Against the Tide Imperial: The Struggle for Ceylon (The Usurper's War: An Alternative World War II B by James Young (story reading txt) 📕

hits on what we believe to be Ark Royal, and another four on the Malaya or Warspite, two on the other battleship.”

“Then you saw one of the battleships capsize before the British fighter attacked you?”

Fuchida nodded.

“She rolled onto her beam ends, then her magazines exploded,” Fuchida said. “It is why the pilot banked.”

Yamaguchi stood for a moment, contemplating his options.

Perhaps Kaku is right, I could continue to head south. We lack the ability to seize the Maldives, but if we can finish off the last two carriers then perhaps that would persuade the British to seek terms with us at least.

The Ark Royal and Illustrious were, if Victorious’s demise were correct, the last two modern carriers Queen Elizabeth’s commonwealth possessed. If the former was as badly damaged as Fuchida claimed, then that left only Illustrious.

“Where is Fletcher?” he asked, looking across the table at the staff. “Do we have any word?”

“No, sir, none,” Rear Admiral Kaku replied.

“Well, we do know he did not chase the Italians all the way to Mombasa,” Vice Admiral Yamaguchi said. “But other than that, do we believe the Italian claims to have damaged a battleship?”

There was silence from the staff.

I do not want to insult Fuchida-san publicly, but aviators are known to exaggerate. I would take a grave risk with this force, especially as we do not know what is at Addu Atoll.

“In the morning, we will continue to have the Tone and Chikuma handle search operations,” Yamaguchi said. “We will reinforce their search with aircraft from the Kirishima and Hiei. All sectors will have double the aircraft, and the entire Second Division will provide a CAP.”

As he searched his staff’s faces, Yamaguchi could see that his decision was not popular with Fuchida and a couple others.

I am sure they will tell me I am being far too cautious and that a strong CAP will hurt any strike we launch. Still, Fletcher has only two carriers, so a strong CAP prevents his blow from landing while ours will almost certainly get through.

“Let me know what our aircraft strength is within the hour,” Yamaguchi finished. “But it is past time we get back to Ceylon in case Fletcher has decided to head there rather than attempt to rendezvous with the British first here in the south. In his shoes, given the reports Vice Admiral Ozawa has hopefully generated, it is what I would do.”

With that, Yamaguchi nodded at the staff to dismiss them. To a man, the group bowed in his direction, then immediately set about their tasks.

I cannot help but think I am failing to see something. If only there was a way to speak with our British and Italian allies directly.

Yamaguchi looked at the map, mentally measuring the distance from Mogadishu to Mambasa. It was a long way to run with a fleet. Especially after apparently mauling an Italian force so thoroughly it had ran away rather than fight.

Something must have made a man with multiple battleships and two carriers, albeit small ones, flee like he was being chased by a pack of wolves, Yamaguchi pondered. What was it?

U.S.S. Houston

2006 Local (1036 Eastern)

Indian Ocean

9 August

The knock on his hatch was not unexpected, even if Jacob wished the visit was unnecessary.

Might as well pull this scab off the hard way. Sighing, he braced himself.

“Enter!” he barked.

The hatch swung open to reveal Commander Farmer. The British officer’s face was set in a hard line, his eyes fixed upon the bulkhead behind Jacob. Lieutenant Commander O’Malley, the Houston’s chaplain, followed along behind the British officer.

Guess I get to find out what O'Malley's made of, Jacob thought. He'd been very impressed with Lieutenant Commander Mulcahy, the vessel's former chaplain. Unfortunately, so had

“Close the hatch please, chaplain,” Jacob said, standing and moving from behind his desk.

“Well sir, now I know there’s bloody bad news,” Farmer said, his voice wavering slightly. Jacob went to clasp the man on the shoulder, then stopped as the British officer stiffened.

“I’d rather not, sir,” Farmer said, his voice clipped. “It’s my brother, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Commander, it is,” Jacob replied simply.

“When?”

“This afternoon. The Victorious was lost when her bomb magazines exploded. Your brother was last seen belowdecks attempting to fight the fire.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Vice Admiral Godfrey sends his regrets, and has passed along that if there’s anything he can do for you, do not hesitate to ask.”

Jacob paused.

“I echo that sentiment, Commander.”.

“Permission to speak freely, sir?” Farmer asked, the last part coming out almost as a sob.

“Yes, Commander, you’ve earned it,” Jacob replied.

“I hope you fucking Yanks decide whether or not you want to be a part of this bloody war,” Farmer spat venomously. “My brother might goddamn be alive now if your bloody Admiral had not had his dick up his arse with all the fueling and dawdling.”

“Commander Farmer, that’s not helpful,” Chaplain O’Malley snapped.

“Let him speak,” Jacob countermanded, waving the chaplain down.

Farmer looked at him, his mouth working but nothing coming out. Stopping, he swallowed hard.

“That’s all I had to say, sir.” Farmer stated, then came to attention. “Permission to return to my cabin.”

“Permission granted, and I am sorry for your loss,” Jacob replied. “What was said will remain in this room.”

Farmer gave a short nod, saluted, then quickly moved out of Jacob’s day cabin.

I hope this never becomes routine for me.

“Sir, how did word get to us so quickly?” O’Malley asked.

“Commander Farmer used to be Vice Admiral Cunningham’s aide,” Jacob replied. “I understand that the reason he was assigned to the Repulse was that his brother had just became the Victorious’ executive officer, and Vice Admiral Cunningham didn’t want them both in the same vessel.”

Jacob looked at the map of the Indian Ocean hanging on the bulkhead behind his desk.

“Vice Admiral Cunningham apparently didn’t make it off the Victorious either,” he continued. ”The British appear to lose an admiral every time they fight Japanese carriers.”

“It’s been a bad last six months for their senior leaders any way you slice it,” Chaplain O’Malley observed. “Phillips, Somerville, and now Cunningham.”

“How