Bretonian Armed Forces Defense Intelligence Staff (DIS) (iRP) (AO)

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Bretonian Armed Forces Defense Intelligence Staff (DIS) (iRP) (AO)

Thunderer

05-19-2018, 03:15 PM,

#2,034

Tea Disposal Unit

Posts: 5,613
Threads: 463
Joined: Jul 2011

Message Class: Textual
Encryption: Pranava Mantra
To: BAF DIS
From: Captain John Khatri

This is Captain John Khatri reporting about a battle that took place in the Cambridge System yesterday, not far from Cardiff Station.

Officer Paul Hastings of the BPA registered a Red Hessian Army fleet moving through Cambridge on TLAGSnet. It contained what he described as at least two battleships. I was in Omega-3 aboard the Avalon at the time, and I managed to assemble the HMS Rodney and a Templar flown by the reservist Anduin Lothar together with us. The problem was that the Rodney was in New London, so our main ships were separated. Thanks to the scouting work of Hastings' and Lothar's, the Hessians' location was confirmed to be Cardiff, so the Avalon could reach the Norfolk unhindered. I had instructed the Rodney to wait at the Cambridge Jump Gate and, to coordinate our arrival, told them to enter Cambridge at this point. Then the Avalon entered the trade lane to Cardiff, from which we dropped when we saw the Hessian fleet. We headed to where I expected the Rodney to appear from, which was the second ring of the Cardiff - New London JG TL. They dropped out a ring further due to a pirate drone interruption, but the drones were no danger and we managed to form up at the planned place. Before us were only a Hessian fighter and one Jormugand, the Kapelle. I did not know where the other was, but as Hastings had informed me of at least two, I assumed it was standing cloaked somewhere and waiting for a favourable moment to attack.

Our original plan was that the Rodney would take the spearhead, being able to dodge better, while the Avalon would stay slightly behind to make sure we are not charged at. However, as we only saw one Jormugand, I modified the plan: the Avalon was to take the spearhead, being a stronger ship, and keep firing at the Kapelle unless the other Jormugand showed up. If that happened, we were to take fire and do as much damage as possible, but then reverse before considerable damage could be dealt to us. This did happen. As soon as the Kapelle's shield was down (we first used Mortars, of which the Avalon had two and the Rodney one, but the Kapelle's steering reduced the range and the Avalon then switched to primaries), the Jormugandr revealed themselves at 12 o'clock, between 2.5 and 3K from the Avalon, and opened primary fire at us. As they were closer and their shield was down due to uncloaking, we both switched fire to them. However, for some reason (perhaps to relieve the Jormugandr?), the Kapelle then charged into us, while the Jormugandr kept moving away. We both immediately switched fire to the Kapelle and destroyed them. As the situation was proceeding as planned (if not better), the Avalon had reversed and let the Rodney, whose Cerberuses were useful, take the spearhead, so the damage we take would be divided. The Rodney was thus damaged by this point, and steered behind us. However, the Jormugandr had entered close range by the time the Kapelle was firing their last shots, and managed to turn their Cerberuses at the Rodney. We dropped the Jormugandr's hull integrity by almost 50% and completely drained their shield batteries when the Rodney was brought down as well. The Jormugandr then charged at us and seemed to be attempting to utilize our primary turret arc flaws. They moved above us, where only two of our primaries could fire. However, we supplemented them with mortars, and managed to turn our front towards them near the end and finish them off quickly. We were left with approximately 25% hull integrity, but also with a full shield battery supply. About at the time when we came under fire by the Jormugandr, we also came under fire by the Lusk, an RHA Scylla that had just arrived. An RHA fighter had also arrived, near the start of the battle, shortly after their first strike craft was shot down by Lothar.

There was little hope for us, alone, but we had Hastings' Challenger to help us and the HMS Swiftsure was on their way from New London. Originally, my aim was to hold the Lusk off for as long as possible. However, their commander might have not yet adapted to a foreign ship, and might have been used to the stronger Vidar-class, assuming by the reckless tactics they were using. This allowed us to slowly deal them damage with our primaries and Solarises, while taking little. Hastings' SNAC was helpful, albeit I must say his mines drew our aim off occasionally, which I later advised him not to drop on an enemy capital ship under fire. The Swiftsure had arrived by this time, but I instructed them not to engage as the Avalon was in control of the situation. The Lusk then charged at us, for the second time, either by mistake or by underestimation of our armour, and although they managed to pound us to the "hull breach imminent" line, they received very extensive damage themselves. When they freed from our clutch, or when it appeared so at least, one lucky hit by a Mortar of ours was enough to breach their hull. All enemy capital ships were disabled at this point. Although the Avalon was nearly falling apart, our shield battery storage was still full.

Lothar was dueling a pilot of theirs at the time, so we stayed there just in case. An SIS agent contacted us, providing help, but Lothar shot down his enemy at that moment, so we could only politely decline. The fleet then scattered, each ship going to their former posting, or for repairs.

The Avalon headed to the Norfolk. However, our trade lane was disrupted by a Coalition battlecruiser called "Da Comrade". As they expressed hostile intentions, I called the fleet back immediately. However, the battlecruiser decided not to attack when I reminded them of our non-aggression pact (they were from the reserve fleet -- perhaps they were not informed yet?). They headed towards Cardiff via the trade lane. Hastings, who had just arrived there, informed me that they crashed in Planet Sarum. Perhaps a navigation error? It seems to me that Coalition reserve ships are not maintained well, or that reserve fleet enforces the intoxication regulations less diligently. Having their words before in mind, I would say it was the latter. I have the conversation recorded.

All in all, I do have to commend the bravery of the Red Hessian Army. Even when the situation was dire for them, at no time did their ships try to cruise away, but they fought to the end. What I am afraid of is that, if information of this battle reaches their high command, they might learn on their mistakes, and confront us with the same courage next time, but also better organization. To avoid only commending our enemy, I must also mention the bravery of captain Holland of the Rodney, and their crew, without which we might have not won, as well as the skill of Anduin Lothar, who shot down two enemy strike craft alone, and the scouting and SNAC work of officer Paul Hastings, which were crucial.

Camera Shots:

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Allied Combatants:
1) BAF|HMS-Dover (Invincible; Heavily Damaged)
2) HMS-Rodney (Dunkirk; Destroyed)
3) BPA)Paul,Hastings (Challenger; Damaged)
4) BAF-Anduin.Lothar (Templar; Damaged)

Enemy Combatants:
1) [RHA]RHB-Kapelle (Jormugand; Destroyed)
2) [RHA]RHB-Jormugandr (Jormugand; Destroyed)
3) [RHA]RHC-Lusk (Scylla; Destroyed)
4) [RHA]Anna.Kreutzer (Odin; Destroyed)
5) Gefallener.Engel (Unknown Snub; Destroyed)