Comments by "Gregory Wright" (@gregorywright4918) on "The Drydock - Episode 287 (Part 1)" video.

  1. (43:30) The bypassed islands and bases were essentially POW camps, the seas around them acting as wire and some left-behind units as distant guards. As Drach mentions they were used as live-fire training opportunities for new or transiting units, and they were patrolled to prevent resupply attempts. Food was the biggest problem they had, a number of them developed extensive gardens to try to feed the remaining garrisons. Unfortunately tropical islands do not grow rice (or many other crops) very well.
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  2. (37:45) From what I've read, the portrait of the Emperor was the "embodiment" of the Emperor possessing His Imperial Ship, and was considered the most treasured item aboard the ship. Part of the ceremony of transferring the portrait was an "apology" to His Highness for the failure of the officers and crew to protect the ship, conquer the enemy and bring glory to His Highness. It was a very sad ceremony, and officers would sometimes promise to go down with the ship as a sign of their recognition of their own failure and their devotion to the Emperor. The Imperial flag was a secondary sign of the nation and the Emperor, so lowering that was another sign of failure. Loss of life due to the delay in evacuation would not be considered, because they were already dishonored by their failure and were trying to make amends by reverently preserving His portrait.
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