2/8/42
Later on Takenaka would find some irony in the events of today.
It was around midday, and he and the twins had both just finished their patrols, and were walking to the excuse they called the mess hut. Iwaya, Hyakutake and Inoue were coming the other way, their planes slightly ahead of the cue of waiting aircraft.
Our 6 veterens have spent –what –months? Now trying to really get a grip with the enemy, and when he finally does come, all of them are sitting on the ground helpless.
There is nothing else to do but watch –knowing that no matter how quickly the ground crew pump the hand pumps –this will be all over before they are ready.
3 B17 come in from the south -15000 feet –aiming straight for the port to the west of the field some 2 miles way.
The action is still easy enough to see –the trail of black puffs of the Ack Ack –the glinting reflections of the intercepting fighters flashing into attack.
The first 3 bombers pass quickly –the bombs fall -an agonising wait –no explosions meaning they have fallen harmlessly into the ocean.
Another formation – 16 strong, B17’s and the B-24s stream after them –again they can see the glint of the defenders wheeling in.
This time though the crump!, crump! Crump! Of the bombs carries distinctly to them –and a nasty black tower of smoke soon rises from the harbour.
Our veterans do get away –but far too late to join in the circus.
It’s a shameful sight they see in the harbour –the tanker Azuma maru is a terrible inferno.
Operations report 47th sentai
A/c Available 34
A/c under repair 2
23 aircraft of this sentai engaged some 20 enemy bombers in running combat over amboina harbour
2 b17 , 1 b24 heavily damaged
2 KI-44 lightly damaged
Lesson learnt
CAP was established at insufficient altitude, forcing our fighters to conduct climbing/chasing attacks.
Regret that few could be carried through to close quarters.
I (Colonel Nakamura) have ordered that attacks must be pushed to very close range, firing at any range over 400 metres is wasteful and pointless against allied heavy bombers
herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Great couple of updates Herb and great photo of a P-38!
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
3/8/42
We are into the eighth month of this war and Juni V still does not have a kill –and this still Galls him badly –his brother has 3.
He is desperately determined to get one, to prove himself.
Its just after 1000 hrs, and he is leading a flight of 7 Ki-44s at just over 20000 feet above the port of Amboina, the sky is clear today –although the tropical haze typical for this area is beginning to fill.
He again carefully scans the sky –it remains empty –somewhere up here in the limitless blue lurk another 20 odd fighters –the zeros –although they probably have wandered down south to the other end of the island above babo.
He is bored –but not so bored to allow a reduction in his alertness, the sudden springing of little flack bursts to the south instantly gain his attention.
His eyesight also is extremely good –and even at this great distance he can pick out the glint of the bombers wings coming across the ocean some 5000 feet or more lower than them.
This –finally –is a good position he thinks, as hands automatically tighten straps, adjust trim.
He fires his guns –crack,crack,crack! –briefly to prove them, to wake up anyone in the formation not paying attention, and shoves his throttle fully forward.
Nakamura’s dive is going to get a try out.
The two formations intercept –the fighters nicely positoned –up sun, plenty of height, and Juni takes savage pleasure in the steep, steep bank.
Things are happening fast (everything happens fast in air combat –where a second is a lifetime) and his gaggle is stringing out as they overtake the swiftly moving bombers.
“baka!” –they would bomb well before he had any chance to stop them
Baka!
Now!
He inverts his fighter –he does not have to even think that up is now down, and he gently pulls the stick towards him, beginning to descend –eyes firmly fixed on the lead bomber
4000 feet above the bombers–and the engine bellow now begins to rise into a shriek –that awesome sound that only a diving fighter can make as his descent now becomes a vertical dive .
The dive is beginning to become the pull out as his fighter and the bomber intercept –he gets in a good burst –nearly 2 full seconds, and then he is flashing past, and down –and grunting with effort as he fights the loaded, ,loaded ailerons, screwing back up, panting, panting as the pull up goes into the loop, looking, looking for the bomber.
Tracer –little innocent dots flash past, past,past –intercepting –he kicks his left rudder hard to avoid –BAKA!!! As the Tojo snap spins –he’s cocked it up –and it takes 1000 valuable, precious feet to recover –and that puts him out of the fight for good.
Results of Nakamura’s dive have been interesting.
Juni v’s dive is successful
2 of the pilots following find themselves unable to control their dives at all, and roll out –passing well behind the bombers –flying inverted for an extended period beyond them
The third is hit as he lines up the enemy – flashing too far forward of the bombers.
A fourth flashes through the 7 bombers –and never fires a shot
The fifth inverted –and spun out
But WO Ginowa, directly behind Juni V also gets it just right.
Maybe 5, 6 shells of his hit the Liberator –this time plenty enough
Even as he recovers –Juni watches in fascination the big bomber flaring brightly –flying steadily for a few moments –then collapsing into a terrible mass of falling, flaming metal –and men.
47th sentai has a definite kill at last.
We are into the eighth month of this war and Juni V still does not have a kill –and this still Galls him badly –his brother has 3.
He is desperately determined to get one, to prove himself.
Its just after 1000 hrs, and he is leading a flight of 7 Ki-44s at just over 20000 feet above the port of Amboina, the sky is clear today –although the tropical haze typical for this area is beginning to fill.
He again carefully scans the sky –it remains empty –somewhere up here in the limitless blue lurk another 20 odd fighters –the zeros –although they probably have wandered down south to the other end of the island above babo.
He is bored –but not so bored to allow a reduction in his alertness, the sudden springing of little flack bursts to the south instantly gain his attention.
His eyesight also is extremely good –and even at this great distance he can pick out the glint of the bombers wings coming across the ocean some 5000 feet or more lower than them.
This –finally –is a good position he thinks, as hands automatically tighten straps, adjust trim.
He fires his guns –crack,crack,crack! –briefly to prove them, to wake up anyone in the formation not paying attention, and shoves his throttle fully forward.
Nakamura’s dive is going to get a try out.
The two formations intercept –the fighters nicely positoned –up sun, plenty of height, and Juni takes savage pleasure in the steep, steep bank.
Things are happening fast (everything happens fast in air combat –where a second is a lifetime) and his gaggle is stringing out as they overtake the swiftly moving bombers.
“baka!” –they would bomb well before he had any chance to stop them
Baka!
Now!
He inverts his fighter –he does not have to even think that up is now down, and he gently pulls the stick towards him, beginning to descend –eyes firmly fixed on the lead bomber
4000 feet above the bombers–and the engine bellow now begins to rise into a shriek –that awesome sound that only a diving fighter can make as his descent now becomes a vertical dive .
The dive is beginning to become the pull out as his fighter and the bomber intercept –he gets in a good burst –nearly 2 full seconds, and then he is flashing past, and down –and grunting with effort as he fights the loaded, ,loaded ailerons, screwing back up, panting, panting as the pull up goes into the loop, looking, looking for the bomber.
Tracer –little innocent dots flash past, past,past –intercepting –he kicks his left rudder hard to avoid –BAKA!!! As the Tojo snap spins –he’s cocked it up –and it takes 1000 valuable, precious feet to recover –and that puts him out of the fight for good.
Results of Nakamura’s dive have been interesting.
Juni v’s dive is successful
2 of the pilots following find themselves unable to control their dives at all, and roll out –passing well behind the bombers –flying inverted for an extended period beyond them
The third is hit as he lines up the enemy – flashing too far forward of the bombers.
A fourth flashes through the 7 bombers –and never fires a shot
The fifth inverted –and spun out
But WO Ginowa, directly behind Juni V also gets it just right.
Maybe 5, 6 shells of his hit the Liberator –this time plenty enough
Even as he recovers –Juni watches in fascination the big bomber flaring brightly –flying steadily for a few moments –then collapsing into a terrible mass of falling, flaming metal –and men.
47th sentai has a definite kill at last.
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big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
This is a mega awesome AAR, I just love it! Your journals are well written, bravo good man, bravo! I look forward to reading the history of the 47th.
"Something 'witty' inserted here"
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
4/8/42
Even as sore heads from last nights celebrations swing into the routine of the day (another day of intense Combat air patrol has been ordered) the 2nd fleet headquarters reacts violently to the loss of one of its precious tankers
The Twins have the first patrol along with some 8 of the new guys, and as they climb over the harbour –carefully avoiding the still continuing tower of smoke from the burning tanker – they can see 7 of the big Mavis flying boats at anchor in the harbour.
They make a fascinating sight -, and both twins have to grudgingly admit that it must have taken considerable skill to get such great ungainly birds into the narrow confines of the anchorage.
The fighters continue to climb, and soon settle into the patrol at nearly 20000 feet.
Juni B looks around –its going to be another difficult day –already the clouds are beginning to form in the humidity –small innocent things at the moment –by this afternoon the sky is going to be an entire mountain range of towering white.
He banks gently to the left, and takes the patrol south of the harbour. Again somewhere around him there are another 20 odd planes on patrol –and they might as well be on the moon for the presence they make.
The sky is simply too big, and the choices of where to patrol simply too many.
There is no early warning system here at Amboina – radar is a science fiction fantasy –and the base is simply dependant on the CAP making the right decisions.
If Juni spreads his fighters out – the bombers will certainly get through before all of them can concentrate on them. If he concentrates, the entire flight may well be in the wrong place when(if ) they attack –and he could miss them entirely.
With this cloud building up –a thousand bombers could well come through –and be hidden.
He shifts in his seat again –only 20 minutes in and he already has a sore arse –and turns the patrol into its next leg.
It will be a long day
Iwaya and Takenaka get the middle shift.
The sky is far, far more turbulent, the clouds a lot angrier looking –but nothing happens except the consumption of precious petrol and engine hours
They too will have a long day
When they return the field is even more crowded –at its maximum capacity of 4 sentai’s now – a flight of the new Helens have arrived.
They are already bombing up with small bombs for their first anti submarine patrol
Hyakutake and Inoue get the lucky last patrol.
Before taking off, Hyakutake cannot help but comment to Inoue on the state of the weather
“tell me old man” he grins “can you remember way back to your cadet training days?’”
Inoue pauses on at the tail of his fighter “ No! –Im too old you stupid child!”
“Guessed that” Hyakutake adjusts his chute , points to the great thunderclouds now dominating the sky –mountains marching eastwards “ if they are black –come on back!”
Inoue has to agree –the nearest storm is only some ten miles away –and temperatures are dropping rapidly as its shadow begins to sweep across the field. It’s a nasty barsted indeed.
But there is nothing to be done –the tankers remain in the harbour –the patrol must fly if at all possible
The last patrol departs on time –another ten planes, following Inoue to the south –to the sunshine, Inoue intends to well and truly avoid the mess coming across the field.
Intentions fly out the window almost immediately –one of the Mavis seaplanes is in action –attacking a submarine contact only half a mile from the harbour.
Hyakutake follows at the end of the flight, and soon they are circling the big bomber, fascinated by its gyrations - these Navy pilots are good indeed.
The great cloud looms , and each circle sees them getting closer and closer to its edge…..
Its on Hyakutakes third lap that it all goes wrong –one moment he is in bright sunshine –the next the storm is upon him .
For a few moments as he plunges into the cloud –it feels as if he is no longer flying his plane –its flying him
“hang on idiot –keep turning –you will be out of this in a moment…………..’
Except he wasn’t –shit!, Oh SHIT!
Rain begins to pound onto his cockpit, not rain, waterfalls crash against it – and he knows he is in desperate trouble as the altimeter winds terrifyingly down, down…
Power!, come on you bitch! –climb!
Is he upright? – the darkness is terrifying –and Hyakutake needs all his will power to not look out the cockpit –to concentrate on his instruments –to fight his plane through the crescendo of noise and water that beats him down
Things are smashing his plane – great white balls of ice –something shatters behind him (canopy?!) and a miracle occurs –abruptly everything stops –a gap –Thank the Gods –the field Only 300 feet below!
He does not hesitate –cut power –hard left rudder –stick hard down right –side slip, sideslip, cut power! –Crash!! Oh , OH –KA BANG! –his plane pancakes hard into the muddy swamp that impersonates the field – his spine feels as if it will exit his skull –a wall of water and mud sprays aver the cockpit –and silence descends
“#$%^!”
A single expentive
Universal
And then the rain thunders down again, hiding his shame
“”If its black –come on back” you bloody idiot!
"mavis" flying boat
Even as sore heads from last nights celebrations swing into the routine of the day (another day of intense Combat air patrol has been ordered) the 2nd fleet headquarters reacts violently to the loss of one of its precious tankers
The Twins have the first patrol along with some 8 of the new guys, and as they climb over the harbour –carefully avoiding the still continuing tower of smoke from the burning tanker – they can see 7 of the big Mavis flying boats at anchor in the harbour.
They make a fascinating sight -, and both twins have to grudgingly admit that it must have taken considerable skill to get such great ungainly birds into the narrow confines of the anchorage.
The fighters continue to climb, and soon settle into the patrol at nearly 20000 feet.
Juni B looks around –its going to be another difficult day –already the clouds are beginning to form in the humidity –small innocent things at the moment –by this afternoon the sky is going to be an entire mountain range of towering white.
He banks gently to the left, and takes the patrol south of the harbour. Again somewhere around him there are another 20 odd planes on patrol –and they might as well be on the moon for the presence they make.
The sky is simply too big, and the choices of where to patrol simply too many.
There is no early warning system here at Amboina – radar is a science fiction fantasy –and the base is simply dependant on the CAP making the right decisions.
If Juni spreads his fighters out – the bombers will certainly get through before all of them can concentrate on them. If he concentrates, the entire flight may well be in the wrong place when(if ) they attack –and he could miss them entirely.
With this cloud building up –a thousand bombers could well come through –and be hidden.
He shifts in his seat again –only 20 minutes in and he already has a sore arse –and turns the patrol into its next leg.
It will be a long day
Iwaya and Takenaka get the middle shift.
The sky is far, far more turbulent, the clouds a lot angrier looking –but nothing happens except the consumption of precious petrol and engine hours
They too will have a long day
When they return the field is even more crowded –at its maximum capacity of 4 sentai’s now – a flight of the new Helens have arrived.
They are already bombing up with small bombs for their first anti submarine patrol
Hyakutake and Inoue get the lucky last patrol.
Before taking off, Hyakutake cannot help but comment to Inoue on the state of the weather
“tell me old man” he grins “can you remember way back to your cadet training days?’”
Inoue pauses on at the tail of his fighter “ No! –Im too old you stupid child!”
“Guessed that” Hyakutake adjusts his chute , points to the great thunderclouds now dominating the sky –mountains marching eastwards “ if they are black –come on back!”
Inoue has to agree –the nearest storm is only some ten miles away –and temperatures are dropping rapidly as its shadow begins to sweep across the field. It’s a nasty barsted indeed.
But there is nothing to be done –the tankers remain in the harbour –the patrol must fly if at all possible
The last patrol departs on time –another ten planes, following Inoue to the south –to the sunshine, Inoue intends to well and truly avoid the mess coming across the field.
Intentions fly out the window almost immediately –one of the Mavis seaplanes is in action –attacking a submarine contact only half a mile from the harbour.
Hyakutake follows at the end of the flight, and soon they are circling the big bomber, fascinated by its gyrations - these Navy pilots are good indeed.
The great cloud looms , and each circle sees them getting closer and closer to its edge…..
Its on Hyakutakes third lap that it all goes wrong –one moment he is in bright sunshine –the next the storm is upon him .
For a few moments as he plunges into the cloud –it feels as if he is no longer flying his plane –its flying him
“hang on idiot –keep turning –you will be out of this in a moment…………..’
Except he wasn’t –shit!, Oh SHIT!
Rain begins to pound onto his cockpit, not rain, waterfalls crash against it – and he knows he is in desperate trouble as the altimeter winds terrifyingly down, down…
Power!, come on you bitch! –climb!
Is he upright? – the darkness is terrifying –and Hyakutake needs all his will power to not look out the cockpit –to concentrate on his instruments –to fight his plane through the crescendo of noise and water that beats him down
Things are smashing his plane – great white balls of ice –something shatters behind him (canopy?!) and a miracle occurs –abruptly everything stops –a gap –Thank the Gods –the field Only 300 feet below!
He does not hesitate –cut power –hard left rudder –stick hard down right –side slip, sideslip, cut power! –Crash!! Oh , OH –KA BANG! –his plane pancakes hard into the muddy swamp that impersonates the field – his spine feels as if it will exit his skull –a wall of water and mud sprays aver the cockpit –and silence descends
“#$%^!”
A single expentive
Universal
And then the rain thunders down again, hiding his shame
“”If its black –come on back” you bloody idiot!
"mavis" flying boat
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RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
5/8/42
Hyakutakes plane is a right off –an expended bullet.
Today is another day of patrols –another day of dodging the weather
The Navy must love its Tankers, a task force of destroyers and light cruisers are now methodically hunting the elusive submarine –the Mavis had missed yesterday.
The tankers continue to fill with oil, engine hours and fuel continue to be burnt
Inoue is sick –he might have Malaria –he certainly has a fever –but flies anyway
Its just another day in the march of days in this endless war
6/8/42
Colonel Nakamura allows himself a minute of quiet as the great engine tinkles into silence, the tick, tick of the exhaust manifolds the only noise in his cockpit
He is tired.
But they must not see it
Tired and depressed
Another fruitless day of flying –another wrecked plane to be replaced – and a sunk destroyer in the harbour –that bloody submarine has guts for sure.
It’s a simple thing he wants
Impossible to have
Col Nakamura just wants to go home
He just wants to see his wife –just once more.
The ground crew approach.
He takes a big breath , gathers himself –aggressively slides back the canopy
“I want this sentai ready in 15 minutes! –all pilots report to me!”
They are still about -and still as elusive as ever..................
Hyakutakes plane is a right off –an expended bullet.
Today is another day of patrols –another day of dodging the weather
The Navy must love its Tankers, a task force of destroyers and light cruisers are now methodically hunting the elusive submarine –the Mavis had missed yesterday.
The tankers continue to fill with oil, engine hours and fuel continue to be burnt
Inoue is sick –he might have Malaria –he certainly has a fever –but flies anyway
Its just another day in the march of days in this endless war
6/8/42
Colonel Nakamura allows himself a minute of quiet as the great engine tinkles into silence, the tick, tick of the exhaust manifolds the only noise in his cockpit
He is tired.
But they must not see it
Tired and depressed
Another fruitless day of flying –another wrecked plane to be replaced – and a sunk destroyer in the harbour –that bloody submarine has guts for sure.
It’s a simple thing he wants
Impossible to have
Col Nakamura just wants to go home
He just wants to see his wife –just once more.
The ground crew approach.
He takes a big breath , gathers himself –aggressively slides back the canopy
“I want this sentai ready in 15 minutes! –all pilots report to me!”
They are still about -and still as elusive as ever..................
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big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
7/8/42
Its late evening in the mess, and the men –mainly shirtless are gathered around the rough tables that try to function as furniture.
They all are sweating in the oppressive heat –and shadows from the simple oil lamps give the men weird angular shapes –there are n overweight men amongst them now –although adequate, food has hardly been plentiful –or varied over the last week.
All are tired –but sleep is still impossible –its too hot, too humid.
Outside it is not quiet –if one listens carefully the chatter of monkeys can be clearly heard in the jungles surrounding the fields –them and other more worrying sounds.
One of the AA gun crews has now twice reported seeing a tiger –and most believe them.
There is little to do –but talk
“ I just don’t understand how all this started” exclaims Hyakutake “ what possible argument can I have with an American? –why do I need to get killed trying to kill them – from what I have heard, they are no different to us!”
“Are you sure about that?!”
“Sure –I’m sure” Hyakutake replies to Juni v “ it just seems stupid”
“war is stupid” he replies.” Have you ever read All Quiet on the western front?”
“Huh?”
“Pity – it’s a book on the first war –explains this madness better than I can.”
Juni V sips his scotch (Iwaya still can provide - even here in this remote isle)
“Classic scene in it. German soldier, the wounded dying French soldier trapped in the same shell hole.Two men –same God they both think is on their side. One lives, one dies. War is stupid”
Juni B interjects – “and I intend that it’ll be the other guy who does the dying”
Silence descends, small lizards cling to the walls, the mosquitoes continue to describe their own crazy flight paths.
Its late evening in the mess, and the men –mainly shirtless are gathered around the rough tables that try to function as furniture.
They all are sweating in the oppressive heat –and shadows from the simple oil lamps give the men weird angular shapes –there are n overweight men amongst them now –although adequate, food has hardly been plentiful –or varied over the last week.
All are tired –but sleep is still impossible –its too hot, too humid.
Outside it is not quiet –if one listens carefully the chatter of monkeys can be clearly heard in the jungles surrounding the fields –them and other more worrying sounds.
One of the AA gun crews has now twice reported seeing a tiger –and most believe them.
There is little to do –but talk
“ I just don’t understand how all this started” exclaims Hyakutake “ what possible argument can I have with an American? –why do I need to get killed trying to kill them – from what I have heard, they are no different to us!”
“Are you sure about that?!”
“Sure –I’m sure” Hyakutake replies to Juni v “ it just seems stupid”
“war is stupid” he replies.” Have you ever read All Quiet on the western front?”
“Huh?”
“Pity – it’s a book on the first war –explains this madness better than I can.”
Juni V sips his scotch (Iwaya still can provide - even here in this remote isle)
“Classic scene in it. German soldier, the wounded dying French soldier trapped in the same shell hole.Two men –same God they both think is on their side. One lives, one dies. War is stupid”
Juni B interjects – “and I intend that it’ll be the other guy who does the dying”
Silence descends, small lizards cling to the walls, the mosquitoes continue to describe their own crazy flight paths.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
8/8/42
Extract from Shattering the sword: a Cantona production.
Early August sees the Allies convinced that the Japanese are determined to re take Tarawa island
The Eighth of August is as intensive day as any seen so far, and marked a watershed moment in the battle –a moment that would pass unknown to the Allies for many months, but would send shivers through the Japanese high Command
Again the Japanese attack shipping off Tarawa island –this is a maximum effort -74 zeros, 20 Betty bombers, and 15 Sally bombers –are intercepted by 7 Kittyhawks, 18 wildcats and 10 P38’s in a savage aerial combat.
The Japanese fighters remain too good –but still lose 6 of their numbers, but heavily damage or sink 3 AKs and 2 small patrol craft. The defenders lose 20 planes.
It’s the new allied tactic that bites hard – sacrificing CAP, the allied commanders send many of the long legged P-38’s north to Strafe Kwaljien, and a small number of b-26’s accompany them
The results are good, a major submarine support vessel is promptly sunk, and 2 minesweepers join it as well as new wrecks scattered across the lagoon..
The next two days see strikes thrown by both sides, and heavy losses, but it’s the introduction of Liberator bombers from Wake island that swing the battle –on the tenth a smashing attack on the anchorage at Kwaljien sinks 2 submarines at their moorings, and a AO as well.
The bombers are just too strong for the zeros –they cannot be everywhere at once.
Unknown to the Allies, 5 divisions of troops begin to unload from their transports, the mission abandoned “until a more favourable time”
Pete Floatplane operating from Ambiona.
totally in effective in its role of a ASW plane..........
Extract from Shattering the sword: a Cantona production.
Early August sees the Allies convinced that the Japanese are determined to re take Tarawa island
The Eighth of August is as intensive day as any seen so far, and marked a watershed moment in the battle –a moment that would pass unknown to the Allies for many months, but would send shivers through the Japanese high Command
Again the Japanese attack shipping off Tarawa island –this is a maximum effort -74 zeros, 20 Betty bombers, and 15 Sally bombers –are intercepted by 7 Kittyhawks, 18 wildcats and 10 P38’s in a savage aerial combat.
The Japanese fighters remain too good –but still lose 6 of their numbers, but heavily damage or sink 3 AKs and 2 small patrol craft. The defenders lose 20 planes.
It’s the new allied tactic that bites hard – sacrificing CAP, the allied commanders send many of the long legged P-38’s north to Strafe Kwaljien, and a small number of b-26’s accompany them
The results are good, a major submarine support vessel is promptly sunk, and 2 minesweepers join it as well as new wrecks scattered across the lagoon..
The next two days see strikes thrown by both sides, and heavy losses, but it’s the introduction of Liberator bombers from Wake island that swing the battle –on the tenth a smashing attack on the anchorage at Kwaljien sinks 2 submarines at their moorings, and a AO as well.
The bombers are just too strong for the zeros –they cannot be everywhere at once.
Unknown to the Allies, 5 divisions of troops begin to unload from their transports, the mission abandoned “until a more favourable time”
Pete Floatplane operating from Ambiona.
totally in effective in its role of a ASW plane..........
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RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
8/8/42
The tankers leave the harbour, shepherded by the cruisers and destroyers.
47th sentai has a very bad day
The orders –as usual -come through very late –are vague, and show the usual lack of planning of the Japanese command structure.
They are ordered to Biak –again 47th sentai is staging to somewhere else.
The Sentai finally gets airborne near 4pm , and in a tidy formation heads south east, again shepherded by the Dinah recon plane.
Its while they are crossing the northen arm of PNG, that the terrible happens, one of the new men’s engines simply stops –a result of the punishing routine of late? –they will never know – and helplessly they watch as he glides his plane into the green wastes below.
The jungle swallows him up –as if he has never been.
2 more fighters are damaged at Biak –a crude single strip slashed through the jungle.
The men are forced to fuel their own planes , not unexpected, and forced to sleep under their wings.
They also go hungry – the supply ship for Biak , due last week – has failed to arrive.
The tankers leave the harbour, shepherded by the cruisers and destroyers.
47th sentai has a very bad day
The orders –as usual -come through very late –are vague, and show the usual lack of planning of the Japanese command structure.
They are ordered to Biak –again 47th sentai is staging to somewhere else.
The Sentai finally gets airborne near 4pm , and in a tidy formation heads south east, again shepherded by the Dinah recon plane.
Its while they are crossing the northen arm of PNG, that the terrible happens, one of the new men’s engines simply stops –a result of the punishing routine of late? –they will never know – and helplessly they watch as he glides his plane into the green wastes below.
The jungle swallows him up –as if he has never been.
2 more fighters are damaged at Biak –a crude single strip slashed through the jungle.
The men are forced to fuel their own planes , not unexpected, and forced to sleep under their wings.
They also go hungry – the supply ship for Biak , due last week – has failed to arrive.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
/8/42
Submarine I-26 also has not had a good day
LCDR Juni had worked his crew very hard the entire way to Kwaljien, and had looked forward to a shower and some fresh food as much as the next man.
His Chief Engineer also was really looking forward to a new compressor head –or at least the facilities to manufacture one.
But Kwaljien has changed dramatically in the short month since they had last been here –here was obviously no longer safe.
I-166 ‘s nose poked wanely above the surface, and I-153 lay forelorn on her side in the shallows –a great dint in her side –smashed in by some great hidden hammer.
Worse –the AS was burning –a great tower of flame.
Basically the place was in chaos.
Crap
“Tell the men we will NOT be staying.
Mail drop –that’s it
God –where’s the airforce?”
10/8/42
If Biak was bad –Hollandia was worse.
Another sleepless nice –a rough and ready meal (at least this place had its supply dumps in reasonable shape), a painful hand pump re fuelling, and another dawn departure.
More water crossings –Admiralty island next
Jungle or ocean –really did not matter –if you come down now – you’re finished
Submarine I-26 also has not had a good day
LCDR Juni had worked his crew very hard the entire way to Kwaljien, and had looked forward to a shower and some fresh food as much as the next man.
His Chief Engineer also was really looking forward to a new compressor head –or at least the facilities to manufacture one.
But Kwaljien has changed dramatically in the short month since they had last been here –here was obviously no longer safe.
I-166 ‘s nose poked wanely above the surface, and I-153 lay forelorn on her side in the shallows –a great dint in her side –smashed in by some great hidden hammer.
Worse –the AS was burning –a great tower of flame.
Basically the place was in chaos.
Crap
“Tell the men we will NOT be staying.
Mail drop –that’s it
God –where’s the airforce?”
10/8/42
If Biak was bad –Hollandia was worse.
Another sleepless nice –a rough and ready meal (at least this place had its supply dumps in reasonable shape), a painful hand pump re fuelling, and another dawn departure.
More water crossings –Admiralty island next
Jungle or ocean –really did not matter –if you come down now – you’re finished
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Aeroplanes are complex beasts –even the aircraft of 1942 contained literally thousands of components –all of them vital
This plane was relatively new –but had already seen punishing climbs, straining pull outs, and dozens of pounding shocks of landings and take offs on airstrips peacetime would not consider fit for road traffic –let alone the operation of fighter aircraft.
Nor are planes damaged in battle normally rushed so quickly back into action as this one has been
Its fair to say though, that in peace time the crack would have been discovered, but this was war time, -no excuse really – but it wasn’t.
The spar could have –should have, let go ages ago –might even have given warning before it did.
But it didn’t
When it did go –cracking wide open –there was no warning
One moment Takenaka is clearing the end of the strip, throttle wide, pulling the stick back, the next the world is tumbling around –jungle rushing up to meet him………….
Be at peace with God
Major Takenaka
“Op loss”
10/8/42
40 “combat missions” exp 78
Nil Kills
This plane was relatively new –but had already seen punishing climbs, straining pull outs, and dozens of pounding shocks of landings and take offs on airstrips peacetime would not consider fit for road traffic –let alone the operation of fighter aircraft.
Nor are planes damaged in battle normally rushed so quickly back into action as this one has been
Its fair to say though, that in peace time the crack would have been discovered, but this was war time, -no excuse really – but it wasn’t.
The spar could have –should have, let go ages ago –might even have given warning before it did.
But it didn’t
When it did go –cracking wide open –there was no warning
One moment Takenaka is clearing the end of the strip, throttle wide, pulling the stick back, the next the world is tumbling around –jungle rushing up to meet him………….
Be at peace with God
Major Takenaka
“Op loss”
10/8/42
40 “combat missions” exp 78
Nil Kills
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big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
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FeurerKrieg
- Posts: 3400
- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:43 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
You know it is a good story when you are sad to see a fictional character die.
Poor Takenaka - I'm sure he is happy to die in an airplane, at least, even if not in combat.
Poor Takenaka - I'm sure he is happy to die in an airplane, at least, even if not in combat.
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
11/8/42
As much as Nakamura rails against it, there is no doubt that an unfortunate situation has developed in his sentai –one he should have foreseen
Essentially 47th sentai is now 2 two separate groups.
The first –the five remaining “veterans” –today naturally in some anger at Takenaka’s death –and the reinforcements –the class of Warrant Officers the unit has been built around is the second
Instinctively Nakamura knows this can go two ways.
The first –and most likely, is that this is how it will remain –two groups.
Or he can force them to become a single unit.
He needs every man thinking that this is HIS unit, that 47th sentai exists for all of them.
He posts his orders.
The veterans are assigned 6 men each and all are assigned as section leaders –something he knows now he should have done from the beginning.
And he has a large T painted on the tail of each fighter
He calls the men together before the next long flight –Truk today
“From this point forward 47th sentai is no longer”
“We are the ‘Tigers”
“Tojo’s tigers”
For 5 men the T will always stand for something else.
As much as Nakamura rails against it, there is no doubt that an unfortunate situation has developed in his sentai –one he should have foreseen
Essentially 47th sentai is now 2 two separate groups.
The first –the five remaining “veterans” –today naturally in some anger at Takenaka’s death –and the reinforcements –the class of Warrant Officers the unit has been built around is the second
Instinctively Nakamura knows this can go two ways.
The first –and most likely, is that this is how it will remain –two groups.
Or he can force them to become a single unit.
He needs every man thinking that this is HIS unit, that 47th sentai exists for all of them.
He posts his orders.
The veterans are assigned 6 men each and all are assigned as section leaders –something he knows now he should have done from the beginning.
And he has a large T painted on the tail of each fighter
He calls the men together before the next long flight –Truk today
“From this point forward 47th sentai is no longer”
“We are the ‘Tigers”
“Tojo’s tigers”
For 5 men the T will always stand for something else.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
Tojo's Tigers i like it! Ill soon have the Tigers in my sights! 
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
(come on then have a go ya mug!)[:'(]
(Im only about a month behind game -catching up at last)
14/8/42
The journey passes in a mind numbing sameness –a blessing in disguise for our grieving veterans.
Truk , Ponape, and Kwalejien.
Hour after grinding hour beating their way south east ever deeper into the pacific.
There are no hi jinks, little laughter. Just you, your cockpit, the beating of the engine, the rattles of your airframe.
They are lucky –the weather remains calm and clear for the entire journey - later in the war whole Sentais’s just like theirs will depart for similar journeys and simply never arrive.
Nakamura has to work hard the whole way –but even his iron will is beginning to fray at the edges when the Lagoon finally appears on the horizon.
There is little time to look about –the sentai is operating on fumes by this time, but the first impressions are stark.
Iwaya counts 4 sunk submarines in the lagoon –and remembers briefly that the Twins Father is a Captain of a Submarine .
Hyakutake notes the strip – its narrow, and well patched – the enemy bombers have been busy here indeed.
The Twins see the Submarines, the still burning support ships –at least 3 wrecks, and they too think of their father –but only momentarily – it’s the sight of 3 new KI-44’s (still wingless) sitting on a barge near a small transport that catches their eyes – somebody has been planning ahead after all.
Inoue really does’nt care –he is too exhausted to do anything less than land.
Nakamura truly Thanks the heavens that the enemy do not attack this day –his Tigers are exhausted from the flight –and the base is truly struggling from the latest raids.
The ground crews are almost pathetically pleased to see them – they have copped a flogging these last few days.
Every hanger on the base is destroyed, and the place stinks of burning fuel oil
But other signs are good –this he can see.
The beaches –the narrow strips of land that pass for this atoll –nearly every square inch of it has a dug out, a bunker, or a gun.
Army troops are everywhere – and this base has something that the last few have not had –proper machinery to fill the holes from the bombers.
It takes just 3 minutes conversation with the Aviation support regiments commander to tell Nakamura that here things are actually good.
“Ill keep you in the air Colonel –guaranteed. Hangers are for planes that do not fly –you keep them flying, Ill keep patching the holes.
Let the Americans come –with you here now, we can really fight!”
The wrecked hangers
(but they do not daunt us)
(Im only about a month behind game -catching up at last)
14/8/42
The journey passes in a mind numbing sameness –a blessing in disguise for our grieving veterans.
Truk , Ponape, and Kwalejien.
Hour after grinding hour beating their way south east ever deeper into the pacific.
There are no hi jinks, little laughter. Just you, your cockpit, the beating of the engine, the rattles of your airframe.
They are lucky –the weather remains calm and clear for the entire journey - later in the war whole Sentais’s just like theirs will depart for similar journeys and simply never arrive.
Nakamura has to work hard the whole way –but even his iron will is beginning to fray at the edges when the Lagoon finally appears on the horizon.
There is little time to look about –the sentai is operating on fumes by this time, but the first impressions are stark.
Iwaya counts 4 sunk submarines in the lagoon –and remembers briefly that the Twins Father is a Captain of a Submarine .
Hyakutake notes the strip – its narrow, and well patched – the enemy bombers have been busy here indeed.
The Twins see the Submarines, the still burning support ships –at least 3 wrecks, and they too think of their father –but only momentarily – it’s the sight of 3 new KI-44’s (still wingless) sitting on a barge near a small transport that catches their eyes – somebody has been planning ahead after all.
Inoue really does’nt care –he is too exhausted to do anything less than land.
Nakamura truly Thanks the heavens that the enemy do not attack this day –his Tigers are exhausted from the flight –and the base is truly struggling from the latest raids.
The ground crews are almost pathetically pleased to see them – they have copped a flogging these last few days.
Every hanger on the base is destroyed, and the place stinks of burning fuel oil
But other signs are good –this he can see.
The beaches –the narrow strips of land that pass for this atoll –nearly every square inch of it has a dug out, a bunker, or a gun.
Army troops are everywhere – and this base has something that the last few have not had –proper machinery to fill the holes from the bombers.
It takes just 3 minutes conversation with the Aviation support regiments commander to tell Nakamura that here things are actually good.
“Ill keep you in the air Colonel –guaranteed. Hangers are for planes that do not fly –you keep them flying, Ill keep patching the holes.
Let the Americans come –with you here now, we can really fight!”
The wrecked hangers
(but they do not daunt us)
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big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
And some of the fortifications............
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big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
15/8/42
The Tigers settle into the routine quickly and without fuss.
The veterans totally immured to the routine of moving to a new home at the drop of a hat have no problems, the other pilots have the usual ‘hilarity’ that re deploying brings – the hunt for left behind tooth brushes, underwear and uniform items.
All are very pleased to find out that Southern Command had planned this move for many months –the latest cargo delivery has brought a veritable mountain of spare parts, ranging from complete fighters to seat cushions –Kwaljien has absolute supply priority in the war .
It is planned to operate at least 3 sentai’s from here -an impressive plan if it can be pulled off.
Hyakutake leads the first combat patrol -7 fighters, and it’s a good chance to really take stock.
The Atoll is impressive –really 3 islands in a triangle forming the lagoon –and if one looks past the wrecks scattered across it –really quite , quite beautiful.
Things to Hyakutake are immediately obvious.
Keep the bloody place in sight – the ocean stretches forever in every direction.
Small scattered clouds in scattered lines at 10000 odd feet –visibility is brilliant
Its wonderfully cool and calm up here
Actually, actually, this could be good.
The men following are at first startled, but then pleased.
Hyakutake is leading the patrol flying inverted again.
The Tigers settle into the routine quickly and without fuss.
The veterans totally immured to the routine of moving to a new home at the drop of a hat have no problems, the other pilots have the usual ‘hilarity’ that re deploying brings – the hunt for left behind tooth brushes, underwear and uniform items.
All are very pleased to find out that Southern Command had planned this move for many months –the latest cargo delivery has brought a veritable mountain of spare parts, ranging from complete fighters to seat cushions –Kwaljien has absolute supply priority in the war .
It is planned to operate at least 3 sentai’s from here -an impressive plan if it can be pulled off.
Hyakutake leads the first combat patrol -7 fighters, and it’s a good chance to really take stock.
The Atoll is impressive –really 3 islands in a triangle forming the lagoon –and if one looks past the wrecks scattered across it –really quite , quite beautiful.
Things to Hyakutake are immediately obvious.
Keep the bloody place in sight – the ocean stretches forever in every direction.
Small scattered clouds in scattered lines at 10000 odd feet –visibility is brilliant
Its wonderfully cool and calm up here
Actually, actually, this could be good.
The men following are at first startled, but then pleased.
Hyakutake is leading the patrol flying inverted again.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
16/8/42
Operations report 47th sentai
30 A/c available.
5 A/c- 500 Hrly inspections
Pilot strength restored to 36 – one pilot reports less than 32 hours flying time! –this is very concerning!
Unit has spent days operating constant Combat and orientation patrols.
Moral is restoring.
Enemy bombers and fighters attacked Majuro to the south , in heavy combat with our Navy fighters.
Regret that navy personal here totally non co operative with Army.
Sentai has been assigned “point defence” of Atoll.
Nil attacks again today -2 recon flights again over the island –P-38’s.
Intercept efforts unsuccessful.
Foreteller of trouble!
Operations report 47th sentai
30 A/c available.
5 A/c- 500 Hrly inspections
Pilot strength restored to 36 – one pilot reports less than 32 hours flying time! –this is very concerning!
Unit has spent days operating constant Combat and orientation patrols.
Moral is restoring.
Enemy bombers and fighters attacked Majuro to the south , in heavy combat with our Navy fighters.
Regret that navy personal here totally non co operative with Army.
Sentai has been assigned “point defence” of Atoll.
Nil attacks again today -2 recon flights again over the island –P-38’s.
Intercept efforts unsuccessful.
Foreteller of trouble!
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big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
17/8/42
Hyakutake is not flying upside down today.
7 Ki 44s are streaming upwards from 9000 feet towards the heavens at maximum power, already beginning to string out into a untidy gaggle of dots in the immense blue sky.
Kwaljien lays 30 odd miles behind them –a mere smudge on the horizon –and the ocean is a brilliant blue today, sparkling under clear skies.
The B17’s do not look untidy at all, just 4 strong, they fly south westwards towards them in a solid diamond formation, barely wavering as they bounce through the mild turbulence.
Hyakutake judges the situation as he begins to slide up and past the bombers 5000 yards to his left. This is going to be a difficult attack indeed. The two formations intercept–he is swinging hard now, and many things are obvious.
A Nakamura knife attack is out –his formation has 2 of the rookies in it –they would never be able to do it.
These barsteds are fast –trying to climb, and overtake is going to be slow, far too @#$%$# too slow.
And the guns - #@$%^ -they have a lot of them.
16000 feet, and the two formations are flying parallel – and Kwaljien is no longer a blur –now an Atoll – an Atoll full of shipping.
C’mon you barsteds! –C’mon! –his unit is still too strung out!
He’s ahead enough, high enough.
A deep breath…
Hard right stick, hard right rudder, opposite stick, opposite rudder, First bomber –slashing attack from fwd port quarter…left stick, left stick, rudder, rudder, tracer coming his way….
The bomber looms, grows, Ka BA BA,BA,BA,BA,BA,BA,BA,BANG! –his guns crash out, and in the moments that your mind catches but you don’t think about, he registers the flashes on the bombers fuselage, again, and again, astern of the cockpit, into the top turrent, STICK FULLY DOWN! –hard against the straps he dives under the bomber –screwing it violently into a corkscrew turn –the ocean now the sky –and stick hard into the left groin –suck air, suck air!, and screaming his fighter zooms back upwards converting energy to height.
He pulls up and level again at 15000, again parallel to the enemy formation , the hunter has struck-ready for another prey
-*&^%!
The formation flies on -still four bombers strong –not wavering.
The last of his men have attacked, are already forming up behind him.
Kwaljien is below –and majestically, in horrible slow motion the bombers begin to drop a great stream of ugly black eggs.
Hyakutake catches glints of other fighters coming up –JuniV’s flight –but they will be too late.
#$%#@ -he attacks again –again the lead bomber –and Hyakutake cares not that this is not the place to attack from –nothing matters than to bring the beasts down
They attack -sweeping in from the stbd rear quarter –and the bombers blast back –the sky is full of tracer and instant death – but it’s a big sky and the fighters must be lucky today
Again the B17 looms into his sight –it judders in his sights at the shattering hammering of his guns – flashes and flying aluminium as he strikes home –and abrupt silence as his guns hiss empty.
The big bomber flies stately on.
Hyakutake finds himself just 50 meters from its cockpit –parallel to it.
The bomber is a mess –the upper gunner clearly dead –and its pilot or co pilot -he’s not sure who –has blood streaming down his shoulder –clearly able to be seen through the shattered side glass.
They fix gazes across the sky.
Hyakutake can do nothing except salute before he peels away for home
The American in turn –presents slowly, majestically, showing all the distain he feels for his futile tormentor, one finger –and also –as stately as ever –turns for home as well.
From
Colonel Nakamura
To
4th Fleet HQ
I would like to express my disgust that despite all of the pre production reports, trials and entreaties – the KI-44 is still not fitted with a cannon
In light of this –the ONLY way I can guarantee the safty of your ships in Kwaljien harbour is through either
1/ mass deployment of fighters
2/ Co operation between myself and your type O’s
3/You leave the harbour
Col Nakamura
“Iwaya!”
“Sir!”
‘”How much money do you have?”
Iwaya bounces his head around, does some internal calculations –“probably more than I can spend here” he smiles humoursly
“Ok –Iwaya –I don’t care how you do it –how much it costs –I need a crate –no make it two –of the best goddam scotch you can buy in the pacific”
Its impossible to describe the combined head shake –wry smile, look around from Iwaya –but you can try to imagine it –“OK sir, mission impossible –but Ill give it my best”
“Good man –let me know as soon as you have it – we have some new friends we need to make”
Hyakutake is not flying upside down today.
7 Ki 44s are streaming upwards from 9000 feet towards the heavens at maximum power, already beginning to string out into a untidy gaggle of dots in the immense blue sky.
Kwaljien lays 30 odd miles behind them –a mere smudge on the horizon –and the ocean is a brilliant blue today, sparkling under clear skies.
The B17’s do not look untidy at all, just 4 strong, they fly south westwards towards them in a solid diamond formation, barely wavering as they bounce through the mild turbulence.
Hyakutake judges the situation as he begins to slide up and past the bombers 5000 yards to his left. This is going to be a difficult attack indeed. The two formations intercept–he is swinging hard now, and many things are obvious.
A Nakamura knife attack is out –his formation has 2 of the rookies in it –they would never be able to do it.
These barsteds are fast –trying to climb, and overtake is going to be slow, far too @#$%$# too slow.
And the guns - #@$%^ -they have a lot of them.
16000 feet, and the two formations are flying parallel – and Kwaljien is no longer a blur –now an Atoll – an Atoll full of shipping.
C’mon you barsteds! –C’mon! –his unit is still too strung out!
He’s ahead enough, high enough.
A deep breath…
Hard right stick, hard right rudder, opposite stick, opposite rudder, First bomber –slashing attack from fwd port quarter…left stick, left stick, rudder, rudder, tracer coming his way….
The bomber looms, grows, Ka BA BA,BA,BA,BA,BA,BA,BA,BANG! –his guns crash out, and in the moments that your mind catches but you don’t think about, he registers the flashes on the bombers fuselage, again, and again, astern of the cockpit, into the top turrent, STICK FULLY DOWN! –hard against the straps he dives under the bomber –screwing it violently into a corkscrew turn –the ocean now the sky –and stick hard into the left groin –suck air, suck air!, and screaming his fighter zooms back upwards converting energy to height.
He pulls up and level again at 15000, again parallel to the enemy formation , the hunter has struck-ready for another prey
-*&^%!
The formation flies on -still four bombers strong –not wavering.
The last of his men have attacked, are already forming up behind him.
Kwaljien is below –and majestically, in horrible slow motion the bombers begin to drop a great stream of ugly black eggs.
Hyakutake catches glints of other fighters coming up –JuniV’s flight –but they will be too late.
#$%#@ -he attacks again –again the lead bomber –and Hyakutake cares not that this is not the place to attack from –nothing matters than to bring the beasts down
They attack -sweeping in from the stbd rear quarter –and the bombers blast back –the sky is full of tracer and instant death – but it’s a big sky and the fighters must be lucky today
Again the B17 looms into his sight –it judders in his sights at the shattering hammering of his guns – flashes and flying aluminium as he strikes home –and abrupt silence as his guns hiss empty.
The big bomber flies stately on.
Hyakutake finds himself just 50 meters from its cockpit –parallel to it.
The bomber is a mess –the upper gunner clearly dead –and its pilot or co pilot -he’s not sure who –has blood streaming down his shoulder –clearly able to be seen through the shattered side glass.
They fix gazes across the sky.
Hyakutake can do nothing except salute before he peels away for home
The American in turn –presents slowly, majestically, showing all the distain he feels for his futile tormentor, one finger –and also –as stately as ever –turns for home as well.
From
Colonel Nakamura
To
4th Fleet HQ
I would like to express my disgust that despite all of the pre production reports, trials and entreaties – the KI-44 is still not fitted with a cannon
In light of this –the ONLY way I can guarantee the safty of your ships in Kwaljien harbour is through either
1/ mass deployment of fighters
2/ Co operation between myself and your type O’s
3/You leave the harbour
Col Nakamura
“Iwaya!”
“Sir!”
‘”How much money do you have?”
Iwaya bounces his head around, does some internal calculations –“probably more than I can spend here” he smiles humoursly
“Ok –Iwaya –I don’t care how you do it –how much it costs –I need a crate –no make it two –of the best goddam scotch you can buy in the pacific”
Its impossible to describe the combined head shake –wry smile, look around from Iwaya –but you can try to imagine it –“OK sir, mission impossible –but Ill give it my best”
“Good man –let me know as soon as you have it – we have some new friends we need to make”
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!!
ORIGINAL: 1275psi
“Ok –Iwaya –I don’t care how you do it –how much it costs –I need a crate –no make it two –of the best goddam scotch you can buy in the pacific”
Its impossible to describe the combined head shake –wry smile, look around from Iwaya –but you can try to imagine it –“OK sir, mission impossible –but Ill give it my best”
“Good man –let me know as soon as you have it – we have some new friends we need to make”
Oh yeah....that's the way its done, you can tell you've been there and done that...hahaha[:D]
[:D]"Something 'witty' inserted here"