Battle of Noumea -- An Interactive Story

[SoulBlazer]

Hey guys!

I hope no one minds me posting this. Okay, so I had a little free time on my hands and thought this would be cool to post. I kind of thought of this as being a narritave -- if anyone wants to jump in with a character or add on something of their own, go ahead! Please, by all means, help me out! Make me feel like I did all this typing for a good reason!

Here's the siutation....I'm currently doing a PBEM game with someone, and I'm the Allies. We're doing Sec 19, with historical Midway but no Coral Sea, of course, and normal rules. This has allready happened a day ahead (game time) so no fear in tipping my hand in case my noble player partner reads the forum.

The game has'nt gone too well for me so far -- I lost the Sara, took heavy losses to take a advanced base on San Cristopher, and Japan has invaded Australia. What follows is a narrative story of (what looks like) one of the first Allied victories.

Enjoy!



COMMAND ROOM
ALLIED SOUTHWESTPAC BASE
NOUMEA ISLAND
JULY 30 1942
0654 AM

Admiral Johnson tried to rub the sleep out of his eyes as he walked down the hallway into the main briefing room on the small Allied base here. As Surpreme Commander of all Allied forces in the South West Pacific theratre of operations, he was used to working many long hours and grabbing naps when the chances presented themselves. But the last week had been quiet as far as war news went, and he actually could think of himself back in his native New Hampshire, working a normal job, with the normal sleep he had been getting.

The stress of the last two months had not caught up with him yet -- no, that would probaly come later, after many more months of this war passed. And he knew there WOULD be many more months. Both Japan and the United States were determined to hold this area, the eastern end of New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, with every ship, plane, and gun they had, and Admiral Johnson had pleaded constaly with command for more of everything. But after everything that had been available was sent, he was informed very little would come for the next month or so, until the great war machine of the United States could really warm up and ship enough stuff to both the Atlantic and the Pacific.

The light shone bright into his eyes as he stepped into the large, circular room that served as the main briefing post of the base, ensigns and staff working side by side on the latest reports, a large map of the theratre spread out on a large circular table in the middle of the room. There were always reports coming in -- from the brave Coastwatchers who risked life and limb to report on Japanese activities, from the scout planes, from the brave S-Boats, and from MAGIC back in Pearl. Someone handed the Admiral a cup of coffee, and he happily took it, drinking a large ammount of it in one gulp, despite the fact it was several hours old. At leat it would keep him awake.

"Admiral, I'm sorry to have to bother you, but we figured you would want to see this." The voice speaking was that of Commander Robertson, his chief of staff. They went back over twenty years together in both peace time and the militrary, and he trusted the man with his life. Next to him was Commander McKenne, the commander of the ANZAC forces that were working side by side with the Americans in trying to hold aganist the Japanese. As usuall these days, the decent of Scottish blood that had settled in Australia over two hundred years ago was not smiling.

And he had good reason not to. Ever since the crushing defeat the Japanese had took at Midway -- just after Admiral Johnson had been apointed commander of this region by Nimitz -- the Allies had suffered some serious defeats at the hands of the Japanese. First the Saratoga had gotten sunk by a lone six Japanese torpedo bombers, that had suddenly struck from nowhere and put three torpedos into her. Then, the invasion of a forward Japanese base on San Cristopher island in the southern Solomons had succeeded, but at a high cost of ships and men, including over ten destroyers and a heavy cruiser. This was followed by the conquest of Buna and Gili Gili on New Guinea, and then the Japanese had actually, recently, invaded Australia itself, taking the town of Cairns and the surronding area with over 20k in troops and a massive sea fleet.

Admiral Johnson blamed himself for most of these Allied setbacks, as he was too aggresive in trying to counter-attack the Japanese and the Australians had shipped out most of their ships, planes, and troops -- aganist the advice of Commander McKenne, Johnson recalled with a grimmace -- because no one in their wildest dreams could imagne that Australia herself would be invaded! It was almost as much as a insult to the United States as it was to Australia. At least the Japanese had been quiet for the last week, since their invasion fleet moved out, and the troops had'nt gone anywhere. If we can just hold, Johnson reminded himself, we'll get more stuff eventuly.

"It looks like the Japanese are trying to do a air raid on us again" Robertson said, pointing at the large map. He was refering to a raid by the Japanese carrier Shokaku and supporting ships on the Santa Cruz islands about the same time as the Australian invasion, striking hard at the retreating ships of the Allied Navy. They had finally managed to get two bomb hits on the flattop and last they had heard she was retiring in the direction of Truk. But it really ticked off the New Englander that very few major Japanese capital ships had been sunk, the only one known for sure was a heavy cruiser caught by airplanes now based on San Cristopher island put down with three bomb hits.

"At least we have more this time around" McKenne said, with a very slight accent. "I'm glad you decided not to risk the Lexington last time to clash with the Shokaku. This time, the odds seem to be in our favor." The Lexington had arived at Noumea during the tail end of the San Cristopher campaign two weeks ago, but during the Shokaku raid she had stayed in port and had her planes join with the bases to help protect the ships.

McKenne continued. "We've just received this report from a Catalina at the extreme end of her flight range, from this base. Japanese carriers -- a large one and a small one, with supporting ships -- heading this way." His voice was grim but also betrayed some excitement, no dobut shared by Robertson, based on how he looked at the senior Admiral.

"Confident SOB's" Johnson said under his breath. "Those must be the same carriers that just helped them invade Australia....and the numbers match the Australian reports also."

McKenne was probaly the most risk taker of the three senior men, but even he knew Allied morale was a all time low and needed a boost, and a one on one carrier fight, with awfull memories of the Saratoga in the back of their minds, was not wanted. Pearl was also refusing to send down the Hornet, saying she was needed in operations in the central Pacific, but was convienced to send the Enterprise. She had arived at Noumea just three days prior, had sailed for the Santa Cruz islans, and during the last 24 hours had refuled and had minor repairs done to her.

Now Admiral Johnson smiled as well. If the report was true, the Americans had a perfect chance to strike. They would have two fleet carriers as compared to one fleet and one light, and the element of surprise -- the Japs saw the Lexington during the Shokaku raid, but had no clue the Enterprise had steamed into the Santa Cruz base yesterday, where the Lexington was. This was further helped by the replacment of all of the junk torpedo bomber Devastors being replaced by Avengers.

"Admiral" Commander Robertson said after a pause. "Its still a risk -- we have to hope we can attack first -- but we can't let those Japs raid us here. With all the damaged ships in harbor, and convoys loading for our offensives on Guadalcanal and Tulagi islands, it would devaste us."

"But our carriers are at the Santa Cruz islands" Admiral Johnson said, pointing at the map. "It will take at least two days for them to steam south enough to get into strike range, and that's assuming the Japs move to just outisde our air range here on Nourma to strike. Do we have time?"

"I believe so" McKenne said. "They may hit us in port first, but we just got two squadrons of Wildcats that can help protect the planes, and even the Japs can't operate very well from long range. Our bombers here could hit them back."

Admiral Johnson rubbed his chin. It was a awfull risk, but the chance had to be made. The blow MUST be struck! He would have to pray that the combonation of dumb luck for the attacker and the famous American military tradition of winning hopeless battles both came into play. And the right man to lead the force came to mind also."

"Commander Robertson, send a message to Admiral Spurance. Tell him to assemble a task force with the two fit Atlanta class CLAA's and every single cruiser that we have left that's not damaged, and the best of the destroyers, and steam for......." He stabbed a spot on the map a few hundred miles west of where the men currently stood. "And remind him to take the fastest ships. I want that force to leave harbor within the hour." The young commander nodded and headed for a radio set to tell the radio man to send the coded message.

"Commander McKenne, we don't have enough ships fit for duty after the carrier TF is made for a surface combat fleet.....but send out all the fit destroyers in both bases to screen the convoys. Have the crippled ships here in base lock up and always be on alert round the clock, as well as all our planes and men. Order all sea going convoys coming here to turn around and head north, back to the Santa Cruz base." With a small grunt that was puzzling, the old Aussie turned to head to another area of the large command room.

For his part, Admiral Johnson would inform command in Pearl and Admiral Nimitz of what was happening personaly....and then he would just hope.

Unknown to the three American commanders, not only was the Catalina correct in spotting a fleet carrier (the Zuikaku) and a light carrier (Zuiho) but there was also a SECOND fleet carrier -- the Junyo. Which ment the Americans would be outnumbered in any air battle. Luck would ride high........



Hope to get some in charcter (or out of charcter) responses!

[DoomedMantis]

If your playing Scen 19, then Midway hasn't happenned, so you should be expecting a few more CV's coming your way. But the story reads well so far. By the way what date is it? I figure it must be around the end of July

[SoulBlazer]

Well, maybe it's not Sec 19, then.....cause I know Midway happened cause I only had the Sara, the Hornet, the Enterprise, and the LExington. No mention of the Wasp, curiously enough.....

If there's intrest I'll post the next part, on the actuall three day battle.

[DoomedMantis]

Got me hooked, but then again I've always liked a good story

[Grotius]

Great story! So this Japanese carrier TF is steaming toward ... Noumea? I look forward to the next installment!

[SoulBlazer]

Well, what I was thinking of doing was to post another part, and then just post the combat results and see if someone is willing to write part of the battle in the narraivate style. My opponent also noticed this and said he may drop in.

[SoulBlazer]

Okay, here's another short part



BRIDGE
USS ENTERPRISE
JULY 31 1942
1443 HOURS

Admiral Johnson had insisted, over the objections of his staff, in going with the task force. A destroyer had raced the Admiral and a few other people out of Noumea base last night and they had joined up with the task force as they steamed to a point a few hundred miles west of Noumea. Admiral Spurance had chosen to make the other carrier, the Lexington, his flagship, but the commander in chief was content to stay on the Big E.

The force was making all best speed to get into position. There had no sightings of the Japanese task force today and there was always the chance it was a false sighting. Still, it was too much of a risk. Hopefully by tommorow morning the carriers would be in position north of the Japanese carriers, if the Japs kept going east. And hopefully the Americans would not be detected before that.

Looking out the windows, Johnson noticed the two new ships of the Atlanta class of light cruisers, more important anti aircraft batteries for the carriers. Heavy cruisers rung around them, with a light cruiser just behind the carriers. Destroyers were all around, some in sight, some miles away, operating as pickets. Not every ship was healthy.....some still had crews working furiously over them, much like the late Yorktown before she went into action at Midway.

Submarines had also been sent, about five in total, and they were combing the seas, in case the Japs changed their course or tried other methods. Johnson turned to talk to one of the squadron commanders. The Enterprise had a squadron of Avengers, brand new before the ship had left Pearl, but the Lexington still had Devastors. At least, he was told, the torpedos should work better.

The next day would bring a major battle and victory for one side......



Correction -- this is Sec 16 we were doing. I'll post the comabt results when I get home and hope SOMEONE decides to add on by writing about the battle (hint, hint)

[SoulBlazer]

Okay, in the hopes of getting SOMEONE else to write in this, here's the comnbat results from the first day of battle:


COMBAT REPORTS FROM 8/1/42

Air attack on TF at 40,74

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
A6M3 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 33
SBD Dauntless x 56
TBF Avenger x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 4 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 6 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 13 damaged
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 4 damaged

LT M. Hidaka of CII-1 Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CVL Zuiho
DD Akigumo, Bomb hits 1
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
A6M3 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 19
B5N Kate x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
D3A Val x 5 destroyed
D3A Val x 10 damaged
B5N Kate x 10 destroyed
B5N Kate x 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 damaged

LT S.Carter of VF-71 is credited with kill number 3

LT Y. Subota of EII-3 Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED

Allied Ships
CL Hobart, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CLAA Atlanta
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Australia, Bomb hits 1
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Minneapolis, Torpedo hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 40,74


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
SBD Dauntless x 23
TBF Avenger x 6


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Naka, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Kagero

[SoulBlazer]

Okay, I'm being stubborn.

I'm glad so many have read this, but I wish someone would WRITE something! Anything!

I have day two combat reports and aftermath ready to go up, but I want responses, darn it!

[DoomedMantis]

I must say that the allies have had a great win here, but I couldn't write a story if my life depended on it (96% in 4U Maths, 67% in English)

[Grotius]

Lieutenant Meiji Hidaka woke to disappointment. Hideki Sanyo, the leader of CII-1 Daitai, bowed over his bunk and told him that Hidaka had been assigned to patrol the skies over his floating steel home, the imperial aircraft carrier Junyo. Hidaka had been hoping instead to fly escort in the planned bombing raid on Noumea, the prelude to invasion of New Caledonia and Australia. What glory was there to circling around his own ship? He wished, not for the first time, that he had instead been assigned to accompany his friend Captain Sukemitsu Ito, who was rumored to be assembling some sort of seaplane bombing force to strike the American heartland in Alaska.

Hidaka dressed and made his way to the mess hall. His breakfast consisted of cold salmon, rice, and soup. The salmon was not fresh. Perhaps, once the Empire had liberated Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, he could enjoy a steady diet of the sockeye salmon he'd once tasted at an American restaurant in Tokyo. Perhaps he would move to the great metropolis of Seattle and marry a tall American woman and drive a large Ford.

Hidaka's flight leader entered the mess hall and barked orders. Hidaka jumped up and headed for his machine, the glorious A6M2. His fighter was more than the equal of the pathetic American aircraft. His most entertaining assignment ever was shooting down the so-called "fighters" the Americans deployed over what they called Midway. The Americans referred to these fighters as Buffaloes, and Hidaka could see why. They had about the same flight capabilities as a wingless mammal. Hidaka hadn't seen any Buffaloes since Midway, but the newer American fighters hardly seemed any better. Their bombers were better, but fortunately their pilots were still awful. He had yet to see the American dive-bombers execute a coordinated attack.

It was already hot and humid, even though it was still only 0700 hours. Clouds gathered on the horizon, but the skies above him were clear, and there was no wind. Good flying weather, except for the heat, which would create unpredictable movements of air. But there was always heat in this primitive, uncivilized part of the world. Why hadn't the Emperor chosen to go north, to liberate the Soviet Union?

Takeoff was as terrifying as usual. There was so little runway, so little time to achieve altitude. Could not the Empire afford a few more meters of flat top? The only thing worse than taking off was landing. The flying and the fighting were the safe parts.

Especially today. No enemy bomber was within range of Junyo. Imperial intelligence had spotted a small task force of American ships, perhaps 2 destroyers and 3 light cruisers, sailing toward Junyo and Zuikaku and their escorts. No carriers had been spotted, and the short-range American dive bombers could not reach Junyo all the way from Noumea. The American carriers were known to be hiding, like mice, at anchor in Noumea. The strike plan was to sink the small task force first, to ensure the safety of Junyo and Zuikaku, then to sink the carriers as they lay at anchor while their crew lay with courtesans in town.

Hidaka began his standard CAP flight pattern. All he could see was water, and more water. Water, and a few growing clouds, enough now to be a nuisance. Routine chatter spouted from the radio. On one run, he passed over Zuikaku and rolled left so that he could look at her flight deck. The Rising Sun smiled up at him, wishing him well. He leveled out and wiggled his wings a bit, a friendly gesture to his comrades on the sister (if less disciplined) carrier.

His radio crackled loudly and went silent. He cursed. The thing was always going out. He banged at it, but it was no use: he had lost radio contact. He broke formation and pulled alongside Lieutenant Ozawa's plane. He gestured at his ears to indicate loss of radio contact. Ozawa glanced over at him and waved.

His squadron circled again and again. They gradually gained altitude. Boredom crept in. Unfortunately, he had enough fuel to stay up here for hours. Without the radio to keep him company, he found his mind wandering. He shifted in his seat. His butt was starting to hurt. There was, of course, no room to stand up or stretch. Nothing was more tiring than sitting in one place. He pumped his legs as if riding a bicycle, but that only made him more tired.

A flash of silver dropped in front of him. He frowned. It was probably Muruyama fooling around again, playing dive-bomber games with his fighter. Curse this radio. He glanced ahead of him to check on the formation. He saw nothing -- only blue sky and grey clouds. Another flash of silver dropped in front of him, like a sardine falling out of the sky. This flash of silver had wings, and the wings bore stars, not suns. Tadaka's heart skipped a beat. He pointed the nose down and dove.

His jaw dropped as he took in the scene below him. Dozens of enemy planes were converging on Junyo and Zuikaku. He kicked his throttle to full and steepened his angle of approach, but already he was too late. A wave of enemy dive-bombers dropped its payload and pulled up. Geysers spouted from the water around Junyo, but the great carrier itself was spared! Tadaka thanked his soul: the enemy still had not learned to aim. He pulled up just 200 meters above Junyo, cut the throttle, and gave chase. Three enemy dive-bombers were in front of him, climbing like tubs. He cut the throttle even more to ensure that he didn't pass them.

The kills were almost too easy. He aimed at the engines of the first and must have hit an aileron, because it abruptly veered left and plunged toward the sea. He had less time to aim at the second, but he got lucky: a moment after he fired, he saw smoke, and a few moments later, a fireball. The pilot in the third was smarter; he feinted as if to turn left, then did a sudden roll to the right. Tadaka was fooled, but only for a moment. He increased his throttle and did a hard 180 turn to the left, then banked and gained altitude. When he came out of the turn, the dive-bomber was below him, off his starboard wing. He turned toward it, pointing his nose toward its private parts. He fired and fired again. He saw no smoke, but again he must have hit a flight control, because the plane started drifting down into the water. He saw a man bail out.

Tadaka opened the throttle and scanned the sky for new targets. It was then that he saw the smoke rising from Zuikaku.

(more to come)

[SoulBlazer]

Grotius! Long time no see.

MANY thanks, man. Looking forward to your next part. Now if we can just get someone to do one of the American plane pilots, or a ship captain.

Enjoyable read.

[mogami]

Hi, I am reserving the part of the first sub captain (whatever side) that shows up.

To really get whacky we could play one of the short scenarios with players only able to give orders to their TF.

[SoulBlazer]

I'm sorry, Mogami, should have said something eariler -- no subs. None of mine made contact. Please accept my humble apoligizes and consider doing another part.

[mogami]

Hi, OK there goes all those great posts about smoking cigarettes and drinking really thick strong coffee while my sub stalked a crippled enemy CV. Guess I'll do a very short post on being part of Zuikaku's crew.


Damage Control Petty Officer Renzi Kobayoshi stepped into the inferno that had been the Zuikaku's hanger deck scant moments before.

"**** thats hot, I think we're in trouble" Seaman Yoki whined
(Seaman Yoki was a habitual whiner)

"Shut up and put your OBA on" Kobayoshi ordered

The fires were intense but Renzi could see repair #1's fire team already hosing down the fire in the forward hanger. The ship had not been caught with ammo scattered about and the sprinkler system had already put the fires in the aft portion out.
Still when the water tight hatch was opened the blast of hot air had been intense.

"OK lets go, number one hose man get ready, prepare to fight fire at frame 250. we will move towards repair number 1 fire fighting team."

"We can control the fires. Zuikaku is our home, she must be saved"

[SoulBlazer]

LOL! I'm surprised you decided not to do one of the 'old boy' peacetime 20 year flyboy vets for the Americans. Seems to be up your ally.

Once Grodius posts the second part he promised anyone else who wants to jump in does I'll post another part and move then on. Glad to finally seeing this go somewhere. Thanks again guys!

[mogami]

Hi, I don't see any of "the old breed" landing anywhere. Did I miss something? Of all the ships in WW2 I have a few I really have grown attached to.

CA New Orleans, CV Lexington, CV Zuikaku, CL Yubari,

there are others the attachment comes from old wargames
Warship, PacWar, others

I do not "spare" these ships in games. I only watch them with that extra bit of attention.

I lived for 7 years on ship. I know how sailors feel about their ship (curse it in private and fight for it in public)

[Grotius]

Lieutenant Meiji Hidaka stared at the smoke rising from Zuikaku. He glanced behind him to check on his home base, the great imperial aircraft carrier Junyo. She was still unharmed, and she was enveloped in a great white-and-red cloud of friendly fighters flying CAP. He guessed that his squadron was part of that cloud of fighters, and he knew his duty was to join them, but he wanted to see the wounded Zuikaku for himself. He turned his Zero west, toward Zuikaku.

His mind raced to catch up to events. This IJN task force was supposed to be out of range of Noumea. The Japanese spy that had infiltrated Admiral Johnson's staff had insisted that the American CVs were hosting wine-and-cheese parties at anchor in Noumea. No one had expected the Americans to discover courage at this late date.

Hidaka shook his head and focused on the devastation coming into view. Zuikaku had been hit in three different places. The Rising Sun on the flight deck was now a charred hole venting steam and flame. The tower was dangling at an impossible angle. The stern was belching smoke, black as an American's heart. Hidaka could see men sprawled, motionless, on the deck. Other men scrambled around frantically, trying to contain the damage. He saw a sailor holding his own severed leg, drenched in blood. Hidaka clenched his teeth. Anger welled inside him.

Zuikaku had its own CAP up, so Tidaka decided to do his duty and rejoin his own formation over Junyo. He climbed to 3000 meters, just below the clouds, for the short trip back. He passed above the CVL Zuiho, still in good shape. He was about to descend toward Junyo when he spotted a trio of enemy Dauntlesses on a course to intercept Zuiho.

Curse the broken radio; he had no way to tell anyone else. To make things worse, the enemy bombers had at least two Wildcat escorts. Hidaka was so angry that he didn't care. He climbed above the enemy formation, into the clouds. They hadn't seen him. He dove on one of the bombers from its starboard quarter and hit its fuel tanks. Its pilots died a quick death. He circled around for another pass and shot up a second bomber. By the time he was ready for a third pass, the enemy fighters had figured out where he was, and he found himself in a brief dogfight. His plane was faster, however, and he lost the Americans in the clouds. He emerged from the clouds in time to see the final bomber dive on Zuiho. He opened fire at it, but he was too far away. He saw the little black package of death separate from the mother plane. As if in slow motion, it floated down and exploded amidships. Tidaka averted his eyes. This time he didn't want to see the damage.

Instead his eyes settled on something even more alarming. The great carrier Junyo came into view, still unharmed, but now surrounded by a swarm of American fighters locked in a furious dofight with CII-1 Daitai. Tidaka forced himself to look up toward heaven. Dropping out of the sky like pearls, a dozen SBD Dauntlesses pointed their noses toward Junyo. Tidaka cursed himself. He should never have left his own ship!

He pushed his plane toward the nearest dive bomber and opened fire. He hit something, and the pilot apparently lost control of the aircraft. But, to Tidaka's horror, the plane kept falling toward Junyo. Tidaka's stomach churned as he watched the plane spiral downward. It crashed in the middle of the runway and exploded on impact. The painted Rising Sun on the deck was replaced with a rising red fireball. Tidaka's plane was buffeted by the resulting gush of hot air, and he struggled to hold altitude. Other Dauntlesses flashed down right in front of Tidaka, but he was too stunned to shoot. He heard more explosions, and he felt the heat from the flames.

He came to his senses in time to spot a torpedo bomber slicing toward Junyo. He dived at it, but his gunfire had no effect. He watched the slender torpedo slip into the water and bury itself in the side of the great aircraft carrier. The explosion was a blinding flash. He pulled up on the stick, and he barely cleared the torched surface of the aircraft carrier. He passed by the carrier and pulled up on his stick frantically, trying to gain altitude, but the best he could do was fly level 50 meters above the water. He turned his yoke left, but the plane didn't respond. He realized, slowly, that something had damaged his plane. He could only fly straight and level, at 50 meters altitude. He was heading east. Toward Noumea.

He flew, straight and level, at 50 meters altitude, as long as he could. He flew, it seemed, for days, though it must have only been an hour or so. When he ran out of fuel he bailed out with his flotation devices and emergency foodstuffs. He smiled as he felt the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean -- the Empire's lake -- wash away the heat of the cockpit. He was too tired and dazed to do anything but stare east. Toward Noumea.

He woke up. A pale white man stood over him. An American, it would seem. The American held a piece of paper. Tidaka was proud of his English, and he had no trouble reading the paper upside-down. It was entitled "After Action Report." One line was underscored with blue ink. It read: "LT M. Hidaka of CII-1 Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED."

The American smiled at him. "So, Lieutenant Hidaka," he said in heavily accented Japanese. "Let's talk."

[SoulBlazer]

Thanks very much for your two part posting, Grotius. Highly enjoyed it. You're better then I am.

Mogami, there was no surface combat here, either, I'm afraid.....the New Oreleans is present, though.

I'll post another part now.....

BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE
1043 HOURS

Admiral Johnson paced back and forth, waiting for reports to start coming in from the airstrike. He was nervous, as everyone aboard this great carrier was. Heck, everyone in the task force was on high alert.

Johnson could only hope that he had the aspect of surprise. The Japs must have known Lexington was in port, but the Enterprise had only been joined with her for a few days. And coming in to attack from the north, he could only hope the Japanese scouts had'nt aproached it yet. MAGIC indicated that the Japs were planning on a carrier raid on Noumea and also maybe the Santa Cruz islands, and to intercept any transports heading west to Australia to aid in the battle there. Johnson could only chuckly softly that he hoped the Japanese were taken by surprise.

As soon as the Catalinas from Noumea had reported the Japanese carriers locations, confirmed by scouts from the carriers, every single fit combat plane had been launched. It was good thing the Dauntless was a rugged plane, because they would only have about a 1/3 of the Wildcats protecting them. The Enterprise had brand new Avengers, having just come from Pearl, but the Lexington was still using the older Devastors.

Admiral Johnson had watched with the ships's captain the the other staf the launching of the planes, almost 100 in the strike. Everything rode on this battle. If they failed to do damage with this strike, and the Japanese punished the Americans, the whole campign could come undone. As it was, Johnson knew both carriers could be crippled, and the risk he was taking in being here.

It had'nt taken long for radar to pick up a Japanese strike coming in. Probaly the two strikes would pass each other. They had launched almost all of their planes for sure also, he thought. The ships had gone to alert and made sure everything was battended down and ready for a strike. A CLAA ship had taken up a close protector role on each carrier, and cruisers and destroyers rung around the ships, making sure they had good firing arcs.

The radio started to pick up messages from pilot chatter at the American air strikes, a hundred or so miles away to the south. The weather was clear over both sides, so finding the ships would be no problem. They reported that the squadrons were breaking up and each carrier would get targeted. If any of them hit, hopefully the damage would be big enough.

The next few minutes brought nervous chatter over the garbled radio set -- thick resistance from Zeros and the flak, trying to cordinate anvil attacks, making sure the Dauntless and torpedo bombers attacked together, planes damaged and could'nt drop their weapons.

Then came a small cheer.....reports indicated a couple of bomb hits on one of the big Japanese flatops, soon followed by a hit by a unknown weapon on the small carrier. Admiral Johnson allowed himself a smile. The joy was soon lived as reports came in of the Japanese strike.

The battle started almost at once. The carriers broke and swerved in oppoiste directions, their guns firing furiously into the air. The CLAA's were a sight to behold in action, pumping out huge ammounts of flak from their guns over the carriers. More then one plane got caught between the flak of both ships and literaly fell apart in the air.

Admiral Johnson refused to leave the bridge but stayed quiet as the battle raged. One thing was noticed by a staff member, though -- the Japanese attack did'nt seem cordinated. They were'nt focusing on the carriers alone, but were breaking up and attacking other ships. Why? Were they just going after the first capital ship they saw, or were they confused?

A blast suddenly shook the ship, and Johnson and everyone else were thrown on the deck. Picking himself up, he heard the Captain ask for a damage report.

"We've taken a bomb hit to the aft elevator!" came a high yelled cry. "The bomb exploded inside and there's fires breaking. We can't launch any planes but enough of the flight deck is operational for now to land. It's not a critical hit, but we have to keep the fires under control."

Glad that only one hit seemed to have been recorded, Johnson checked the status. The Wasp had also taken a couple bomb hits and was a little worse off, but neither carrier was out of operation. Two heavy cruisers and a light cruiser had also been hit, and some planes had even attacked one of the CLAA's. Johnson was puzzled as to why those ships were attacked.....if all of the planes had gone after the carriers, the damage could be fatefull.

"We had a close call" he said softly to those around him. "Tell the strike to get back as soon as possible. We need to hit them again, as fast as possible."

Anyone else? We can still do reports from pilots on either side or ship commanders. Or you can tackle the second American air strike. Sky's the limit.

[Admiral DadMan]

Wasp was a proud ship, but Capt Forrest P. Sherman didn’t need anyone to tell him that. He knew it the day he stepped aboard – 31 May 42 and relieved Capt John Reeves. On that day in Norfolk, VA, Reeves told Sherman, “Sherm, if I could turn down this gawddamn desk promotion…” Neither of them need him to finish his thought. Sherman was taking his pride and joy to the Pacific to see action, and Reeves wasn’t. Not now anyway.

That was 2 months ago. It seemed like years, and yet it felt like yesterday. None of it mattered because here Sherman was, out in the thick of it. At least he didn’t have old man Johnson on board like Capt Murray over on Big E. He liked having Adm. Spruance aboard, because Spruance let his men do their jobs. Johnson was… well, a micromanager, and Sherman just didn’t need that kind of attention. Add to that the Old Man’s hubris in racing out to meet the Task Force in a destroyer just smacked of unbelievable audacity. Even Halsey wouldn’t do that.

None of that mattered though. Today they would meet the Japs, and hopefully stop their advance, and at least give better than they got.

At 07:16 came the order by message drop from the Old Man, “Maximum Strike Launch Immediately at Jap CV force bearing 310, distance 180.” Spruance and Sherman looked at it as AGC LCdr. Felix Turner had a look over their shoulders. “Time to go,” said Turner, with that combination of excitement and fear that one gets when they’re spinning the wheel of fate.

Wasp and Enterprise turned into the wind and started to launch. Sherman felt bad for the poor bastards of VT-6 on Enterprise who still had to fly those horrible TBD’s. Those crates were “Devastators” only to their aircrews. Short ranged and slow, they were a handicap and only useful for ASW work. Sherman’s own VT-7 was flying the new TBF Avengers, and he thanked God for that.

Thirty minutes was all it took to get AG-7 airborne, from where they formed up with AG-6, and headed off. Sherman now had to wait like everyone else for them to strike and for the strike he felt would be inbound to his home – Wasp.

About 09:15, there were signs that the strike was hitting it’s target. Based on the pilot chatter they made some hits on a Shokaku class and a Junyo class carrier – a good day’s work. Now the question was, did they get off their strike too? Sherman had not long to wait for his answer, for reports were now coming in, like this one from the flak cruiser Atlanta of “Many Planes, Enemy Inbound, bearing 305, Speed 200, distance 30 miles, Angels 10 and 5.”

“Here they come,” thought Sherman. As he opened his opened his mouth to speak, the Battle Stations klaxon started blaring, with a voice he recognized as his OOD’s “Battle Stations, Air. Repeat All Hands, Battle Stations Air!” There was no fear in his voice, but the steady yet urgent call to action that he had heard before. Sherman smiled. His crew knew what to do. The Fighter Director was already vectoring out VF-7’s 18 stubby little F4F Wildcats already on patrol, and releasing the 6 left on Ready status to launch, but he couldn’t relax, now the battle was in his hands.

Stick, the helmsman looked over to Sherman, “Cap, CIC wants a port turn to 270 to launch the Readys.”

“Do it,” came the reply. “And dammit Stick, make sure you turn on your signal too, unless you want to just hang your left arm out the port hole.” Everyone on the bridge laughed.

Stick had been with the Capt. for years, and knew his sense of humor. “I’ll wave a hankie, sir,” brought an even bigger laugh.

Sherman could see the battle developing as the “tin cans” on the outer ring began firing, followed by the cruisers, and then his own ship. “Are we clear yet?” he asked, referring to the planes launching.

“That’s the last one,” came a voice.

“Ok Stick, come left to 180, speed 25.”

“Aye sir, left to 180 at 25.” Wasp was 4 knots slower than Big E, but she could turn faster, and that is what he hoped to use to advantage. He wasn’t going to push her to Flank at 29 knots unless he saw torpedoes in the water.

Surprisingly, only 3 Kates made for Wasp, all downed or driven off before they could launch, but at least 6 Vals made it through. “Ok Stick, put her to the floorboards, come right 15.”

“Aye sir, ahead Flank, right 15.” The ship heeled to port as she turned to starbord. The first two bombs missed by about 300 yards, but then the inevitable happened. Wasp took one 250kg bomb just abaft the island, and one amidships near the forward elevator. Both started fires in the hanger and below decks.

“Damage report!” Bad news. Forward elevator out. Frames 35 and 36 buckled and no longer watertight. The other bomb severed the engine room uptakes, and knocked out the control board.

Now was when Sherman was needed by his ship.