Haguro: Arizona, everything is alright now, the planes are gone, they were gone a long time ago
Arizona: Thank you, for snapping me out of it, Haguro
Haguro: It was no problem but you should really thank Amir, he calmed you down enough for me to take over. You also should apologize to him as well
Arizona: Why? Wh...What happened?"
Haguro: You gave him a volley of 14 inch shells when you saw Akagi walk through the room.
Don't worry, Arizona, I am alright, Holy Admiral Nelson gave me a special armour that withstand up 600 mm shells.
Arizona: How did you know that?
I had my friend Karl test it with 600 mm shell and it works.
Arizona: Well I am still sorry for the volley
It is alright
Missouri: Hey you should getting to your story now! Amir
Oh I forgot! Oh hey everyone! I am back, sorry for the delay, I had just came from Bali vacation
Akagi: The food was great!
We also found another girl, say hello, Liberty
Liberty (1918): Hello everyone, I am USAT Liberty, no I am not a Liberty cargo ship, I am ... *sigh* older and besides there is no Liberty cargo ship named Liberty to begin with, anyway back to you Amir
Thanks Liberty, I found her when I was diving at the wreck
Anyway, I have written this chapter focusing mostly on the ships you see that often, ships like Liberty
Chapter 16 PART 1: Hell was just only started to break loose
March 25th 1945
Off the coast of Okinawa
The next major battle of the war was now around the corner as the Allied Forces were approaching the Ryukyu Islands. The Ysterplaat in South East Asia were slowly being pushed out of the Commonwealth of Burma and Kingdom of Siam. The war in Europe was coming to a close as the Allied Forces were approaching the last bastions remaining in Karlsland, Ostmark and Baltland. The advancements in Europe were made easier by the Poselentsy's support in terms of manpower and firepower. Also compared to the Ysterplaat in the Pacific theatre, the Ysterplaat in Europe were mild and tame. Now because the conflict was mostly a land war, many of the ships that were stationed in the North Sea, Atlantic and Mediterranean waters were now being diverted to the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. Since the Battle for the Philippines to as of now, seven ships were recreated by the Guardian of the Admiralty, these ships are USS Constitution, USS Maine (1889), HMS Dreadnought HMS Hood, HMS Barham, IFN Mikasa and IFN Akagi. With them were the ship girls that represent them, well IFN Akagi already had a ship girl after her ship body sank last year in the English Channel. The Fusoan Akagi was different to the Japanese Akagi as the former wore a Fusoan Naval Dress Uniform and she didn't have a massive appetite. She also had another difference, she a neuroi form that she could change into if she really wants to get down and dirty. It was a reminder of how she sank.
Many were awarded for their bravery and sacrifice. Taskforce 34 soon became the most decorated naval unit of the war. Enterprise became the most decorated Liberion ship girl with 19 battle stars, the Liberion Congressional Medal of Honour, the Liberion Presidential Unit Citation, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart twice, the Bukochosho Kou (Badge for Military Merit First Class), Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, Kinshi Kunsho 1st Class (Order of the Golden Kite 1st Class), Great East Asia War Medal, the Iron Cross 1st class and the High Sea Fleet Badge (Being the one of the only ten non Karlslanders to achieve the award, the other 9 being Akagi, Nagato, Admiral Nimitz, Admiral King, Admiral Halsey, Admiral Cunningham, Admiral Ramsey, Admiral Yukikaze and Admiral Kuznetsov. The title for most decorated ship girl that goes to Nagato who already has the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Military Cross, Iron Cross 1st Class, Medal of Honour Red Ribbon, Order of the Golden Kite 2nd Class and the Order of Ushakov 2nd class, also earned the Navy Cross, the Bukochosho Kou, Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, Kinshi Kunsho 1st Class (Order of the Golden Kite 1st Class), Kyuokujitsu sho Grand Cordon (Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon), Great East Asia War Medal, Victoria Cross, Knight's Cross, High Sea Fleet Badge, Order of the Red Banner, Order of the Red Star, Order of the Patriotic War 1st class, Order of Ushakov 1st class, the Military Order of Savoy, the Croix de guerre and 20 battle stars.
A Liberion Landing Ship, Tank's POV
Well we steaming towards Okinawa, oh I forgot! I am USS LST 864 or Lilly as everyone calls me; I am a Landing Ship, Tank class and in me was eighteen LVTs with the men they carry. I had seen my fair share of amphibious assaults from northern Luzon to Iwo Jima but it still scared me to think that some of the men inside my hull would not see the light of day again. It didn't help my thoughts knowing that the island the men are assaulting is the last bastion of the Ysterplaat forces which would mean that this island will be heavily defended which means more casualties on the beaches. The other transports felt the same thing.
"Damn, the boys in us are going on land on that?" I heard USS Harris, a Harris class attack transport said.
"Yes, and I pray them the best of luck" A Fusoan attack transport, IFN Akitsu Maru said. I turned to see the aging attack transport. I am good friends with her and I admire her as she has seen a lot of action since the war. She was a nice girl and she also always had something nice to say.
"Our boys are going to have to hard time assaulting those beaches" HMS Bruiser, a Britannian tank landing ship said.
"Ja but they will have the full support of the biggest JFW and the biggest taskforce the world has ever seen and not to mention the support of the ship girls plus the rest of the ships surrounding the island." A Karlslander landing ship said. I agreed however, that factor alone will not help protect the men from the enemy which knows their fortress well.
"Fire in the hole" Someone shouted, and then a loud bang was heard.
"Shelling the target area" Another person- oh wait it was a ship, oops! Sorry about that, a ship said over the radio. I watch, as the convoy I was in came into full sight of Okinawa, in awe as I saw a massive fleet of warships and transports surrounding the enemy occupied island. I was in awe as watched the guns of warships blast away at the neuroi target. I also saw the Poselentsy warships firing their laser and some rocket like weapons at the Ysterplaat positions.
"Give them hell now!" I heard Montana holler, I watched her and her sisters, Ohio and Maine blasting away with their sixteen inch guns. I sometimes wished I was a battleship so I could give the neuroi some tough love but those are just dreams and my job is already important enough, if I wasn't here, we would have a few tanks missing the action and we can't have that now can we? So I was happy with my job as an attack transport.
"Beginnen Sie jetzt das Sperrfeuer! Let them taste fire" KMS H-40 Schleswig-Holstein barked as the Karlslander battleship roared.
"I may be old but I can still go to war" I heard a Britannian voice. I looked around and I saw her, the legendary HMS Victory with all her sails up and she was firing broadside after broadside at the fortifications. In line with her were HMS Warrior, USS Constitution and IJN Mikasa as they blast away at the neuroi held island. I was amazed to see these ships of the old age of sail though Mikasa and Warrior are not sails but still, they can still be able to give it to the enemy.
"Hah! Looks like I still can do my job!" USS Constitution cheered as half of her forty four guns opened up.
"I will make the black devils pay for tramping our homeland" Mikasa barked as her guns fired at Okinawa.
"Damn, those girls are not giving the Ysterplaats any quarters" I said.
"Well, who would, we all want to end this war as soon as possible" Someone said. I turned to my port side and saw IFN Shimakaze and USS O'Bannon steaming alongside us. I agreed with them, we all wanted to end this war as well.
"This is Admiral Spruance, to all ships; I am the commander of all naval forces around Okinawa; Operation Downfall is a go, transports please prepare for amphibious operations. Warships, continue with naval bombardments or protection detail; the landings will take place in 5 days" Admiral Spruance said.
"Roger" I replied.
"I will protect the convoys" Shimakaze said.
"Also, I would like to congratulate Admiral Halsey for his knighthood; he is not here with us as he is currently in Guam having some quality time with his family" Spruance added. Well isn't that nice for him be allowed to given the time to meet his family. I hope now that the men who will be assaulting the beaches will be able to see their families again.
"Okay…Oh SHIT! This is Allen D. Summers! Ysterplaat aircraft in bound! It is a huge swarm of them! God damn it! They are heading for the transports! Man your anti-air guns now!" Allen D. Summers barked. I got nervous as I wasn't really well equipped to fight against neuroi aircraft. I only had a handful of Oerlikons and Bofors distributed across my body. I watched as the light cruisers and destroyers prepare to defend us.
"Protect the transports! They are vital for the operation!" Spruance barked.
"Roger, we will protect the transports!" Agano radioed in her reply.
"Opening up with anti-air guns, watch out!" Atlanta barked.
"Come and get some, sons of bitches!" USS Denver barked as her guns opened up at the Ysterplaat planes.
"Haruna, this is excellent chance for you test those new shells" Kirishima said.
"Hai, I will test the new San Shiki Kai rounds" Haruna said, "Haruna will give it all she's got! Main guns! Commence firing!" I watched as one of the ship girls open up with at the Ysterplaat aircraft with her main guns. I was surprised to see a huge explosion erupt from her guns and take out a large number of neuroi aircraft. Haruna fired more shots into the air, followed by Kongō, Kirishima and Hiei's guns open fire on the neuroi all using their anti-air shells. However, even with these girls firing their anti-air shells, the neuroi fighters were still coming. Soon the transports began to open fire on the neuroi aircraft our escorts missed. Meanwhile I saw the witches arrived to the scene and began to engage the neuroi aircraft but there was a lot of Ysterplaat in the sky.
"Fire, Fire on the bastards! Do not let them sink us!" My captain barked. My gunners were giving it all they got as they unleashed a cloud of flak at the Ysterplaat. I saw fighters get in involved as well into the air fight but some of the Ysterplaat broke through and were heading for us.
"Feuer at the targets" A Karlslander barked as the Ysterplaat came close. Just then, a rocket looking Ysterplaat weapon was racing towards Akitsu Maru at a very fast speed. I watched in horror as Akitsu Maru desperately trying to shoot the rocket down but to no avail. The rocket smashed through her and exploded.
"AAAAAHHHH" Akitsu Maru cried from the pain.
"Akitsu Maru!" I shouted in horror as my good friend was beginning to burn. My crew knew how close we were and spared no time in trying to close the gap between me and her and began to hose Akitsu Maru with foam.
"Come one, boys we can't let our girl's friend burn" My captain said.
"Stop those fire lads! We owe to our ship to keep her friend afloat" A sailor said.
"Come on Akitsu Maru! You can make it!" I shouted.
"I am sorry, Lilly but I am too heavily damaged, I might not be able to stay afloat much longer" Akitsu Maru said.
"No! No! Don't say that! You will make it! We just need a repair ship and you will be fine" I said.
"Lilly, can you promise me something?" Akitsu Maru said.
"What is it Achy?" I asked worriedly. I was about to panic, my best friend was in really bad shape and there was nothing I could do.
"I want you to take my crew and take care of my landing crafts" Akitsu Maru said softly.
"Akitsu Maru, please don't say that" I said.
"Promise me!" Akitsu Maru raised her voice. I was taken aback by her outburst but I knew that she was scared.
"Alright, I will take care of your crew and your landing crafts" I said.
"Don't worry, Lilly, we got enough space for her crew and her load" My captain said.
"Thanks cap" I said.
"No problem" He replied.
"Thank you, Lilly" Akitsu Maru said weakly.
"You are welcome" I replied softly.
"ARGH" Akitsu Maru yelped just as another explosion rocked her. This one reignited the fires.
"Back to work boys" One of my sailors said as they began to hose Akitsu Maru again. I watched the Fusoan sailors also trying their best to stop the fires but they were spreading too fast for them to extinguish all of them.
"Kyaputen, give the order to abandon me now! Tell the Naval Infantry to board the Daihatsu boats now!" Akitsu Maru said.
"Akitsu Maru, are you sure?" Her captain asked.
"Yes captain, I am sure! Now leave me! I am going to capsize" Akitsu Maru said.
"Rojā, this is Captain Takashi speaking, it has been an honour and a pleasure serving with all of you but on the advice of Akitsu Maru, I am afraid we have abandon ship, everyone not involved in the task of unloading the Daihatsus abandon ship immediately. All Naval Infantry personnel on this ship please grab your equipment and board the landing crafts now, then head to USS LST 864, she will take you all in, if possible, bring some of the ship's crew with you" Akitsu Maru said. I watched as Akitsu Maru's bow doors open up and allowing the Pacific to rush in. Soon the twenty seven large landing crafts steamed out of her and they circled towards me where my sailors and the marines I carried had lowered rope ladders. Meanwhile the few witches that were on Akitsu Maru were transferring as many of Akitsu Maru's crew over to me as many as they could possibly could but many jumped and swam towards me.
"I am sorry for burdening you, Lilly" Akitsu Maru said.
"It is alright, Achy, it is what friends are for" I said. Almost all of Akitsu Maru's crew had evacuated to me however about 65 men were killed from the explosions from what I heard.
"It is time for me to go, good bye Lilly" Akitsu Maru said as she began to list more and more towards me, I was already distanced myself from her so if she capsized she wouldn't collide with me.
"Achy, good bye" I said as Akitsu Maru capsized and slipped beneath the waves. Her crew stood at attention as they watched their ship sink. Just then a witch was flying overhead dived towards the water.
"Saori! What are you doing?" Another witch asked.
"I see someone in the water, I going down to pick her up" The witch said.
"Alright, Saori" The other witch said. I watched as Saori picked up a young girl out of the water and she with her passenger began to gain altitude but I saw that the witch was having trouble carrying the found girl. Saori was about 500 m above me when it happened.
"Oh no, she's slipping! I do not have a grip!" Saori shouted as she tried to retain grip but the girl was wet so she just slipped right out of her hands, "Help! She is falling!" I watched in horror as I saw the girl plummet towards the LVTs below. I had to do something, I couldn't let her die. I then felt a sudden surge of energy flow across my body. Then I felt something else, I could feel the wind blowing through my hair, hair? I don't have hair, I am a ship.
"What is going on here?" I said to myself. I decided for some reason to look down and I saw that I was in a different body. I had a ship girl body! This was cool but I had other things to worry about. I looked up to the falling girl and saw she was about 300 m. I ran towards where she going to land and bam! I was able to grab her. Everyone was cheering and clapping for me.
"Way to go, Lilly!" A sailor shouted.
"You da girl" Another hollered.
"Thanks everyone" I smiled.
"Wha…? What is going on?" The girl said.
"Hey there, Achy" I said. I was guessing here, I was not sure if she was Akitsu Maru's ship girl body.
"Lilly? Is that you? How did you get so big?" Akitsu Maru asked.
"I didn't become a giant, you shrank" I smiled. She looked around and she saw that she was in a ship girl body.
"I am a ship girl and you are one too" Akitsu Maru said. I just nodded with a smile.
"Boys, now we got more reasons to keep this ship afloat" One of my sailors shouted.
"YEAH" The rest of the crew shouted. I was happy to have Akitsu Maru back; she was my best friend in the hells of this war. I hope that after this our lives will be peaceful because I want to see a calm sea. However before that was possible, this war must be won.
"This Fletcher is radioing all ships, she is requesting an update of the current status of the transport ships" Fletcher said over the radio in her signature third person style. I wonder how does she pull it off so flawlessly, oh well, everyone have their traits and specialities.
"This is USS O'Bannon, we only lost one transport while another two are lightly damaged" O'Bannon radioed.
"This is HMS Quantity, we have three damaged transports but we are still capable of amphibious operations" A Britannian destroyer radioed.
"This KMS Potsdam (a Leipzig class cruiser), we have lost one PT boat but other than that we are alright" A Karlslander light cruiser responded. After a number of responses from various ships, it seems like we were lightly damaged from the Ysterplaat attack which cost them almost all of their planes. I looked up to see the massive number of planes and witches overhead flying towards Okinawa with the intent of blowing the Ysterplaat sky high.
"Go get them, fliers" I whispered.