Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: 1275psi

240 miles north west, palua.
Kaga, enroute to manilla.
Somewhere below, a battle has been lost.
Flooding reaches 67% of lethal level.
It is a long, long way home.

cruise speed is your friend ... "piano, piano..."

Hi pax. I think she went through a storm. Flooding Kaga now back to 66. Still a long, long way to go
(really appreciate the comments, and merry Christmas to all you readers visible and invisible, you have really made this a good AAR year with your comments, or simply by "checking in'

A quick PS, I am travelling to Spain, and Cincinnatti next year, any one care to share a beer in those fine places?

Well, here is latest. Cantona tells me that Zuiho was "spotted' a week ago through radio traffic intell, and all the SS sightings gave him a suspicious feeling. he acted on it. he tells me "I was very unlucky" not to make contact with stuff.
Ce la ve.

11/2/43

PO Uto prepares to join circuit.. Even after a year of operations by japans fleet air arm, this remains a very non regulated procedure. The non functioning of aircraft radios has still not been addressed.
Millions of man hours are being devoted in the empire to improving naval gunnery, but still, after all this time, once aloft, most Japanese pilots are on their own.
Zuiho steams on the far right flank of the formation, her destroyer tailing. There is no flank escort, at this moment Kato is merely manoeuvring his ship to the vagrancies of the wind, what little there is of it today.
95 knots, flaps out, running parallel, but in the opposite direction to zuiho, height 1500 feet.
Things are good. The deck is clear, and no bloody one else ahead.
Descending, throttle barely ticking the beast over, rate of descent good. Ok, swift, turn in, the dog leg. 100- feet, and the wake is disappearing under the nose, stick, rudder, and onto final.
FUST. Flaps, undercart, speed………..trim.
Full concentration on that ridiculous small deck, growing in the bottom corner of his screen. If you could see me now Father……….
You don’t land on a Carrier. No body does. You control crash onto them…………..
Floating in, floating in, lights green, still green……….and cut!
She bangs down………violently as always, and as is his habit Uto catches the third wire.
She slams to a stop.
Down
Breath again. And deck Chief is waving him forward, and it’s a matter of trust, trying to see over the nose is of cause impossible……
Men swarm about, securing his bird, and the Empires Son climbs wearily out of his office, climbs to the gently pitching deck
Men push his eagle forward, and already the bells ting.
Hidaka waves from the flight deck corner……..ten fingers. Ten minutres.
Uto sighs. The glamour of a fighter pilot!. Who would ever have imagined that it would be such hard work, or so bloody boring!
Ten minutes. Heavens, he hopes the galley has something for them in the ready room
The thump of Diogawas landing vibrates into his feet, and Uto watches the stout man climb down from his zero. The barsted is, as always, smiling.
He joins Uto on the flight deck. “The enemy, it appears my friend, is remarkably absent!”
Uto nods. It is the first time that Zuiho’s leading Ace has spoken to him
“Shall I buy you a tea Uto?, to whet our tongues from this harsh sun?, or would you prefer a pork roll or two?”
Uto grins. The pork roll is no idle promise. Somehow, diogawa has a direct line to the galley…….
‘Tea will be fine Sir”
“Sir?. Don’t give me that crap. Lets go eat………”


Another day of nothing. Nil contacts, nil sightings. But for one man, a significant day. Uto is no longer “the emperors son”.
An invisible line has been crossed. Uto has earned the rights to be an Eagle of the little ship that can.



The great Emily lands gracefully onto the waters of palua lagoon, cutting a wide white swathe through the brilliant waters.
It taxis to the beach, the bow man erect in her nose. A hundred yards out and a small anchor descends, and almost immediately the attending boats swarm alongside.
The Emily’s sole passenger, Herbiesan, emerges, his fatigues creased and stained. It has been a long journey, and as always, conducted in absolute secrecy.
The small boat takes him immediately to the rusting towering flanks of the Akagi.
The Admirals, however, await.
Apparently, he notes, there remains no secrets amongst them.
Yamamoto salutes. “Welcome aboard sir”
The reply is quick, direct. “What is the state of the Kaga?. Is her flooding under control? And I see a harbour packed with transports. What, pray tell me Admiral, is the status of the battle for Merauke?”
Yamamotos face darkens. Behind herbiesan, many anxious glances between his captains .
“it may be best sir, if we discuss Merauke below……………in private.”
“Yes………….Admiral…………………..yes it may be”



Briefing paper 27, damiensan to Herbiesan” (currently in his briefcase)

………….and thus it can be said that the Empires industrial situation has stabalised. HOWEVER, recent events in the pacific threaten this. As repeated endlessly, the empire needs vast fuel reserves, these are barely being maintained.
Operations on merauke threaten this situation. Currently the fleet has deployed 10 heavy, 5 light cruisers, and thirty destroyers to a continuous shuttle run of bombardments in small task groups of three to five ships.
The only viable support bases for thes operations are Palua, or Soerabaya. Every mission is exhausting the bunkerage of every ship involved (not to mention wear and tear)
The maths are brutal sir, but unavoidable. We are sucking the empire dry. A month, two at the most, and all fleet reserves will be gone. We must determine Navies plans for this operation……….things cannot be allowed to merely drift along……………


2 pm.
A sick and sorry Hosho stumbles from his hut. The bright sun hurts his eyes, and he twists away from it in pain, simultaneously trying not to vomit.
Last night was a big one. So was the one before, and before that, to think of it.
He stumbles over to the latrines, downloads last nights meal. Struggles to do up his pants. Damn, they are getting tight. Now, where were they?. That’s right. Last nights news. Moving to Rangoon……….even deeper into reserve!...........and closer to the cities delights.
And wasn’t rifle practice due today?. Yes?. Ahh, but the lieutenant is probably too drunk…….Stuff it. Back to bed…………


Enemy action can destroy a division
So can poor logistics
But nothing is so imperceptible, or lethal, then a division inactive.
15th Army ‘rests’ in reserve. Once bright and sharp, its blade is now not even dull……………..

Merry Christmas!!!
 
Thanks for a great read.

Briefing paper 27, damiensan to Herbiesan” (currently in his briefcase)

………….and thus it can be said that the Empires industrial situation has stabalised. HOWEVER, recent events in the pacific threaten this. As repeated endlessly, the empire needs vast fuel reserves, these are barely being maintained.
Operations on merauke threaten this situation. Currently the fleet has deployed 10 heavy, 5 light cruisers, and thirty destroyers to a continuous shuttle run of bombardments in small task groups of three to five ships.
The only viable support bases for thes operations are Palua, or Soerabaya. Every mission is exhausting the bunkerage of every ship involved (not to mention wear and tear)
The maths are brutal sir, but unavoidable. We are sucking the empire dry. A month, two at the most, and all fleet reserves will be gone. We must determine Navies plans for this operation……….things cannot be allowed to merely drift along……………

For the rest of us amateur Japanese economics ministers, can you post from Tracker or the game your current Fuel and Oil situation across the Empire?? How badly damaged are your Oil & Refinery Centers in the SRA?? Borneo should be able to supply the Fleet and Palembang Japan.

I was in US Navy in electronics for about 6 years, so your stories bring back memories. Thanks! [:)]

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to you, 1275psi! Seeing an update in this thread always brightens my day a bit.

Merry Christmas 1275psi!

Merry Christmas, 1275psi, and may your boilers always operate at design pressure!

Thanks everyone!
For NY59giants, I am hardly the man to ask!, I totally cocked it all up. I don't actually use tracker, just a note book, that is at my work.
I will give an economic snapshot after next turn. Suffice to say there is no fat, i am barely producing enough planes to cover losses of about 20 a/c a day (mostly in burma where its still a real ding dong battle, I lose a lot of a/c on the ground to night bombing............grrrr)

nevertheless I cannot complain, I don't think very many scene 1 games see Japan in my position in feb 43. I really don't expect a real offensive by Cantona until October 43 (essex). Its going to be hard to make an interesting story until then, I intend a no risk policy until then for the fleet.
as you will see.........



12/2/43

(zuiho system dam 1, Engine dam to 2)

The Tankers slowly hove into view, both a very welcome sight, and yet an unwanted one.
For this refuelling will mean the end of the mission, they will be sucked dry today,
Today, in sharpest contrast to the last time, the seas are calm, the sun shines, and all proceeds well.
The water in fuel contamination problems have been solved (this time), but Zuiho will rigorously strip her tanks nevertheless.

But below Charge has other problems. A fire pump has seized in a cloud of smoke from a failed bearing, it will take a week at least to repair. Parts are available, failing fire pump bearings are common as muck on this ship.
His second problem is common to all Japanese ships, turbine gland seal on his main oil pump in two engine is failing. Condensate and steam is now leaking freely into the sump, turning the pumps oil into a cloudy white evil looking soup.
For the moment, with flying operations continuing, Charge has little choice other than to order the boys to drain the water of every 30 minutes or so.
Men are already for him, “chasing parts”




Hidaka, Kato stand side by side, watching the last destroyer break away from the tankers. These four ships now ride high, their ugly arses showing to the world.
The fleet has turned due west
Kato’s voice is filled with disgust “So that is that”
“Yes, that is that”
“What now my flying friend?”
“We train sir. We train. What else can we do?”
“If I ever find the barsted who betrayed us, they will not live to regret it!”




Herbiesan contemplates the Palua lagoon. There are so many ships here, and so many troops.
All his. Supposedly. Fuel. Bloody fuel. Why in the hell doesn’t Japan have its own?. What Joke of God to give the land of heaven nothing?
Damiensan tells him that they have excess of 2000 tons a day for industry, 2000 tons of excess heavy industry, and that resources are stockpiling at about the same rate. But there is no room for error, they are coming of such a low base.
And oil –down to 900000 tons.
Your choice, sir, oil or fuel…………..you cannot ship enough of both.
BLODDY ECONOMICS!
This isn’t why he seized power!. To become a book keeper.
No wonder his Son runs away to sea………………….

What will Yamamoto do?. Is he deliberately stalling on this Merauke place?. Or is he, as the generals say, genuinely believing that a counter invasion here will not succeed?.
Too many factors Too many variables.
Should the Tokyo express runs continue, or should the fleet retire, rest, and wait?
Goddam Americans!. They just keep coming! Doesn’t that Cantona ever give up!



Herbiesan makes a decision
Yamamoto is right. Damn his soul. There is only one chance of victory left, kill the fledgling American fleet as it emerges from its nest.
He will order the carriers, the cruisers home.
Merauke means nothing to him anyway.............

Awesome writing 1275psi.

KAGA DOWN TO 65
Zuiho 2 system, 2 eng damage


Empire economics
Supply 3500000
Fuel 2150000
HI 259 890
res 29000000
oil 870000

building 881 a/c month (engines)
building 678 airframes a month

Mushia 3 months away, 3 new carriers September /october

Its a struggle!




13/2/43
13/2/43

Tan enters Zuiho’s bridge, and discreetly waits at the back, waiting to catch Kato’s eye.
That the Captain is aware of his presence he has no doubt, nothing escapes that barsteds eye. Nothing
He watches as his Captain directs a stream of orders to his lookouts, his helmsman, and the poor hapless gunnery officer.
Tan smiles. Kato is less delivering orders, rather carefully aimed bullets.
Right now he is less than happy.
Not a good time to approach…….tan sighs inwardly. For an Engineer with problems there is NEVER a good time to approach the captain
Kato barks again at the Gunnery officer. Overhead the bridge literally rattles as Hidaka leads three kates in a howling pass a mere ten feet above the bridge, rattling windows, and causing not a few heads to involuntarily lower
Some one at least is enjoying the day
“GUNNERY OFFICER!, can you, or can you not confirm that that attack was engaged!. I am getting the reports too slow men!. Gods!, we would have been gutted that time!”
Kato moves swiftly to the port wing, assesses the next three kates arrowing in across the glittering sea. “Starboard 30!............yes Tan?”
Startled at the abrupt change in tone, Tan jumps.”Sir, maybe this is not a good time, ..”
“But.”And the old man grins “HELMSMAN!, report your wheel.OOW!, maintain control……. ‘ turns back to him. “ It is never a good thing to be seen here in the middle of the day yes?...........you have problems?’
Tan waits as the next bombers roar overhead… “we are ready for work on the oil pump sir. “
Kato nods, face out to sea, now on the starboard bridge wing. (How fast does he move ? And how in the hell does he keep track of it all?. Things are simpler below!) “The motor driven pump will suffice, Charge estimates he can do it in 48 hours”
Kato lowers his glasses “Its only mildly truked then, not totally?”
(Ahh Charge, your reputation spreads) Tan smiles “Oh no sir, its totally truked, but I think he wants a challenge”
“I could do with out challenges Tan”.

Tan waits another ten minutes as Kato again dances Zuiho across the ocean. Hidaka is driving his men hard. Train he has said. Train they are. At this rate either they will improve, or some one will be killed.

“Alright Tan. At dusk. Let me get these fools back onboard, then you can begin”


The fleet is heading home, once again approaching an horizon greying with rain. But right now the sun shines, and the air throbs and growls to the hurtling shapes that practice attack after attack against their own carriers
And yet even as the fleet trains, there is a great difference between it and the Americans hiding in these great wastes.
Below decks, routines continue.
No damage control drills, no fire fighting training. In fact, can you even remember when Zuiho last practiced against the inevitable?
I can’t.
But this is japans Navy. Schooled to strike. Inconceivable to be struck.



Hosho is disappointed. A little. 15th Army does not move back to Rangoon. Southern Army 4th division does. It is going to Port Blair, the regiment there to return to the mainland, reconstitute 28th division.
For Hosho the war remains easy. For the Army air force allowing life to be so good, it is anything but.

Extract from Shattering the sword, a cantona production………

………..and another typical day over the Burma India border begins. It begins with 37 Oscars sweeping Chittagong, seeking, finding, engaging in bitter combat with a dozen Hurricanes waiting for them.
The fight is short, sharp, and they flit away
24 more Japanese fighters sweep, seeking cripples, or lost birds. They find two, and dispatch them
Over Cornilla 70 plus Army fighters bounce the new P40k’s on patrol . Frantic calls for help see a dozen mowhawks join the fray, and the fight barrels and brawls up and down the coast.
And the result. 10 oscars shotdown, for 18 allied fighters lost.
The allies wonder at the staying power, the numbers of Japanese fighters arrayed against them here.
What they don’t know, is how dry their well is becoming.


Heavy cruiser Haguro shows the rest of the Japanese fleet how to shoot.
Racing into Merauke ahead of two attending destroyers, she sights the two allied DMS ships at 20000 yards. At 12000 she opens with salvo fire, and immediately can shift target right.
Fire is maintained for less than five more minutes, and it is all over. If the allies think the mines at Merauke will be easily swept, nights like tonight tell them otherwise


Yamamoto takes the salute
‘Fleet is ready to proceed sir”
“Very well. Take us out captain”

So we leave Merauke behind for the small boys. Thank Gods for that. The thought of carriers in that confined sea………….
No . Refit. Rebuild. Repair kaga. Get the carriers back together as we should be. Coil the fist. And wait.
The Japanese are good at waiting. Are we not? Yes. Yes we are.
The Americans are not. They will feel compelled “to do something”. It’s the western way.
Yes. They will do something stupid.
And we will smash them, and finish this damn war


Tan visits the Charge on the lower plates of the engine room. It is relatively peaceful in this corner of the space, the great condenser one ‘wall’ of this corner. Above them the turbine hums, and forward the main circ shrieks, and the condendsate pumps scream as well.
But here, against the coolness of the condenser, below the turbine Generator, things are not so bad.
Below them the bilges surge, oily water rushing about with Zuiho’s every roll and twist.
It is not even too hot, a ventilation fan outlet is here , fresh air from the world unseen above.
Six men are gathered about the pump, and already a mad tangle of lead lights are turning every shadow (and there are a great many down here) into harsh light.
Chain blocks already sway, chains like a medieval dungeon hanging evilly down, waiting to begin the torture.
All is ready. But the work will still be hard.
“ready Charge?”
‘Ready sir. Its going to be a doozy”
“Sorry?”
“A doozy”
Tan shakes his head ‘ Charge, please speak in a language our ancestors could recongnise?”
Charge grins “Sorry sir, something I picked up on the tramps years ago. Doozy………difficult, tricky, or as my first engineer used to say, a right royal barsted”
Tan stares at his Chief.
I will pretend to understand. Yes. That would be best. “”Alright then Chief, you can begin”
Charge scowls., addresses the pump. “Alright you little piece of crap, time to plug your arse………..”

14/2/43
The work begins

Unseen, unknown by nearly every man on Zuiho (as it should be), the battle begins
The exhaust piping, the steam supply piping are removed easily enough, that is merely grunt work. The scraping of the gaskets (work that will kill several of these men 30 years down the track, for Asbestos wages a war of no honour) takes place as per usual.
It is hard work this, but not difficult, the battle of the spanner verses the reluctant nut. Tere are small victories, and small reverses –three studs will sheer to outbursts of profranity.
But by midday the turbine cover is coming off, exposing the cracked carbon gasket.
But here, the first of the set backs. Usually, these cursed things just fail, Japan has yet to master the art of turbine seals, her crude copies of British design remain just that –crude.
This one, in the manner of a spiteful child, has torn the shaft as well.
It will have to be re machined.
TRUK
It’s a good wood that. It expresses everything the men feel about this crud of a pump.



“Yes Tan?”
“Not good news below I am afraid sir, our 48 hrs is going to be considerably extended”
Kato tilts the head, it is a gesture of resignation. After all, all this way, with out problems……….
“never mind Tan. From what I hear, Shokoku has lost a boiler today, Zuikaku an elevator. Its becoming an expensive trip. Lets pray the Allies give us a chance to repair ney?. “ he raises his glasses to the never ending horizon ‘We still have a long, long way to go. Do your best”


Haguro does not get to boast of its gunnery prowess. The torpedo that slams into her bows near Ambon removes the self satisfaction completely. The Dutch are subjugated . The Dutch continue to fight.
Haguro too will have a long, long trip home.

15/2/43
CA Myoko tackles Meraute. Along with 2 DD’s they take their turn.
It is a good one, the Allies lose three more AMs, or minesweepers to the blizzard of fire that sweeps them away.
Japans mines remain
The Americal division spends another night in its foxholes, and wonders, who comes next?


Herbiesan contemplates the map. “Just how many bombers hit lae?”
“21st flotilla reports nearly 60 B17’s sir, and that despite all efforts, the base is temporarily closed. So sorry sir”
So sorry. The Japanese answer to everything. Why do we think as a people that defeat, death is so inevitable?. Why do so many of my generals still keep talking of fighting to last man, to last bullet?
Why do so few talk of victory?. Why so few?
Only Yamamoto still believes in Victory. I hate you Yamamoto, and yet, I still need you so.
I cannot take Merauke, this I know. But nor can I just let them bomb us to dust.
I cannot.
Alright then. The allies crater our fields. We will fill them.
“I understand three engineering regiments are slated to go to 5th fleet, to the North, yes?’
“Hie”
“redeploy them. 17th Army is to receive them. Get them to PNG, now.”

16/2/43
Hosho is tying on his Boots when Bando bursts into the hut. “Good morning you fat barsted!, have you heard the news?”
Hosho reaches for the second boot, scowls in disgust, a nail is working lose in the heel “ No, but I see you cannot wait to tell me”
“We are moving!. To the front. “
Hosho pauses. “Truly?. Where? Are the Allies attacking somewhere at last?”
“No!. I heard it from the Commanders steward himself just then at breakfast!. Imphal. We are going to attack Imphal!”

Empire economics
Supply 3500000
Fuel 2150000
HI 259 890
res 29000000
oil 870000

building 881 a/c month (engines)
building 678 airframes a month

Mushia 3 months away, 3 new carriers September /october

Its a struggle!

Well it's looks better than before [;)]

Still global numbers(as you well know) don't tell the real story of what's actually on Honshu.

Still global numbers(as you well know) don't tell the real story of what's actually on Honshu.

Like they say in real estate, "Location, Location, Location." [;)]

Good to see you Posting again!

17/2/42

The shaft is re machined. The new gland seals are in place. The pump is well and truly on the way to being put back together again.
Charge steps back from the work, watches his men. Muscles straining, they are pulling via chain blocks and ropes the exhaust piping back into alignment, amazing how far thick steel piping can “spring” once released from the pump.
He is pleased, and proud of them.. They have repaid his trust and faith in them a million times over.
Once back in japan, it will be very good to get drunk with them , very drunk indeed.
Japan. Ahh, how good it will be.
Not just for the beer either. Stores are getting short.
Maybe, with luck, they will stay alongside until the refit starts.
What a wonderful dream that would be.



Of course (as is the nature of these things), forces beyond Charges view are at work.
Bombing of Kwaljien is reaching fever pitch.
Ships , a great many, have been spotted to the south –minesweepers mainly. But that is significant in itself.
But it is the great bursts of radio activity in Pearl harbour that takes Yamamoto’s eye.


Kato takes the signal, and eye brows raise.
“get me Hidaka, and Tan. No, damn it, get all heads to the wardroom!”
He faces them soon in the crowded wardroom, faces anxious for news, for this can only mean news of import.
‘I won’t muck about gentlemen. “From, HQ, Combined fleet
Believe invasion Kwaljien imminent. Proceed to Marcus island for rendezvous with 1st to 4th battle ship squadrons.
Tankers enroute”
Silence
‘I think the enemy believe, with our visit to the east, combined fleet busy in the solomons, that they can grab something on the cheap.. I hope that we may take something out of this cruise after all………..”

18 Feb 1943

The Allies strike back in the battles around Merauke
Three DD’s attack what appears ( obviously to them ) a Japanese transport convoy unloading at the small island of Saumlaki North east of Darwin
The Japanese have in fact, just unloaded a regiment of engineers, but the Allied destroyers encounter not a helpless bunch of fat transports ready for the plucking, but a large Armada, 17 ships strong of APDs, two minesweepers, and a larger minelayer.
The allied captains describe it well----------“-a bag full of tomcats, with a some snakes chucked in for fun”
Both sides take hits, both sides retire
Another night bombardment of merauke still, however, goes through.
Merauke is being contained, but it’s the allied heavies operating in support, that are winning the battle.
Lae reopens. Hollandia is closed. Wewak is closed.
Japan is running out of airfields……………




The battle, however, may be decided many, many miles away.
The 30th, the 31st, the 33rd engineering regiments have steamed out of Tokyo bay. Ahead, nearly 20 destroyers have deployed, attacking the submarines carpet thick outside. They have sunk two, driven off the rest.
But only so far.
120 miles south of Tokyo, the sharks strike, and three transports go down.
Herbiesans plans “to fill in the holes faster than those baka’s make them” has silently sunk.
He will not be told the real damage………….


On Zuiho, Charge has a victory.
The oil pump spins to life, and the sump remains honey clear.
(Systen damage 2, engine damage back to 0!) It is a good moment. One less job required in Tokyo.



Elsewhere, near Munda, 47th sentai, WO Fuchida leading (the Charges son), has finally rejoined the shooting war.
And how.
This is the third day now that the Liberators have come, six strong again today.
Surely they will bring one down today?

He heels over, throttle to the wall, the enemy growing rapidly.
This time they will kill.


They do not
Frustrated, sweaty, tired, he angrily climbs down from his eagle, momentarily dropping to a crouch. He cannot believe it. Was that the third, or fourth time?, he has struck one of those monsters?
Third or fourth time those little yellow balls floating back at him had almost found him?
He looks about. 12 fighters down. Good, but not so good. No losses, but again, no kills.
And an unsettling feeling that too many attacks are not being pressed home…………..
Goddam it!. What would it take to bring one of those monsters down?. A ramming?


55th Division rattles on the rails again.
Tonight, they do not get far, a mere 5 miles, and for the first time in many months, Hosho sleeps in Mother natures domain, the dirty, crowded (but dry) stretch of track under his carriage.
It is pissing down rain.
55th divisions enthusiasm for what ever lies ahead washes away with it. They are soldiers again, doing what they must do, and making the best of it.


Kato bends over the Chart. “We rendezvous here?”
The navigator nods. ‘yes sir, 120 miles North west of Marcus island”
“Do we have fuel for that?”
“Barely, yes. Tankers are enroute.”
“I bloody hope so. If they don’t turn up, we are pickled”
“Sir, if I may, any word on what is happening?”
Kato smiles. There is no humour in it. “I believe that Yamamoto is acting on a hunch. Nothing more, nothing less. Someone in Pearl goes crazy on the radio, lots of bombers on Kwaljien, hints in the allied news. Cantona promising action against us soon. Individually, not much. But…………”
“Sometimes you get lucky”
“Sometimes you get lucky”

Extract from a letter found in the archives............


here is a joke dearest wife.......... The Captain and the MMEO were debating about who was more important to the ship, and decided they'd swap places to find out. After a couple of hours the Captain emerged from the spaces completely covered in oil and soot and confronted the MEO on the bridge
"MEO" he yelled, wildly waving a monkey wrench "You'll have to go below, I can't make Zuiho go!"
"Of course you can't," replied the MEO " the ship ran aground 2 hours ago"

[:D]

19/2/43

A long line of cattle cars slowly rattles through the darkened suburbs of Rangoon, each car swaying almost dangerously on the ill maintained tracks.
Each car is packed with humanity, the men of 55th division.

Ahead of this train, the much reduced 33rd division also rattles North, as does a considerable quantity of artillary
15th Army is again deploying to war

Wistfully Hosho, sitting legs dangling out a door, watches darkened Rangoon slowly slide by. Here and there he can see the small cooking fires that have not been well shielded, and if he is lucky, from time to time, the smell of cooking reaches his nose. He sighs, the sigh of a journey man beginning another unwanted trip.
The beer, he will miss, but he can do with out
The women.........same again
The food, now this, he senses, he is going to very much miss.

He nestles back against his pack. Each man has rations for 14 days.
Hidden in his, food for 40.
It has not taken very long, for the old Hosho, the cunning soldier, to re emerge.
No, not long at all.

55th division travels to the north, to war again. This time, he feels, many of them will not came back.
He intends to.



Zuiho steams on. The Captain, the navigator asking for fuel remaining almost hourly. Tankers are promised, but when?, and where?
3 days to Marcus island
The maths are brutal. After marcus, they are not going anywhere, not if those tankers fail to turn up!


Kaga (62 flood) limps out of Manilla bay, beginning her last and most dangerous leg of the journey. Nearly a dozen destroyers attend to her. But will they be enough?
The sharks are thickening every day............


Extract from shattering the sword, a Cantona production

It is a boring strategy. It is crude, it is narrow in scope, it drives the men implementing it mad with fatigue.
But it is working
From bases in Northern Australia, daily the B17's, and now the Liberators as well, fly over the hump of PNG. Daily they fight of the frantic attacks of the Japanese fighters, and now daily they pound the enemy airfields
Wewak again today, and it will be closed for days.
yes, the enemy kill every day as well, but it is only a bomber here, or another there. Small price to pay for this task of gaining air supremecy over PNG.
A small price indeed, unless of course, you are one of the crew of ten, whom the reaper takes today.

enjoying the story as always. Dang these things drop off page 1 fast these days!