The Cosmopolite
Jericho Fraction
The Star Fraction
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Posted - 2009.11.01 15:21:00 -
[1]
It falls to me, as overall commander of Star Fraction forces at the Battle of Space and Freedom starbase in Kamela system, to give our perspective on this event and what arises from it.
In the first instance, I make no bones about the tactical outcome as regards the Star Fraction: a starbase was destroyed and seven carriers lost in the ensuing battle, together with numerous other ships. We must also recognise the loss of allied carriers and I take the opportunity to thank the pilots of those carriers for their efforts. They are deeply appreciated.
Some have pondered the timing of Star Fraction and allied actions but I can honestly say that from our point of view saving that starbase was of secondary importance to other considerations. That is not to say saving the starbase was not an operational objective of the Star Fraction but given it was secondary and given the disposition of forces it was not possible to act to save it.
When allied forces were in a position to attack, we pressed the attack with BYDI, Cry Havoc, REPO, The Final Stand, Dead Terrorists and Minmatar militia forces all taking part. Suggestions of early departure from battle on the part of any of our allies are wide of mark as far as I am concerned. Certainly, some confusion as to positioning arose and when the starbase was destroyed repositioning of a number of the battlegroups was necessary. I was aware of all allied forces remaining in battle well beyond the point of our deploying Star Fraction carriers.
The decision to deploy carriers was not taken lightly by me but I evaluated the chances and considered that the allied forces could take a heavy toll of the enemy and that our carriers could turn the tide. In the event, the course of the battle proved this judgement wrong and I must take the responsibility for that. Nevertheless, our carrier group remained in battle and coherent for some 30 minutes before pressure of enemy fire and electronic warfare began to erode the carrier remote-repairing functions. I pay tribute to our capital commander for his calm and steady demeanour under fire. I also pay tribute to the pilots and crews of all capitals involved.
The arrival of a substantial Caldari militia battlefleet ultimately sealed the fate of the Star Fraction forces. In the face of the numbers of enemy arriving at the battle it would have been understandable for allies to withdraw immediately. They did not. Our allies fought on and between them it appears that the Amarr and Caldari took losses of the order of over 100 ships.
Much has been said about the conduct of the Minmatar militia by our enemies. I have no criticisms of their tactics. Their force operated as guerilla fighters that ultimately reduced the size of the enemy forces during the battle by some considerable margin. This is not to be decried. I note that Cry Havoc and the Final Stand remained in battle considerably beyond the point where their forces were in danger. BYDI forces took significant losses and were forced to withdraw. The Dead Terrorists and Guristas Associates deployed capital assets and lost them. I thank all allies for their participation and salute the fighters who inflicted such heavy losses on the enemy.
The Star Fraction suffered a defeat on this occasion but our allies stood with us and inflicted mighty blows against the enemy.
Importanly, the strategic situation has gained clarity in the light of these events. The position of the Amarr militia's propagandists has for many months been that Kamela is of no importance to them and the presence of Star Fraction forces irrelevant to this conflict. This position is now in tatters.
Going forward, Star Fraction starbase and fleet operations in Kamela, and beyond, continue and we are unbowed.
As a note, an announcement concerning parallel strategic developments will be made at a later date.
The Cosmopolite
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