Wounded:
- Aspirant Ruben Richard (During an incursion into the Dublin system)
- Aspirant Reine Labelle (During an incursion into the Dublin system)
- Aspirant Valentin Bonfils (In defense of planet Leeds against a Bretonian strike force)
- Sous-Lieutenant Florence Giroux (During an incursion into the Dublin system)
- Lieutenant Lilianne Vincent (In defense of planet Leeds against a Bretonian strike force)
Dead:
- Aspirant Eustache Joubert (On a regular patrol in the Tau-23 system)
- Aspirant Roxane Marion (In defense of planet Leeds against a Bretonian strike force)
The wounded are being treated at Planet Lyon. All of them, except for Lieutenant Vincent, should be combat-ready early next month. The Lieutenant herself suffered very serious injuries and has only been stabilized seven hours ago. She should make it, but I'm unsure whether she'll ever be capable of piloting a Lynx again.
For more detail about the operations in which these casualties were sustained, Marechal, refer to this communication's second attachment, which includes all of the dead and wounded's combat reports relating to the month July. In addition, you will find the roster of active pilots still under my command there.
However, Marechal, I would also like to, in this communication, bring up a troubling pattern I have noticed in these reports. Logistics have been able to supply, maintain and arm forty-eight Lynxes and twelve Cougar-class bombers. However, I do not have nearly enough pilots under my command to put these ships to use.
Additionally, my forces are largely composed of lowly Aspirants and the odd Sous-Lieutenant. Pilots with minimal combat experience. One could even argue that they are liabilities in combat.
I am fully aware that competent snub pilots do not fall out of the sky nor grow on trees, Marechal, but I would be grateful if additional forces were assigned to the 112th. We currently are not operating at our full capacity, and those spare XJ-3s are, effectively, wasted.
COMM ID: Marechal Emile Evreux TARGET ID: Capitaine Maurice Cornett SUBJECT: A Solution ENCRYPTION:HIGH PRIORITY:MEDIUM
Capitaine Cornett,
Allow me first to offer my condolence for those lost. These numbers alone are a telling sign of the hardships that have beset your squadron. Unfortunately, the 112th are not alone in this respect and you will know as well as any other of the constant brutal conflict faced by our front line forces and the inevitable loss of life as a result. Were they available, the pilots you require would be assigned to your command at the first opportunity. However, the reality of the situation we face is that the death toll cannot be wholly offset by recruitment.
This issue, now raised, of course begs a solution. An old project, long since abandoned, deemed unnecessary shortly after its inception may hold more merit for the circumstances the navy now finds itself in. Maurice, you've earned your squadron the opportunity to spearhead the reopening of this venture. Talk to a Léandre Desrosiers. I've attached the details of a channel via which you can reach him. Mention shortages of manpower and he'll be quick to latch on to the program I'm referring to.
The rest you can work out for yourself from here; this will be your operation to lead. I'll expect reports back on progress as things move forward as the success of this endeavour is of a personal interest to me.