Nice work, Cuttlefish. Very humanizing story and wonderful character development as always.. Oh and pray we never get on the wrong side of Mr. Beaumont.
While in port for a few days, will the scuttlebutt catchup and the "guys" find out about what is going on in the war? We haven't heard much about your view of how things are going.
Ship of Steel, Men of Valor - Cuttlefish (A) versus Cribtop (J)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
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Capt. Harlock
- Posts: 5379
- Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2001 8:00 am
- Location: Los Angeles
- Contact:
RE: May 1, 1942
Beaumont, he drew his stick and stepped in the fellow’s way. Calm as anything, sir. The sailor cut down on him with the machete like he thought he was Blackbeard or something. Beaumont parried it smartly, stepped inside the fellow’s reach, and grabbed him by the throat. Then he just picked him up and threw him against the wall of the building we were next to. The screaming guy hit it kind of upside-down and backwards, like, and just went through it. Ended up sleeping like a baby in a display of lady’s hats.
I like this fellow Beaumont!
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
--Victor Hugo
--Victor Hugo
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: May 2, 1942
May 2, 1942
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: Suva
Course: None
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: No damage
Fuel: 525 (100%)
Around mid-morning the troop convoy arrived in Suva Harbor. The thirteen freighters and troop transports, shepherded by three escorts, had run the submarine gauntlet of Kadavu Passage and arrived safely.
The escorts would refuel and as soon as night fell Admiral Shafroth’s task force would lead the troop convoy out of the harbor and on the way to Luganville. To avoid submarine attack and detection by the hated Japanese submarine-carried float planes, the task forces would not take the easy and obvious route, exiting the Kadavu Passage to the west. Instead they would exit in the other direction, looping around the eastern tip of Viti Levu. From there they would make their way northwest between Viti Levu and Vanau Levu and head towards Espiritu Santo.
It was a route not without risks of its own. The waters between Fiji’s two largest islands were a maze of islets and reefs. Even with charts provided by the New Zealanders negotiating the unfamiliar waters at night would be a challenge. But Admiral Shafroth believed it was less dangerous than exposing their move to the Japanese.
There were a lot of troops to be concerned about. Aboard the ships were an engineering aviation battalion, a Marine defense battalion, and an Air Force base unit. Most important, with them was the entire US 24th Infantry Division. A Japanese attack against this force while at sea could well be a disaster.
“It’s a damned maze,” was Captain Stickney’s evaluation of the waters through which they would pass that night. The ships would go in single column, with Gridley as the second ship in line. If all went well, though, daybreak would find them heading into more open waters. From there it would take the transports two more days to reach Luganville.
With luck the Japanese would not learn that American troops were there until it was too late to do anything about it.
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: Suva
Course: None
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: No damage
Fuel: 525 (100%)
Around mid-morning the troop convoy arrived in Suva Harbor. The thirteen freighters and troop transports, shepherded by three escorts, had run the submarine gauntlet of Kadavu Passage and arrived safely.
The escorts would refuel and as soon as night fell Admiral Shafroth’s task force would lead the troop convoy out of the harbor and on the way to Luganville. To avoid submarine attack and detection by the hated Japanese submarine-carried float planes, the task forces would not take the easy and obvious route, exiting the Kadavu Passage to the west. Instead they would exit in the other direction, looping around the eastern tip of Viti Levu. From there they would make their way northwest between Viti Levu and Vanau Levu and head towards Espiritu Santo.
It was a route not without risks of its own. The waters between Fiji’s two largest islands were a maze of islets and reefs. Even with charts provided by the New Zealanders negotiating the unfamiliar waters at night would be a challenge. But Admiral Shafroth believed it was less dangerous than exposing their move to the Japanese.
There were a lot of troops to be concerned about. Aboard the ships were an engineering aviation battalion, a Marine defense battalion, and an Air Force base unit. Most important, with them was the entire US 24th Infantry Division. A Japanese attack against this force while at sea could well be a disaster.
“It’s a damned maze,” was Captain Stickney’s evaluation of the waters through which they would pass that night. The ships would go in single column, with Gridley as the second ship in line. If all went well, though, daybreak would find them heading into more open waters. From there it would take the transports two more days to reach Luganville.
With luck the Japanese would not learn that American troops were there until it was too late to do anything about it.
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: May 3, 1942
May 3, 1942
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: 120 miles northwest of Suva
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: No damage
Fuel: 504 (96%)
“Three eights,” said Gus Becken, laying his cards down. “Fish” Herring looked at them in disgust.
“Beats what I’ve got,” he said, tossing in his hand. Becken raked in the modest pot with a grin. He had been winning steadily. Barnecott collected the cards without comment and began shuffling them. A few men sat on their bunks watching the game going on in the center of the bunk room, while others read or wrote letters.
“Do you think we’ll see any action at Luganville?” asked Becken as Barnecott began dealing the next hand.
“Maybe,” said Reedy, scooping up his cards. “But the Australian Navy is supposed to already have some ships there. If there were Japs there too we’d have heard about it, I expect.”
“They’re waiting for the transports,” predicted Fish gloomily, looking at his cards. “Then they’ll show up.”
“That’s why we’re along,” said Dan Rucker. “I hope they try something. Then we’d finally get a crack at the bastards.” He fanned his cards and looked them over.
The first day’s sailing away from Suva had gone well. Both task forces had successfully negotiated the reefs and made their way into the more open waters to the north. The Japanese had not spotted them, as far as anyone could tell.
Rucker, to Barnecott’s left, tossed a quarter into the pot. The others all followed and then Rucker asked for three cards. Barnecott dealt them out.
“I hear they like night attacks,” said Becken. “I keep picturing one of them sneaking on board and coming at me with one of those swords they all carry.” He shivered. “Uh, one card.”
“I’ll take three,” Reedy said. He chuckled as he picked up his new cards. “I don’t think you need to worry about swords, Gus. Shells and torpedoes, maybe. Besides, if one of them comes after you with a sword we’ll just set Joe on him. He took a machete away from a guy a couple of days ago, after all.” Heads turned to look at Joe Beaumont, who was in his bunk slowly and laboriously composing a letter home. Beaumont, suddenly aware that everyone was looking at him, glanced up and shrugged his wide shoulders.
“He thought I was a crab,” was all he said. There was laughter around the room. The story was already well known.
“See,” Reedy told Becken, “nothing to worry about.”
“If they come after us,” said Rucker, “we’ll give them hell. You’ll see.” The next round of betting proceeded.
“Yeah, sure,” said Becken. “I’d still like to know what they’re up to.”
“I’ll tell you what they’re up to,” said Reedy. “They’re playing cards, thinking about girls and the folks back home, and wondering what we’re up to. You in or out?’
“And they’re sharpening their swords,” said Barnecott. He looked at Becken, his expression, as usual, unreadable. “They do that a lot. The whetstone on the blade makes this distinctive sound…shiiing, shiiing…” Becken turned pale.
“Shiiing,” crooned Barnecott again. Becken made a show of looking at his cards, but he fumbled them and almost dropped his hand.
“I fold,” he stammered. Ever so slightly, Barnecott smiled.
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: 120 miles northwest of Suva
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: No damage
Fuel: 504 (96%)
“Three eights,” said Gus Becken, laying his cards down. “Fish” Herring looked at them in disgust.
“Beats what I’ve got,” he said, tossing in his hand. Becken raked in the modest pot with a grin. He had been winning steadily. Barnecott collected the cards without comment and began shuffling them. A few men sat on their bunks watching the game going on in the center of the bunk room, while others read or wrote letters.
“Do you think we’ll see any action at Luganville?” asked Becken as Barnecott began dealing the next hand.
“Maybe,” said Reedy, scooping up his cards. “But the Australian Navy is supposed to already have some ships there. If there were Japs there too we’d have heard about it, I expect.”
“They’re waiting for the transports,” predicted Fish gloomily, looking at his cards. “Then they’ll show up.”
“That’s why we’re along,” said Dan Rucker. “I hope they try something. Then we’d finally get a crack at the bastards.” He fanned his cards and looked them over.
The first day’s sailing away from Suva had gone well. Both task forces had successfully negotiated the reefs and made their way into the more open waters to the north. The Japanese had not spotted them, as far as anyone could tell.
Rucker, to Barnecott’s left, tossed a quarter into the pot. The others all followed and then Rucker asked for three cards. Barnecott dealt them out.
“I hear they like night attacks,” said Becken. “I keep picturing one of them sneaking on board and coming at me with one of those swords they all carry.” He shivered. “Uh, one card.”
“I’ll take three,” Reedy said. He chuckled as he picked up his new cards. “I don’t think you need to worry about swords, Gus. Shells and torpedoes, maybe. Besides, if one of them comes after you with a sword we’ll just set Joe on him. He took a machete away from a guy a couple of days ago, after all.” Heads turned to look at Joe Beaumont, who was in his bunk slowly and laboriously composing a letter home. Beaumont, suddenly aware that everyone was looking at him, glanced up and shrugged his wide shoulders.
“He thought I was a crab,” was all he said. There was laughter around the room. The story was already well known.
“See,” Reedy told Becken, “nothing to worry about.”
“If they come after us,” said Rucker, “we’ll give them hell. You’ll see.” The next round of betting proceeded.
“Yeah, sure,” said Becken. “I’d still like to know what they’re up to.”
“I’ll tell you what they’re up to,” said Reedy. “They’re playing cards, thinking about girls and the folks back home, and wondering what we’re up to. You in or out?’
“And they’re sharpening their swords,” said Barnecott. He looked at Becken, his expression, as usual, unreadable. “They do that a lot. The whetstone on the blade makes this distinctive sound…shiiing, shiiing…” Becken turned pale.
“Shiiing,” crooned Barnecott again. Becken made a show of looking at his cards, but he fumbled them and almost dropped his hand.
“I fold,” he stammered. Ever so slightly, Barnecott smiled.
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: May 10, 1942
May 4-10, 1942
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: Luganville
Course: None
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: No damage
Fuel: 454 (86%)
It was a week in which nothing happened, and that was a good thing.
Gridley and the rest of Admiral Shafroth’s ships reached Luganville to find the only other naval force in the area was the expected group of RAN cruisers. While the two cruiser forces kept watch the transports arrived and, over several days, unloaded 21,000 men and tons of supplies and equipment. Soon the air over the peaceful tropical harbor was filled with the sound of bulldozers and other equipment.
This close to the Japanese-held Solomon Islands everyone was on high alert. The approaches to Espiritu Santo were too far out for Allied search planes. The only means of detection the Allies had were some submarines and the network of coast watchers in the enemy territory to the north. It was entirely possible that the Combined Fleet could appear over the horizon without warning. But of the Japanese there was no sign. No submarines, no float planes, nothing.
As the week went on some word reached the men, largely from Australian broadcasts, about the war in the wider world. The leading elements of an Australian armored force had made contact with the Japanese invaders at some place called Daly Waters. The resulting skirmish was inconclusive and the Australians had pulled back a short ways to await the arrival of more substantial forces.
Reports from India were encouraging. The British had not only stopped the invaders at the frontier, there were indications that the Japanese were being turned back. There was fighting at some place called Akyab, where British and Indian troops seemed on the verge of ousting the enemy.
Fighting had all but ended in Java and Sumatra as Dutch resistance collapsed. In Russia the Germans were reported to have begun a massive offensive in the Crimea, though so far information was sketchy.
In the Pacific all was quiet. To Admiral Shafroth’s frustration Naval Intelligence, which a week or two ago had been fairly confident that the Japanese carriers were at Truk, had lost track of them and had no idea where they were. Intelligence had, however, picked up alarming reports that the Japanese were planning fresh offensives against targets in the Pacific ranging from Pago Pago to Brisbane. These reports arrived with a rather dry notation from Admiral Nimitz that he believed that these reports were part of a Japanese disinformation scheme and that he placed no credence in them, whatever the intelligence community might say.
At the end of the week all troops and equipment were ashore at Luganville. The transports weighed anchor and prepared to head south before returning to Pearl Harbor. Admiral Shafroth and the RAN cruisers received different orders, however. Since they were now free from the need to shepherd the slow, vulnerable troop ships they were available for other duties. One of those duties, Admiral Nimitz had apparently decided, was to give the Japanese a bit of a kick in the pants.
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: Luganville
Course: None
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: No damage
Fuel: 454 (86%)
It was a week in which nothing happened, and that was a good thing.
Gridley and the rest of Admiral Shafroth’s ships reached Luganville to find the only other naval force in the area was the expected group of RAN cruisers. While the two cruiser forces kept watch the transports arrived and, over several days, unloaded 21,000 men and tons of supplies and equipment. Soon the air over the peaceful tropical harbor was filled with the sound of bulldozers and other equipment.
This close to the Japanese-held Solomon Islands everyone was on high alert. The approaches to Espiritu Santo were too far out for Allied search planes. The only means of detection the Allies had were some submarines and the network of coast watchers in the enemy territory to the north. It was entirely possible that the Combined Fleet could appear over the horizon without warning. But of the Japanese there was no sign. No submarines, no float planes, nothing.
As the week went on some word reached the men, largely from Australian broadcasts, about the war in the wider world. The leading elements of an Australian armored force had made contact with the Japanese invaders at some place called Daly Waters. The resulting skirmish was inconclusive and the Australians had pulled back a short ways to await the arrival of more substantial forces.
Reports from India were encouraging. The British had not only stopped the invaders at the frontier, there were indications that the Japanese were being turned back. There was fighting at some place called Akyab, where British and Indian troops seemed on the verge of ousting the enemy.
Fighting had all but ended in Java and Sumatra as Dutch resistance collapsed. In Russia the Germans were reported to have begun a massive offensive in the Crimea, though so far information was sketchy.
In the Pacific all was quiet. To Admiral Shafroth’s frustration Naval Intelligence, which a week or two ago had been fairly confident that the Japanese carriers were at Truk, had lost track of them and had no idea where they were. Intelligence had, however, picked up alarming reports that the Japanese were planning fresh offensives against targets in the Pacific ranging from Pago Pago to Brisbane. These reports arrived with a rather dry notation from Admiral Nimitz that he believed that these reports were part of a Japanese disinformation scheme and that he placed no credence in them, whatever the intelligence community might say.
At the end of the week all troops and equipment were ashore at Luganville. The transports weighed anchor and prepared to head south before returning to Pearl Harbor. Admiral Shafroth and the RAN cruisers received different orders, however. Since they were now free from the need to shepherd the slow, vulnerable troop ships they were available for other duties. One of those duties, Admiral Nimitz had apparently decided, was to give the Japanese a bit of a kick in the pants.
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: May 11, 1942
May 11, 1942
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: Luganville
Course: None
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: No damage
Fuel: 451 (86%)
“The name of the island,” said Admiral Shafroth, “is Tulagi.” He whacked the chart mounted on the plywood wall with his pointer. “The Japs are building up a base there. We’re going to go and lob some shells at the place.”
The meeting Shafroth had convened with his captains was being held in a prefab hut that served as the headquarters for the newly-established base at Luganville, graciously made available for Shafroth’s use. The assorted captains, Stickney included, stood or sat in a rough semi-circle around the admiral, some smoking, some drinking coffee. Stickney peered with interest at the map of the eastern end of the Solomon Islands, a region none of them knew much about.
“Our Australian friends,” Shafroth went on, “tell us there are one or two small ships anchored there. We aren’t sure what the Japs are up to, but they’re probably building a seaplane base.
“We’ll go in after nightfall and we won’t hang around too long. When the sun comes up I want us to be well out of range of any long-range bombers they might further up the chain. While we’re there we’ll see if we can sink a ship or two and do what damage we can to the shore installations. The Australian Navy cruisers are going to come with us just in case we run into a stronger Jap force. They’ll stand off and cover us while we bombard. Are there any questions?”
“I have one, sir,” said Benjamin Perlman, Portland’s captain. “We have no recon of the place and we’re going in at night. Under the circumstances how much damage can we really expect to do?”
“Not much, Ben,” said Shafroth. “That isn’t the point. Admiral Nimitz has made it clear that any damage we do is a bonus. The idea here is to stir the Japs up a bit. Make them think about defense a little, not just offense.”
“In other words, sir,” said Stickney dryly, “what we’re being asked to do is poke the hornet’s nest with a stick.” There were a few chuckles around the room. Shafroth grinned.
“Exactly,” he said. The big admiral glanced around. “No one else? Good. We are going to sail as soon as it’s fully dark. Gentlemen, thank you all. Dismissed.”
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: Luganville
Course: None
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: No damage
Fuel: 451 (86%)
“The name of the island,” said Admiral Shafroth, “is Tulagi.” He whacked the chart mounted on the plywood wall with his pointer. “The Japs are building up a base there. We’re going to go and lob some shells at the place.”
The meeting Shafroth had convened with his captains was being held in a prefab hut that served as the headquarters for the newly-established base at Luganville, graciously made available for Shafroth’s use. The assorted captains, Stickney included, stood or sat in a rough semi-circle around the admiral, some smoking, some drinking coffee. Stickney peered with interest at the map of the eastern end of the Solomon Islands, a region none of them knew much about.
“Our Australian friends,” Shafroth went on, “tell us there are one or two small ships anchored there. We aren’t sure what the Japs are up to, but they’re probably building a seaplane base.
“We’ll go in after nightfall and we won’t hang around too long. When the sun comes up I want us to be well out of range of any long-range bombers they might further up the chain. While we’re there we’ll see if we can sink a ship or two and do what damage we can to the shore installations. The Australian Navy cruisers are going to come with us just in case we run into a stronger Jap force. They’ll stand off and cover us while we bombard. Are there any questions?”
“I have one, sir,” said Benjamin Perlman, Portland’s captain. “We have no recon of the place and we’re going in at night. Under the circumstances how much damage can we really expect to do?”
“Not much, Ben,” said Shafroth. “That isn’t the point. Admiral Nimitz has made it clear that any damage we do is a bonus. The idea here is to stir the Japs up a bit. Make them think about defense a little, not just offense.”
“In other words, sir,” said Stickney dryly, “what we’re being asked to do is poke the hornet’s nest with a stick.” There were a few chuckles around the room. Shafroth grinned.
“Exactly,” he said. The big admiral glanced around. “No one else? Good. We are going to sail as soon as it’s fully dark. Gentlemen, thank you all. Dismissed.”
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MightyPaladin
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 6:40 am
RE: May 11, 1942
I wonder if any of those poor guys know what a japaneese hornet looks like? 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_hornet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_hornet
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: May 11, 1942
ORIGINAL: MightyPaladin
I wonder if any of those poor guys know what a japaneese hornet looks like?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_hornet
Wow, that's some bug. I like the Japanese name, "sparrow hornet."
RE: May 11, 1942
I don't think I'll be picknicking in Japan anytime soon!
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: May 11, 1942
I read both your AAR and Cribtop's, and I would like to hear "The Saga of the Warspite" that you asked Cribtop to remind you to tell him after the game.
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: May 11, 1942
ORIGINAL: adm
I read both your AAR and Cribtop's, and I would like to hear "The Saga of the Warspite" that you asked Cribtop to remind you to tell him after the game.
Heh, that. Yeah. Well, Warspite begins the war in Seattle with a bit of damage. I decided to send the battleship back to the Far East, but did not yet understand off-map movement very well. So when it was repaired I sent it down the West Coast and through the Panama Canal. From there I sent it on to Port Stanley. But I didn't change the home port or set "do not retire," so when the ship got to the Falklands it promptly turned around and headed back to Panama. And I couldn't turn it around again. So, back to Panama, then back to the Falklands, and then from there to Cape Town.
All of this took literally months of off-map movement. Finally and at long last Warspite reached Cape Town, and from there on to Columbo. Where the first thing that happened to it was that it took a torpedo and went back into a repair yard. Thousands and thousands of miles of steaming just to change one shipyard for another. It's a sad tale.
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Mike Solli
- Posts: 15899
- Joined: Wed Oct 18, 2000 8:00 am
- Location: the flight deck of the Zuikaku
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: May 14, 1942
May 12-14, 1942
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: 40 miles SW Ndeni
Course: Southeast
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 2, engine damage 1
Fuel: 385 (75%)
Bombarding Tulagi was the easy part. The hard part turned out to be finding the island in the first place.
Tulagi was a small island tucked in against a much larger island, Florida Island, and locating it in the dark, in unfamiliar territory and with uncertain charts, took some time. Admiral Shafroth’s force might not have found it at all, in fact, if the Japanese had not conveniently left a few lights on. Clearly they were not expecting any kind of trouble.
To add to the complications, there was a submarine in the channel between Florida Island and the island of Guadalcanal, to the south. The destroyers in the screen twice made contact with it, and twice it slipped away before it could be pinned down well enough for a depth charge attack.
Eventually, however, the bombardment began. The dark night was lit by muzzle flashes and echoed to the rumble and crash of gunfire. It was an imposing and exhilarating sight for the men of the task force. For the Japanese the experience was no doubt quite a bit different.
**
“There’s some kind of building burning over there,” said Lieutenant JG Cameron. “A large hut or something.” He was standing with his head and shoulders out of the control officer’s hatch in the main battery gun director, gazing at the island. Here and there he could see flashes as shells burst back in the jungle. These briefly silhouetted billowing smoke blowing among the palm trees.
The gun director was basically an aluminum box set at the very top of the superstructure. It swiveled slowly back and forth as Cameron’s crew used the rangefinder and other optical equipment it contained.
“I don’t know how the hell we’re supposed to hit anything under these conditions,” complained firecontrolman third class Dennis Bevins. He had to shout to be heard above the gunfire coming from the task force as it pounded the island. “I can’t see a damned thing.”
“Just think of it as our way of stopping by and saying hello,” yelled Cameron. “You know, a social call. Train about ten degrees left. Is that a building?”
“Maybe,” said Bevins, squinting into his eyepiece. Cameron gave orders to adjust the ship’s fire and the four 5” guns boomed again.
“Anyway, it’s good to shoot at something,” yelled Cameron. “Even if all we’re doing is giving the palm trees hell.” And in truth the men were as energized as Cameron had seen them since the start of the war. It was the first time Gridley had ever fired her guns in anger at an enemy. It was good to shoot back, and it was good practice for when they would have a much better idea of what they were aiming at.
And anyway, Cameron thought, it was always better to give than to receive.
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: 40 miles SW Ndeni
Course: Southeast
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 2, engine damage 1
Fuel: 385 (75%)
Bombarding Tulagi was the easy part. The hard part turned out to be finding the island in the first place.
Tulagi was a small island tucked in against a much larger island, Florida Island, and locating it in the dark, in unfamiliar territory and with uncertain charts, took some time. Admiral Shafroth’s force might not have found it at all, in fact, if the Japanese had not conveniently left a few lights on. Clearly they were not expecting any kind of trouble.
To add to the complications, there was a submarine in the channel between Florida Island and the island of Guadalcanal, to the south. The destroyers in the screen twice made contact with it, and twice it slipped away before it could be pinned down well enough for a depth charge attack.
Eventually, however, the bombardment began. The dark night was lit by muzzle flashes and echoed to the rumble and crash of gunfire. It was an imposing and exhilarating sight for the men of the task force. For the Japanese the experience was no doubt quite a bit different.
**
“There’s some kind of building burning over there,” said Lieutenant JG Cameron. “A large hut or something.” He was standing with his head and shoulders out of the control officer’s hatch in the main battery gun director, gazing at the island. Here and there he could see flashes as shells burst back in the jungle. These briefly silhouetted billowing smoke blowing among the palm trees.
The gun director was basically an aluminum box set at the very top of the superstructure. It swiveled slowly back and forth as Cameron’s crew used the rangefinder and other optical equipment it contained.
“I don’t know how the hell we’re supposed to hit anything under these conditions,” complained firecontrolman third class Dennis Bevins. He had to shout to be heard above the gunfire coming from the task force as it pounded the island. “I can’t see a damned thing.”
“Just think of it as our way of stopping by and saying hello,” yelled Cameron. “You know, a social call. Train about ten degrees left. Is that a building?”
“Maybe,” said Bevins, squinting into his eyepiece. Cameron gave orders to adjust the ship’s fire and the four 5” guns boomed again.
“Anyway, it’s good to shoot at something,” yelled Cameron. “Even if all we’re doing is giving the palm trees hell.” And in truth the men were as energized as Cameron had seen them since the start of the war. It was the first time Gridley had ever fired her guns in anger at an enemy. It was good to shoot back, and it was good practice for when they would have a much better idea of what they were aiming at.
And anyway, Cameron thought, it was always better to give than to receive.
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Smoky Stoker
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:34 pm
RE: May 14, 1942
ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish
The gun director was basically an aluminum box....
Technical question: was it aluminum? My impression is that no aluminum was used for any exterior surfaces or large interior fixtures until well after the war. The reason was bimetallic corrosion -
http://www.npl.co.uk/upload/pdf/bimetal ... basics.pdf
There turned out to be another good reason as well. When ship with large amounts of aluminum, mostly superstructure to reduce top weight, did go into action in the Falklands War, the molten aluminium that poured down into ships that caught fire was reckoned as the decisive factor in the loss of at least one warship.
"Leveling large cities has a tendency to alienate the affections of the inhabitants and does not create an atmosphere of international good will after the war." -Rear Admiral Daniel V. Gallery
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: May 14, 1942
ORIGINAL: Smoky Stoker
ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish
The gun director was basically an aluminum box....
Technical question: was it aluminum? My impression is that no aluminum was used for any exterior surfaces or large interior fixtures until well after the war. The reason was bimetallic corrosion -
http://www.npl.co.uk/upload/pdf/bimetal ... basics.pdf
There turned out to be another good reason as well. When ship with large amounts of aluminum, mostly superstructure to reduce top weight, did go into action in the Falklands War, the molten aluminium that poured down into ships that caught fire was reckoned as the decisive factor in the loss of at least one warship.
Specifically, Gridley is equipped with a Mk. 33 fire control director. They actually were made of aluminum. Since they had a power-driven traverse, saving weight was important.
I can't speak to either the corrosion or melting problems, but I haven't read anything that indicates either was a major problem. That doesn't mean it wasn't, of course. But as far as melting goes, my guess is that since the directors weren't very large the amount of metal wasn't enough to cause a problem by itself. I mean, if a destroyer's superstructure was exposed to enough heat to melt about a car-sized amount of aluminum, the ship had all kinds of more serious troubles already.
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: May 15, 1942
May 15, 1942
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: 260 miles east-southeast of Luganville
Course: Southeast
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 2, engine damage 1
Fuel: 354 (67%)
Joe Beaumont sat on his bunk, his thick fingers clutching a pencil, and began to write. He wrote slowly and with great concentration.
Dear Mother,
I am writing to tell you that I am fine. We are not sopposed to say where we are or what we are doing so I can’t tell you that. But I guess it doesn’t not hurt any to say we are at sea.
I like the sea. And I don’t get seasik any more. I even have a tan now. I have seen turtels so big you would not belive it and sharks and dolfins too! And the sea, it smells nice. We have been to islands that smell nice to like flowers. You would like them. We were at some other islands a few nites ago that smelled bad tho. Like the marsh out by Old Man Beamishs place on a warm day but wurse.
They feed us reel good here on the ship, so don’t worry about that. And I have frends. Some of them call me Stick now. I will tell you why later. Anyway I like it here and I am doing okay.
I am striking for Gunnars Mate. Don’t worry, that does not mean I am hitting any one. Well, one guy, but he had a reel big knife and I was sopposed too. In the Navy strikng means like trying to get promoated.
I have not seen any Japs. We shot at some but it was dark. We shot at them a lot and I kind of flet bad about it cause they could not shoot back and I bet they was afraid. But war is hell they tell me sorry about the langage Mother I am trying not to learn to swere too much and stuff.
I hope you and the boys are all fine. In your last leter you aksed if I had met any girls. Well Mother one thing we do not have here is girls. There were some in Hawaiai and they were reel pretty but I never talked none to them. Out here tho there is no girls.
Tell Gus to mind the north fense it will need fixing this year. Tell Jer to mind his studdies. I miss them both and you too. I hope we get back to the States som time and I can get leve and see you all. Just betwen us I do not think the War will be don soon.
Love, Joseph
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: 260 miles east-southeast of Luganville
Course: Southeast
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 2, engine damage 1
Fuel: 354 (67%)
Joe Beaumont sat on his bunk, his thick fingers clutching a pencil, and began to write. He wrote slowly and with great concentration.
Dear Mother,
I am writing to tell you that I am fine. We are not sopposed to say where we are or what we are doing so I can’t tell you that. But I guess it doesn’t not hurt any to say we are at sea.
I like the sea. And I don’t get seasik any more. I even have a tan now. I have seen turtels so big you would not belive it and sharks and dolfins too! And the sea, it smells nice. We have been to islands that smell nice to like flowers. You would like them. We were at some other islands a few nites ago that smelled bad tho. Like the marsh out by Old Man Beamishs place on a warm day but wurse.
They feed us reel good here on the ship, so don’t worry about that. And I have frends. Some of them call me Stick now. I will tell you why later. Anyway I like it here and I am doing okay.
I am striking for Gunnars Mate. Don’t worry, that does not mean I am hitting any one. Well, one guy, but he had a reel big knife and I was sopposed too. In the Navy strikng means like trying to get promoated.
I have not seen any Japs. We shot at some but it was dark. We shot at them a lot and I kind of flet bad about it cause they could not shoot back and I bet they was afraid. But war is hell they tell me sorry about the langage Mother I am trying not to learn to swere too much and stuff.
I hope you and the boys are all fine. In your last leter you aksed if I had met any girls. Well Mother one thing we do not have here is girls. There were some in Hawaiai and they were reel pretty but I never talked none to them. Out here tho there is no girls.
Tell Gus to mind the north fense it will need fixing this year. Tell Jer to mind his studdies. I miss them both and you too. I hope we get back to the States som time and I can get leve and see you all. Just betwen us I do not think the War will be don soon.
Love, Joseph
RE: May 15, 1942
Hehehe complete with dodgy spelling as well!
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: May 16, 1942
May 16, 1942
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: 75 miles north of Suva
Course: South-southeast
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 2
Fuel: 327 (62%)
“This,” said Dr. Corwin, “will leave a nice little scar.” He expertly ran another stitch through the jagged tear on machinist mate third class George Walther’s forearm. “You can tell your grandchildren you got it in desperate battle against the Japanese.”
“Heh, yeah,” said the beefy Walther, carefully looking at anything in the sick bay except the needle plucking at his skin. “I’ll have to have kids first, though.”
“Are you married?” asked Corwin. He liked to keep up a steady flow of conversation to distract his patient. It was hard to get two hundred pounds of enlisted man off the floor if they fainted.
“Nope,” said Walther. “I have a girl back home, though. Sandra, I call her Sandy. She lives in Waterloo, that’s where I’m from.”
“I’ve never been to Iowa,” said Corwin. “I was born and raised in the Bay Area.” Walther winced as Corwin started another stitch.
“Were you a doc there?” asked Walther.
“Yes indeed,” said Corwin. “I was a trauma surgeon, in fact.”
“So I bet you’ve seen lots worse than this,” said Walther.
“Oh yes,” nodded Corwin. “Auto accidents, mostly. I’ve seen some bad ones, steering columns right through the chest, that sort of thing.” He shook his head. “So far this is the worst injury I’ve had to treat aboard ship. Be more careful around that lathe in the future, will you?”
“I will,” promised Walther sincerely. There were beads of sweat on his forehead.
“I’m almost done,” said Corwin. He took one more stitch and then tied it off. “There. Let me get a bandage on that and you’re all set.”
“That wasn’t so bad,” said Walther, looking down at his arm.
“It was only ten stitches,” said the doctor. “It will heal just fine. You’ve had a tetanus shot, courtesy of the US Navy, so we don’t need to worry about that. Light duty for a couple of days, though. I don’t want you using that arm too much.” He applied the bandage and taped it on.
“Thanks a lot, doc,” said Walther. “Hey, have you heard anything about where we’re going next?”
“I am completely in the dark,” said Corwin. “I don’t think anyone knows. We’re going to Vava’u to refuel and from there it’s anyone’s guess.”
“Okay, doc,” said Walther. He stood up. “Thanks again.” After he left Dr. Corwin tidied up. He liked to keep everything as clean and ready as he would his surgery back in the States. Operating a warship, even in peacetime, could be a dangerous business. If that was the worst injury he would have to treat on this voyage he would consider himself lucky.
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: 75 miles north of Suva
Course: South-southeast
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 2
Fuel: 327 (62%)
“This,” said Dr. Corwin, “will leave a nice little scar.” He expertly ran another stitch through the jagged tear on machinist mate third class George Walther’s forearm. “You can tell your grandchildren you got it in desperate battle against the Japanese.”
“Heh, yeah,” said the beefy Walther, carefully looking at anything in the sick bay except the needle plucking at his skin. “I’ll have to have kids first, though.”
“Are you married?” asked Corwin. He liked to keep up a steady flow of conversation to distract his patient. It was hard to get two hundred pounds of enlisted man off the floor if they fainted.
“Nope,” said Walther. “I have a girl back home, though. Sandra, I call her Sandy. She lives in Waterloo, that’s where I’m from.”
“I’ve never been to Iowa,” said Corwin. “I was born and raised in the Bay Area.” Walther winced as Corwin started another stitch.
“Were you a doc there?” asked Walther.
“Yes indeed,” said Corwin. “I was a trauma surgeon, in fact.”
“So I bet you’ve seen lots worse than this,” said Walther.
“Oh yes,” nodded Corwin. “Auto accidents, mostly. I’ve seen some bad ones, steering columns right through the chest, that sort of thing.” He shook his head. “So far this is the worst injury I’ve had to treat aboard ship. Be more careful around that lathe in the future, will you?”
“I will,” promised Walther sincerely. There were beads of sweat on his forehead.
“I’m almost done,” said Corwin. He took one more stitch and then tied it off. “There. Let me get a bandage on that and you’re all set.”
“That wasn’t so bad,” said Walther, looking down at his arm.
“It was only ten stitches,” said the doctor. “It will heal just fine. You’ve had a tetanus shot, courtesy of the US Navy, so we don’t need to worry about that. Light duty for a couple of days, though. I don’t want you using that arm too much.” He applied the bandage and taped it on.
“Thanks a lot, doc,” said Walther. “Hey, have you heard anything about where we’re going next?”
“I am completely in the dark,” said Corwin. “I don’t think anyone knows. We’re going to Vava’u to refuel and from there it’s anyone’s guess.”
“Okay, doc,” said Walther. He stood up. “Thanks again.” After he left Dr. Corwin tidied up. He liked to keep everything as clean and ready as he would his surgery back in the States. Operating a warship, even in peacetime, could be a dangerous business. If that was the worst injury he would have to treat on this voyage he would consider himself lucky.
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: May 17, 1942
May 17, 1942
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: Vava’u
Course: None
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 2
Fuel: 525 (100%)
Perhaps no place Gridley will visit in the course of the war is more emblematic of the traditional tropical paradise of the South Pacific than Vava’u. A cluster of around forty islands at the north end of the Tonga group, it features a superb natural anchorage of startlingly clear water surrounded by reefs and winding islands covered with trees and flowers. The air is fragrant with hibiscus, frangipani, and other blossoms.
The US has a military presence here, but it is a quiet one compared to Suva or Luganville. There is a small airstrip and a modest garrison, guarded by some anti-aircraft guns. Except for a seaplane tender the only other ships present are the oilers from which Admiral Shafroth’s ships will refuel.
For the moment all ship traffic is being routed south of Suva, which is why Gridley and the other ships are refueling here. It’s a precaution in case the raid on Tulagi provokes a stronger Japanese response than expected. The location of the Japanese carriers is unknown and, until they are spotted again, the prevailing attitude is one of better safe than sorry.
What orders they will receive next is unknown. Rumors aboard Gridley have them variously returning to Pearl, heading to Australia, or returning to Japanese-held territory for another bombardment mission. The perpetual rumor that there is a big operation on to relieve the American troops still bottled up in the Philippines is revived, though by this point most acknowledge that this is wishful thinking.
The scuttlebutt helps pass the time. They will go where the US Navy sends them, when it sends them. Until then even Admiral Shafroth is left to speculate.
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: Vava’u
Course: None
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 2
Fuel: 525 (100%)
Perhaps no place Gridley will visit in the course of the war is more emblematic of the traditional tropical paradise of the South Pacific than Vava’u. A cluster of around forty islands at the north end of the Tonga group, it features a superb natural anchorage of startlingly clear water surrounded by reefs and winding islands covered with trees and flowers. The air is fragrant with hibiscus, frangipani, and other blossoms.
The US has a military presence here, but it is a quiet one compared to Suva or Luganville. There is a small airstrip and a modest garrison, guarded by some anti-aircraft guns. Except for a seaplane tender the only other ships present are the oilers from which Admiral Shafroth’s ships will refuel.
For the moment all ship traffic is being routed south of Suva, which is why Gridley and the other ships are refueling here. It’s a precaution in case the raid on Tulagi provokes a stronger Japanese response than expected. The location of the Japanese carriers is unknown and, until they are spotted again, the prevailing attitude is one of better safe than sorry.
What orders they will receive next is unknown. Rumors aboard Gridley have them variously returning to Pearl, heading to Australia, or returning to Japanese-held territory for another bombardment mission. The perpetual rumor that there is a big operation on to relieve the American troops still bottled up in the Philippines is revived, though by this point most acknowledge that this is wishful thinking.
The scuttlebutt helps pass the time. They will go where the US Navy sends them, when it sends them. Until then even Admiral Shafroth is left to speculate.
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: May 19, 1942
May 18-19, 1942
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: Suva
Course: None
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 2
Fuel: 492 (93%)
“Another day in the Kadavu Passage,” said Lieutenant Cameron, “another submarine attack.” He was gazing across the water through his binoculars to where destroyers Porter and Cummings were criss-crossing a patch of water, dropping depth charges. The target was a Japanese submarine that minutes ago had launched an unsuccessful torpedo attack against Cummings.
“At least they keep missing,” said Lieutenant Steubens.
“Yeah, but they keep getting away, too,” said Cameron. And indeed, Cummings and Porter soon broke off their attack and hurried to rejoin the rest of the task force.
“Sneaky little bastards,” said Cameron. “I hate them.”
“Have you ever noticed,” Steubens said, “that their submarines are cowardly, lurking sneaks, but our submarines are heroic undersea warriors?” Cameron blinked.
“Well, yes, but…” he began, then broke off. “Actually, sir, I don’t care for any of them very much. Submarines and destroyers, they’re natural enemies. It’s like dogs and cats, or owls and crows, or…or…”
“Harvard and Yale?” suggested Steubens. “Yankees and Dodgers?”
“Yes sir! Or Borneo blood pythons and rats.” Now Steubens blinked.
“Borneo blood pythons?” he asked. Cameron looked puzzled.
“I don’t know where that came from, sir,” he said. “I really don’t.”
Aboard USS Gridley
Location: Suva
Course: None
Attached to: TF 123
Mission: Surface combat
Ship's Status: Sys damage 2
Fuel: 492 (93%)
“Another day in the Kadavu Passage,” said Lieutenant Cameron, “another submarine attack.” He was gazing across the water through his binoculars to where destroyers Porter and Cummings were criss-crossing a patch of water, dropping depth charges. The target was a Japanese submarine that minutes ago had launched an unsuccessful torpedo attack against Cummings.
“At least they keep missing,” said Lieutenant Steubens.
“Yeah, but they keep getting away, too,” said Cameron. And indeed, Cummings and Porter soon broke off their attack and hurried to rejoin the rest of the task force.
“Sneaky little bastards,” said Cameron. “I hate them.”
“Have you ever noticed,” Steubens said, “that their submarines are cowardly, lurking sneaks, but our submarines are heroic undersea warriors?” Cameron blinked.
“Well, yes, but…” he began, then broke off. “Actually, sir, I don’t care for any of them very much. Submarines and destroyers, they’re natural enemies. It’s like dogs and cats, or owls and crows, or…or…”
“Harvard and Yale?” suggested Steubens. “Yankees and Dodgers?”
“Yes sir! Or Borneo blood pythons and rats.” Now Steubens blinked.
“Borneo blood pythons?” he asked. Cameron looked puzzled.
“I don’t know where that came from, sir,” he said. “I really don’t.”