The little ship that could.

[1275psi]

18/4/45


From CVL Hosho
to
Convoy commanders, all captains
TF 170, 158, 143, 70 and 164

Due to intensive submarine activity area TAKAO, and bombing of our airfields from bombers originating China, convoy is to be rerouted.
New track, Manilla bay heads, Naga, Leyte, pacific ocean, Tokyo.

All ships to maintain utter alert, reports of multiple sinkings of our ships to our North.
CVE's will maintain Combat air patrol to limits of endurance................

[1275psi]

There are Japanese ships at Naga, a gathering of the invaluable E class, a dozen strong. Forsight, months old, also see's a AO and its escort waiting there, filled to the brim.
The ships anchor, and await orders


An hour later, the anchors are being hastily raised again, overhead, high, very high, the glint of enemy aircraft..........

The P38's are roving all over the southern and central phillipines now.
And little escapes their searching, hate filled gaze..........

[1275psi]

Susuzuki steams over a mirror calm sea, under a blazing sun

On her starboard side, huddled in the shade offered by the bridge, the 25mm gun pontoon, the middle watch of stokers idly fill the last few minutes before it is their time to go below again.
There is little conversation in these times (what is their to talk about after so long away from home?...........and why would you bring THAT up, when it causes so much inner pain)
Just the quiet smoking, the finishing of cups of tea (and what destroyer ever returns to port with its full compliment of brew mugs, the ocean floors across the world must be littered with them)
Hirate and Okano sit side by side, quiet. Both men are mentally girding themselves for the hours ahead.
It is beyond hot here in the tropics, so close to the equator.
The waters are hot, bath temperature hot. The air is hot.........and today dry as sand
Four boilers, low speeds, little air passing down into the ship.......


It is hell below, 110 degrees F on the bottom plates, 140 to 160 on the top plates.........
No place to work.
But they must.

"You know Hirate, I'd forgotten about this aspect of steaming, I though Zuiho was bloody hot...........this is going to be bloody murder today"
"Makes you pine for Chiburi almost"
""Not bloody likely......that tub"

Simultanously, both men think of the same thing

Of Russia

Of a crate

"We were lucky you know, that we were not on her when she got sunk"
"Bloody lucky..........how did they get her?"
Submarine attack I heard..........."

"Probably what will get us all, you know"
Hirate laughs........"Nah, bet it is a battleship brother, important people like us deserve nothing less!"

[pws1225]

Just so you know, this is the AAR I always look for first when I check the forum every morning. Thanks for putting in the effort to provide us an excellent story that is expertly written.

Many thanks, Paul

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: 1275psi

"We were lucky you know, that we were not on her when she got sunk"
"Bloody lucky..........how did they get her?"
Submarine attack I heard..........."

"Probably what will get us all, you know"
Hirate laughs........"Nah, bet it is a battleship brother, important people like us deserve nothing less!"

Oh-oh ... is there some foreshadowing going on here?

[1275psi]

19/4/43

japan launches a surprise attack towards canton, and crushes the Chinese units in the line
They race now towards the city, intent on one thing, murder and revenge..........

In Tokyo, the vast majority of the cities inhabitants remain indoors, keeping their heads down

Around the Deit, the Imperial palace, a dozen or so places, there is gunfire, and smoke
Columns of trucks, light tanks race in multiple directions..........

Confusion, to put it mildly, riegns

Late in the evening, Tokyo radio makes an announcement

A coup, it appears, has taken place " to secure the safety of the Emperor, and the empire"
The people are told, remain indoors (or be shot)
To question nothing (or be shot)
And to obey instantly any orders given by the Army (or be shot)

The process is complete. from democracy, to a socialist republiK, to a strong man leadership, to now , a Military council, to utter control of a peoples lives.
But who controls the council?

the radio does not say.
But does it really matter?

The war, with all its misery, continues................

[1275psi]

The Convoy Susuzuki escorts has turned south east at manilla, and sails in calm, but close waters through the myriad islands towards Guiuan, leyte gulf, and the long trek home.

Overhead, however, a welcome sight. Ogowa's Eagles circle, the drone such a comforting sound.

But ahead, terrible news

3 fletcher class destroyers have raced north, attacked the E class ships at anchor there, and sunk all but two of them.
And B-29's have hit the airfields there as well.

The gap, it is clear, is narrowing.
But the tankers cannot be driven any faster....................

[1275psi]

There are other dangers, of course.

And as dusk begins to fall, a periscope breaks the surface, gains a bearing on a target...........a destroyer...............and makes its attack.

[1275psi]

Hirate and Okano are in the after damage control station, waiting for the fall out from Dusk action stations.
Things happen fast

First, the action alarm, loud, insistant, designed to make all who hear dump adredaline into their viens, to bring you racing to your stations
Being already at theirs, the two men can but exchange grim looks............an alarm now , here can mean but one thing......
Moments later, thoughts are confirmed, below them Susuzuki's boilers spring to life, the forced draft blowers rising in tone to their hellish shriek
About them , the ship begins to vibrate, and lean heavily as her skipper takes obviously violent avoiding action............

Men are filling the pasageways fast..........

"Action stations, Action stations!....we are under submarine attack!............all guns, enemy bearing 090 degrees!"

S@#t" exclaims Okano...........
""Double that" replies Hirate.

Sphincter muscles tighten...............their is little one can do in this situation, except hang on, and hope............



The fish, two of them, slide 20 feet aft of Susuzuki's boiling stern...............the scope disapears....

Frustratingly.......no contacts will be found.


Later, over the rice, Hirate makes a comment
"That was neat work you know, the way the Skipper avoided those fish............"
"Its a neat ship"

"And a lucky one"

And both together: "and lets hope it stays that way"

[Lecivius]

Myself as well.

[1275psi]

Apologies for the indulgence at the end of this.................




Spring is in the air
Around the Imperial palace, the cherry blossoms are budding, beginning to show green. The sun, higher in the sky, now brings slight warmth, and promises to bring more.
And the birds, ignorant of mans squabbles, are busy as ever in song

His royal highness, the Emperor, descendent of the Gods themselves, breathes the air, and feels the heavines of his heart, the weariness in his bonesw.

This war , gods, this war................
In front of him, the arrogant little jerk, General Sugiyama, formally the commander of Home Army, now, apparently, the new Military Council leader, leader of japan itself.

Miserable little jerk...............

"Your highness?"
"You were saying?"

"The rebellion has been crushed..............you are safe.............there will be no peace party"

So........the last chance is gone...........if there ever was one.

"I see...........and now?'
"A new council ...........picked men. We will give you victory.........or"
"Or fight them to a standstill?"
'We almost have"


Yes, yes, there is that. The Emperor sighs..........
"and the memebers of this council?'
"Dedicated men, men who's advice and support I always seek.............."

He hands the emperor the list.
Familiar names..........solid names.
Stickers to the end..............men, Japan will need

Lecivius
BB fan boy
John 3rd
PWS 1225
Zuokaku
Lowpe
Pax Mondo
Argos
Kaleun
Wargmr
British Exile

Dark days ahead.
But with men like these encouraging Japan every step of the way.............the battle will continue..................





(apologies to anyone missed), and no Long pig, you are not forgotten, something special for you in the future.........)

[1275psi]

note

herbie is going on holidays, a cruise, the first one in 25 years of working, a thanks to the wife.
Back posting in about 15 days!


sorry!

[BBfanboy]

Enjoy the time off - don't put on too much weight!

I'm sure someone will bump your AAR from page 2 when the time is right. (does that sound like a Cialis commercial?)[;)]


PS ... better add Pax Mondo to your list!

[kaleun]

Domo arigato gosaimasu
It's an honor.
Enjoy your vacation.

[british exil]

ORIGINAL: 1275psi



Yes, yes, there is that. The Emperor sighs..........
"and the memebers of this council?'
"Dedicated men, men who's advice and support I always seek.............."

He hands the emperor the list.
Familiar names..........solid names.
Stickers to the end..............men, Japan will need

Lecivius
BB fan boy
John 3rd
PWS 1225
Zuokaku
Lowpe
Pax Mondo
Argos
Kaleun
Wargmr
British Exile

Dark days ahead.
But with men like these encouraging Japan every step of the way.............the battle will continue..................





(apologies to anyone missed), and no Long pig, you are not forgotten, something special for you in the future.........)

If Long Pig were fighting for Japan, with the luck he has, Japan would have won the war in 1942.[:D]


Mat

[John 3rd]

Am touched and suitably honored...

BANZAI! BANZAI!! BANZAI!!!

[pws1225]

Thank you sir! Enjoy your time away from the war.

[kaleun]

OK. Bump.

[Lowpe]

Save from page 2.

[CaptDave]

Enjoy the vacation. I'll add that I save this AAR for last because it's the best!