December 8th, 1941
Flagship Akagi, 80 miles northwest of Oahu
“Sir, there was no sign of any American Carriers in the port. I redirected the bombers to target the transports that were there, as well as the fuel storage and shipyard repair facilities. I also gave the directive for the second wave to target Schofield Barracks and the surrounding airfields scattered on the island even though what planes they had were most likely destroyed in the air by my fighters.” Commander Fuchida gave the report as he walked into the bridge of the ship, directing his report to Yamamoto.
For a long second Yamamoto was silent. Then he spoke, measuring his words very carefully.
“Get that submarine on the radio. Yes, break radio silence. I want to know where those carriers are.” Yamamoto then picked up his cup of tea and quietly took a sip. Just then, a second man walked into the room, fresh in the gear of a pilot just like Fuchida.
“Sir, Lieutenant Saburo Shindo here to report the news of Nagano’s raid on the easternmost island. What has come in so far is that the airfield has been completely destroyed at this point, and their planes are currently assisting the landing on the southern shores of the island of Hawaii proper. No ships have been spotted apart from fishing sampans. Resistance has been non existent and not a single plane was lost.”
“What about the shelling of Midway by the Yamato and Musashi?” Asked Fuchida, glad that even if the carriers weren’t where they were supposed to be, no traps seemed to be in place either.
“The airbase and barracks have seemingly been leveled although the spotters have been downed so we cant be sure until a fresh pair are in the air over the island with an escort which may take some time.” Shindo replied.
“Sir the submarine is reporting a position some 75 miles northeast of Oahu. The USS Saratoga seems to have a malfunctioning engine, and they are slowly making their way to port at Pearl, or at least that is what their course suggests. No air patrols have taken off from her as of yet.”
“So. They don’t know yet. Fuchida, redirect the third wave of aircraft from all 4 of our carriers to the last known position of those carriers, fully loaded with torpedoes. Shindo, contact Nagano’s force and have them send their third wave to the same point.”
“Yes sir!” They chanted simultaneously.
Flagship Akagi, 80 miles northwest of Oahu
“Sir, there was no sign of any American Carriers in the port. I redirected the bombers to target the transports that were there, as well as the fuel storage and shipyard repair facilities. I also gave the directive for the second wave to target Schofield Barracks and the surrounding airfields scattered on the island even though what planes they had were most likely destroyed in the air by my fighters.” Commander Fuchida gave the report as he walked into the bridge of the ship, directing his report to Yamamoto.
For a long second Yamamoto was silent. Then he spoke, measuring his words very carefully.
“Get that submarine on the radio. Yes, break radio silence. I want to know where those carriers are.” Yamamoto then picked up his cup of tea and quietly took a sip. Just then, a second man walked into the room, fresh in the gear of a pilot just like Fuchida.
“Sir, Lieutenant Saburo Shindo here to report the news of Nagano’s raid on the easternmost island. What has come in so far is that the airfield has been completely destroyed at this point, and their planes are currently assisting the landing on the southern shores of the island of Hawaii proper. No ships have been spotted apart from fishing sampans. Resistance has been non existent and not a single plane was lost.”
“What about the shelling of Midway by the Yamato and Musashi?” Asked Fuchida, glad that even if the carriers weren’t where they were supposed to be, no traps seemed to be in place either.
“The airbase and barracks have seemingly been leveled although the spotters have been downed so we cant be sure until a fresh pair are in the air over the island with an escort which may take some time.” Shindo replied.
“Sir the submarine is reporting a position some 75 miles northeast of Oahu. The USS Saratoga seems to have a malfunctioning engine, and they are slowly making their way to port at Pearl, or at least that is what their course suggests. No air patrols have taken off from her as of yet.”
“So. They don’t know yet. Fuchida, redirect the third wave of aircraft from all 4 of our carriers to the last known position of those carriers, fully loaded with torpedoes. Shindo, contact Nagano’s force and have them send their third wave to the same point.”
“Yes sir!” They chanted simultaneously.