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From: Richard Krebes
Date: 5/7/2005
Time: 8:11:05 PM
Remote Name: 12.215.95.135
Posted below is a sequence from a historical fiction story I'm writing dramatizing the Indianapolis saga. The approach I'm taking is a combo of "Das Boote" and "A Night To Remember" in that we have central characters (Captain McVay and Commander Hashimoto in this case) but also an array of other people who fill in important parts in the story, since, in the end, the focus of this story is on the Indianapolis disaster with a dash of character study with McVay and Hashimoto. So, anyhow, this sequence is where Captain Naquin finds out from Commander Carter about the "Tamon" group. It is primarily based on two of the Indy books I have read: Doug Stanton's work, of course, and Raymond Lech's "All The Drowned Sailors". The dialogue and description of the setting are my own poetic license, albeit done as authentically as I could and attempting to err on the side of accuracy:
"Headquarters, United States Pacific Fleet, Guam
Captain Oliver Naquin walked down the hall, paused, and knocked on the door. “Come in.” Commodore James Carter, the assistant chief-of-staff, United States Pacific Fleet, called. Naquin entered. “Morning, Oliver.” said Carter plesantly, seated at his desk. a tired smile on his sweat-streaked face . “Good morning, Commodore.” Naquin replied, equally polite as he entered the humid office, closing the door behind him as he went. An electric fan hung on one of the walls, adjusted so as to not disturb the papers on the desk, was moving slowly back and forth in a token attempt to keep the room’s occupants cool. Apart from the fan, the desk, and a spare chair, the office was sparse and functional as could be. He savored a gust from the fan as he moved to sit in the worn chair in front of the desk the Commodore was gesturing to. “What is the latest?” he asked when he was settled. It was time for the daily intelligence briefing, one of the daily rituals for Naquin in his post of convoy routing officer. The Carter extracted a handkerchief from a pocket of his khaki uniform shirt and dabbed at his face. He then put it back and began the summary. “They are putting on a bold show with their submarine forces.” he began. “A group of four subs, code-named ‘Tamon”, has begun deploying along our shipping lanes from Okinawa to the Phillipines, Okinawa to the Mariana’s, and between the Mariana’s and the Phillipines. Right in our own backyard. Two of these subs are already on station, and two more are being deployed. Their orders are to attack our shipping wherever and whenever found. They are not on resupply runs to the isolated enemy garrisons in the area, or conducting reconnaissance of our bases in the same.” “Have there been any sinkings?” Naquin asked, feeling momentarily alarmed, anticipating worse news. “No.” Carter replied, “So far, nothing.” Naquin sighed. “Well, thank God for that.” Carter resumed, and soon finished, the day’s summary. There was nothing much else of importance to discuss. “As usual, pass this along as you see fit, Oliver. That is all. Good day.” “Good day, Commodore.” Naquin arose and made for the door. “Say,” Carter asked, a pleasant tone softening his voice, “just out of curiosity, Oliver, since you were a sub man once yourself, what do you, personally think of this as a potential threat to us?” Naquin paused before the door and turned to face his superior. “I would say it is of a very low order sir threat-wise.” “Why?” “There’s only four boats going out, sir. Four boats to cover a whole sea, Commodore. They could sink a ship or two, yes but not do any severe damage. This is not the Atlantic three years ago, where we were hard pressed to stop the Kreigsmarine’s boats from sinking as many ships as they wanted.” “Thank you Oliver, I would agree.” Carter replied after a moment’s thought. “Still, by all means pass this dope on if you think it wise.” “Yes sir. Good day.” “Good day.” Naquin left. He did not think it of much importance to pass along."
If Mr. Smith or Mr. Stanton could vet his for accuracy, I'd appreciate the feeback.
Richard