12 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 120 miles south of Kendari
Course: South
Damage: System 02
Orders: Support amphibious operations at Kendari.
***
The short wave radio waves were filled with American bomber formations attacking a small amphibious group operating to the south of Kido Butai. The ships were under heavy attack, and one destroyer had been sunk by a determined attack by B-17 bombers. The order went out for a part of Kido Butai’s own CAP to intercept the bombers.
“…reports negative contact over target area…”
Too late, the bombers had already left the area. But they had left their mark. One destroyer sunk and 3 transports heavily damaged. The distress signals from the stricken transports continued well into the afternoon.
Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
13 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 120 miles south of Kendari
Course: South
Damage: System 02
Orders: Provide air cover for amphibious operations at Kendari
***
Onboard CV Akagi…
“Admiral, we are very exposed here. We should move farther south and attack the allied bombers on their own airfields.”
“I concur Admiral. The American’s could easily launch a strike against us here, it would be better to take the fight to the enemy.”
“We have our orders from Yamamoto. We must stay here.” Admiral Nagumo replied rather sourly, his hands were tied in the matter, and he would very much like to take the fight to the enemy, not baby sit a bunch of transports.
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 120 miles south of Kendari
Course: South
Damage: System 02
Orders: Provide air cover for amphibious operations at Kendari
***
Onboard CV Akagi…
“Admiral, we are very exposed here. We should move farther south and attack the allied bombers on their own airfields.”
“I concur Admiral. The American’s could easily launch a strike against us here, it would be better to take the fight to the enemy.”
“We have our orders from Yamamoto. We must stay here.” Admiral Nagumo replied rather sourly, his hands were tied in the matter, and he would very much like to take the fight to the enemy, not baby sit a bunch of transports.
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
14 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 120 miles South of Kendari
Course: North
Damage: System 02
Orders: Provide air cover for amphibious operations at Kendari
***
As the staff officers had predicted, the American bombers did attack the forces at Kendari. What came as a surprise was the fact that they bypassed the carriers and went after the transports. Since the aircraft were picked up by the radar onboard the cruiser Oi, the Reisen’s flying CAP were able to intercept them with poor results.
In the radio room on board Kasumi, Tamon and the day shift listened to the air battle going on overhead. In the end, most of the bombers were damaged and trailing smoke, but none of the fighter groups could claim a confirmed kill.
“Are they really that tough?” Arata asked aloud.
“The American’s call their four engine bombers the ‘Flying Fortress’ for a reason Sugiyama,” Tamon replied. “I have seen them up close, they are very sturdy and have many machine guns. The American’s also armor their bombers, meaning they are very hard to damage.”
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 120 miles South of Kendari
Course: North
Damage: System 02
Orders: Provide air cover for amphibious operations at Kendari
***
As the staff officers had predicted, the American bombers did attack the forces at Kendari. What came as a surprise was the fact that they bypassed the carriers and went after the transports. Since the aircraft were picked up by the radar onboard the cruiser Oi, the Reisen’s flying CAP were able to intercept them with poor results.
In the radio room on board Kasumi, Tamon and the day shift listened to the air battle going on overhead. In the end, most of the bombers were damaged and trailing smoke, but none of the fighter groups could claim a confirmed kill.
“Are they really that tough?” Arata asked aloud.
“The American’s call their four engine bombers the ‘Flying Fortress’ for a reason Sugiyama,” Tamon replied. “I have seen them up close, they are very sturdy and have many machine guns. The American’s also armor their bombers, meaning they are very hard to damage.”
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
15 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 120 south of Kendari
Course North
Damage: System 02
Orders: Provide air cover for landings at Kendari
***
For a second day in a row, the American bombers practically flew over Kido Butai but completely ignored it. While this was irritating for Admiral Nagumo who had been ordered to draw to the American bombers into a trap by presenting the carriers to them, the men of Kasumi were quite happy not to be a target again. It really is a matter of perspective…
Meanwhile, the transports near Kendari were suffereing horribly under the bombing raids. The fact that they were anchored near the beach to unload troops and supplies left them as sitting ducks so that even the lumbering B-17s could line up an easy bomb run on them. To make matters worse, the A5M and Reisen fighters assigned to protect the transports simply could not bring down the bombers. The bombers would always leave trailing smoke, but they all left the target area.
In the radio room aboard Kasumi, Tamon could hear the frustration in the flight leaders’ voices as they reported their failure to down the enemy bombers yet again. The B-17s were just too sturdily built.
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 120 south of Kendari
Course North
Damage: System 02
Orders: Provide air cover for landings at Kendari
***
For a second day in a row, the American bombers practically flew over Kido Butai but completely ignored it. While this was irritating for Admiral Nagumo who had been ordered to draw to the American bombers into a trap by presenting the carriers to them, the men of Kasumi were quite happy not to be a target again. It really is a matter of perspective…
Meanwhile, the transports near Kendari were suffereing horribly under the bombing raids. The fact that they were anchored near the beach to unload troops and supplies left them as sitting ducks so that even the lumbering B-17s could line up an easy bomb run on them. To make matters worse, the A5M and Reisen fighters assigned to protect the transports simply could not bring down the bombers. The bombers would always leave trailing smoke, but they all left the target area.
In the radio room aboard Kasumi, Tamon could hear the frustration in the flight leaders’ voices as they reported their failure to down the enemy bombers yet again. The B-17s were just too sturdily built.
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
-
Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
ORIGINAL: Shark7
In the radio room aboard Kasumi, Tamon could hear the frustration in the flight leaders’ voices as they reported their failure to down the enemy bombers yet again. The B-17s were just too sturdily built.
It is, of course, easier to admit that the enemy bombers are sturdy than it is to admit that one's own planes are seriously undergunned!
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish
ORIGINAL: Shark7
In the radio room aboard Kasumi, Tamon could hear the frustration in the flight leaders’ voices as they reported their failure to down the enemy bombers yet again. The B-17s were just too sturdily built.
It is, of course, easier to admit that the enemy bombers are sturdy than it is to admit that one's own planes are seriously undergunned!
What do you mean my planes are under-gunned? My Reisen's are the best aircraft in the world, nothing can compare to them. [:'(]
Honestly I have not yet shot down a B-17, though they did finally manage to down a couple of Swordfish and a Martin 139! hehehe. I'm really looking forward to getting the late war planes with real guns on them.
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
16 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 120 Miles East of Kendari
Course: North
Damage: System 02
Orders: Provide air cover for landings at Kendari
***
Near the Kure Naval Yards…
“Ayame! Come see!”
“What is it Kaoru?”
“Look there.”
Kaoru had managed to find a gap in the security fencing that surrounded the shipyard. The vantage point from the hill they were on gave them a good look down at the building slips below. And with the natural curiosity of pre-teen girls, they simply had to look and see what was there.
“What are they big sister?” Kaoru asked.
“I don’t know Ayame, but they sure are big.”
Just then a booming voice echoed out behind them. “Hey! What are you two doing there? Get out of here! Go on! Shoo!” The two girls quickly complied with the angry man’s demand and were quickly on their way back home.
Tokeitai Officer Commander Toshio Katamura found what had captured the girls interest. A simple gap in the solid security fencing that allowed them to look straight down on the slipways. He would have that fixed immediately.
As for the girls, today was their lucky day. The Tokeitai had been given orders to detain anyone that looked into the shipyard as a traitor or spy. Any other officer would have followed those orders to the letter. Toshio was a bit more lax than the typical officers of the Tokeitai however and did not think that the two school girls were spies. The fact that he was alone in this sector today and the commander of the Kure Naval Yards Tokeitai unit gave him that little bit of slack he needed to just run the girls off, instead of hauling them into the yard commandant’s office.
Toshio marked the location of the fencing gap and went to the closest guard post to report it to the engineers. As far as anyone else was concerned he simply noticed it while patrolling the perimeter. No doubt members of the Naval Base forces would be out here to repair it promptly. That would solve the problem with curious little girls easily enough…
______________
Anyone wanna wager a guess at what they saw? [;)]
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 120 Miles East of Kendari
Course: North
Damage: System 02
Orders: Provide air cover for landings at Kendari
***
Near the Kure Naval Yards…
“Ayame! Come see!”
“What is it Kaoru?”
“Look there.”
Kaoru had managed to find a gap in the security fencing that surrounded the shipyard. The vantage point from the hill they were on gave them a good look down at the building slips below. And with the natural curiosity of pre-teen girls, they simply had to look and see what was there.
“What are they big sister?” Kaoru asked.
“I don’t know Ayame, but they sure are big.”
Just then a booming voice echoed out behind them. “Hey! What are you two doing there? Get out of here! Go on! Shoo!” The two girls quickly complied with the angry man’s demand and were quickly on their way back home.
Tokeitai Officer Commander Toshio Katamura found what had captured the girls interest. A simple gap in the solid security fencing that allowed them to look straight down on the slipways. He would have that fixed immediately.
As for the girls, today was their lucky day. The Tokeitai had been given orders to detain anyone that looked into the shipyard as a traitor or spy. Any other officer would have followed those orders to the letter. Toshio was a bit more lax than the typical officers of the Tokeitai however and did not think that the two school girls were spies. The fact that he was alone in this sector today and the commander of the Kure Naval Yards Tokeitai unit gave him that little bit of slack he needed to just run the girls off, instead of hauling them into the yard commandant’s office.
Toshio marked the location of the fencing gap and went to the closest guard post to report it to the engineers. As far as anyone else was concerned he simply noticed it while patrolling the perimeter. No doubt members of the Naval Base forces would be out here to repair it promptly. That would solve the problem with curious little girls easily enough…
______________
Anyone wanna wager a guess at what they saw? [;)]
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
17 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 120 miles east of Kendari
Course: North
Damage: System 02
Orders: Proceed to Naga
***
Tamon stood in the Captains wardroom having delivered a message from Combined Fleet.
Murakami looked at the message. “I see. So Combined Fleet will be sending a pair of repair ships to meet us at Naga. It looks as if we will get a chance to repair those boiler pipes after all. Ah, stay a second Ensign Harada. I will have a short message for you to send to Osaka momentarily.”
Murakami took out a pen and piece of rice paper.
“Now then the message, let me write it out.” After a short pause, “There it is. Make sure this gets delivered Ensign.”
“Yes sir.”
“Oh, and send Lieutenant Saito to me on your way back to the radio room. Dismissed”
Tamon found Hinata in the engine room and sent him on his way to the captain. Meanwhile Tamon had a message to send. It was to a Captain Asahiko Dobashi at the Osaka Naval Yards. As he coded it in and sent it off, he couldn’t help but think it was such a terse, strange message.
It read: ‘An opportunity has arisen to get the items to me. If at all possible have them sent to me on a supply ship to Naga.’
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 120 miles east of Kendari
Course: North
Damage: System 02
Orders: Proceed to Naga
***
Tamon stood in the Captains wardroom having delivered a message from Combined Fleet.
Murakami looked at the message. “I see. So Combined Fleet will be sending a pair of repair ships to meet us at Naga. It looks as if we will get a chance to repair those boiler pipes after all. Ah, stay a second Ensign Harada. I will have a short message for you to send to Osaka momentarily.”
Murakami took out a pen and piece of rice paper.
“Now then the message, let me write it out.” After a short pause, “There it is. Make sure this gets delivered Ensign.”
“Yes sir.”
“Oh, and send Lieutenant Saito to me on your way back to the radio room. Dismissed”
Tamon found Hinata in the engine room and sent him on his way to the captain. Meanwhile Tamon had a message to send. It was to a Captain Asahiko Dobashi at the Osaka Naval Yards. As he coded it in and sent it off, he couldn’t help but think it was such a terse, strange message.
It read: ‘An opportunity has arisen to get the items to me. If at all possible have them sent to me on a supply ship to Naga.’
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
18 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 360 miles north of Kendari
Course: North
Damage: System 03
Orders: Proceed to Naga
***
With nothing of great interest going on, Tamon tuned in the various broadcast radio stations:
***
“This is an RKO Radio News report. Victory at Nanning! Chinese forces have successfully defended Nanning from the Japanese advance. Japanese forces were last reported in full retreat towards French Indo-China…”
“This is a BBC Radio News report. Kendari falls. Said to be one of the best airfields in the far east, the Dutch base at Kendari has fallen to Japanese forces. The loss of this strategic base severely jeopardizes the security of the Dutch East Indies and the lucrative oilfields in the area. A spokesman for the Admiralty…”
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 360 miles north of Kendari
Course: North
Damage: System 03
Orders: Proceed to Naga
***
With nothing of great interest going on, Tamon tuned in the various broadcast radio stations:
***
“This is an RKO Radio News report. Victory at Nanning! Chinese forces have successfully defended Nanning from the Japanese advance. Japanese forces were last reported in full retreat towards French Indo-China…”
“This is a BBC Radio News report. Kendari falls. Said to be one of the best airfields in the far east, the Dutch base at Kendari has fallen to Japanese forces. The loss of this strategic base severely jeopardizes the security of the Dutch East Indies and the lucrative oilfields in the area. A spokesman for the Admiralty…”
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
19 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 540 miles north of Kendari
Course: North
Damage: System 03
Orders: Proceed to Naga
***
At the Osaka Naval Yard…
Captain Dobashi carefully secured the 3 medium sized crates that were soon to be on their way to Naga. He could have left it to his orderly to pack the items, but this was a special case for an old friend. He had no intention of leaving this job to anyone but himself.
Satisfied that the crates and their contents would make the trip safely to Naga, Captain Dobashi called in his orderly to load the crates into his staff car. He would see these items off personally, but he still required the services of his orderly to load them into the vehicle. With the crates loaded it was a simple matter of driving down to the harbor-master’s office to get the crates loaded onto the next ship bound for Naga.
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 540 miles north of Kendari
Course: North
Damage: System 03
Orders: Proceed to Naga
***
At the Osaka Naval Yard…
Captain Dobashi carefully secured the 3 medium sized crates that were soon to be on their way to Naga. He could have left it to his orderly to pack the items, but this was a special case for an old friend. He had no intention of leaving this job to anyone but himself.
Satisfied that the crates and their contents would make the trip safely to Naga, Captain Dobashi called in his orderly to load the crates into his staff car. He would see these items off personally, but he still required the services of his orderly to load them into the vehicle. With the crates loaded it was a simple matter of driving down to the harbor-master’s office to get the crates loaded onto the next ship bound for Naga.
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
20 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 480 Miles south of Naga
Course: North
Damage: System 03
Orders: Procced to Naga
***
From the harbor master’s office, the three carefully packed shipping crates made their way onto the freighter Sagami Maru for the trip to Naga. The crates looked distinctly non-descript among the thousands of other crates aboard the freighter. The only difference was the labeling…
To: Cmdr Murakami Y, Captain Kasumi
Care of: Naga Harbor Master
The crates were far from alone in their destination. Along with the mysterious crates, five bulky sacks of mail were destined for Kasumi via the Naga harbor master. Stacked in a dark corner, the crates and mail bags were outside the interest of human eyes on the freighter.
But not all eyes overlooked the neatly packed crates. In fact, one pair of small black eyes saw the crates as a very suitable new home. And with only a few hours of gnawing at the wood of the crates, a medium sized brown rat had managed to create his own doorway into his new abode. He found his new home to be quite well furnished with a great deal of warm straw….and several hard cold objects that he would have to share his bed with. Still it was more than a rat could ask for on a military freighter, what with most of the crates being loaded with poisonous or explosive items that reeked of gunpowder. This little crate with his cold hard objects and warm straw would be quite nice…
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: 480 Miles south of Naga
Course: North
Damage: System 03
Orders: Procced to Naga
***
From the harbor master’s office, the three carefully packed shipping crates made their way onto the freighter Sagami Maru for the trip to Naga. The crates looked distinctly non-descript among the thousands of other crates aboard the freighter. The only difference was the labeling…
To: Cmdr Murakami Y, Captain Kasumi
Care of: Naga Harbor Master
The crates were far from alone in their destination. Along with the mysterious crates, five bulky sacks of mail were destined for Kasumi via the Naga harbor master. Stacked in a dark corner, the crates and mail bags were outside the interest of human eyes on the freighter.
But not all eyes overlooked the neatly packed crates. In fact, one pair of small black eyes saw the crates as a very suitable new home. And with only a few hours of gnawing at the wood of the crates, a medium sized brown rat had managed to create his own doorway into his new abode. He found his new home to be quite well furnished with a great deal of warm straw….and several hard cold objects that he would have to share his bed with. Still it was more than a rat could ask for on a military freighter, what with most of the crates being loaded with poisonous or explosive items that reeked of gunpowder. This little crate with his cold hard objects and warm straw would be quite nice…
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
21 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Await further orders
***
On board the carrier Akagi, Admiral Nagumo stared at the message before him. It had come from Combined Fleet Headquarters, so he would have to comply. Kido Butai was to provide close air support for the ground troops at Manila until further notice. It was obvious that the ruling council was growing weary of the drawn out siege of Manila and that they were going to bomb the American and Philippine troops into submission.
What complicated matters was the fact that he still had to get the ships in his task force time with the repair ships that were stationed at Naga. To accomplish this he really only had one workable plan. That was to break off one carrier and one escort at a time and allow those two ships to dock with the repair ships while the rest of the task force remained further out in the bay to launch daily air strikes against the troops in Manila.
It was by no means an ideal situation, and being allowed to return to Kure and the dry docks there would be the best solution for his ships, but that simply was not going to happen. So Admiral Nagumo set out a schedule for dock time and had it transmitted to the fleet.
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Await further orders
***
On board the carrier Akagi, Admiral Nagumo stared at the message before him. It had come from Combined Fleet Headquarters, so he would have to comply. Kido Butai was to provide close air support for the ground troops at Manila until further notice. It was obvious that the ruling council was growing weary of the drawn out siege of Manila and that they were going to bomb the American and Philippine troops into submission.
What complicated matters was the fact that he still had to get the ships in his task force time with the repair ships that were stationed at Naga. To accomplish this he really only had one workable plan. That was to break off one carrier and one escort at a time and allow those two ships to dock with the repair ships while the rest of the task force remained further out in the bay to launch daily air strikes against the troops in Manila.
It was by no means an ideal situation, and being allowed to return to Kure and the dry docks there would be the best solution for his ships, but that simply was not going to happen. So Admiral Nagumo set out a schedule for dock time and had it transmitted to the fleet.
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
22 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
On board the Sagami Maru…
Sam the brown rat had become quite accustomed to his new home. It was warm, secure and very close to a Imperial Army rations crate, making food easy to obtain. And most of all, no one bothered him here.
However, today there was a certain scent in the air. A scent Sam found irresistible. And it meant he was not alone on the freighter. Someone on this ship was a female rat. A female that was very much in heat.
Sam was a well traveled rat. He’d been on ships from London to Singapore to Kuantan before finally landing in Osaka. He knew to avoid areas of the ship that the crew frequented, knew that roaming about the freighter would entail high risks, and knew that above all, he should stay safely in his crate as much as possible.
But even knowing all that, the drive to pass on his genetic legacy was too great. Warmth, food and safety all became secondary to his desire to mate. And this desire drove him from the safety of his crate to explore the depths of Sagami Maru’s cargo hold. He had to find that female rat…
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
On board the Sagami Maru…
Sam the brown rat had become quite accustomed to his new home. It was warm, secure and very close to a Imperial Army rations crate, making food easy to obtain. And most of all, no one bothered him here.
However, today there was a certain scent in the air. A scent Sam found irresistible. And it meant he was not alone on the freighter. Someone on this ship was a female rat. A female that was very much in heat.
Sam was a well traveled rat. He’d been on ships from London to Singapore to Kuantan before finally landing in Osaka. He knew to avoid areas of the ship that the crew frequented, knew that roaming about the freighter would entail high risks, and knew that above all, he should stay safely in his crate as much as possible.
But even knowing all that, the drive to pass on his genetic legacy was too great. Warmth, food and safety all became secondary to his desire to mate. And this desire drove him from the safety of his crate to explore the depths of Sagami Maru’s cargo hold. He had to find that female rat…
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
23 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
A short coded message went out early in the morning: ‘Hibiki, Fubuki, Shirayuki, Hatsuyuki reassigned to DesDiv 1. Proceed to Naga best possible speed.’
Meanwhile the carrier Shokaku and destroyer Isokaze docked with the repair ship Yamabiko Maru.
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
A short coded message went out early in the morning: ‘Hibiki, Fubuki, Shirayuki, Hatsuyuki reassigned to DesDiv 1. Proceed to Naga best possible speed.’
Meanwhile the carrier Shokaku and destroyer Isokaze docked with the repair ship Yamabiko Maru.
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
24 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
Sagami Maru…
Emi-Chan was an irresistible Asian beauty…at least in the world of rats. And she had no shortage of potential beaus aboard the Sagami Maru. She would have to choose soon. And that posed a problem. Most of the rats on this ship were boorish at best, and down right disgusting at worst. Emi-Chan did not want to spend the rest of her life with such brutish barbarians.
Only this morning two of the larger brutes had gotten into a fight over her. Emi-Chan was not impressed with such aggressive displays. The two fools had seriously injured each other in the process.
Then Emi-Chan met Sam. He was from a different Island far away and had a debonair manner. And he was very polite, not like the larger brutes in the cargo hold. Sam’s good manners and smooth speech won Emi-Chan over almost immediately.
As for Sam, he was infatuated at first sight. Emi-Chan was like no other rat he had ever seen. Her coat was silky and solid white with no blemishes. Her eyes were not black like a normal rat but a mesmerizing shade of pink. It was no wonder the other brutes had been fighting over her.
Sam squeaked his intentions and Emi-Chan was convinced. Sam had another thing that the other brutes did not…a nice, warm straw home. The other brutes only had crannies filled with human debris gnawed out of the steel hull of the ship. Emi-Chan accepted Sam’s offer to go back to his place, and not a moment too soon…
Another three of the brutes were posturing for a showdown when suddenly a large, furry form sprang upon them.
“Reeeeowwwww!” the cat pounced mercilessly on the group of three rats, killing one of the them instantly and injuring the other two.
“Emi-Chan, follow me. Run!” Sam squeaked hysterically. Emi-Chan needed very little convincing after seeing the vicious attack of the cat. Both rats knew their only chance was to run as fast as they could while the cat was occupied with the now crippled brutes.
Ten minutes later, Emi-Chan and Sam were safely back inside his mysterious crate. Sam had stored some food in the crate earlier in the week, so they would not have to venture out again for a few days. Here in the safety of the crate, Emi-Chan and Sam would start their family…
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
Sagami Maru…
Emi-Chan was an irresistible Asian beauty…at least in the world of rats. And she had no shortage of potential beaus aboard the Sagami Maru. She would have to choose soon. And that posed a problem. Most of the rats on this ship were boorish at best, and down right disgusting at worst. Emi-Chan did not want to spend the rest of her life with such brutish barbarians.
Only this morning two of the larger brutes had gotten into a fight over her. Emi-Chan was not impressed with such aggressive displays. The two fools had seriously injured each other in the process.
Then Emi-Chan met Sam. He was from a different Island far away and had a debonair manner. And he was very polite, not like the larger brutes in the cargo hold. Sam’s good manners and smooth speech won Emi-Chan over almost immediately.
As for Sam, he was infatuated at first sight. Emi-Chan was like no other rat he had ever seen. Her coat was silky and solid white with no blemishes. Her eyes were not black like a normal rat but a mesmerizing shade of pink. It was no wonder the other brutes had been fighting over her.
Sam squeaked his intentions and Emi-Chan was convinced. Sam had another thing that the other brutes did not…a nice, warm straw home. The other brutes only had crannies filled with human debris gnawed out of the steel hull of the ship. Emi-Chan accepted Sam’s offer to go back to his place, and not a moment too soon…
Another three of the brutes were posturing for a showdown when suddenly a large, furry form sprang upon them.
“Reeeeowwwww!” the cat pounced mercilessly on the group of three rats, killing one of the them instantly and injuring the other two.
“Emi-Chan, follow me. Run!” Sam squeaked hysterically. Emi-Chan needed very little convincing after seeing the vicious attack of the cat. Both rats knew their only chance was to run as fast as they could while the cat was occupied with the now crippled brutes.
Ten minutes later, Emi-Chan and Sam were safely back inside his mysterious crate. Sam had stored some food in the crate earlier in the week, so they would not have to venture out again for a few days. Here in the safety of the crate, Emi-Chan and Sam would start their family…
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
25 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
During the night, an antennae wire had broken loose from the main mast. This was a simple enough repair in itself, and usually would not require a great deal of expertise. However, that would be under ideal conditions, something that Tamon and Isamu Yanagawa did not have at the moment.
Repairing the wire in port would be a simple matter of the two men climbing the main mast and making the needed repair. However, they were not in port, but rather pitching and rolling in a moderate sea state 60 miles off the coast of Luzon. That fact was making this simple repair more a struggle against motion sickness than anything else.
“Ok Yanagawa, lets tighten that last bolt and get down from here.”
“Yes sir!” Yanagawa’s reply was the most eager comment he’d made all day.
Twenty minutes later, and safely back in the signals room, Tamon managed to tune in RKO Radio…
***
“This is an RKO Radio News report. Unidentified aircraft over Los Angeles! Reports abound from the west coast city of a number of unknown aircraft flying over and around the city of Los Angeles. Air raid sirens sounded and the city went into total blackout at 2:25 AM. At 3:16 AM, the 37th Coastal Artillery Brigade engaged the unknown aircraft with anti-aircraft batteries. By 7:21 AM, the all clear was sounded.”
“A spokesman for the Department of the Army states that after further investigation, the unidentified craft was most likely a barrage balloon that had broken loose from its moorings.”
***
This was a real event, condensed for the sake of this AAR. To this day, the craft has not been positively identified. You can find more information on this by searching ‘The Battle of Los Angeles” or by the date February 25 1942.
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
During the night, an antennae wire had broken loose from the main mast. This was a simple enough repair in itself, and usually would not require a great deal of expertise. However, that would be under ideal conditions, something that Tamon and Isamu Yanagawa did not have at the moment.
Repairing the wire in port would be a simple matter of the two men climbing the main mast and making the needed repair. However, they were not in port, but rather pitching and rolling in a moderate sea state 60 miles off the coast of Luzon. That fact was making this simple repair more a struggle against motion sickness than anything else.
“Ok Yanagawa, lets tighten that last bolt and get down from here.”
“Yes sir!” Yanagawa’s reply was the most eager comment he’d made all day.
Twenty minutes later, and safely back in the signals room, Tamon managed to tune in RKO Radio…
***
“This is an RKO Radio News report. Unidentified aircraft over Los Angeles! Reports abound from the west coast city of a number of unknown aircraft flying over and around the city of Los Angeles. Air raid sirens sounded and the city went into total blackout at 2:25 AM. At 3:16 AM, the 37th Coastal Artillery Brigade engaged the unknown aircraft with anti-aircraft batteries. By 7:21 AM, the all clear was sounded.”
“A spokesman for the Department of the Army states that after further investigation, the unidentified craft was most likely a barrage balloon that had broken loose from its moorings.”
***
This was a real event, condensed for the sake of this AAR. To this day, the craft has not been positively identified. You can find more information on this by searching ‘The Battle of Los Angeles” or by the date February 25 1942.
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
26 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
Sagami Maru…
Luckily for Sam and Emi-Chan, there was enough food stored in the crate for at least another day. That was a very good thing, as the mongrel of a cat had been snooping around the area that their crate was in. It was only last night that they’d heard the painfully frantic squeaks of another female rat down the corridor. They could easily deduce the outcome.
They were completely safe inside the crate. The cat had already tried to get at them, but the wooden boards were made of solid oak, and the cat could not easily get through it. Nor could the cat reach in far enough to drag them out.
However, soon Sam would have to venture out and make it to the rations crate nearby. They had to have food to survive, and the cat knew this as well as Sam did. The danger was clear and present, but soon Sam would have no choice but to venture out.
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
Sagami Maru…
Luckily for Sam and Emi-Chan, there was enough food stored in the crate for at least another day. That was a very good thing, as the mongrel of a cat had been snooping around the area that their crate was in. It was only last night that they’d heard the painfully frantic squeaks of another female rat down the corridor. They could easily deduce the outcome.
They were completely safe inside the crate. The cat had already tried to get at them, but the wooden boards were made of solid oak, and the cat could not easily get through it. Nor could the cat reach in far enough to drag them out.
However, soon Sam would have to venture out and make it to the rations crate nearby. They had to have food to survive, and the cat knew this as well as Sam did. The danger was clear and present, but soon Sam would have no choice but to venture out.
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
27 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
Sagami Maru…
Sam crept quietly around the corner of the crate. He sniffed, he looked, then he gingerly darted out towards the ration crate. No sign of the cat. He was going to make it…
***
Kasumi…
“How long are we going to be here?”
Katsuo’s question was more rhetorical than anything. It was also legitimate as Kasumi had been stuck just outside the harbor at Naga for days on end now. At least the pilots of Kido Butai had something to do with the daily bombing of troop formations. The sailors on the other hand…
“Until the Admirals decide that we need to go some where else and do nothing. You should know how these things work by now Goto-san.” Tamon’s reply was of course the truth. “We are next in line for port time though, so maybe we’ll get our orders and some shore leave soon.”
“One can only hope so…”
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
Sagami Maru…
Sam crept quietly around the corner of the crate. He sniffed, he looked, then he gingerly darted out towards the ration crate. No sign of the cat. He was going to make it…
***
Kasumi…
“How long are we going to be here?”
Katsuo’s question was more rhetorical than anything. It was also legitimate as Kasumi had been stuck just outside the harbor at Naga for days on end now. At least the pilots of Kido Butai had something to do with the daily bombing of troop formations. The sailors on the other hand…
“Until the Admirals decide that we need to go some where else and do nothing. You should know how these things work by now Goto-san.” Tamon’s reply was of course the truth. “We are next in line for port time though, so maybe we’ll get our orders and some shore leave soon.”
“One can only hope so…”
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
28 February 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
“Not yet Ensign Goto. We will be signaled when it is time.” Lt. Commander Sanada left it at that.
***
Sagami Maru…
Sam’s tail…what was left of it…was throbbing with pain. He’d managed to gather the food and make it back to the crate when the cat pounced. He had escaped with his life, but the cat had escaped with the last one third of his tail.
Sam couldn’t wait to get off this ship…
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
“Not yet Ensign Goto. We will be signaled when it is time.” Lt. Commander Sanada left it at that.
***
Sagami Maru…
Sam’s tail…what was left of it…was throbbing with pain. He’d managed to gather the food and make it back to the crate when the cat pounced. He had escaped with his life, but the cat had escaped with the last one third of his tail.
Sam couldn’t wait to get off this ship…
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: Thunder in the Pacific: Shark7 vs Schwartzkie
01 March 1942
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
Tamon stood at attention in the Captain’s ward room. Why he had been called in here was still a mystery to him. So he patiently waited until Murakami spoke.
“At ease Harada.” Murakami held up a piece of paper with a rather lengthy message on it. “This was sent to us late last night. Do you have any idea what it is?”
“No sir. I know nothing of it.” Tamon was truly perplexed.
“Good. That means that your subordinate’s know how to follow orders.” Murakami chuckled a bit, he could tell that Tamon was truly unaware of what the message entailed. “Well Harada, I’ll paraphrase it for you. It seems that the officers at Combined Fleet Headquarters seem to think you are ready to take on more responsibility. They’ve promoted you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. Congratulations.”
Tamon was almost too shocked to speak. “Uh…thank you sir!”
Murakami chuckled again. “That will be all. Dismissed.”
DD Kasumi attached to TF 114
Location: Naga
Course: None
Damage: System 03
Orders: Close air support
***
Tamon stood at attention in the Captain’s ward room. Why he had been called in here was still a mystery to him. So he patiently waited until Murakami spoke.
“At ease Harada.” Murakami held up a piece of paper with a rather lengthy message on it. “This was sent to us late last night. Do you have any idea what it is?”
“No sir. I know nothing of it.” Tamon was truly perplexed.
“Good. That means that your subordinate’s know how to follow orders.” Murakami chuckled a bit, he could tell that Tamon was truly unaware of what the message entailed. “Well Harada, I’ll paraphrase it for you. It seems that the officers at Combined Fleet Headquarters seem to think you are ready to take on more responsibility. They’ve promoted you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. Congratulations.”
Tamon was almost too shocked to speak. “Uh…thank you sir!”
Murakami chuckled again. “That will be all. Dismissed.”
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'