Pages 43-45
220. The following
instructions, which deal with fleet action, are based on the employment
of all forces which may be expected to form the main fleet in war. The
general instructions given in Section I apply throughout to the various
situation arising in a fleet action.
GENERAL POLICY
221. If an enemy fleet is reported at sea, the Admiral
will endeavour to arrange for the location and shadowing of the enemy.
At the same time all available forces will be concentrated in a position
to ensure the enemy being brought to decisive action at the earliest possible
moment, whether by day or at night.
222. The British
fleet will be brought into action and fought as a whole until the enemy's
fleet has been disorganised and broken up.
CONTACT WITH ENEMY FORCES
223. After contact has been gained, aircraft and
the advanced forces will endeavour to locate all enemy forces in the vicinity.
Acting on the information received, and as far as time and the general
situation permit, the Admiral will endeavour to place the battlefleet
in a position of tactical advantage over that of the enemy.
AIR STRIKING FORCE OPERATIONS
224. In order to deny the use of aircraft to the
enemy, the primary air objective will normally be to sink or disable the
opposing aircraft carriers. On the other hand, air attack may be the only
means of reducing the speed of a faster battlefleet and bringing it to
action. In this case, or if no enemy aircraft carriers are present, the
enemy battleships should be attacked.
THE APPROACH
225. Whilst the two fleets are closing, cruisers
and destroyers supported by the battlecruisers will drive in or destroy
the enemy's advanced forces, and gain contact with the opposing battlefleet.
This should prevent the approach of the battlefleet being hampered by
destroyer attacks or other tactics designed to delay the final action.
THE BATTLEFLEET ACTION
226. If the battlefleets can be brought to action,
the Admiral will rely on the offensive powers of all surface vessels and
aircraft to deal the enemy battlefleet a heavy blow in the first stage
of the action. The fleet will be manoeuvred with the battleship divisions
in close mutual support, and the range will be closed until decisive results
may be expected. In order to obtain effective results at long range, the
fire of battleships will be concentrated on a few of the enemy's ships.
As the range decreases, the degree of concentration will be lessened until
ship for ship actions are effective. At the same time, the enemy battlefleet
will be attacked with torpedoes from light craft and air striking forces.
By resolute fighting the initial pressure will be increased, until the
enemy weakens and finally falls into confusion or retreat.
TORPEDO ATTACK
227. Long range torpedo attack will seldom achieve
results against single enemy squadrons, with high speed and freedom of
manoeuvre. Opportunities for firing torpedoes at medium and short ranges
seldom recur and should not be missed. Though a massed destroyer attack
may be ordered when the two battlefleets have become fully engaged, destroyers
may expect opportunities for torpedo attack at all stages of a fleet action.
The aim of all Senior Officers of destroyer units should be to fire torpedoes
to hit from a close range. (The restrictions on torpedo fire, which are
necessary to avoid endangering friendly units, are laid down in the Torpedo
Firing Manual, C.B.3019).
SMOKE
228. Smoke should not be used in the main battle
area if it can be avoided, but may have to be used by the battlecruisers,
aircraft carriers and light forces to gain protection against superior
gunfire ; it may be essential, to cover retirement after a torpedo attack.
The Admiral may at any time order smoke to be laid by aircraft or destroyers
to gain a temporary tactical advantage, e.g., to isolate a part of the
enemy's fleet or to cover a turn by the battlefleet.
SUBMARINES
229. Fast submarines in company with the fleet can
take no direct part in the battlefleet action, or actions between light
forces. Provided they are detached before action is imminent and suitably
placed, they may be able to exert some influence on the enemy's tactics.
In a retiring action they may be able to attack the enemy battlefleet
if ordered to dive between the two fleets. If no instructions are given,
they should endeavour to dive between the two fleets. If no instructions
are given, they should endeavour to gain a position between the enemy
and his base. Opportunities should be taken for attacking capital ships
and cruisers, especially damaged enemy ships which fall astern of the
fleets.
220. (Blank)
231. (Blank)
232-259. (Blank)
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