Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Mobeer]

I'm hoping this isn't the bug where foreign officers take charge. I don't think Hibiki being commanded by a US Colonel is very appealing [:(]

[John 3rd]

Oh, my...
 

[Feinder]

Stomach cancer has been called "the Asian cancer", due to its high incidence in that population.
 
-F-

[kaleun]

Stomach cancer has been called "the Asian cancer", due to its high incidence in that population.

-F-

My fear exactly.

[Shark7]

Chronic fatigue. Then add in sudden wave of dizziness and substernal chest pain and shortness of breath and what you have a heart attack. It could also be an abdominal aortic anuerysm, especially with the abdominal pain. No matter what it is, this is not good.

(And in game terms it could mean the dreaded commander bug. [:(])

[BigDuke66]

Well did someone really expect a happy end?
I always had the feeling that we would lose at least some characters.
I guess the hardest time has still to come for the ship and our heroes.

[Alikchi2]

If the Captain goes on sick leave, maybe Miharu will get his chance to prove himself.

[kaleun]

Didn't captain Ishii get transferred to a desk job IRL just about now?

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Mobeer

I'm hoping this isn't the bug where foreign officers take charge. I don't think Hibiki being commanded by a US Colonel is very appealing [:(]

No leader bug has affected Hibiki, I am happy to say.

ORIGINAL: kaleun

Didn't captain Ishii get transferred to a desk job IRL just about now?

The real Ishii was transferred to a desk job two years ago, in November '42. He died about now. I still don't know of what, though it seems to have been natural causes.

[Cuttlefish]

November 16, 1944

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

Orders: None

---

“You need to see a doctor, Captain,” says Lieutenant JG Nakagawa as Ishii puts his jacket back on and buttons it. Ishii leans back against the dispensary’s small examination table and crosses his arms.

“I know that,” he says with a touch of irritation. “That’s why I’m here, Lieutenant.”

“Sir, I appreciate the confidence you have in me,” says Nakagawa, “but I mean a real doctor. I am just a ship’s medic. My training before the navy was as a veterinarian. I am good with burns and shrapnel wounds. I can set a broken bone. But the kind of diagnosis you need is beyond my skill. You need to go to the naval hospital.”

“I can’t do that,” says Ishii. Nakagawa gazes at him for a moment, then obviously decides against arguing further with his captain.

“I can think of several things,” he says, “that might be wrong. Frankly, sir, some of them are serious. I will examine your blood and stool samples for clues but what I really need to do is take chest and abdominal x-rays. For that we have to go ashore.”

“We can’t…” begins Ishii, but Nakagawa cuts him off.

“I know, sir,” he says. “But I know a couple of people at the hospital, we might be able to arrange something. Discreetly.”

“Very well,” says Ishii. “See what you can do, Lieutenant.”

“Yes sir. In the meantime, I have a few more questions. You say you have been awakening every night with abdominal pain. What time, specifically?”

“It varies a bit,” says Ishii. “Usually around 0100 hours.”

Nakagawa makes a note. “Have you noticed this pain other times?” he asks.

“At times, though not as bad,” says Ishii. “Usually after eating.” Nakagawa asks a number of other questions and establishes that Ishii has also experienced nausea. Next Nakagawa moves on to the recent chest pain.

“Exactly where does it occur?” he asks.

“Behind or below right about here,” says Ishii. He indicates a spot near the bottom of his breastbone.

“Shortness of breath?” Ishii nods. “Pain or numbness in your left arm or hand?” This time Ishii shakes his head no.

“Do you…” begins Nakagawa, but suddenly there comes a rap at the dispensary door. It opens to reveal one of the ship’s cooks, his right hand wrapped in a towel.

“Lieutenant, I burned my…” begins the sailor, then he catches sight of the captain.

“Captain, sir!” he says and salutes. The effect is almost comical as the towel flaps about when he does so, but the man’s wince of pain removes any humor from the situation.

“At ease,” Ishii tells him. The man gratefully cradles his hand once more. Ishii turns briskly to Nakagawa.

“Well, Lieutenant, your department seems to be in fine shape. Carry on.”

“Yes sir, thank you”, says Nakagawa. “Come here, Itokawa, let’s see that hand.” As the sailor approaches Ishii steps to the door and departs.

[Capt. Harlock]

The real Ishii was transferred to a desk job two years ago, in November '42. He died about now.

Ohboy . . . [:(]

[Feinder]

Sounds like somebody needs an endo (don't know if they did those back then).  It'll help a considerably if Ishi elevates his bed by about 18" (actually elevate his upper torso).
 
[;)]
-F-

[kaleun]

A barium swallow X ray was what was used back then. (Actually up to the 80's that was the standard)

[ChezDaJez]

ORIGINAL: kaleun

A barium swallow X ray was what was used back then. (Actually up to the 80's that was the standard)

Barium swallow evals are still commonly used today.

Chez

[John 3rd]

My Father had a barium swallow just two weeks ago.  I watched it and it was fascinating.

[Shark7]

The pain in the epigastric region could indicate a peptic ulcer. Bad thing about those is they can perforate, releasing stomach contents into the abdominal cavity and the end result is sepsis. Nasty, nasty infection.

[Cuttlefish]

November 17, 1944

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

Orders: None

---

Excerpt from "Naval Battles of the Pacific, Volume 8: Breaking the Ring" by Morris Elliot Samuelson; Harper, Row, and Fujimori, New York, 1966:

Following the naval battle of Iwo Jima the war in the Pacific fell into a stalemate that would persist through the end of the year. The Allied fleets tightened their grip on the waters around the island to prevent further Japanese attacks from breaking through, while ashore it would be some time before the marines and infantry on the island began to make significant progress against the determined Japanese defenders.

The stalemate was exacerbated by Admiral Nimitz’s decision, much criticized after the war, to stick with the original plan for the Volcano Islands invasion despite the unexpected problems encountered. As previously mentioned, the original timetable for the invasion of Iwo called for the island to be secured within two weeks. At that time Chichi Jima, thought to be more lightly held, would be invaded. Nimitz refused to call off the scheduled invasion of Chichi Jima, with the result that troops and supplies badly needed at Iwo were tied up in a second conflict. This also had the effect of stretching the air and sea defenses of the invading fleets, with results that we will see in due course.

A second Japanese naval attack was feared, but in retrospect this was unlikely. Following the battle the Combined Fleet was reduced to five battleships; three of these were in the Home Islands and in need of repair, while two (Fuso and Nagato) were in Singapore. The Japanese still possessed significant numbers of cruisers and destroyers, but many of the heavy cruisers remaining were also damaged.

The Japanese carrier arm was also much reduced. As we have seen Junyo and Hiyo, the often-scorned converted liners, had somehow escaped once again and would in fact survive to bedevil the Allies in future operations. Katsuragi was also available, as were two light carriers, but this was not enough of a force to challenge the powerful American carriers with any chance of success.

In the Indian Ocean the British had completed their seizure of the Andaman and Nicobar islands but the Japanese still held the Mandalay Line. In China the casualty lists continued to grow on both sides but no movement of any importance had occurred there in months. As 1944 began to draw to a close a feeling of frustration was growing among the Americans and British, both at home and on the front lines. The final defeat of Japan seemed no closer than it had several months ago…

[Capt. Harlock]

This also had the effect of stretching the air and sea defenses of the invading fleets, with results that we will see in due course.

A second Japanese naval attack was feared, but in retrospect this was unlikely. Following the battle the Combined Fleet was reduced to five battleships; three of these were in the Home Islands and in need of repair, while two (Fuso and Nagato) were in Singapore. The Japanese still possessed significant numbers of cruisers and destroyers, but many of the heavy cruisers remaining were also damaged.

The Japanese carrier arm was also much reduced. As we have seen Junyo and Hiyo, the often-scorned converted liners, had somehow escaped once again and would in fact survive to bedevil the Allies in future operations.

Sounds like a hit-and-run carrier raid is in the future . . . [;)]

[BrucePowers]

Get out the popcorn. This would make a really good movie script.

[Marc gto]

What happens next.....?