Fleet action

Fleet action

A fleet action is a naval engagement involving combat between forces that are larger than a squadron on either of the opposing sides. Fleet action is defined by combat and not just manoeuvring of the naval forces strategically, operationally or tactically without engaging. Most famous large naval battles in history were fleet actions. A fleet action is unrelated to participation of any formation that is a named naval fleet, and usually includes only major parts of such formations.

A "general fleet action" has been defined as one

aimed to destroy, incapacitate or capture the enemy's main body and thereby accomplish the principal strategic objective of the war at sea. [p.147, Vego]
The Battle of Jutland, although consisting of several smaller battles and engagements, came closest to what was considered a general fleet action in the late "long" 19th century. [p.150, Vego]

As an example of fleet action orders, the following were issued by Admiral Spruance commanding United States Fifth Fleet at 1415 on 17 June 1944:

Our air will first knock out enemy carriers, then will attack enemy battleships and cruisers to slow or disable them. Battle line will destroy enemy fleet either by "fleet action" if the enemy elects to fight or by sinking slowed or crippled ships if enemy retreats. Action against the enemy must be pushed vigorously by all hands to ensure complete destruction of his fleet. Destroyers running short of fuel may be returned to Saipan if necessary for refuelling. [p.243, Morison]

In naval history a fleet action has usually been seen as not just another naval battle, but the decisive battle of a given theatre of war that brings about a drastic change in the naval balance of power. The battle of Leyte Gulf is considered the last ever surface battle fleet action in history, and one in which the Allied forces completely destroyed the Japanese fleet, which lost three battleships (including the Yamato), all four aircraft carriers, six cruisers, and more than a dozen destroyers.

ee also

* List of naval battles

Citations and notes

References

* Vego, Milan N., "Naval Strategy and Operations in Narrow Seas", Routledge, 2003
* Morison, Samuel Eliot, "History of United States Naval Operations in World War II: The Battle of the Atlantic, September 1939 - May 1943", University of Illinois Press, Chicago, 2001


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Action of 14 July 1616 — This battle took place on 14 July 16 July 1616 near Cape Khelidonia, south eastern Turkey, between a small Spanish fleet under Ribera, and a large Turkish galley fleet. It was the first regular fleet action between galleons, which had been… …   Wikipedia

  • Action at Cherbourg (1692) — Infobox Military Conflict conflict=Action at Cherbourg partof=the War of the Grand Alliance |date=21st 22nd May(OS)(1st 2nd June(NS)1692 place=Cherbourg, France result=English victory combatant1=France combatant2=England commander1= Anne Hilarion …   Wikipedia

  • Action of 6 November 1794 — Infobox Military Conflict conflict=Action of 6 November 1794 partof=the French Revolutionary Wars caption= date=6 November 1794 (16 brumaire an III) place=400 miles west of Ushant result=French victory combatant1=flagicon|France France combatant2 …   Wikipedia

  • Action of 28 January 1945 — Part of the Second World War …   Wikipedia

  • Fleet problem — was the term by the U.S. Navy to describe each of twenty one large scale naval exercises conducted between 1923 and 1940. They are labeled with roman numerals, from Fleet Problem I through Fleet Problem XXI. A twenty second Fleet Problem exercise …   Wikipedia

  • Action in the Gulf of Sidra (1986) — A VMFA 314 F/A 18A lands on USS Coral Sea (CV 43). Date March, 1986 …   Wikipedia

  • Action of 28 October 2007 — Part of the Operation Enduring Freedom Horn of Africa Skiff burning after taking 25 mm …   Wikipedia

  • Action of 11 May 1560 — is a term to describe a battle that took place on 11 May 1560 near Jerba, Tunisia, and was a victory for an Ottoman Turkish galley fleet under the command of Piyale, over a mixed Christian galley fleet made up of Papal, Maltese, Neapolitan etc.… …   Wikipedia

  • ACTION — This article is about an Australian bus service. For the U.S. government agency, see ACTION (U.S. government agency). Mode Commuter bus Operator …   Wikipedia

  • Action at La Hogue (1692) — Infobox Military Conflict conflict=Battle of La Hogue partof=the War of the Grand Alliance date=21st 24th May OS(1st 4th June(NS)), 1692 place=Saint Vaast la Hougue, France result= English victory combatant1=France combatant2=England… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”