“I am only reporting the one sighting, sir” the leading seaman barked.
“One, that is a turn up for the books” replied Destroyer Captain John O’Malley, “Lets get the rest of the squadron into ‘set 17’ positions, it may well be only one squib, but it is also a great time for more training. Mr Johannson, lets us bring the group to Battle Stations.”
At this the young officer of the deck stood straight and pround, flicked a switch at shoulder level and set the klaxons blaring three fast tones, then “battle stations, battle stations, this is not a drill”
Next a short prepared message was laser lighted directly throughout the squadron of 9 destroyers, bringing them instantly to Battle Stations and letting them know their Commodores wishs of position ‘Set 17’.
Captain John O’Malley, farm boy, who did not even see water wider than a river until he was 20, had come along way in the past seven years. Some would say that promotion is always easy to secure in the time of war, which would be an easy statement if we were actually losing ships and crew.
The 5th destroyer squadron had orders to patrol along the Chinese coast looking for any German activity. The goal would be the pocket battleship ‘Hiedelburg’ or the Heavey Cruiser ‘Munich’, either of which are rumoured in these waters at this time. These German raiders had been nothing but a thorn in the side of our Chinese Allies.
So far we had taken out three German submarines, a long distant patrol boat and four destroyers along with three auxillary ships – tenders of various sorts. Today we had another single destroyer in our sights.
The 5th Destroyer squadron expertly formed into position, quickly taking their respective positions. Various messages were sent advising the German unit that surrender was still an Honourable option in the face of such odds. This was answered as expected, the German destroyer increased speed and headed straight at its nearest enemy, and with a puff of smoke from it’s deck the first volley was fired.
“O’Malley to all ships, hold your fire. McNaow (Captain of the ‘Background’) fire a full set.”
With this the ‘Background’ opened up its guns in introduction.
The German destroyer continued in, and continued to fire.
“O’Malley to all ships, ‘Set 17 Delta, I repeat Delta’ all fire.”
With this order seven of the squadrons destroyers opened fire, while the remaining two dropped back to conduct a clockwise circle of the group.
Within moments the German Destroyer was listing badly, taking water from several holes, then fires and think smoke started to raise themselves.
“O’Malley here, cease fire, all ships cease fire.”
“Mr Johannson, get word to the ‘IrishBanga’ that she is to secure for survivors. Then word to ‘Call Centre Command’ on this matter.”
“Mr Johannson, lets us bring the group down from Battle Stations now, and we will resume our course as soon as the ‘IrishBanga’ has completed collecting the survivors. I will be in my ready room if you need me.”
“One, that is a turn up for the books” replied Destroyer Captain John O’Malley, “Lets get the rest of the squadron into ‘set 17’ positions, it may well be only one squib, but it is also a great time for more training. Mr Johannson, lets us bring the group to Battle Stations.”
At this the young officer of the deck stood straight and pround, flicked a switch at shoulder level and set the klaxons blaring three fast tones, then “battle stations, battle stations, this is not a drill”
Next a short prepared message was laser lighted directly throughout the squadron of 9 destroyers, bringing them instantly to Battle Stations and letting them know their Commodores wishs of position ‘Set 17’.
Captain John O’Malley, farm boy, who did not even see water wider than a river until he was 20, had come along way in the past seven years. Some would say that promotion is always easy to secure in the time of war, which would be an easy statement if we were actually losing ships and crew.
The 5th destroyer squadron had orders to patrol along the Chinese coast looking for any German activity. The goal would be the pocket battleship ‘Hiedelburg’ or the Heavey Cruiser ‘Munich’, either of which are rumoured in these waters at this time. These German raiders had been nothing but a thorn in the side of our Chinese Allies.
So far we had taken out three German submarines, a long distant patrol boat and four destroyers along with three auxillary ships – tenders of various sorts. Today we had another single destroyer in our sights.
The 5th Destroyer squadron expertly formed into position, quickly taking their respective positions. Various messages were sent advising the German unit that surrender was still an Honourable option in the face of such odds. This was answered as expected, the German destroyer increased speed and headed straight at its nearest enemy, and with a puff of smoke from it’s deck the first volley was fired.
“O’Malley to all ships, hold your fire. McNaow (Captain of the ‘Background’) fire a full set.”
With this the ‘Background’ opened up its guns in introduction.
The German destroyer continued in, and continued to fire.
“O’Malley to all ships, ‘Set 17 Delta, I repeat Delta’ all fire.”
With this order seven of the squadrons destroyers opened fire, while the remaining two dropped back to conduct a clockwise circle of the group.
Within moments the German Destroyer was listing badly, taking water from several holes, then fires and think smoke started to raise themselves.
“O’Malley here, cease fire, all ships cease fire.”
“Mr Johannson, get word to the ‘IrishBanga’ that she is to secure for survivors. Then word to ‘Call Centre Command’ on this matter.”
“Mr Johannson, lets us bring the group down from Battle Stations now, and we will resume our course as soon as the ‘IrishBanga’ has completed collecting the survivors. I will be in my ready room if you need me.”
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