Talk:AFOH/@comment-14850713-20131007020532

TF Colbert After-action Report (Action of October 1)

Mission: TF was tasked to conduct delaying action to aid link-up of H Force and A Force (under overall command of AON HMSHomemade) in order to defeat Russian Navy (RN) combined flying-ship/cruiser force.

Result: Link-up was successful and RN force was turned back. TF Colbert, however, suffered severe damage and casualties. 1 CV, 2 CA crippled. 2 CL heavily damaged. CV lost 90% of its air wing, although most of the pilots have been rescued by SAR teams. TF Colbert now considered combat-ineffective and has returned to port. RN cruiser pursuit of crippled ships under tow was only turned back by bringing into action the experimental aero-destroyer AN Fantasque.

Recommendation: TF Colbert to be sidelined for repair and refit. As for AN Fantasque, although combat debut was successful, this was due more to enemy surprise and is not expected to be repeated. It is very vulnerable to RN flying ships, and the result would have been different if these took up the pursuit of the TF and not the cruisers. Mission profile for AN Fantasque should be only for harrassment and patrol as it is not survivable in line of battle.

TF Colbert CO Bouexic