7th November
118th heavy AA regiment
Tokyo
In a park, not far from Imperial palace.
Private Uzawa grits his teeth, and holds his tongue
He is 60 years of age, for Gods sake, a veteran of the Port aurthur campaign, which was, even he had to admit it, a decidedly stupidly run campaign. But this, this little show, made that affair a shining example of proffesional warfare.
The youngsters, the women, about him, are like sheep.
The poor Corporal screams his orders, they blink in incomprehension.
The idiot, obviously, thinks that shouting even louder will help.
"We do it again!..........load gun!" he screams
Awkwardly the girls run to the 6 precious rounds stacked neatly, struggle to lift them, bring them to the gun.
Other hands take them, load them, all the while Uzawa sits in his seat, awaiting for target information.
Sometimes it comes, many times, it seems, the radio remains dead.
Shouts about him, obviously it seems, the gun is ready.
The barrel is pointing somewhere vagually into the air, apparently, he Uzawa, should be following a bearing and range from the searchlight battery 100 yards away.
But not, it seems, today.............
'I have no target corporal!"
"TRUK!"
A pause............"Fire anyway!"
Idiots, idiots all of them.
Feeling a complete idiot, Uzawa pretends to pull the firing lever
'BANG!" he shouts
The gun will be unloaded, the shouting continued.
Tokyo, Miss Rose tells Japan, is protected by a steel umbrella.
The little ship that could.
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: The little ship that could.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Japans army has been down this road before, in those halocyen days of 41, early 42
Then, she marched, confident, proud, sure of victory
She also rode down these roads, on thousands of bicycles, flat tyres clattering, convincing many an allied troop that the armour was coming.
Now, as the tattered remains of 55th division, of 15th, 11 th army stgger south, its one of those bicycles that will (for now at least) save Hosho
Abandoned, lost, mayhaps even stolen, the bike has lain in the jungle, overgrown for nearly 3 years now, quietly rusting away
But the rims are still good.
They form the basis of the small cart Hosho's men have built, a crude affair, a wheelbarrow of sorts, bits and pieces lashed together with raw detirmination.
And, dare we say it...........love?
he will protest. he will shed tears.
His men will ignore them. '"You have always led us to safety, Hosho, always, with you we have escaped. We will not abandon our lucky charm, our man, now, no?........now get on the damn thing, and shut up!"
Wheels clatter on the road south again.
11 miles to go, to the defences at Chumpon.
Then, she marched, confident, proud, sure of victory
She also rode down these roads, on thousands of bicycles, flat tyres clattering, convincing many an allied troop that the armour was coming.
Now, as the tattered remains of 55th division, of 15th, 11 th army stgger south, its one of those bicycles that will (for now at least) save Hosho
Abandoned, lost, mayhaps even stolen, the bike has lain in the jungle, overgrown for nearly 3 years now, quietly rusting away
But the rims are still good.
They form the basis of the small cart Hosho's men have built, a crude affair, a wheelbarrow of sorts, bits and pieces lashed together with raw detirmination.
And, dare we say it...........love?
he will protest. he will shed tears.
His men will ignore them. '"You have always led us to safety, Hosho, always, with you we have escaped. We will not abandon our lucky charm, our man, now, no?........now get on the damn thing, and shut up!"
Wheels clatter on the road south again.
11 miles to go, to the defences at Chumpon.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
'Its truked"
The charge nods his head in agreement at Hirates comment
"yes, its truly trucked"
The silently contemplate the cylinder liner of 1a cylinder, port main.
Corrosion inhibitors, water treatment.............this poor beast has never seen either, in fact, they are terms totally unknown to Chiburi's poor charge. All he can see, is that something has totally chewed away the metal around the liners lower sealing ring.
yep, its truked
Port main needs a complete re build
The charge nods his head in agreement at Hirates comment
"yes, its truly trucked"
The silently contemplate the cylinder liner of 1a cylinder, port main.
Corrosion inhibitors, water treatment.............this poor beast has never seen either, in fact, they are terms totally unknown to Chiburi's poor charge. All he can see, is that something has totally chewed away the metal around the liners lower sealing ring.
yep, its truked
Port main needs a complete re build
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
8th of November
55th is bombed again, the ground trembling beneath Hosho's little band. The bombs land miles to the north, a division, even one as chewed as this, can occupy many, many miles of road.
The sun bakes down on the little bnd of men, Hoshos cart clanking and rattling on the cobblestones, the gravel.
Incredibly, spirits are rising.
Yesterday, incredibly, new, fresh men, reinforcements, replacements have come marching up from the south, fresh uniforms, fresh faces, marching, heavens, even marching in formation, battle flag and all!, Northwards.
Astonished, Hosho's band has stopped, and silently watched them march past , destined for the rear guard.
It has been many, many months since they have seen the like.
Then, a second miracle. The prince himself, and a small aid station!
Hosho's wound has been dressed, a bowl of rice issued, ammunition generously handed out.
And news, real news.
Chumphon is being fortified. Fresh troops are waiting to relieve them. If this pursuit can be broken, a promise of trains to run them south..........
Hosho's men care little for the news, they are simply grateful for the food, the ammunition. Hosho, however, is thinking beyond that.
Somewhere, somehow, ships, supplies, are still flowing to Malaya. Ships flowing towards malaya..........have to leave gain for home.............
55th is bombed again, the ground trembling beneath Hosho's little band. The bombs land miles to the north, a division, even one as chewed as this, can occupy many, many miles of road.
The sun bakes down on the little bnd of men, Hoshos cart clanking and rattling on the cobblestones, the gravel.
Incredibly, spirits are rising.
Yesterday, incredibly, new, fresh men, reinforcements, replacements have come marching up from the south, fresh uniforms, fresh faces, marching, heavens, even marching in formation, battle flag and all!, Northwards.
Astonished, Hosho's band has stopped, and silently watched them march past , destined for the rear guard.
It has been many, many months since they have seen the like.
Then, a second miracle. The prince himself, and a small aid station!
Hosho's wound has been dressed, a bowl of rice issued, ammunition generously handed out.
And news, real news.
Chumphon is being fortified. Fresh troops are waiting to relieve them. If this pursuit can be broken, a promise of trains to run them south..........
Hosho's men care little for the news, they are simply grateful for the food, the ammunition. Hosho, however, is thinking beyond that.
Somewhere, somehow, ships, supplies, are still flowing to Malaya. Ships flowing towards malaya..........have to leave gain for home.............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
herbiesan again contemplates the front, the map.
how quickly it all collapsed!. One month, secure in the hills, Northen Burma..........
Now, now this.
The general drones on
"Two divisions have arrived singapore sir, we are confident that they will entrain to Chumpon in time. With the regiments from Sabang.............
"It should be enough, I know, general, but if the enemy land at sabang?"
'We are ruined"
Ah yes, we are ruined.......but that is the risk yes?. The bombers are getting close to palembang, herbiesan, and what then?
Thank gods for the russians , ney?
"And Indo China?"
"We are holding the mekong river , from north to south now, and 3 divisions are north of hanoi, the enemy are, it seems, concentrating on Malaya............"
"Southern China?"
Ah, that worrying pause.............
"An awful lot of air activity, no troop movements...............yet"
Another great risk. So many chinese army troops now in Indo china........
'A final question general, 15th army, 23rd army, their true status...can they be revitalised in time, in Singapore?"
Herbiesans general, a tougher barsted this one, does not hesitate. "We should, if we can, bring them home. Troops like that will be needed for the final decisive battles................."
how quickly it all collapsed!. One month, secure in the hills, Northen Burma..........
Now, now this.
The general drones on
"Two divisions have arrived singapore sir, we are confident that they will entrain to Chumpon in time. With the regiments from Sabang.............
"It should be enough, I know, general, but if the enemy land at sabang?"
'We are ruined"
Ah yes, we are ruined.......but that is the risk yes?. The bombers are getting close to palembang, herbiesan, and what then?
Thank gods for the russians , ney?
"And Indo China?"
"We are holding the mekong river , from north to south now, and 3 divisions are north of hanoi, the enemy are, it seems, concentrating on Malaya............"
"Southern China?"
Ah, that worrying pause.............
"An awful lot of air activity, no troop movements...............yet"
Another great risk. So many chinese army troops now in Indo china........
'A final question general, 15th army, 23rd army, their true status...can they be revitalised in time, in Singapore?"
Herbiesans general, a tougher barsted this one, does not hesitate. "We should, if we can, bring them home. Troops like that will be needed for the final decisive battles................."
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Work continues on Chiburi.
The dockyard workers are fitting the new radar, the sonar lies in a million parts.
Chiburi's stokers do their own work.
Port main is being stripped down, the cylinder liners coming out one by one, the chain blocks clattering away.
The engine room looks like a bomb has hit it, parts covering every spare inch of the deck plates. Oil, black, staining, covers everything.
Rags lie everywhere.
Hirate leaves the small mess, the sparse meal completed. For a few moments he stands on the quarter deck, and contemplates Hiroshima bay. Nothing, he thinks, is more depressing than a naval dockyard nearing winter. A cold, biting wind, the white caps, the grey sky.
He shivers.
Still, by tonight, he will be home, with her, again.
A rough hand lands rudely upon his shoulder
Toyoda.
The inevitable crude comment follows. Does the man think of anything else other than sex?"
Hirate shudders inwardly.
The man, clearly, is an ape.
"Come on Hirate, work to do, let an expert show you how"
Another problem............working for someone who clearly doesn't.
The dockyard workers are fitting the new radar, the sonar lies in a million parts.
Chiburi's stokers do their own work.
Port main is being stripped down, the cylinder liners coming out one by one, the chain blocks clattering away.
The engine room looks like a bomb has hit it, parts covering every spare inch of the deck plates. Oil, black, staining, covers everything.
Rags lie everywhere.
Hirate leaves the small mess, the sparse meal completed. For a few moments he stands on the quarter deck, and contemplates Hiroshima bay. Nothing, he thinks, is more depressing than a naval dockyard nearing winter. A cold, biting wind, the white caps, the grey sky.
He shivers.
Still, by tonight, he will be home, with her, again.
A rough hand lands rudely upon his shoulder
Toyoda.
The inevitable crude comment follows. Does the man think of anything else other than sex?"
Hirate shudders inwardly.
The man, clearly, is an ape.
"Come on Hirate, work to do, let an expert show you how"
Another problem............working for someone who clearly doesn't.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
extract from Shattering the sword, a cantona production..........
early November. B29's strike Manado.
And little else happens. Unless something happens soon, another winter of war is coming.
early November. B29's strike Manado.
And little else happens. Unless something happens soon, another winter of war is coming.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Bigglesworth gives Longpig a withering look. Its half serious this look.
"Are you sure you re not aiming to become a reverse ace?"
"What do you mean mate?"
Bigglesworth hands him the telegram.............
"This will make it easier, I am sure, God, to think I serve with a Jonah like you!"
The telegram is, of course, their latest posting.
"Oh God", thinks Long pig
Wellingtons. A bloody wellington.
"Are you sure you re not aiming to become a reverse ace?"
"What do you mean mate?"
Bigglesworth hands him the telegram.............
"This will make it easier, I am sure, God, to think I serve with a Jonah like you!"
The telegram is, of course, their latest posting.
"Oh God", thinks Long pig
Wellingtons. A bloody wellington.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
9th November
55th division struggles south, a long tattered line of weary men. To their flank, the ocean, eternally restless, murmering.
The sun blazes down, and the humidity tickles 100 percent.
Other than the oceans gentle sounds, and the shuffling, clattering of sound of 10000 men on the move, it is quiet.
Dust hangs over the column.
10 miles to the rail head.
And then the enemy artillery erupts
This is not some random shelling of the rearguard, the normal harrassing fire to take out the wounded and too slow.
No, this is the full blooded thunder of two armies, of a thousand guns.
They erupt from the south, the east, almost ahead.
And the road erupts into sheer terror and mayhem.
They will pound for an hour, these allied guns, pound, and pound, murder and massacre.
When the tank columns attack, there is little left to resist
55th division, "becomes disorganised"
A cruel joke this description.
55th division is shattered, scattered, flung a hundred different ways.
15th, 23rd army.................will never fight again, not if they remain in malaya
55th division struggles south, a long tattered line of weary men. To their flank, the ocean, eternally restless, murmering.
The sun blazes down, and the humidity tickles 100 percent.
Other than the oceans gentle sounds, and the shuffling, clattering of sound of 10000 men on the move, it is quiet.
Dust hangs over the column.
10 miles to the rail head.
And then the enemy artillery erupts
This is not some random shelling of the rearguard, the normal harrassing fire to take out the wounded and too slow.
No, this is the full blooded thunder of two armies, of a thousand guns.
They erupt from the south, the east, almost ahead.
And the road erupts into sheer terror and mayhem.
They will pound for an hour, these allied guns, pound, and pound, murder and massacre.
When the tank columns attack, there is little left to resist
55th division, "becomes disorganised"
A cruel joke this description.
55th division is shattered, scattered, flung a hundred different ways.
15th, 23rd army.................will never fight again, not if they remain in malaya
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
10th November
Admiral Abe climbs wearily up to the very top of Yamatos great tower.
he pauses, takes a deep breath.
The view, as always revitalises him.
How can it not?. Too look down from here at her great sweeping prow, those huge slabs of steel, those great barrels, how can ones warrior blood not be stirred?
The carrier may rule, they say, yet yamato must surely feel in her frame satisfaction of duty done.
Few guns, anywhere, have sent so many enemy to the depths.
And yet, maybe, one more chance.
Word is out.
"the enemy fleet is at sea"
The american newspapers are full of it. No destination given, but he knows the signs.
The Buka's are coming
But not to here, he feels that too.
Abe grips the binoculars, swings them on their pinnacle.
herbiesan has decreed, here, at Ominato, the fleet must gather.
Abe thinks him wrong.
Musashi, Nagato, Mutsu, the CV Taiho, 2 cl, destroyers, and this giant.
And I think they are in the wrong place.
This is the most dangerous, most desperate thing I will ever do. But I must. I must, for Japan, for her honour.
It is no small thing to disobey in Japan.
Without Herbiesans knowledge, in utter secrecy, Abe leads Japans last great task force to sea.
Admiral Abe climbs wearily up to the very top of Yamatos great tower.
he pauses, takes a deep breath.
The view, as always revitalises him.
How can it not?. Too look down from here at her great sweeping prow, those huge slabs of steel, those great barrels, how can ones warrior blood not be stirred?
The carrier may rule, they say, yet yamato must surely feel in her frame satisfaction of duty done.
Few guns, anywhere, have sent so many enemy to the depths.
And yet, maybe, one more chance.
Word is out.
"the enemy fleet is at sea"
The american newspapers are full of it. No destination given, but he knows the signs.
The Buka's are coming
But not to here, he feels that too.
Abe grips the binoculars, swings them on their pinnacle.
herbiesan has decreed, here, at Ominato, the fleet must gather.
Abe thinks him wrong.
Musashi, Nagato, Mutsu, the CV Taiho, 2 cl, destroyers, and this giant.
And I think they are in the wrong place.
This is the most dangerous, most desperate thing I will ever do. But I must. I must, for Japan, for her honour.
It is no small thing to disobey in Japan.
Without Herbiesans knowledge, in utter secrecy, Abe leads Japans last great task force to sea.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
ORIGINAL: 1275psi
10th November
Admiral Abe climbs wearily up to the very top of Yamatos great tower.
he pauses, takes a deep breath.
The view, as always revitalises him.
How can it not?. Too look down from here at her great sweeping prow, those huge slabs of steel, those great barrels, how can ones warrior blood not be stirred?
The carrier may rule, they say, yet yamato must surely feel in her frame satisfaction of duty done.
Few guns, anywhere, have sent so many enemy to the depths.
And yet, maybe, one more chance.
Word is out.
"the enemy fleet is at sea"
The american newspapers are full of it. No destination given, but he knows the signs.
The Buka's are coming
But not to here, he feels that too.
Abe grips the binoculars, swings them on their pinnacle.
herbiesan has decreed, here, at Ominato, the fleet must gather.
Abe thinks him wrong.
Musashi, Nagato, Mutsu, the CV Taiho, 2 cl, destroyers, and this giant.
And I think they are in the wrong place.
This is the most dangerous, most desperate thing I will ever do. But I must. I must, for Japan, for her honour.
It is no small thing to disobey in Japan.
Without Herbiesans knowledge, in utter secrecy, Abe leads Japans last great task force to sea.
[X(]...without Herbiesan's permission? Oh God....
RE: The little ship that could.
Hi grey joy
(its not a react move, if thats what you think...........just very naughty admirals)[8|]
11th of November
Ogowa and Diogowa join the crowd of pilots around the new plane.
NK1J2- the newest version of the george.
As usual, the pilots are split, some love the new plane, its promise of greater agility, others lament its shorter range, the new all cannon arrangement.
Diogowa however stills the conversation for a moment
'Whats it matter?, we can't fly the bloody thing anyway"
Its a terrible truth.
Fuel, aviation fuel, is so short............
"We will fly when all the replacement planes have arrived..........."
At three a day, Ogowa and Diogowa have a few more boring weeks ahead of them.
(its not a react move, if thats what you think...........just very naughty admirals)[8|]
11th of November
Ogowa and Diogowa join the crowd of pilots around the new plane.
NK1J2- the newest version of the george.
As usual, the pilots are split, some love the new plane, its promise of greater agility, others lament its shorter range, the new all cannon arrangement.
Diogowa however stills the conversation for a moment
'Whats it matter?, we can't fly the bloody thing anyway"
Its a terrible truth.
Fuel, aviation fuel, is so short............
"We will fly when all the replacement planes have arrived..........."
At three a day, Ogowa and Diogowa have a few more boring weeks ahead of them.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Zuikaku joins re joins the fleet.
In 8 days, all capital ships will be ready again.
Please, please, gods of war, give us 8 days....................
In 8 days, all capital ships will be ready again.
Please, please, gods of war, give us 8 days....................
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
What ships are left including those repairing?
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The little ship that could.
Hello Obvert!
The fleet:
CV Shokaku, Zuikaku, Taiho, Unryo, CVL Chitose, Chiyoda, Shoho
CVE Hosho, kaiyo
Kaga is still 30 days away, just noticed she is in refit, not repair..............
Battleships Yamato, Musashi, Mutsu, Nagato, Kongo, Kirishima, Hiei, Fuso
Ise, 6 days as a BBCV
8 CA, 1 CL, 3 CLAA
40 odd destroyers
There has been intense discussions on the fleets battle doctrine for whats ahead..................
While we have stepped out of the story,
Cantona, who I have been playing for nearly 6 years now, is a superb opponent.
But here is the thing, you would be surprised, I think, at how little we actually corresspond.
In 6 years we have had one very minor quibble over tactics, I moved forces of the exit to off base hexes, we fixed that quick.
The secret has been , and remains, we play as close as we can tactically to real life as we can, we never overstack bases with planes, we fly em at the hieghts they tried to in real life.
We treat ships as valuable assets.
Anyway, our mail is almost always, back, to you, here you go. Sometimes its, what ya think of that!
He hardly, ever, ever, comments on plans, or what might happen, has happened.
But today, and hopefully, this will emphasise the import of what he wrote
"Masses of ships at sea"
And
"Battle soon"
The fleet:
CV Shokaku, Zuikaku, Taiho, Unryo, CVL Chitose, Chiyoda, Shoho
CVE Hosho, kaiyo
Kaga is still 30 days away, just noticed she is in refit, not repair..............
Battleships Yamato, Musashi, Mutsu, Nagato, Kongo, Kirishima, Hiei, Fuso
Ise, 6 days as a BBCV
8 CA, 1 CL, 3 CLAA
40 odd destroyers
There has been intense discussions on the fleets battle doctrine for whats ahead..................
While we have stepped out of the story,
Cantona, who I have been playing for nearly 6 years now, is a superb opponent.
But here is the thing, you would be surprised, I think, at how little we actually corresspond.
In 6 years we have had one very minor quibble over tactics, I moved forces of the exit to off base hexes, we fixed that quick.
The secret has been , and remains, we play as close as we can tactically to real life as we can, we never overstack bases with planes, we fly em at the hieghts they tried to in real life.
We treat ships as valuable assets.
Anyway, our mail is almost always, back, to you, here you go. Sometimes its, what ya think of that!
He hardly, ever, ever, comments on plans, or what might happen, has happened.
But today, and hopefully, this will emphasise the import of what he wrote
"Masses of ships at sea"
And
"Battle soon"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Abe watches the men on the focastle prepare to drop Yamatos anchor.
A good crew, a good, reliable captain
The fleet, in 3 days, will gather here, and then sail to its battle position.
Takao will be its departure point, if the enemy does as expected.
But what of the coming battle?
Abe knows what comes. Death
There has been "much discussion" on how to meet the enemy.
In 42, the fleet doctrine was, seek CV battle -and this was successful
In 43 - the CVs had tried to seek battle, with some success, but also with much failure
In early 44, the doctrine had changed, the CVs would shephered the BBs to strike range, and would seek the enemy invasions , the enemy support fleets. This, had worked.
But now?. Now the enemy CVs would seek them............ and sink what ever they would find, regardless of CAP, of AA, of anything.
Thus, a new doctrine
Ise would play as bait
The CVs would lead the battle ships, sail 120 miles ahead, and throw everything into strikes, occupy the enemy as best they could
And hopefully, this would leave the BBs free for one final lunge...........
But , he knows this, only a miracle would give a victory.
best pray for one, yes?
A good crew, a good, reliable captain
The fleet, in 3 days, will gather here, and then sail to its battle position.
Takao will be its departure point, if the enemy does as expected.
But what of the coming battle?
Abe knows what comes. Death
There has been "much discussion" on how to meet the enemy.
In 42, the fleet doctrine was, seek CV battle -and this was successful
In 43 - the CVs had tried to seek battle, with some success, but also with much failure
In early 44, the doctrine had changed, the CVs would shephered the BBs to strike range, and would seek the enemy invasions , the enemy support fleets. This, had worked.
But now?. Now the enemy CVs would seek them............ and sink what ever they would find, regardless of CAP, of AA, of anything.
Thus, a new doctrine
Ise would play as bait
The CVs would lead the battle ships, sail 120 miles ahead, and throw everything into strikes, occupy the enemy as best they could
And hopefully, this would leave the BBs free for one final lunge...........
But , he knows this, only a miracle would give a victory.
best pray for one, yes?
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
I hope you have a LOT of LBA assist ... so few CV's ... he will have a CAP of +500 ....
Pax
RE: The little ship that could.
BANZAI!
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
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british exil
- Posts: 1686
- Joined: Thu May 04, 2006 6:26 pm
- Location: Lower Saxony Germany
RE: The little ship that could.
ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
I hope you have a LOT of LBA assist ... so few CV's ... he will have a CAP of +500 ....
All the more to shoot down, Japans Aces can't miss.
BANZAI!
Mat
"It is not enough to expect a man to pay for the best, you must also give him what he pays for." Alfred Dunhill
WitE,UV,AT,ATG,FoF,FPCRS
WitE,UV,AT,ATG,FoF,FPCRS
RE: The little ship that could.
Has your opponent gone on vacation again???
[:D]
[:D]
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.