The surface action was fought in an exercise band of about 13,000 to 15,000 yards. At this anticipated range, the higher volume of a 6-inch cruiser battery could be preferable to an 8-inch battery. Rodney and the represented ships of the Third Battle Squadron also fired torpedoes, although maneuver was expected to make some tracks pass ahead of Red. The damage model cut Blue to thirteen knots and assessed Nelson and Rodney at fifty percent out of action before the final reckoning. Blue then lost or effectively lost its battlecruisers and much of its battle line, yet Red's surviving battleships were also slowed and heavily damaged. Calling Red the winner hides how little usable force remained after the exercise. The game measured combat power, formation speed, and follow-on capability instead of reducing the engagement to a binary result.
Notable Point · 55:09-57:17
OA's battle result made victory a costly operational state
Exercise ranges, capital-ship torpedo fire, speed loss, and accumulated damage left Red the nominal winner but with little unhampered force remaining.