The Suffolk Fleet

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CLASS: Dunkirk
CREW: CLASSIFIED
ARMAMENT: CLASSIFIED

The Battleship Suffolk is the most modern of the 8 Dunkirk Flagships that lead the Great Fleets of Bretonia. Constructed in 798 A.S. to replace the retiring 60 year-old HMS Victoria as flagship of the 5th Fleet and extensively re-fitted in 816 A.S. following the outbreak of hostilities with Kusari, the Suffolk now boasts some of the most advanced equimpent and technology in the Bretonian Armed Forces, including NK-3000 Ageira security and guidence computer systems. The Suffolk itself and the attached 5th Fleet have 4 main roles. To increase defence of New London itself, to protect the high levels of civilian traffic through the New London system from pirates and terrorists, to defend the Dublin Gate from molly incursions and to act as Her Majesty's chief display of military might, impressing upon all visitors to the capital of Her Majesty's extensive realms the power and abilities of the Bretonian Armed Forces. Much to the annoyance of many of the senior command staff aboard, this last role includes giving tours of the ship to visiting foreign dignitaries and parties of school children from New London as part of the "Queen and Country" patriotism in education programe.

The fleet is often seen as a relatively safe posting, being away from most of the front lines, but the prominance of the Suffolk Fleet in the public eye and the importance of defending New London, coupled with the fact that the Suffolk Fleet also maintains responsibility for the defence and supervision of Southampton Shipyards, ensures that the fleet tends to receive only the most promising young officers as the first step on their rising career ladder, rather than the known troublemakers or inept pilots who are either relegated to insignificance in the Grimsby Fleet or sent to the York or MacDuff for tough front-line duty. Living conditions in the fleet are amongst the best anywhere in the forces and many an officer has been known to resort to unscrupulous tactics in an attempt to receive a transfer to the Suffolk. Sharing many duties with the senior Admiral of the New London Planetary Fleet, the Suffolk Fleet has often been asigned to the most junior of the Admirals so that he may gain experience under the watchful eye of a more senior mentor, usually followed by transfer to one of the more front line commands.

Historically the Suffolk Fleet was dominated by the New London aristocracy and "bluebloods", but under the command of Admirals Jellicoe and Nelson the fleet has seen a marked increase in the number of regular working-class officers, largely as a result of increased recruitment to expand the fleet during wartime, and since the outbreak of the Tau War the Suffolk Fleet has become regarded as an excellent model of good integration between bluebloods and regulars, now under the command of an ex-QCR Admiral, and prides itself on its efforts to bridge the class divide. In addition the Suffolk Fleet has developed a reputation for intellectualism and military theory rather than good flying, probably as a result of the large number of university graduates enlisted compared with the other fleets, though the accuracy of such claims has been disputed, with accusations of poor pilots often being put down to jealousy on the part of other officers of the top-rate technology, equipment and living conditions that the Suffolk's prominence in the public-eye accords its members. The average life expectancy of an Ensign in the Suffolk Fleet is 3 times that of the MacDuff Fleet, 1.8 times that of the York and Derby Fleets and even 1.3 times that of the Grimsby Fleet which rarely sees active combat, largely due to the better quality equipment that Suffolk pilots are lucky enough to have.

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Sir Stanley Nelson




<span style="color:#000066">Charles Canning </span><span style="color:#000066"> Foreign Secretary</span>

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-Personal Log-
-Sir Stanley Nelson-
-Admiral, 5th Fleet-
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Wednesday, April 8, 817 A.S.

Assumed full command of the Suffolk Fleet today, following yesterday's promotion ceremony and the final retirement (with full pension of course) of Lord Admiral Jellicoe. Was about time, in my opinion; Jellicoe had hardly been present aboard the Suffolk for at least the last 6 months, given his ill health. I've been managing the Suffolk 1st battlefleet since January now, but it was not until today that I received the full list of various statistics for the 5th Fleet as a whole. I have over 8000 men under my fleet's command, including support staff, plus an additional 18,000 marines and ground troops divided into 3 divisions.

Clearly the fleet is extremely well equipt. Already received over a dozen transfer requests mainly from the Leeds front. Had to deny all of them but one, most were simply people sick of the conditions on the front line. Its a damn shame, but war is war and needs must. It is certainly true, though, the Suffolk is better equipt than almost any other force in Bretonia. The ship itself has all the best of computer systems, catering equipment and excellent hygene thanks to Mk 9 automated cleaning bots. One flaw - the ships secuity has fallen rather lax under Jellicoe, most probably due to his abscences from active duty. I must make a note to increase deck patrols and re-institute a policy of cargo-scanning before we allow ships to dock in our hangar. There are also far too many unchecked visitors to the ship - I know we give tours, but visitors really need to be kept out of the bridge and secure areas, plus I definitely feel background checks and searches for weapons should be upped.

As for the fleet, generally the pilots and ships are both excellent. Over 70% of our fighter wings are using Templars or the new Paladins instead of Crusader models, I hope to increase the figure to 80% by the end of July and phase out Crusaders entirely by the end of the year. A dozen Destroyers, generally extremely well equipt, top notch armour, all Mk V or better. Unfortunately losses dictate that I transfer 5 Destroyers and their respective squadrons to the Derby and York Fleets by the end of the month, which will only leave us with 7. Still, I have the utmost confidence in my men that we will be able to acheive our objectives and keep New London safe.

Moore is replacing me as Commodore of the Suffolk 1st - he's a decent chap, if a little stiff and reserved. Rest of the command staff seem quite competent, if not exactly elite. They're all highly intelligent and promising chaps, but tend to be moved on to the front lines once they've been here a while, so I do lack experienced pilots quite a bit. My main concern for the fleet is Southampton - its defence falls under my responsibilities and there is a real danger of Kusari raids from Leeds. If we lose Southampton, we lose the war, something which I am not prepared to allow to happen on my watch. The onboard commander, Major General Binns seems pretty capable, I met with him this afternoon. He did request an additional 3 bomber wings to repel enemy raiding destroyers, something which I agree on. Will order transfer tomorrow from Thames. Oh, and I received a second notice about that young Goodmen - a Lieutenant now. Apparantly was the cause of much disturbance in the officers mess aboard the HMS Torridge last night following the promotion ceremony, sent a brief note regarding discipline. Still, the lad did just win a CC, suppose he's bound to be a bit boisterous, should be lenient. Will keep an eye on him in future though.

Apart from that, things seem pretty ship-shape. The Fleet has certainly changed a lot since I was transferred here from the QCR; there are a lot more regulars in command for a start, not least myself. Funny that, really. To think I always thought I was lucky to be posted to the Suffolk at all, now I run the fleet! Still. I always had more pride in the Suffolk than most men here. They just tend to see it as a cushy posting with all the niceties of good ships to fly and comfortable bunks to sleep in, but I saw beyond that. It is a flagship fleet, a fleet with prestige, the public face of the Armed Forces. Her Majesty's chief display of military might, as our insignia reads. And our role is vital. Defence of New London and Southamtpon are among the most vital objectives in the realm. Whilst the men may think the conditions cushy, I know that my duties here certainly are not.

-End Log Entry-
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Sir Stanley Nelson




<span style="color:#000066">Charles Canning </span><span style="color:#000066"> Foreign Secretary</span>

[Wolfs Ghost]

-Personal Log-
-Austin Goodmen-
-Lieutenant, 5th Fleet-
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Thursday, April 9th, 817 A.S.

Got a notification letter from the Admiral of this fleet. Have a feeling he'll be keeping his eyes on me for awhile. Strangely I was kicked out of the Officers mess hall the night after the promotion ceremony. All the lads and I were doing was singing, and I wasn't drunk. They were, I wasn't. Oh well.

Anyways, glad my transfer request was answered and accepted. Leeds planetary defense and Derby were getting slightly annoying after the incident involving the Prime Minister, which made me a hero. Of course however, I left my Paladin on the Derby just incase they needed an extra pilot in the future.

Since my transfer, I have been rather relaxed, the lads here aren't crazy or hyped up as the ones on the York or the Derby. Even the marine teams are relaxed, until you use their part of the shooting range, then they'll get annoyed but it's always good.

Anyways, the fleets seem to be broken up in a rather strange way. The York and it's fleet are some of the rough edged pilots, cocky and some lack of discipline. The Derby, well...those lads and lass's do act strange. The Norfolk, and Suffolk have the bluebloods mixed with regulars, The MacDuff and Sterling go hand in hand with the York's pilots. Ark Royal pilots are just a bunch of lazy lads, but helluva shot if you ask me. Then you have the Essex's fleet, these lads have been stationed in bloody Dublin for so long they took up the molly accent. I can hardly understand them, but whatever works, works.

Was promoted to Lieutenant just recently and was awarded the Carina's Cross, which turns out I'm the second lad to get one in the forces. Derby's commodore, Roger Brinkley, has one aswell. From what I noticed, Brinkley is insane, and I have no idea why. There does seem to be a rumor about those getting the Carina's Cross are insane. I'd probably would of went insane if I stayed on the Derby for a much longer time. Just doesn't seem my style.

Hopefully here I can gain some well needed rest, as well as experience some other things other then fighting. I also hope my skills as a pilot can be put to good use.

I do guess that's all I have to put in these logs for now.

-End of Entry-

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