The Chanzy is officially back in service after a period of repair and refit at the Issoudun yards in Languedoc. We have received software and hardware upgrades to our Javeline SSM launcher, a replacement Trébuchet mount to improve slewing time, and minor calibrations and zeroing for our other weapon systems. Additionally, we took on new crew and stores and conducted necessary trainings.
I am happy to report that we have been busy since our return to the front. With our offensives in California and New London gaining significant ground, my ship and crew have contributed far beyond their share. In California we participated in a small squadron-sized engagement against two Liberty battlecruisers, the Mount Hood and Utah. We claimed the latter for ourselves and have added it to our kill wall.
Upon our return to the tripartite staging position at Southampton Shipyard, we were dispatched to Leeds in order to guard our flank pending an upcoming engagement in New London. We encountered and destroyed the Colonial Republic cruiser Dauntless with ease, bringing our kill count to two capital ships within a week of our return to frontal naval operations.
After destroying the enemy cruiser, we reinforced the Marine's push against the New London defensive perimeter. All praise goes to the helm and damage control teams for keeping Chanzy intact during this battle. We were engaged at one point by two battlecruisers and a Dunkirk-class battleship. However, we were undeterred and continued to provide supporting fire.
An enemy bomber made the fatal mistake of assuming a damaged Chanzy to be an easy target and made a close bombing run while our shields were down. At the apex of the bomber's approach we recharged the aft shields with our on-board batteries, causing the enemy's munitions to deflect and detonate in his face. In this fashion, we claimed our third kill.
At this point our combined fire had driven off or destroyed all enemy capital ships. Upon our return to Le Cendre, a lone Bretonian battleship was spotted on our search scanners attempting to run the cordon. We believe this captain was attempting a suicide run against the Beauvray, but we will never know for sure. My own vessel and Le Bagarreur under Commandante Nicholas D'Schwartz made short work of the enemy vessel Vanguard, which went the way of the York. I wonder how many capital ships the enemy has left to whittle away against our line.
The performance of our fleet against substantial odds was second to none as always. I place high credit on my crew and fellow captains. In particular I would like to pass up my formal suggestion for Commandante D'Schwartz to receive official commendation for his conduct and leadership under fire. Without the skillful contribution of Monsieur D'Schwartz, much of our fleet - this vessel included - might have been otherwise lost.
Enclosed are my personnel reports. I will notify the families by Poste Royale personally in the next few days. I have enclosed twenty-eight recommendations of official award for personnel under my command. All salvaged material has been transferred to fleet logistics.
Mort au Combat: 4
Enseigne de vaisseau de première classe Louis Martel
Maître Apollinaire Soucy
Quartier-maître de 2e classe Frédéric Marie
Quartier-maître de 2e classe Josselin Daviau
Blessé au Combat: 7
Captaine de vaisseau Alaric J.P. Favager d'Astier
Lieutenant de vaisseau Joachim Ferdinand-Edgard
Aspirant Marcellin Fabre
Premier-maître Gustave Noel
Matelot breveté Gaspard Charbonneau
Matelot breveté Morgan de Orleans
Matelot Quentin Chanal
Porté Disparu: 0
Prisonniers Pris: 168
Libértain: 51
Colonial: 27
Bretonien: 90
Matériaux Récupérés des Navires Ennemis
211 missiles
86 mines
25 tons of neodymium
18 tons of silver
15 tons of H-fuel
Glory to Gallia, and Long Live Roi Charles XI.
Très Respectueusement, Capitaine de vaisseau Alaric Jean-Paul Favager d'Astier
Commandant, RNS Chanzy