I have done extensive research on this but keep coming across what appears to be conflicting information, so I am hoping the knowledgeable base here can shed some clarification on my question.
I am confining my question specifically to the Galaxy-class Enterprise NC 1701-D but from my understanding of their general design, the Sovereign-class Enterprise NC 1701-E should also behave much the same (indeed including the Prometheus-class which should be able to do the saucer separation).
My question revolves around the Saucer separation which happens in the 'Encounter at Farpoint' episode and also the a couple other times such as the 'The Arsenal of Freedom'. In one it appears that the "battle bridge" is on the saucer portion and the "civilian" portion is the rest of the ship. But in others, it's the saucer that goes away with people and the "body" if you will does the battle.
So I am a bit confused, which portion, the saucer or the body is the ACTUAL battle bridge, during separation for combat?