(Pages 3-8 of 'The Fighting Instructions')
CONTENTS
Clause
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Subject
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460
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461
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462
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463
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464
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465
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466-469
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GENERAL
460. The following instructions apply to the situation when
the fleet has been in action with enemy forces during the previous day
or during the night, and is not in a position immediately to engage the
enemy battlefleet at dawn. Touch with the enemy may have been lost ; units
of the fleet may have become separated due to enemy action or navigational
errors ; a rendezvous previously signalled may be impracticable ; the
general situation may be obscure to the Admiral : and some ships may be
damaged and unfit for further fighting.
INFORMATION REQUIRED
461. The Admiral's first requirement will be information about his
own and the enemy's forces. It is essential that all units are in touch
with the enemy or are able to gain touch as visibility increases, should
retain it. Full enemy reports should be made as soon as possible.
AIR RECONNAISSANCE
462. During the night, the Senior Officer, aircraft carriers, should
report the state of the aircraft carriers and the numbers of aircraft
fit for reconnaissance and air striking duties. Similar reports are required
from ships carrying serviceable catapult aircraft. The Admiral will then
order an all round reconnaissance at first light to locate and report
enemy forces and all detached friendly units in the vicinity. If practicable,
reports should be relative to the position of the British battlefleet.
Negative reports will be of great value at this stage. In these conditions
W/T may be used freely, as the rapid gaining of information is all important.
CONCENTRATION OF THE FLEET
463. No attempt will be made to concentrate the fleet before daylight,
as this might lead to chance encounters between friendly ships and might
disclose the presence of the fleet to the enemy. Destroyers and detached
ships should join any formed unit in their vicinity at daylight. Based
on the information received, the Admiral will signal the necessary instructions
for the fleet to concentrate. Ships in touch with the enemy, which are
ordered to rejoin the Admiral, should ignore the order to concentrate
and should continue to shadow the enemy.
RE-ORGANISATION
464. On rejoining the Admiral, ships should report their state of
fitness, cruisers and above indicating the percentage of ammunition remaining,
the number of guns intact and speed available. The Admiral will direct
the Senior Officer of destroyers present to re-organise the flotillas.
(See Signal Manual, Chapter XV.) It is important that a reference position
is passed to all ships as they rejoin the main force.
ACTION AGAINST THE ENEMY
465. If the position of the enemy battlefleet is known and provided
aircraft surplus to reconnaissance requirements are available, the Senior
Officer, aircraft carriers, should despatch an air striking force to attack
the enemy fleet at dawn, when conditions are favourable for surprise.
The Admiral will manoeuvre the fleet to bring the enemy to action as soon
as practicable.
466-479. (Blank)
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