Esc News 2/19

[ledeper]

Due to the ambiguous situation in the Indian Ocean,the Esc is reinforcing its Gujarat sqdrn with following vessels:
BB 02 Torden
BB 04 Styrka
MCr 01 Clas Horn
MCr 02 Trolle Fleet
Ca Vind
Cl.27 BCS Svealand
Cl.28 BCS Ringerike
DD 16
DD 17
DD 18
DD 19
DD 20
DD  21
The reinforcements is expected to arrive in Ahmennebad in the first week of August.

[ledeper]

Esc battle assessment of the Second Rift War:

Report from Felix Dzerzhinsky to C.I.C Nav.Com.

I will make it very clear that this is only a preliminary report based on public sources and a few intelligence sources, thus is open for changes.

1: Command and Control:

The main reason, as far as I am concerned, for the losses pertained by the combined forces was a lack of communication and coordination, and thus neglecting a primary rule of war: Concentration of force, by splitting their forces in 3 groups.
It is my firm belief that if the "allied" powers had worked more closely together and concentrated their forces the outcome would have been quite different.
The New Swiss concept of "asymmetric warfare" may have an impact in the confined waters of the Indian Ocean, but the emphasis on speed versus sea keeping makes it very doubtful that this strategy will work on the Atlantic and North see were weather conditions is much harder.

2:    
The vulnerability of Capital ships versus Torpedoes.
It is clear that the comparatively light Torpedo bulkhead of the "allied" powers is extremely vulnerable towards newer torpedo types, thus giving credit towards our own designers' emphasis on a heavy Torpedo bulkhead.  
3.
Aero power.
It have been proven that aero planes have a role in naval warfare, besides scouting, as an offensive weapon.
The sinking of an Zionite destroyer in Eliat has proven that non moving navy vessels is vulnerable to air attacks, but I believe that a high speed maneuvering  force will be able to fend of attacks, provided an increase in A/A guns

Conclusion:
1. Command and Control:
I believe it has been proven, without a doubt, that the ½ yearly joint exercises in Scapa is a good investment, but it is imperative that in the future the Bavarian navy is included.
I will recommend a rotation schedule among the Leipzig nations were our ships rotate between our nations (e.g. Bavarian Cruisers in Scapa- Esc battleships in Trieste and Singapore- Dutch Bcs in Trieste and Gujarat, and so fort), along with yearly Army joint exercises along the same lines as the "Grand exercise" in 1917.
http://www.navalism.org/index.php?topic=4219.0

2:    
The vulnerability of Capital ships versus Torpedoes
Our emphasize on comparatively thick  Torpedo bulkheads has proven its value, but I will however recommend a slight reduction of Deck armor of 10 mm and use it to increase our Torpedo bulkheads from 50 mm to 75 mm as the distance of battle is still below 18ky.

Aero power.
We need to increase the amount of A/A guns on our major warships; this can be done on most ships comparatively easy, and the development of airborne torpedoes will in the future become an ever increasing threat.
It will be increasingly more important to develop a scouting flying arm and a fighter arm to keep enemy scouts and blimps away.  

[ledeper]

These ships transferred through Suez in mid August to reinforce Gujarat Sqdrn and

will alongside Gujarat Sqdrn conduct their yearly summer exercise, and this year the

Bavarian Cruiser Leipzig will participate. The reinforced squadron will also conduct

neutrality patrol along the Gujarati seaboard.

Indian Squadron summer-fall 1919

BB 02 Torden

BB 04 Styrka

Bcc BCS Gujarat

Cl. 29 Pommerania

Cl. 20  Sachsen,

Ca Vind

Cl. 26  Gøtaland

Cl.27 BCS Svealand

Cl.28 BCS Ringerike

DD 01 Bornholm,

DD 02 Andøy,

DD 03 Tingmiarmiut

DD 16

DD 17

DD 18

DD 19

DD 20

DD  21

MCr 01 Clas Horn

MCr 02 Trolle Fleet

Mine-Cruiser MCr 06   

Ms 05 Orca

Ms 06

Minesweeper Msc 7

Minesweeper  Msc 8

Minesweeper  Msc 12