In preparation for Operation Dronier, High Command ordered the reconnaissance of the surrounding area near Eisenborn. 27th Fleet was tasked to reconnoiter Fenestre Crossroads, one of the 4 major channels leading to Eisenborn. 27th Fleet assembled a force consisting of Destroyer Squadron 44 (DesRon 44) and 61st Light Division LiDiv 61) code named Taffy 27, Ozzel was put in command and carried his flag on Prince Eugene.Orders for Taffy 27 was to reconnoiter the area and avoid enemy action. Unknown to High Command, Rebel Command also realised that Eisenborn would be a strategic and decisive spot. Patrols and recon divisions were sent to reconnoiter the location.

Taffy 27 order of battle -

• GSD Prince Eugene the Demolisher
• GSD Prince Albert
• GSD Prince Rupert
• RSD Akizuki
• RSD Teruzuki
• 518th FIghter Wing

DesRon 44 was equiped with the newly developed Wasserfall Rapid Reload System and their ordnance experts had just completed training with them. Mean while, the RSDs were loaded with the ever-so-reliable G7e Assault Proton Torpedoes. Though, much can be said about their gunnery team that was just posted to LiDiv 61.

Upon arriving at Fenestre Crossroads, no suspicious activity was sighted. To widen his recon run, Ozzel spread DesRon 44 into a line abreast formation while LiDiv 61 in a line ahead formation. the 518th was ordered to act as a picket screen for the ships. While this was going on, a Rebel force arrived at Fenestre Crossroads and deployed in a loose formation. Both forces were unaware of each others presence as strict radio silence was maintained on both sides.

Not long after, both forces stumbled on each other. Seeing that the range was too close to break off, Ozzel decided to engage the Rebel force seeing that the Rebels were in a loose and open formation.

Rebel Recon order of battle -

• Assault Frigate Mk 2
• 2 NebB
• 2 CR90

Seeing that the enemy was not in order, Ozzel took the opportunity to move his GSDs first in an attempt to form a battle line. Though due to errors in navigation, it formed an echelon instead.

While the GSDs were forming up, Ozzel ordered LiDiv 61 to carry out torpedo attack on the NebB that was racing up. Akizuki and Teruzuki opened up on the NebB at point blank severely damaging the target. Prince Rupert than closed the range and delivered the coup de grace.

Meanwhile, Prince Eugene and Prince Albert closed in for a pincer on the AF2. Fortunately for the AF2, the 2nd NebB stalled both GSDs and managed to deliver debilitating blows to Eugene.In that exchange of blows, Prince Eugene's engines were critically damaged and damage control failed to contain and control the damage.

With bad engines, Eugene continued to lurch on with the rest of Taffy 27 but the damage took a fatal turn. Prince Eugene blew up. Despite loosing the flagship, Taffy 27 continued to close in to the AF2. Prince Rupert and Prince Albert poured murderous fire onto the AF2 but she managed to weather all attacks. Shortly after, Prince Albert blew up after taking 2 salvoes from the AF2. Just prior to that melee, Teruzuki managed to pull up astern of the AF2 but her attacks were ineffective. Teruzuki was soon taken out by the AF2's stern guns.

Now with just Akizuki and Prince Rupert left, both CR90 closed the range and launched attacks. The attacks proved to be ineffective except for Doodana's Pride which caused a fire on Prince Rupert.

Seeing that it was useless to carry on, Prince Rupert's captain assumed command and ordered a general withdrawal for Taffy 27.

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So there you have it folks, battle report from this evening's game. It was the first game I had at the local game store and I must say, 27th Fleet needs to re-examine their engagement doctorine and deployment. For the entire battle, Howl's Fighter Wing did nothing. ABSOLUTE NOTHING!

Good game and good job to my opponent for turning a potential disaster around.

I think that when you realize that the enemy has not squadrons for you to engage with your TIEs, you should have used them as cheap bombers to knock out shield points before your ships get there. What I do is I just throw them at the enemy turn one and by the time you ships get in range you will have a few less shield points to get through. With the crappy Anti-Squadron dice most ships have they might even survive a while.

Great report, great photos, and beautiful ships. Many thanks!

I think that when you realize that the enemy has not squadrons for you to engage with your TIEs, you should have used them as cheap bombers to knock out shield points before your ships get there. What I do is I just throw them at the enemy turn one and by the time you ships get in range you will have a few less shield points to get through. With the crappy Anti-Squadron dice most ships have they might even survive a while.

Yes that was the mistake that I did....

From on site AAR and fleet composition, seems that the meta over in SG is ship centric.

How's it over at your place?

Ah excellent, I do so love hearing these. Like always, I just really enjoy the style and narrative so thanks a ton mate and lets see where we go from here, eh?

Composition wise, it sounds like a pretty fun list, but I can see how it could have some problems, especially given the lack of priority targets for both the 518^th and the LiDiv61. The 518^th did seem rather static for its role, pushed into being impromptu fighter bombers they can do some damage on rebel light ships, but I can certainly see how without oversight they really just couldn't bring their weapons to bear on such a swift-moving Rebel fleet. I generally don't have that come up as the area and my group are very squadron-centric.

Hmm, the 518^th is 4 flights strong, correct? So – and I am just thinking aloud here – they can be guided by either 2 gladiators or, potentially 2 expanded Hangar Bay Raiders. Are the Assault proton torpedoes dangerous enough to reliably bring two arcs to bear in your opinion, or would they perhaps be better served by Expanded Hangar bays to satisfy a multi-role component and get those fighters into the fray? As I said, thinking aloud for dual-role ships as Gladiators -can- do the same but that also means shifting your attack patterns to ensuring that the Gladiators are using squadron commands rather than manoeuvring to get them into position.

But a meeting engagement, fascinating. I do so love those kind of engagements, but you wrote it very well and handled it great. Story wise I love the touch of the Wasserfall RRS and the overtones in telling us the crewing choices and specialities.

I'm just sorry to hear that DesRon44 seemed to have such a time of a frigate like that. Was it Salvation, or just a proper sturdy escort Frigate? Either way, an unfortunate and vicious turn of events. So, are there any alterations to the fleet's combat doctrine or registries?

Love those repaints. Was that all brush or was there some airbrushing involved?

And I enjoy the narrative, too. I feel inspired to write some fluffy reports for the store championship I'm headed to this Saturday.

Singapore?? =)

btw, wanna show some pics of your raiders? What's the idea with the orange scheme?

@ vykes - one reason why I went with just the 27th's light units is to test out the viability ofit. The verdict, I really is an uphill battle just like what Taffy 3 had off Samar. Sure enough you have the black dice tondrop on the targets you've got to get suicidally close. Opening torpedo strike by both RSD on the NebB pretty much reduced the NebB to 1 HP if I recalled correctly. That's just using the G7e assault proton torpedoes. Just imagine them with G7C assault concussion missiles or with Schmetellring expanded launchers. But to set up the RSD as a squadron liaison ship seems like an interesting idea. Might try that in th league match this Sat.

@ reegsk and Blail - For most of my ships, I paint brush them except for both RSD and Prince Eugene (the grey GSD) verdict, for me at least... Anything that's the size of MC30 or smaller, hand painting produces nice results. For GSD or any star destrpyers, airbrushing might be a better idea owing to the amount of flat aurfaces there are. As for my RSD, I took to KanColle's Akizuki and Teruzuki for inspiration.

Here's a link to my repaints - https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/178994-cruiser2710s-repaints/page-3?hl=cruiser2710

I'll admit, iit's what I've been afraid of, so I've been putting off using task force Lantern which has a very similar registry. I'll likely have to include some "firesprays" or something else to alleviate that low squadron utility issue, but then again I've been using Renegades for a while now and I'm just thinking on what would be more likely to put me on my back foot. The pocket carrier Raider set up just seems particularly nice given their rapid response times compared to a more lumbering GSD, less time to 'bluster and broadcast' what they're going to do Still, I'll have to reread this and take it in as it seems like a good lesson for something in advance of what I'm going to have to deal with.

G7e's are a pretty great addition, but I suppose it's weighing out that or other options and keeping them low on points so they won't give up too much. Samar... very interesting observation -smiles and nods-

Well done again.

Going to test waters tomorrow with the RSD CVE. For the missile module, those 3 options I mentioned earlier is enticing.

So with with Rhymer and a supporting bomber squadron in hand,

1 black + 1 black + 2 black + 2 blue = Looks like a lot of hurt from the fore arc.

That's not including the missile or crew upgrades....