Battle of Kalsan Strait

The Battle of Kalsan Strait was a naval engagement with the Volaysian 4th Naval Task Force and the Karostainian Grand Fleet Alpha resulting in a decisive victory for Volaysia. The victory cleared the strait for a planned upcoming amphibious assault that would later be called off due to the Fall of Karostain. However, it was still of some strategic significance as it crippled Karostain's fleet, preventing them from launching any naval offensives for the rest of the war.

The battle would be the only naval action in Helinska to ever have a clash between battleships, as well as the only battle to feature a carrier.

## Background

At the start of the SRJ Reunification War, Volaysia had successfully conducted a surprise naval attack off a Johninian Island, clearing the way for a planned amphibious assault. However, this assault would end up cancelled after the Karostainian Empire launched an attack at the carrier task force off the SRJ's coast.

This attack wouldn't do any damage, as the pilots all missed their bombs, only managing to get one near miss on the light cruiser VNV Harrison. Out of the strike force of 15, 11 would be shot down, and another 1 would crash on the way back home due to a fuel leak caused by damage. However, not only was this attack an utter failure, it would also provoke Volaysia to divert their attention to teaching Karostain a lesson.

Volaysian Task Forces 4 and 5 would set off to the Kalsan Strait, with the overwhelming firepower of the VNV Karlov East and the VNV Falcon as well as their escorts comprising of the heavy cruiser VNV Golsbay, 12 destroyers and 4 light cruisers. the Volaysian plan was relatively simple; Destroy a large amount of Karostainian shipping and bombard airfields near the coast to cripple their offensive abilities.

Volaysia would also be assisted by a small task force sent by Jabeyrack, comprising of four destroyers and the light cruiser JNC Kayeros.

Karostain's fleet in the strait was pitiful quality wise, however in terms of quantity they were powerful, especially for such a small body of water, they had three capital ships, the KNF Fesodia, which was an old pre-dreadnought battleship, the KNF Kurisal, a less outdated carrier and the KNF Beol, another pre-dreadnought. However, the KNF Fesodia was the only ship available for the early stages of the battle. the KNF Kurisal was stuck in Port Vernar receiving repairs after being struck by two torpedos by the VNV Thresher a week before, although her repairs were near completion, and the KNF Beol a few hours away from the KNF Fesodia at the time of first contact

## Prelude

Karostainian readiness was low among the sailors in the Kalsan Strait, with the land battles going on, most sailors did not expect a naval offensive to occur. However, the high command of Karostain were prepared for such anattack, expecting that atleast one of the states that were currently at war with them would attempt a naval invasion, so two fleets had been positioned in the strait in an attempt to defend it.

Volaysia had their strength split into two task forces, Task Force 4 contained the VNV Karlov East escorted by 10 destroyers and 3 light cruisers, including four Jabeyracki destroyers and the JNC Kayeros. Task Force 4 would be the main force responsible for inflicting damage on the Karostainian navy, while Task Force 5 contained the VNV Falcon escorted by 4 destroyers and a light cruiser. Their role would be to launch carrier strikes against enemy ships to support Task Force 4, or strike if any unexpected reinforcements were to appear.

On the Karostainian side, their forces were split among 2 separate entrances, as they weren't sure when, who or where an attack would come from. Fleet 1 had the KNF Fesodia, escorted by 5 destroyers and 2 light cruisers and Fleet 2 had the KNF Beol. escorted by 3 destroyers. The KNF Kurisal was planned to be released from port with its own escorts to form Fleet 3, however, her repairs wouldn't be complete in time for her to be present at the battle.

### Task Force 4 is spotted

At 11:30 AM, Karostainian scouts on the coastline would spot Task Force 4 entering the strait. The information was relayed to Karostainian naval command, however poor communication would lead to this message arriving nearly half an hour later. The ships were also poorly identified by the scouts, the fleet was described as having "2 heavy cruisers and numerous escorts" in the message. This was wrong information as the fleet actually consisted of a battleship and a heavy cruiser, and was very vague in relation to describing the strength of the escorts.

## Battle

At 11:50 AM, the captain of the KNF Fesodia would receive the information concerning the Volaysian task force that'd been spotted, however the message had arrived too late, the enemy task force would make contact in a few minutes, however the Karostainians weren't aware of this.

### Battleship brawl

At 11:54 AM, Volaysian radar would pick up the location of the KNF Fesodia, a few minutes later, the first shots would be fired at a distance of around 24 kilometres.

This was problematic for the Karostainians, as they had been taken by survive and the longest range they could fire was 14 kilometres with the 14 inch guns onboard the KNF Fesodia. So, the Karostainians decided to rush the Volaysian fleet at full speed, which was rather slow, the KNF Fesodia had a max speed of 24 knots, although her lighter escorts were faster, so they would go ahead

### Sinking of the KNF Fesodia

The KNF Fesodia would be struck by many shells which pierced through the majority of her armour, however most of these did not hit any vital components, although they did cause flooding and start fires. The main cause of her sinking would be her forward magazine detonation. At around 12:05 PM, while the KNF Fesodia was in range and firing back at VNV Karlov East, a shell fired from Karlov East's main battery would strike just below above her forward magazine, this would start a fairly large fire and a few minutes later, at 12:09 PM, the fire would reach and detonate the forward magazine.

The damage from this detonation was devastating, a large hole was ripped through the bow which would later lead to the entire bow severing off from the rest of the ship. Massive fires from the explosion would spread to the rest of the ship, and significant crew casualties were caused from the initial explosion. 10 minutes later, the KNF Fesodia would have a shell hit the bridge, killing all of her command staff, this left the sailors onboard with no organised leadership, so the ship would end up firing disorganised, ragged salvos, they would also suffer heavily in terms of accuracy, as the range finder would be destroyed.

At 12:25 PM, while still receiving fire and suffering from catastrophic flooding the majority of the crew would decide to abandon ship, while some still insisted on staying and fighting until the bitter end. However, the large fires that had spread across the deck had destroyed most of the lifeboats, and the ones that were still intact were blocked by a ferocious wall of flames that would surely kill any crew member that attempted to get through. Launching the lifeboats would have also been a challenge as the flooding near the bow caused by the prior magazine detonation had resulted in the ship tilting forwards.

The KNF Fesodia would slip beneath the waves at 12:32, almost all of her crew would perish. Only 23 would survive in the end by clinging on to various pieces of floating debris until being picked up by the VNV Karlov East.

### Destroyer skirmish

While the VNV Karlov East and the KNF Fesodia brawled, the lighter ships escorting both ships would partake in their own battle. Both fleets of lighter ships would steam towards eachother at full distance to close the gap, the first shots would be fired by the Jabeyracki light cruiser, JNC Kayeros at a range of 7 kilometres. At around 6 kilometres most of the ships turned to face their broadside towards the opposing fleet and participated in a ranged gun duel.

At 12:01, the Karostainian destroyer KNF General Minver would lay smoke and retreat after suffering heavy damage and having raging fires on the deck. 15 of her crew were lost.

At 12:02, around the same time, two Karostainian destroyers, the KNF Kartep and the KNF Anzatar would both end up sinking. The KNF Kartep was suffering from flooding after being hit by a large amount of 7 inch shells from the main guns of the VNV Paners light cruiser, as well as her numerous smaller secondary armaments. The crew would abandon ship at 12:02, however the ship would actually sink at 12:32. 190 of her 387 man crew would be lost.

The KNF Anzater would end up being sunk by a Volaysian destroyer, after a lucky shot would strike her rear magazine and cause a detonation that rocked the ship. Water poured in to the stern, however her crew were more insistent on fighting so they would fight until the absolute end. For their effort they were able to inflict moderate damage on the Volaysian destroyer, however they would end up going down with all hands on deck.

At 12:04, two Karostainian destroyers would launch a spread of 10 torpedos in total, mainly aimed at light cruisers, however these would all miss.

The first Volaysian ship lost would be at 12:25, when the VNV Carnea would end up sinking after being struck by multiple shells by the Karostainian light cruiser KNF Lornaz. 120 of the 329 man crew would perish. Most were able to survive the sinking as the lifeboats were able to be successfully deployed.

### Remnants of fleet 1 retreat

At 12:25, with the KNF Fesodia slipping beneath the waves, the VNV Karlov East would switch targets to assist the destroyers and light cruisers. Seeing this, the Karostainian ships would wisely retreat, laying smoke. However, the combined Volaysian-Jabeyracki fleet was determined to sink a few more ships. So they would pursue for a few minutes. The VNV Karlov East would provide long range fire with her main guns although she wouldn't be able to keep up for long as the nimble destroyers would soon escape out of her range. However, the destroyers were able to continue the chase but it was decided not to, as the KNF Beol was still active, and Karostainian aircraft could attempt to attack from airfields near the coast; leaving the battleship escortless with these threats still active would be risky.

From this first battle, the total losses were just 1 destroyer sunk on the Volaysian side, with a battleship (the VNV Karlov East), 4 destroyers and 1 light cruiser (the JNC Kayero) having sustained minor to moderate damage, however for most of the ships, their damage was non critical enough to be quickly patched up and made ready for the next encounter except for two destroyers, one Volaysian and the other Jabeyracki, which would both have to break off and return to port to repair. Total crew losses were 120 from the VNV Carnea's sinking plus 15 killed on damaged ships, totalling 135.

On the Karostainian side, the losses were much more severe. The battleship KNF Fesodia had sunk as well as two destroyers, the KNF Kartep and the KNF Anzatar. 2 other destroyers were heavily damaged, 1 was moderately damaged, and both light cruisers were damaged. 2754 crew members were lost. Only a single destroyer was undamaged out of all the ships on the Karostainian side. Fleet 1 would end up having to retreat back to various shipyards, taking them out for the rest of the battle. Now it was just up to Fleet 2 to take on Task Force 4 and Task Force 5 which the Karostainians were still completely unaware of.

### Air attack on Task Force 4

After the devastating encounter with Task Force 4 at noon, Fleet 2 decided that it'd be best to engage the Volaysian fleet after an airstrike had softened it up. A small strike group would be formed from nearby airfields consisting of 6 dive bombers and 9 land based bombers, giving them 15 planes in total. Although only the dive bombers would be of any use for hitting moving ships, and there were only 6 of them. Not nearly enough to brave an onslaught the anti air weaponry carried by Task Force 4's 7 remaining destroyers, three light cruisers and the battleship itself. But Karostainian command would decide to send this underpowered force anyways while fully aware of Task Force 4's strength thanks to reports provided by the surviving ships that were with the Fesodia.

At 1:12 PM, Task Force 4 would pick up the incoming bombers on radar, the idea of scrambling fighters from the VNV Falcon to provide combat air patrol was considered, but in the end was decided against as there was decent distance between the two task forces and the fighters likely wouldn't arrive in time.

Karostainian bombers would spot Task Force 4 at 1:30 PM and commence their attack. The skilled anti air gunners of the Volaysian navy were able to put up a formidable wall of fire, making it difficult for the bombers to hit their targets. The land based bombers however were immune to the anti air fire due to their extreme height, but this also severely hampered their accuracy when they already had poor chances of hitting a moving ship in ideal conditions. So out of the 9 land based bombers, all of them would manage to drop their bombs, but they would score zero hits.

The dive bombers stood a better chance of scoring hits, but there were only 6 of them, and they were not immune to anti air fire like the heavier land based bombers were. Four were shot down before they even managed to drop their bombs, and the two that did drop would both miss and they would both be shot down.

### Air strike against the KNF Beol

Not wanting to risk another surface engagement or further air attacks but without the element of surprise on their side, Volaysia decided to attempt to sink the KNF Beol with a carrier strike, or heavily damage the ship and send the Karostainian navy into a retreat or simply finish it off in a surface action if absolutely necessary.

A strike force containing 24 planes (16 torpedo bombers and 8 dive bombers), started the launching procedure at 2:10 PM, all planes were up in the air by 2:34 PM; it had only taken 24 minutes to launch the strike thanks to the skilled pilots of the Volaysian navy.

The strike force arrived at the KNF Beol's position an hour later, at 3:45 PM. The two formations of dive bombers and torpedo bombers split into two forces to conduct an anvil attack on the battleship. This wasn't great news for the KNF Beol, as she was only escorted by 4 destroyers, 1 of which was originally escorting the KNF Fesodia, however decided to join up with the Beol to continue the fight.

Out of the strike force of 16 torpedo bombers and 8 dive bombers, 6 of the 8 dive bombers would get to drop their bombs scoring 2 hits on the KNF Beol. One bomb struck the aftmost turret, taking it out of action, while the other bomb would unfortunately dud and be thrown overboard by nearby sailors. The torpedo bombers however, would inflict alot more damage. Out of 16 torpedo bombers, 11 would launch their torpedos, and 5 would hit.

The first two torpedos struck near the centre on the port side, knocking out most of the Beol's boilers and reducing her speed to 5 knots. Making her an easy target for the next three torpedos. The other three would strike near the bow or stern.

In total, Karostainian anti air was able to down 4 Volaysian aircraft. 259 Karostainian sailors were killed.

### Scuttling of the KNF Beol

The KNF Beol would soon develop a severe list to port as a result of flooding. Counterflooding was initially ordered to somewhat contain the damage, however this put the ship at sinking, so it was used sparingly. Damage control on the KNF Beol struggled to control the flooding, but the crew fought as hard as they could against the various flooding compartments. But by 4:20 PM, it was evident that the KNF Beol could not be saved. Abandon ship was ordered, and the crew would be taken onto nearby destroyer escorts. Once all the crew were taken off except for the captain, who decided to go down with his ship, the KNF Beol was scuttled by being struck with more torpedos.

### Destroyers charge Task Force 4

After the KNF Beol was scuttled, the three destroyers that were escorting it briefly went to drop off the crew they had evacuated off the ship, before deciding that they should have a final stand by attempting to charge Task Force 4 and fire all their torpedos at the fleet, hoping to score a lucky torpedo hit on one of the ships, mainly VNV Karlov East.

Task Force 4 would detect the three destroyers on radar at 6:20 PM, Task Force 4 would steam ahead to meet the contacts head on.

At 6:40 PM, both side spotted eachother with visual sight, seeing that they were destroyers, the VNV Karlov East turned away, facing her stern towards them to minimise the risk of being hit by torpedos, while the lighter escorting ships sailed forward to use their lighter guns which were more suited for sinking lighter ships. With the VNV Karlov East being out of torpedo range, the Karostainian destroyers decided to fire their spreads of torpedos at the lighter ships, however, unsurprisingly, given the nimble nature of destroyers and light cruisers, these all missed. The Karostainian destroyers then turned around and started sailing away. However, the Volaysians were determined to not let them get away again, giving chase.

At 6:58 PM, the first Karostainian destroyer was sunk, the KNF Varken, with all hands on deck. Following her sinking, the other two destroyers started laying smoke, which made it more difficult for the Volaysians to target them properly, but it also did the same to the Volaysians, as the Karostainian gunners were blinded by the smoke. Regardless, both sides persisted.

At this point, with the Karostainian destroyers in full retreat, even the VNV Karlov East started giving chase, although her accuracy against such small and nimble targets was low at this range, even a single shell from her main gun could have the possibility of completely sinking a destroyer if it hit a critical component.

At 7:15 PM, a near miss from the VNV Karlov East bracketed the KNF Lamern, but she persisted on fleeing while returning fire.

At 7:21 PM, the Volaysian destroyer VNV Oslakeetun would be forced to retreat due to suffering heavy damage.

At 7:30 PM, the KNF Lamern would suffer a magazine detonation after a shell from the JNC Kayeros would strike the aft turret magazine, this detonation would rock the ship, kill her engine power and start raging infernos. Soon after, the KNF Lamern's crew would abandon ship, boarding lifeboats. The survivors would be picked up by the JNC Kayeros herself. 180 of the 329 man crew were able to survive

At 7:35 PM, with morale running low, the last destroyer would come to a halt and surrender to Task Force 4. Her crew would be taken prisoner and the ship would be torpedoed to ensure its sinking.

Task Force 4 suffered from 1 heavily damaged ship and 19 crew losses, while the Karostainian destroyers suffered 3 destroyers sunk with the loss of 491 crew with an additional 316 captured.

### Bombing of Port Vernar

With the battle practically won, Task Force 4 and 5 sailed up to Port Vernar and demanded the surrender of the garrison of 300 men. When they refused, the VNV Karlov East commenced a devastating bombardment which was also coordinated with an attack by dive bombers from the VNV Falcon. WIth the anti air gunners either being killed or disoriented during the naval bombardment, they weren't able to effectively fire back at the planes.

In the aftermath of the bombardment, the KNF Kurisal which was nearly done with her repairs was damaged beyond repair, and would have to be scuttled by Karostain after the battle. and 390 men including soldiers, disembarked sailors from the docked KNF Kurisal and personnel from the garrison were killed,

## Conclusion

After the bombardment of Port Vernar, Volaysian forces would leave Kalsan Strait and return to port, two new task forces would be dispatched in their place to blockade both entrances to the strait.

The Battle of Kalsan Strait was a clear decisive victory for Volaysia, the Karostainian navy had been crippled and dealt heavy losses in exchange for very minimal losses on the Volaysian side.

### Casualties:

#### Volaysian/Jabeyracki:

* 1 Destroyer sunk
* 4 Planes shot down
* 174 Sailors
* 4 Pilots
* 158 Total personnel lost

#### Karostainian:

* 2 Battleships sunk
* 1 Fleet Carrier critically damaged in port
* 5 Destroyers sunk
* 6 Planes shot down
* 3504 Sailors killed
* 269 Soldiers killed (Port Vernar Garrison)
* 101 Dock workers killed (Port Vernar)
* 319 Sailors captured
* 4193 Total personnel lost (3874 killed + 319 captured)

## Strategic Significance

In the battles aftermath, Karostain's main Helinskan battle fleet had been crippled. Although the KNF Kurisal was still afloat, she was severely damaged, and would not be repaired in time before the wars end. With the reduced naval prescence, Volaysia was able to blockade the strait, preventing Karostainian commerce raiders from venturing out into open waters to disrupt merchant shipping.

Initially, Volaysia had planned for a naval invasion of Eastern Karostain to follow up the naval action, however this plan would end up cancelled with the surrender of Karostain and the subsequent end of the war.