Maracaibo 20 Feb Spain attacks France

[bhxlej]

Since it was requested in the Spanish Town thread, here an attempt at a PB report - my first, I didn't lead and I died fairly early, so apologies in advance for ommissions and inaccuracies.

Map: Vulcans Caldera
Spain: 20 (2-3 Mace, 1 MB?, very mixed assembly of Frigates, 1 low lvl in Straly)
France: 15 (mostly Mace and HH, a few mixed other Frigates)

French lead GI (Russian), Spain?

Although kowingly outnumbered, France spawns at round shield NE, not tower shield close to fort, and sails S to look for the enemy. Spain also having spawned NE, contact is quickly established and a race around the island develops in a south then west direction. France keeps enough of a lead in the race to have time to establish a defensive line pointing West at the SW corner of the island. The Spanish blow the town gun, then wait briefly to gather their slower ships before charging, with one section moving forward (west) while another section charged North towards the rear of the French line. Very disciplined initial focus fire by the French ensures that the Spanish loss rate is somewhat higher, though all credit to the Spanish Straly which contributed and survived by clever use of hit-and-run tactics. Eventually the battle moves overall in a SW direction, but the French managed to stay both closer to Town and Fort, keeping these options open while both sides continue to incur losses.

With only 8 or so French left and time moving on, the decision was taken to go for the long upwind tack towards town, again with the remaining Spanish in hot pursuit. Eventually 7 French and 9 Spanish reach their respective town entrances and for a time unsuccessfully try to spike each other out from static positions. With only 20 min remaining on the clock, the Spanish enter the town, but in their rush to get the job done fall prey to the French defenders.

France keeps Maracaibo.
Losses: France 8 (during sea phase)
Spain: 11 during sea phase, 9 in avcom

/tiphat both sides

[Samuel Voeckler]

one of the most fun PBs ive been in for weeks

[bertje]

DONT BLOW THE GUN.... unless you are sure you are gonna win.

[Arts]

some ppl wont join TS and dont read battle chat, we was scraeming in both "dont shoot @ Fort defence" but 1 or 2 ppl killed it any way and 3ppl didnt listen again pb leaders and did what they wanted :S

[Johann]

Originally Posted by Arts some ppl wont join TS and dont read battle chat, we was scraeming in both "dont shoot @ Fort defence" but 1 or 2 ppl killed it any way and 3ppl didnt listen again pb leaders and did what they wanted :S

Were those people Russian by any chance?

[Ryokan76]

Originally Posted by Johann Were those people Russian by any chance?

No, they weren't.