ADM 239/261把前衛的職責寫的清清楚楚
如果覺得可以放棄，直接決戰，你可以不要派前衛沒關係，反正你不是海軍將領
1.前衛有跟敵人艦隊做第一時間接觸的職責
If, when the fleet is at sea in daylight, enemy forces are in the vicinity,
they should be reported by reconnaissance forces, and contact should occur
between the advanced forces of the two fleets.
前述Reconnaissance包含航空偵查
因為航空偵查不夠可靠(起碼二戰前都是)
所以前衛接觸後以前衛的情報為主
The primary duty of reconnaissance aircraft is to locate and report both the
enemy battlefleet and aircraft carriers, subsequently keeping them under
observation while endeavouring to remain unseen. When visual contact has been
made between the advanced forces of the two fleets, air reconnaissance will
no longer be needed and these aircraft will take over action observation
duties.
確切一點說 是偵查(Reconnaissance)跟locate的區別
2.引導艦隊的部署方向
It is very desirable that the probable direction of deployment is signalled
early, in order that the cruisers can destroyers can gain an advantageous
position in the van. Until this is signalled, the advanced forces will
endeavour to maintain a position near the line joining the two battlefleets.
As the movements of the enemy flotillas may be an indication of direction of
deployment, it is of the utmost importance that these should be reported to
the Admiral.
3.阻止對手進入雷擊位
The advanced forces will endeavour to prevent enemy flotillas and cruisers
from reaching a position favourable for torpedo attack on the British
battlefleet. The secondary armaments of the battleships will also be used to
counter torpedo attacks, more especially when attacks are developing on the
beam of the battlefleet. In the even of a heavy attack developing, it may
also be necessary for the capital ships to use their main armaments to
disperse enemy flotillas and cruisers.
Screen?我何時談論過Screen的職能? 屏衛就是屏衛
ADM裡也寫到了
無論是高速戰列或戰巡都能執行支援巡洋艦的職責
Either battlecruisers or fast battleships may be detailed to support the
cruisers ahead of the fleet. For convenience these vessels are referred to as
battlecruisers and the instructions which follow apply to either type of
ship, when carrying out this duty.
還有，對於戰場情勢，戰巡傳達的報告是最優先級，相較於前衛隊中其他巡洋和驅逐
Although many reports from other ships of the advanced forces may be
expected, signals from the Senior Officer of the battlecruisers during his
approach and action giving the general situation will be of particular value
to the Admiral.