit.”

“Yes sir,” says Sugiyura, a little less stiffly.

“You have the bridge,” the captain says. “I will be in my cabin.” He then matches actions to words and departs.

[Onime No Kyo]

Hmmm...never thought I'd see the captain lose his self control. [:(]

OTOH, someone is going to need to escort Zui back to Japan. Maybe Hibiki can spend the rest of the war sub hunting off Formosa. I think theyve seen enough action for one war.

[Terminus]

Or two...[:D]

[histgamer]

Action? psh all theve done recently is fire their AA guns... a full on Surface clash thats what they should get... oh yea cept for the fact that Jap tin cans go to the bottom so easily and are not very good in surface fights.[:(]

[Onime No Kyo]

Forget it. The time for surface action is long passed. In the early part of the war, maybe, but nowadays where there's an Allied ship there's usually a deckload strike not far behind. I think its gonna be a long waiting game from here on out. Come to think of it, sub hunting may be the most action to be had this side of being fish food. 

[histgamer]

As long as Hibiki stays with CV forces so long as Japan has them she will be safe.

[DW]

I only recently got WITP and began reading the forums.

I confess, that when I read the first page of your AAR, where you described what you were going to do, I almost clicked away and went on to the next thread.

But, I didn't and read the first couple of pages.

As of now, I've spent the better part of three days reading nothing but your AAR.

Very well done.

The worst part is...

Now I'm current and have to wait for the next installment.

The suspense is going to kill me.

Thanks for a very entertaining ride.

[Mike Solli]

Welcome to our cruel world. [:D]

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: DW

I only recently got WITP and began reading the forums.

I confess, that when I read the first page of your AAR, where you described what you were going to do, I almost clicked away and went on to the next thread.

But, I didn't and read the first couple of pages.

As of now, I've spent the better part of three days reading nothing but your AAR.

Very well done.

The worst part is...

Now I'm current and have to wait for the next installment.

The suspense is going to kill me.

Thanks for a very entertaining ride.

Glad you stayed with it! I do update fairly often, at least, and this war isn't nearly over yet. Here's a teaser, given some of speculation since the last post; Hibiki is going to be firing more than just her AA guns before the year is out.

[Cuttlefish]

November 24, 1943

Location: 180 miles southwest of Kwajalein
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 132

Orders: Get Zuikaku safely back to Kwajalein

---

Lieutenant JG Nakagawa steps out of his dispensary and takes a deep breath. He hates serious burn injuries. The dozen or so Shokaku survivors still aboard are all men too injured to transfer to Zuikaku or one of the cruisers and they are mostly burn cases. Two others have died en route. About all Nakagawa has been able to do for the others is to try and keep them from being in too much pain and try to keep infection from setting in.

At least they will reach port tomorrow, he thinks. The medical facilities there are pretty good. By keeping the remaining men alive this long he has given them a chance.

In his time aboard Hibiki Nakagawa has treated shrapnel wounds, broken bones, various other injuries, tropical diseases, even a case of cone snail poisoning. He has treated them all without a qualm, but serious burns are something else. He has seen a lot of them and has never really gotten used to it.

He will see more such injuries, he knows this. It is the nature of naval warfare. Nakagawa does not stop to think about the cruelty and waste of war; he and his fellow crewmen have a job to do, in a cause he believes is just, and injury and death follow as a result. He accepts this. It is better to inflict such injuries than to suffer them, but both are likely.

But he still doesn’t like dealing with burns. There is something deeply wrong about human flesh reduced to seared, carbonized meat. He comes out on deck and breathes the clean sea air for a few moments before turning and heading back to the dispensary.

[Cuttlefish]

November 25, 1943

Location: Kwajalein
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Await further orders

---

It seems that expending most of your AA ammunition in a losing cause is good experience. Hibiki’s day/night experience has jumped from 77/68 to 80/68 (started war at 71/66).