Why does this fleet retreat?

[StarJack]

Big fleet with superb supply and full ordinance against a pathetic enemy in a goof off game (to learn why crap like this happens) and they retreat from combat. Can someone please tell me why?

[Randallw]

2 ideas at first.

You say pathetic enemy. Was it your entire fleet versus some fighters? perhaps your ships don't have weapons capable of targeting fighters.

Are you sure your ships (or fleet) didn't get an order along the lines of don't get hurt?

[Suicide Junkie]

Also common: Buggered strategy.

Take a look at the empire options, strategies section at the bottom.
If the strategies have null entries at the bottom, things are going wrong.

Delete the strategies and "New" some more (don't copy a bad one)

[Santiago]

Smart crews perhaps?

[StarJack]

The fleets have an arrowhead formation, and a strategy of optimal firing range. They went threw the system behind them blasting planets and small fleets with no problem. Got to their current system, retreat for no apparent reason. I sent them back to resupply fully, send them back to this system, they retreat for no reason. I looked under optimal firing range strategies and do not see anything that would cause the fleet to suddenly start retreating, I don't see any 'empty' or 'null' entries, not sure if you meant literally?

Oh, and no fighters involved but I have plenty of PD. The weird thing is the fleet was going along just fine and then, pffffft..

[Captain Kwok]

Did you sign any new treaties with a No Bombardment clause?