TO Admiral E Rice-Burroughs, MSS 'Odin'
TO Admiral H Stipes, ESS 'NO PLAN SURVIVES'
TO Admiral BR Chevron, ESS 'HAS HE LUCK'
COPY 1st Allied Fleet, 5th Allied Fleet, All Colonial HQs Quadrant 7
FROM Admiral AB Burwasher, ESS Alligator
DATE D-Day = 3198.103
See Admiral E Rice-Burroughs reports of 3198.056, 3198.080 and 3198.085.
TO DESTROY THE 3 BSBs NOW AT FLYPAPER
1. FLEET MIDGARD
You are to move to the point on the Flypaper M25 closest to Flypaper IV (distance 20.5 Au). You will leave the Logistic Support Ships outside the sytem, and 2 Destroyers outside the M25 to relay signals. You will cross the M25 on 3198.103 with the remaining warships, and accelerate toward Flypaper IV at 1.0 g. At the mid point, 10.25 Au from Flypaper IV, you will decelerate at 1.0 g so as to achieve an orbit at the planet.
2. FLEET RODGER YOUNG, FLEET AUDIE MURPHY, JAC HQ
The Logistic Support Ships are to RV with the LSSI of FLEET MIDGARD. All the warships, including the Assault Landing Ships of JAC HQ, and the ASS MALVINAS are to exit hyper-space so to cross the Flypaper M25 at the same point as FLEET MIDGARD, and 0.6 days later. The ships will exit hyper-space in formation with a vector of 2 Au per day toward Flypaper IV.
The ships are to maintain "silent running" without prejudicing the fighting efficiency of the ships, for 8.2 days. 4.0 days and 4.0 Au from Flypaper IV you will RV with FLEET MIDGARD. The GRAND FLEET will decelerate at 1.0 g so as to achieve an orbit at the planet.
3. When the GRAND FLEET engages the 3 BSBs, it is my aim to concentrate half our strength to overwhelm 1 BSB, whilst the remaining half demonstrates against the other 2 BSBs. When engaging 2 BSBs, my aim is to concentrate 2 FLEETS to overwhelm 1 BSB, while the 3rd FLEET fights the 2nd BSB.
The GRAND FLEET will be divided into two WINGS. To provide tactical flexibility, CinC are to divide their FLEET into two SQUADRONS of equal force. Admiral Stipes will command the BLUE WING, consisting of FLEET RODGER YOUNG and the 2nd SQUADRON of FLEET AUDIE MURPHY. Admiral Rice-Burroughs will command the RED WING, of FLEET MIDGARD and the 1st SQUADRON of FLEET AUDIE MURPHY.
4. I shall remain on board the ESS Alligator, in overall command of OPERATION "FLY-SWAT". However since I am unfamiliar with Martian and Esteeler SOPs I shall not take tactical control of the battle.
ESS ALLIGATOR, ESS POLNOCHINY and the ASS MALVINAS will be kept out of battle with Berserker units. These ships will be of use at Flypaper IV.
5. I expect the 3 BSBs will leave Flypaper IV to intercept FLEET MIDGARD. At an acceleration of 1.0 g they will intercept the GRAND FLEET when we will be 3.2 days and 2.6 Au from Flypaper IV. However the BSBs may try to escape battle when the Esteeler ships are first detected. If this occurs when they start to decelerate, 4.0 days from the planet, we may yet be able to bring the enemy to battle. I shall attempt to do so if practicable.
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