From: Los <los@c...>
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1998 14:46:47 -0700
Subject: AAR Battle of Kessel
(note: this was one of two fights we had at Historicon) Classification: SECRET NOFORN Subject: AAR from Kessel Raid (Case Blau) Routing: Ia OberKommado KriegsRaumFlotte Nue Salzburg DTG: 271300ZJul2194 From: Kaptain zur Raum Rudolf Bergmann (Kampfstaffel III/KG12) This AAR covers the actions of Kampfstaffel III/KG12 during its participation in Case Blau in the Kessel system on 25 July, 2194. referencing document is Operations Order 227a annex B. (attached) Ia. Order of Battle NSL III/KG12 a. Missile destroyers, KRS von Steuben, Galland, Trautloff, RNS Ajax (on secondment from NAC) (Each ship has 1 x type 1 beam battery and 3 salvo missile launcher) b. Escort Cruiser: KRS Schongau (2 type 1 beam, 1x type 2 beam, 2 PDS and Area defcon) c. Battle cruiser: KRS Scharnhorst (flagship), Gneisenau (6xtype 3 beam batteries, 1x Pulse toprpedo, 2 PDS) d. Fighter carrier: Tirpitz (6xtype 3 beam batteries, 1x Pulse toprpedo, 2 PDS, and 4 fighter bays) e. 4 Jagdgruppe: (I and II/JG2 and II/IV/JG26) Ib. Order of Battle Kra'Vak (estimated) a. 6xHunter ships (6 type 2 RG systems (2 side firing only), 4 scatterguns) b. 1xdreadnought (4 type 3 RG systems, 2 type 2 RG systems (side arc). 6 scatterguns, 2 fighter bays) c. 2 fighter squadrons IIa: II/KG12 warps into Kessel system and provides diversion for vital intelligence gathering satellite recovery by the cloaked KRS Kohl. The Staffel was not to leave until the KRS Kohl was safely away with it's package. III: II/12 warped into system at 1300Z as per plan. We emerged at 6 light seconds from Kessel. The transit was not without difficulty, resulting in damage to one of the fighter launch bays on the Tirpitz. This effectively cut our fighter strength by 25%. Also KRS Scharnhorst had three beam batteries go off line. Nevertheless, II/JG 2 was launched on schedule and proceed to target. We know that they succeeded in destroying the three unmanned Kra'Vak PDS arrays, but since no one made it back I can not expound on this portion of the operation further. Since II/12 made no attempt at maintaining EMSEC (Emissions Security), it was relatively easy for the Kra'Vak to detect us. They took the bait and dispatched every ship within range toward us. Kohl inserted undetected and commenced its recovery operation. Admiral Wender's plan was to keep the incoming enemy fleet off to our starboard and avoid the usual interpenetrating of a standard head on fight. Consequently, he deployed the missile ships 6 MUs ahead of our main force and spread into a skirmish line 12 MUs across. The main force was kept in a compact group within 6 MUS of each other. His intent was to shower the incoming Kra'Vak with missile salvos, and launch a fighter strike to swing wide around the aft of the Kra'Vak fleet sandwiching them between us. In our last engagement our light destroyer screen had suffered heavily and the Admiral had commented on his commitment to get their missiles off as early as possible. Also it was estimated that our heavy beam batteries have a 6 MU range advantage of Kra'Vak systems and he wanted to keep them at bay to take advantage of the range difference. Our plan began to go awry at once. The Kra'Vak commander maintained a tight control of his fleet, and instead of rushing right at us manuevered his force in a way which resulted in 60% of our missiles (Our first two full salvos) not finding their mark. The Kra'Vak ships synchronized their movements very well. The superior maneuver rating of the Kra'Vak ships allowed them to close to under 30 MUs. Thus we were not able to take advantage of our superior beam range. A number of our ships began taking hits and the Scharnhorst 50% loss of batteries was severely felt at this range. Our destroyer screen took severe damage with the RNS Ajax being destroyed and the KRS Trautloff suffering a bridge hit which put her out of control for the duration of the fight. The remaining destroyers in the screen, now moving at a high speed bypassed the flanking KV ships, spun and fired an additional salvo. This coincided with fighters from both III/JG2 and IV/JG26 conducting an extended burn. Thus the KV found themselves sandwiched between 2 missile salvos and 2 fighter groups attacking from their aft quadrants. This took them by surprise and a number of ships suffered heavily. It was the first good news of the battle. Our fighters would continue to harry the KV ships from their aft quadrant for the duration of the battle. At this point he Kra'Vak made their first error. They attempted to close range with us. I believe that the KV should have remained at long range since their RG systems hold their damage potential better at long range than our beam systems. They closed to within 20 MUs of the main force, suffering another well timed and aimed missile salvo in the process. (At this points the destroyers were out of missiles and were allowed to drift out of the fight, having been harried by Kra'Vak fighters.) AT this time Scharnhorst's batteries all came back on line and the Kra'Vak began to suffer under 18 class 3 beam batteries per turn from out heavy units. The KV units responded with heavy and RG fire as well as the attention of their fighters. However we could see our beams taking effect as a number of ships began streaming atmosphere 2 Hunters Nova'd as their power cores gave way. We suffered also as various systems would go down, be repared and go down again. The heaviest loss came when Scharnhorst suffered a catastrophic bridge hit resulting in the death of Admiral Wenders. Command devloved down to me. Our main force had already swung aft while fleeing to keep the heavy beams bearing on our pursuers. The KV ships became separated. The high point of the battle occurred as the KV dreadnought and two hunters closed range. Our ships were shot up and the Scharnhorst was still out of control. Oberst Halfek's fighters were at the end of their endurance and had been recalled. When he saw the danger to the staffel, he lead his remaining fighters in for a desperate attack. The KV fighters had been pulled back to pursue, but they ignored their deadly attacks and scattergun fire to press home their attack on the dreadnought. Apparently a bridge hit on the behemoth effectively put her out of action and spared us from her type 3 RGs at close range. This allowed me to concentrate on the two Hunters, killing one and severely damaging the other. Our most dangerous moments were over. We detected the Kohl's transit beacon signaling all clear. Now to extract ourselves! I ordered our remaining destroyers, the KRS von Stueben and Galland to execute maximum burns back at the KV pursuers to cover our withdrawl. As the range separated, our heavy batteries destroyed another Hunter. The final one kept up a steady RG fire upon us, but the appearance of the destroyers and our final salvos severely damaged this ship and she broke off action. We were now faced with emergency repairs on a number of ships to get them ready for Warp transit. Unfortunately Life Support on the Scharnhorst as permanently knocked out, so the Gneisenau hove along side and pulled off her crew, then scuttled the great ship. There was no time to affect more detlaied repairs since more KraVak contacts wer ereported at under 4 light seconds and we were in no condition for another fight. We then transited out of the system. IV. Summary. Our final losses were 1 destroyer (RNS Ajax), one Battle cruiser (KRS Scharnhorst) and 18 fighters destroyed. Heavy damage to KRS von Steuben, Trautloff, and Gneisenau. Light to moderate damage to all others. We suffered 349 killed and 227 injured. The Kohl escaped with the surveillance satellite. I consider our mission a success though at a very high cost. The synchronization of KV maneuvers signals an adaptation of their tactics in an attempt to avoid deadly missile salvos. Never the less the KV lost one dreadnought and 3 hunters. 2 others were last seen drifting out of control streaming atmosphere and the last one was heavily damaged and withdrew under her own power. I expect II/KG12 to be out of commission for at least three weeks as we refit. We have rendezvoused with FSU (Fleet Support Unit) 33 and are making repairs. This concludes my debrief. Bergmann, Rudlof Kaptain zur Raum II/KG12 Commander (acting)