Just what are 'acceptable' casualties?

[Sea Skimmer]

Duh. Military losses are acceptable as long as the mission objective is accomplished.
Civilian casualties should be kept as low as possible.
Famous example: battle of jutland.
Though the german's High Seas Fleet sunk more warships than the british, the long-term effect was that after the battle the german fleet never left the home again during most of WWI.

Actually they were back out seeking an another fleet action within two months, and later made several other major deployments against both the British and Russians.

[Cpt_Frank]

Yeah that's why I said most time the High Seas fleet didn't do anything significant after the battle of jutland anymore until the great scuttling at scapa flow.
Always wanted to make a visit there, perhaps to the König or the Markgraf.