Written by Shar Tegral   

Wednesday, 12 October 2005

 

A few days ago the TeddyBears successfully baited, and ambushed, the Ushra'Khan. The reported details, by TeddyBears, can be located here. As of yet Eve Guardian has not contacted either organization involved in "Operation Bashing" yet much can be opinioned from the post-action debrief made by Lifewire on the TeddyBear forums.

 

The first thing to point out, about the debriefing statement, is that the news report, mentioned by TeddyBears, was not made by the UK at all. While a few members of the UK were contacted, for information, it is a gross miscarriage of perception to accredit them, with praise or damnation, for any article written by Eve Guardian. If the UK had wished to make a press release regarding the matter it would have been published as so. The errors in our own reporting have been published and apologies offered.

 

Yet it must be said, with all fairness, that ROAAR has reason to demonstrate their capabilities to the warriors of the UK. Perception, being a fickle creature at best, left them in a position of needing to clear the air about which organization is the better combatant. And on this day, this day only, ROAAR delivered some education to the UK and many others.

 

Reading the debrief leaves one with a sense of wonder and appreciation of TeddyBears. The tactical and logistic planning was quite excellent. The strategy of the trap was exquisite. Well done all around. Discounting TeddyBears simply because they are a band of marauding capsuleers is foolhardy in the extreme. While this may have been true before the 9th of October the fact of the matter is now clear for all to see and appreciate.

 

However winning one battle does not a reputation make or, in the case of TeddyBears, change.

 

Honesty compels commenting on the truth of what had occurred that day. And all that occurred was an ambush. A well planned ambush no doubt but still a simple mugging. Even the most inept scoundrel can get it right once. (Not that this action, or ROAAR, was in any way inept!!)

 

In reviewing the actions of the UK, by TeddyBear's report, it is clear that the wise decision, made by the UK Strike Leader, was to retreat. If one was to give any credence to historical literature, the work known as the "Art of War" (author name lost in antiquity) clearly defines and praises the action by the UK Strike Leader.

 

Looking at the action from that perspective it was clear and evident that success could only be gained by the TeddyBears. Consider these objective realities:

 

    * Having a clear purpose (reclamation of their respect).

    * A well defined mission (to ambush the UK).

    * Logistic support to ensure surprise (cloaking equipment and ships brought in by "unknowns").

    * Defending prepared ground (whereas the UK would have little time to assess the forces arrayed against them).

 

 

 

 

When objectively looking at the situation, if it was as ROAAR reported, that makes you wonder why only so few UK ships were lost. Comparing the Ushra'Khan's forces of 25(ish), as the debrief states, it is no wonder that the TeddyBear's force of 13(ish) could effect what appears to be a stunning victory.

 

Stratagems, and those who employ them, require brilliant leaders to ensure their success. Where the TeddyBears initiated their stratagem in drawing the UK in it is clear that the more able commander was the UK Strike Leader. Retreating with so few losses, in what was tantamount to a "turkey shoot" (As a ROAAR pilot noted), does not define a loss but a salvation in the face of overwhelming odds.

 

So, while the scorecard listed by ROAAR as 5 Battleships lost and 2 cruisers (I see no reason, yet, to doubt these claims) in truth this encounter was a draw. ROAAR won on the field of strategy. There is no doubt about that. Mostly because ROAAR had one at that time and the UK forces did not have one.

 

However, through leadership and training, the UK walks away with the tactical win. Where any other highly individualized force (by nature Matari warriors are not a well oiled unit) would have fractured and been eliminated entirely this did not happen. One can clearly see the level of planning that ROAAR did so it was not a tactical failure on their part that the majority of the UK forces escaped no matter how damaged.

 

The fact that the UK forces escaped such a well designed trap stole the win, and the right to boast, from TeddyBear's grip.