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Jan 19th

Zuiho rides at anchor -awaiting fuel.

The army approaches Djokarta, takes medan, overlooks the causeway in malaya, and recieves another bloody nose at port Moresby.
The battle for manilla continues, japanese artillery steadily destroying the jewel of the orient.
And Nagumo abandons his task of trying to kill convoys, and heads towards Truk.

The war continues to plan.................

January 20th

A quiet day.
A day of thinking about home, and about the mission ahead.


For Okura -its not a quiet day at all.
It begins early -there truly is no maps onboard Zuiho of the intended target .
He must look ashore.
This is no easy thing -simply getting a seat onto one of the ships boats is an adventure in itself, srabbling down the Jacobs ladder, another.
The boat seems to be full of ruffians - all, apparently on the scrounge.
As the boat approaches the shore -Okura notes the blasted palm trees, the destroyed buildings -the blackened gun pit on the point.

"this will be a bust - but I cannot return to Hidaka empty handed"

Finding the HQ -the naval HQ established here, takes effort - and a great deal of sweat.
X HQ is nestled near the strip - a forlorn hut, a small radio mast -and a great deal of dirt, dust, several mongeral dogs -and several immaculate naval uniformed staff -minor miricles in this madness.
But Okura cannot be impressed - if this is the spear tip of Japans navy here -then what would you find at the front line?
Nevertheless - he plunges in.

The staffofficer, harrassed, yet cool, does have an answer!
'There -out there -I-XX -she was going to midget attack THAT place -scrubbed mission though. She will have plenty of maps."

Okura grins, and begins to head off, but is halted by the rejoiner "but I expect they will cost you -submarines are not the most congenial vessels -"
Okura cannot believe his ears. But then when he pauses to think about how things work in his wardroom - yes, he can believe his ears.

So -another long walk back to the pier, another boat trip in the blazing sun, another long negotiation with the mess president, then, finally, bribe carefully packed in hand , yet another boat trip out to the low shape at anchor.

It is the smell that strikes him -the ready room stinks some days -but this..........
However, as he is led below to the Captains toilet sized cabin - (how in the hell do they live like this), the smell is overpowered by the sheer fascination of seeing the inside of a submarine for the first time.
The Captain, bearded, dirty -obviously tired -greets him warmly.
As the scotch passes across -the greeting becomes even warmer.

'You are going to strike where?"
"@#$%^ yes"
An admiring whistle. "Gutsy -but, you know, do able"
In a few moments, maps, beautiful maps of the target are produced
'Bloody glad we did not end up going there my friend, bloody glad"
The Captain admires the scotch. "To hell with it. If it all goes bad for you, you might not get another chance young flyboy. Care to share some?"

Okura certaintly would.

January 21

The tankers arrive
The ship fuels -smoothly today, no issues

A thrill, almost a telephatic message passes through the crew -all can feel it. All can sense it. As dusk falls, Task force swift eagle raises anchor, and begins her great adventure...............

January 22nd

Hidaka sits quietly in the corner of the ready room.
He has discovered –much too his surprise, that for the first time since the wars beginning he actually has nothing to do.
The mission ahead is planned, and ready to go.
Outside the ready room, the planes positively gleam, all too are ready.

But what of the pilots?

The room is full this evening – and Hidaka casually observes them. This is a favorite activity of his – this observing of men, this analysis of humanity.

Po Nashiguchi , of the fresh face –the boyish looks. Face in a book –again. Who is it this time? –another unknown philosopher? – ah-Athanasius –who ever the hell that was.
A good pilot though – he must be –nobody has yet drawn attention to his deck landings on this floating postage stamp


In the corner – the battle. Po Ogawa, Po Diogawa again are engaged in the nightly battle. Chess. A perplexing game – don’t they call it the ultimate war?. A good foil for a fighter pilot.
But why, Oh why is Ogawa always such an un tidy mess? But then who cares what he wears if he keeps racking up his kills.
Diogawa takes a bishop ‘woof, woof”
Woof, woof –what in the hell is that about?. One day he will have to find out…….

There are other zero pilots in here of course – some playing cards, some reading, several already snoozing despite the noise. He does not know them all, yet ………. And the truth must be faced. He may never get to know them all – war must intervene.
How many will they lose on this mission?
One will be too many. But that is what they must do.

Hidaka knows the target –these men do not –yet. He looks around at the smiling faces, the grins, the optimism.
And wishes he felt the same.












Hasegawa takes the signal

The bridge is quiet, and little has disturbed this day at sea.

‘From Southern Army command
to
All

Today forces of 14th army took Manilla.

All forces, inspired by this heroic action, are urged to emulate 14th army, and through continued effort, bring this war to a swift conclusion.


Swift conclusion?
Hasegawa considers the giant he is soon to prod

Swift conclusion? –who the hell do Southern army think they are kidding?

January 23rd

the once bright sunny skies are being replaced with bands of cold, grey cloud -and even the occasional shower. The ocean develops white caps, that soon develop into white horses.
Zuiho's bows begin to bite into the seas, creaming waves powering down her flanks.
The escorting destroyers begin to pitch up and down, and now begin to ship water over bows.
It is a wild sight this ocean, wild, yet beautiful.
Onboard moral is high, only a hand ful know Zuiho's mission, -officially. The rumour mill is working overtime, and a great many bets are being laid.

For those that do know - today will mark a very great increase in tension -task force swift eagle is heading into the unknown.
Hasegawa can do little except mark the progress on the charts -and pray that this weather gets even worse..


Operations report

Final attack plans completed
We must wait, A/C availability is 100%


Captains Log

Steady progress towards objective. Such a long way to go!
Ship performing well, and remains system defect free - so Minobe tells me..........

Our troops enter Port Moresby today -fighting now in the streets
Invasion of Singapore proper expected any day now, java is 50% ours
The war continues to plan...........



From the diary of the charge

Quiet day. transfering fuel overnight ready to re fuel tomorrow.
Took several examinations today -another new ticket issued. Conducted casualty control drills -loss of vacuum, loss of gland steam in port engine room -satisfactory.
have recommenced the war against rust.....................

january 24th

Two man work at a bench
In the scheme of things, this pump will not even cause a blip on the ships performance -it is not "vital"
Too Okano, Hirate, it is.
Okano should not even be on watch, but he has remained behind to help Hirate.

Yesterday Hirate rebuilt this pump, and to his great embarressment, to his shame -something went wrong.
Okano has found him at the bench, sweat streaming down his face. But it is not the heat that causes it to flow, Okano see's it immediately -fear.

"problems?"
A stream of incentive, short, bitter, frustrated greats him
'If Minobe hears..........."
Gently Okano places his hand on his companions back. " Would you like a hand?'
A negative shake of the head - and a pause.
"'Two is better than one"
And Hirate nods in agreement

No words are spoken -none need to be said. A problem exists, it must be solved

They work, oblivious to the world about them, bodies swaying gently to Zuiho's movements across the swells, replacing the bearing that has caused so much strife.
At some stage, the tannoy blares.......... Port Moresby has been taken...............
And they barely notice.

The work takes several hours, and at its end, this time the pump runs.
Okano takes Hirate's offered hand - "no problem at all"

he will have to go on watch again very shortly, but it does not matter.
deep in the bowels of Zuiho, two men have gone from being mere friends, to eternal brotherhood.......

january 25th

In the lower hanger area, at the rear, a 20 metre square area has been cleared. On the floor a large cloth hides what is obviously a relief map of some kind

A round it, the pilots gather, all tense and excited.
Hidaka smiles. he is, like most leaders worth following, not with out a sense of style, of drama.
'Gentlemen. We have passed the point of no return. You will study the target until you know it in your sleep. You will study the attack approach, the anchorages, the suspected targets.
It won't be easy the approach, but, then, nothing easy is worth doing ney?"

The men nod, nervous feet shuffle.
Hidaka nods to the seamen, and swiftly the target is revealed.
gasps

None here have ever been to this place -but all instantly recongnise the great structure spanning the harbour.

"Our target men. Sydney harbour. They think it safe. Let us disuade them yes?"

January 25th

“and so Hidaka, how did the men greet the news?”
Hasegawa is grey today – showing in its crinkles and wrinkles every year of his age, yet the voice is calm, and as it has become more like every day – almost fatherly in tune.
‘Excited. Challenged. Eager”
“Good” I don’t understand you yet Hidaka –but this I know – as long as you remain excited and challenged –I will take your men to any target – no matter how far we go, how deep the risk.
“Then I will take you to the target” Hasegawa smiles again ‘just ensure every bomb counts”

Hidaka nods, and for a few minutes they stand side by side on the bridge, taking in the endless view
‘can you really do it Hidaka?”
“Sir –I promise you this. Mutsu would never be able to achieve what we will there”
“a big promise”
‘I swear it, I swear it”










Kamisaka , Okura, Kurihama consider the map, the diorama. Around them all the kate pilots too have gathered.
Kamisaka speaks –and they listen.
Kamisaka, killer of the Tromp. They listen too him, not for rank, not for age, but in quiet recognition –he is the best amongst them.

“This is what I plan to do. I intend to get down low, enter the harbour here”- he stabs at the gap between the two harbour heads, “swing, and then follow it into the heart of the city, and come straight over this –what is this?’
‘Fort Denison –non military –a relic”
“Over this rock then – and to attack at wave height. I will exit over the heart of the city”

“Hidaka wishes a convential attack –formation bombing”
Kamisaka scratches his head –‘ my approach means little AA – they shoot at us –and hit the buildings on the other side of the harbour. Plus this way –surprise must be complete”
‘This head –Bradleys – it’s a sharp turn –will we have time?’
‘if you are good enough-I am, are you?”

That is enough

It is decided then. They will attack in line ahead –in hard, in low.

Kurihama examines the map too
The great bridge spanning the harbour continues to grab his attention.
And a mad thought fills his mind








Minobe finishes reading todays reports
‘ready to fuel tomorrow?’
‘Sir, yes. I just hope the weather is kind”
‘I doubt it. Lord Howe is hardly a massive shelter I believe”

Engines smiles – today , for once, he is sober –and some minor spark of a former man is dancing at the corners of his mouth. ‘I am looking forward to the ride in –it should be some adventure the approach”
The Charge grins “ Nice cross swell, high speed. Good stuff”
‘yes, good stuff”






From the Captains log

We are a ‘go”. I look forward to seeing what Hidaka can do.
War news. Djokarta is taken, Batavia is bombed by our battlewagons. I believe a landing has taken place at Port Headland !
We will do our bit.


Operations Log

Target
Port Sydney
Operations planning conducted for a max strike, Ryujo, Shoho, Zuiho
Strike expected to be conducted 29th –weather permitting

Diary of the charge

Quiet day –still awaiting tankers to catch us.

This is a bold mission. Talk about 'deep strike.' It is a big risk though for three small CVLs. They only have 36 Kate to strike with but are well provided for with Zeros.

BANZAI!

Thankyuo John 3rd!

yes -lets see what happens in time...............



26th January

Dawn
An angry sea. A angry sky. Grey, windy, miserable.
Zuiho pitches, pitches steeply into each swell, and corkscrews over them, solid sheets of spray cascading outwards from her bow, curling, then being caught by the bitter wind –and flung in sheets of almost solid water against the bridge windscreens.

The wipers beat endlessly –and lose –the visibility is terrible.

Hasegawa squints through the screen at the tanker ahead – she does not pitch like this damn her.
‘Line secured Sir – we are hauling the hose”

re fuelling. A barsted of a business. He glances at the men huddled below the screen on the little platform where the hose will, with luck, be connected.
He grins momentarily -inside that is –at the wet shivering shape of Minobe below him. An Engineers job is a right barsted some days…………….


Minobe watches the painful process of the hose as it slowly floats down wind towards them.
Another wave –this one crashes over the focastle –sweeps towards them, smacks against the platform.
‘Truk”
Around him, the men work – work and battle for survival. Currently this platform, this focastle is the most dangerous place in the war, and only the imperative of war keeps them here.
They must refuel. They must
The great hose is hauled aboard, and with no little difficulty, connected. For a moment, just a moment, the sun breaks through –and a ray strikes them – and Minobe captures in his mind a moment that will live with him forever – the hose, the men, the water surging about them……………..and this private battle they will win.

As they always do.



Zuiho will take just on 1000 tons today – and her escorts, her companions, many tons too
The refueling is a success –the mission will continue

Only six men fleet wide are lost…………………………

January 27th

In the hanger, the pilots train.
Little wooden planes are "flown" down the diaroma -banking and wheeling over the little wooden targets -targets that may, or may not be there.

Timings are taken, and some quite violent arguments take place -can this attack actually be pulled off?
Hidaka is flat with his answer.
"A harbour full of sitting ducks, miss , and I promise you, you will be on ASW patrol in parishimo before you can think"



Below, life continues in its usual routine, watch on, watch off. Eat, sleep, work, watch.
Port forward boiler conducts its routine " blow down"
PO Hirate carefully raises the water level, holds it - hot work for the water tender this- and finally gives the nod to his sprayer puncher.
On hands and knees, he operates his big T bar spanner -opening the final valve in the system to blow some water -and some salinity , over the side.

Instead of the rumble -they are abruptly confronted by a fountain of water erupting from the bilges -water, steam, and crap.......
"Whoa!, shut the trucking valve!, shut the trucking valve!'
The fountain subsides
'Crap- the charge is not going to like this. Hirate wrestles the deck plates aside from near the fountain, and with out hesitation jumps into the knee deep bilge water.
His torch probes the darkness - examining the blowdown pipe work.
The hole is finger nail sized - and facing down -down into the bilges. As the ship rises, falls over the swells, the bilge water washes over the hole.

Oh truck...............




Oh Truck................ The charge examines the hole. Awkward position. Impossible to weld here in position -not with this bloody water, bloody wet arsed bottomed ship.........

"get the spanners -this whole section will have to come out' he takes Hirate by the shoulder. Commence pre light offs bravo boiler -we are going to have to do this quick"





"How long Chief?'
Minobe looks stunned. And why the accusing tone? -I did'nt bloody well create the hole did I?
The Charge calculates. 'I have to kill Port fwd boiler -only one valve isolation -maybe 6 hours........... remove the pipework -4 maybe............weld -4 maybe, another 4 to get it back together, 2 for reflash, 2 for disasters....... -24 hrs sir

'Our attack run begins in 26. crap. No way around this is there?"
"None sir, none at all"



Hasegawa will have nothing of it.
"I need that boiler Chief"
Once again.............for the dumb ass. "Sir -let me draw you a picture....this is the system. The leak is HERE. I cannot isolate it with the boiler running -just cannot. "

'can you wait for after the attack?"
Attack? -what bloody attack -I am only the chief below............. 'Sir - high speed running means climbing chloride - the last thing we need is a tube failure......."

Hasegawa walks away. Contemplates the darkening sea. "Can you fix it by midday chief?
Midday is 15 hours away............

There is no hesitation. You cannot hesitate, you must trust your men.......... 'Yes sir, we can"
'very well then, swing to the other boiler, shut down port forward - and commence your work........."


'How long do we have Charge?
'Hirate, not enough - but we have to make it enough. get me a trucking big hammer -some of those bloody bolts look like they came from the ark..........

Ogawa and Nashiguchi pace Zuiho's flight deck, bracing themselves against the nasty roll she has developed. The little carrier is angling westward now -and the swells come up under her aft quarter.
On her bridge, the helmsman will be having a particularily tough time.

Around the two pilots, zuiho waits. her guns are manned, and dozens of binoculars scan the skies and seas. Nothing stirs, just endless whitecaps, the occasional albatross endlessly weaving in the wake..
It is a wild scene, and the ships pass through it like grey ghosts.

'I hear the op may be off" notes Ogawa
'hey?'
'Troubles down stairs apparently, we can't make launch speed"
'lazy trukers -do you think we come all this way for the scenery?'
'easy my friend -I am sure they will fix it"





'Kill the boiler"............
kill the fires, pull the burners, isolate it - and open the drains and crack open the recirc valve -and , if you are in a hurry -open the back fill valve.
They are in a hurry - and the back fill valve is opened as far as the charge dares.
dares -for now raw steam roars into the space itself -admittably at the rear of the boiler -but what it does has to be experienced to be understood.
Boiler rooms are -naturally hot. They are humid as well. vast fans battle this constantly -but now they are losing.
The humidity puts a turkish bath to shame, and the noise is horrendous.

Loud -but not loud enough to drown the steady stream of incentive coming from the bilges.
Hirate is steaming the other boiler - but I think he wishes he was down there - there so he can help progress the work.
As usual -one bolt refuses to undo.
As usual - its always the hardest one to get too. The nut -despite all, just won't budge

The charge has gone to emergency measures........

They call him Lurch.
He is undoubtably the biggest man on the ship. He quite possibly would be the biggest japanese man many on Zuiho will ever see..
His many tatoos speak of a certain past.
But nobody down here todaty cares -the sledge hammer in his hand looks like a toy.

It swings -and one of three things must happen. The nut will give. The spanner will give, or the bolt will give.
The best happens. The bolt shears.
Men, black, sweaty, covered in oil, bilge water, grin.
Eager hands pull the six feet of offending pipe out. the welder scratches his chin
'A doodle"
And for the first time this early morning, long night, the Charge smiles too.
They will make it.








1900 hrs
'Sir -we are ready to make our approach run. Full power available"
Hasegawa examines the darkening sky. The sun is setting, a red ball into the sea.
'Very good"
Silence on the bridge. It is THE moment.
"new course -steer 270. Battle speed one"

At dawn swift eagle will strike.

[&o]

ORIGINAL: 1275psi

As usual - its always the hardest one to get too. The nut -despite all, just won't budge

If in doubt, just split the damn' nut with a chisel! Obviously, the alternative of 'Get a bigger sledge' works well too. [:)]

Crickey Herb this is good. bravo!!!

BOY! Am I enjoying this AAR. Can't wait for the next post. Keep them coming!!

Mat

If it don't turn, force it. If it breaks, it needed replacing anyways.

Whipple

0200 hours

29th January

‘can’t sleep?” Hidaka is not asking a question. Here, in the quiet of the hanger, it is a statement.
Ogawa, nestled in his zero’s cockpit, nods – and there is embarressment.
Hidaka hesitates for a moment, before taking climbing up onto the fighters wing to bend down beside the younger man.
Around them, the hanger is coming to life –the deck crews, the plane crews gathering around the eagles. It will be a big day, a long day. Nobody wants to leave anything to chance.

For these two men, they may as well not exist.
Ogawa almost whispers it –and Hidaka has to bend a ear to hear him over the chatter around them “ My father called me a coward once Sir. A pale face turns to him –and piearcing eyes –oh so blue those eyes –desperately seek assurance in him “was he right Sir? –is it wrong to be afraid?”

Hidaka contemplates this man. He is my best pilot –three kills already…………
But……….. “No –it is not wrong to be afraid.. But not of death Ogawa. Only of failure. Be afraid of that”

The young man seems to understand this.
Hidaka places a hand of assurance on his pilots shoulder
‘I don’t think we will see much opposition from the enemy honestly –it’s the bomber boys who will have the devil of a job I think”
‘Yes –you have given them a tough assighnment”
“Not too tough –I hope. But tough enough with out breakfast –care to join me?”



Minobe stares ahead –over Zuiho’s bow. About him the bridge is quiet, busy, but quiet. The seas are calm now –and glittering under full moonlight.
His Captain joins him “Can’t sleep engines?”
The engineer lies. “Ahh, no problem there sir –just want to be up before they call general quarters”
He points to the bow –the other ships plainly in view about them “Its so bright –how have we avoided detection is beyond me”
The older man smiles, shrugs. “spotted or not –we strike. If we don’t –I think Hidaka would kill me”

Minobe snorts. ‘Tough little barsted isn’t he?”
Hasegawa begins to move away, to attend to the latest signal –“ Nothing less than any captain would expect”


Kamisaka awakens to water dripping on his face –and as he struggles up from sleep he is met by the grinning face of Kurihama
“Come on lazy bones –there is a war to fight”

For a moment he lays there. A war to fight. But the bunk is so comfortable…..
A war to fight.
And the stomach tightens. Today is THE day…….

But routine will take over –and nothing will allow the mask so carefully put into place slip.
The men wash –briefly –and the joshing, the ribbing –is as always.
The men eat, a good meal, fish, rice –and egg today……and the mask stays on. You smile, you laugh.
And the knot tightens, and tightens.
He is afraid. Not of death –that must come one day soon –but of missing.
How shameful to miss the target today.
He will not miss…………




0400
“Spot the aircraft”

below, and now above decks, zuiho is a hive of activity
the planes weigh literally tons now –each carrying a 800 KG bomb, but there are no shortages of hands to push them to their spots.
All nine of Zuiho’s TBD’s are going today –as is every single TBD in the task force. The great gamble is now all or nothing –Hasegawa will strike Sydney with every bird they have –no naval search at all.

If another carrier is about –well………..karma

The final gamble –just 15 zeros will escort –a mere 3 from Zuiho.
Ogawa, Diogawa will be 2 of those three. Nashiguchi will have to wait for clear decks before taking to the sky on CAP.
He is –to be frank –not happy.


0445
And now the beat of a dozen engines shake her decks. Men are careful now, bent double as they scurry about the eagles –wary of the blurring blades.
The pilots gather around the blackboard –so like foot ball players around the coach. But none of these men know of football. What they do know is this.
They have been brought here –here to this spot –to do their duty. Every man expects it of them. They expect it of themselves.
The papers will say –they fight for the Empire –for Japan.
No.
They will fly today for each other.
They will do their best –or die trying.








Hasegawa joins the circle –looking totally out of place
It is significant though – the battle ship man –is –finally, with them

His tone is soft –almost –dare we say it –is it, so passe’ to say it –fatherly.
“You make History today men. Look around you –and remember who you fly with. I know you will do well”
the men nod.
“Good luck –Let the happy phoenix show its teeth ney?’
‘Hie”!



“Man your planes”



Hasegawa takes his spot on the port bridge wing.
The navigator straightens from his chart.
“We are at position sir”
Sydney is 250 miles that way –in the the dark. Behind them a great red meatball is rising –chasing the nightmares, the doubts away.
He is no longer tired. The weight –so heavy last night, is gone.
Now –now he is young again –and the Joy of command comes flooding back

“VERY GOOD!”. Bring the task force into the wind. Signal all ships -Commence launching!”

edited- bum, got a name mixed up above.
The attack is coming.

For the hundredth time Okura checks the compass –the time
The Kate bellows –and vibrates, and the noise surrounds him, insulates him.
His eagle is alive under his soft touch, the stick unconsciously adjusting to the light thermals, bumps in the road.
The formation is a loose one – fingers of three, and three, and three.
Alongside him Kamisaka rides at his Starboard wing, Petty Officer Tanaka his port.

All safely away.
A good start.

A tap on his shoulder – the navigator speaks into his intercom –tinny, remote.
“land in 5 minutes”
The noise still surrounds him – -you are really alone here –in this seat. Your crew cannot effect what you do –nobody can.
Only the enemy can
He nods. Good. Takes his wingman’s eyes –waves the signal.
They acknowledge across the abyss separating them, and he takes the canopy above him, and slides it firmly shut, adjusts his goggles, sweeps the instruments again –all is good –and gently eases the stick forward.

They descend gently –the speed picking up –the controls hardening, the bumps and thumps hard and urgent now, and there –there on the horizon –the cliffs of North and south head –tiny, tiny, but growing by the minute

500 feet, the ocean now has form, shape, the waves individual –and the world vibrates, and eyes search, search for the harbor opening –have they arrived at the right place?

And suddenly –instantly –the diorama –studied so hard –becomes recognizable –there is Manly cove –that is south head –and that is middle head –and the houses nestled on the south cliff tops are growing into recognizable shapes –red roofs gleaming in the sun, and the descent stops at 200 feet, and the ocean now that lovely blur underneath, and the left hand takes the throttle, and slams it into the stop –the bellow now a howl

South head looms, and he gently rudders, gently sticks, eases her over the cliff – bellowing over the roofs on south head –startled faces looking up –and Ogawa and Diogawa race overhead –the fighters seeking, seeking –rocking, and the stomach rises as he swoops down onto the harbor –the great bridge –there –there! –ahead, 2 miles away.

A small boat flashes under –and red balls –white balls are rising up –flashing past and under and Tanaka -more sensed than seen is winging over, down , and behind, cart wheeling into the green, green water –and it matters not –for the harbor is packed with shipping –and coldly, calmly, he lines up the cruiser -underway, behind that funny fort, and its 500 yards, 400, 300 –men are running on her deck –too late! –and Kamisaka is beside him –the hand snatches at the bomb release, funnels, masts below, gone –she leaps into the air, free of her great weight –and behind –a flash –a titanic Thunmp!, another thump –and he climbs, climbs over the city head screwed back towards the target –and the cruiser –the Louisville, is burning, burning already!

He banks hard to starboard, the great bridge sliding under his starboard wing –and he notices with some amusement as Kurihara flashes under the bridge –his target a mountain of flame behind him –the tanker burns.

He keeps turning, climbing, heading back towards the sea –and the next wave is coming in, glinting in the sun – angling in towards garden island –and , Oh , how thick the shipping is there – a mass of funnels –alongside, shut down, helpless.

And the noise insulates them – the engine drowns -almost –the shattering explosions as the bombs land –again, and again –the kates zooming low and hard across the great shipyard –tail gunners spraying death as they go

He circles still –climbing, climbing –and notes the chaos in the harbor, in the city –on the bridge, and almost as an after thought –the immensity of this great brown land they have kicked

And no planes rise to fight them.

And then it is over –and missing just Tanaka –the bombers turn for home.


And the noise insulates them…………..





Kamisaka flies behind Okura, his eagle lighter, easier to handle now.
He is empty. Yet not.
He did not miss



Kurihama flies – almost in a daze.
How sweet a thing he has seen and done today.
A fully loaded tanker – and how bright did it burn!
How hot those flames must have been

And how the seamen did run………….
Kurihama flies –he is grinning –but it is not a happy grin –more akin to a wolf over a broken legged deer
Oh, how sweet a thing he has done today……..








Zuiho recovers her strike with out incident.
A mere two planes have been lightly holed.
The pilots will climb out –each in their own way.
Some, slowly, carefully – shattered mentally from the battle. They will be quiet, introspective
Others will leap out –grinning, excited.
Some will simply climb out –and seek the meal awaiting them.

All will expect a follow on strike.

But first –the intelligence officer………



‘Initial results sir”
Hasegawa nods – noting the excitement on the midshipman’s face.

CA Australia – 2 bombs
CA Canberra – 1 bomb
CA Louisville –2 bombs
CL Adelaide – 1 bomb
CL Achilles – 1 bomb
CL Perth –1 bomb
CL Marblehead – 1 bomb
Tanker –unknown –1 bomb
Medium AP –1 bomb
Large AP –1 bomb

Murmers on the bridge.
Hasegawa grins –ancient wrinkles deepening even further.
“and so we dispatch the ANZAC squadron. A good days work. Please have Hidaka report here”

"there will be no second strike" Hasegawa's face is solid, and already Hidaka can see that this statement will not be changed. but he must try -must
'Sir - I must point out -the enemy have no air cover -the targets are crippled -we could finish them off easily"

Hasegawa remains silent -then slips his hand into his uniform, extracts the orders he has recieved from Yamamoto
"part one of this operation has been a stunning success Hidaka - but there is more to come - and to full fill it we may still need more bombs and torpedoes than we still have. Read these please -and tell me what you think"

Hidaka takes the operational order -it is quite large - and it covers three possible operations -and he see's immediately that Hasegawa is right.
But the sheer offrontry of this plan -the flights of fancy it contains.......

"Do we have the forces for this monster? -this is a deep gamble is it not?"

"But it justifies no second strke?"

"Yes, but....."

Then the rest is above our pay scale no?. Spot a naval strike ASAP - who knows what we will find out here -and a heavy search pattern. No surprises -the enemy still have 2 CV's in the Pacific somewhere..........."