戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon
The War Chronicles of Imperial Japan
A Rule the Waves 2 AAR with Japan
Foreword:
This is a machine translation from German. The original German version of this Rule the Waves 2 AAR can be read here: https://www.si-games.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30102 (Registration and login required)
This AAR is based on modifications to the starting conditions to allow Japan in 1905 to have a fleet composition similar to that found in reality. This is offset by a higher budget compared to the AI. Changes were also made to prevent things from escalating as quickly as they typically do in RTW. The goal of the changes is to provide a solid foundation for the story so that it remains somewhat plausible. With conflicts every three to five years, this wouldn't be possible. AI nations were also helped because they chronically neglected the expansion of their overseas bases in RTW2. Some important AI possessions, such as Singapore, were therefore expanded over the course of the game using an editor to support larger AI fleets away from their respective home waters.
While this forum covers the successor, RTW3, the general differences between RTW2 and RTW3 aren't so great that an RTW2 AAR wouldn't provide an insight into the possibilities of RTW3. The Rule the Waves team has approved publication in this forum based on RTW2. Many thanks to the Matrixgames User EwaldvonKleist for the mediation.
The original German After-Action Report was written and published over a period of five and a half years between July 2019 and January 2025. This release here on Matrixgames may be a little faster, but not all at once.
The AAR contains numerous references to historical events and people, or other interesting facts. I've changed these links from German-language sources to English-language sources for this forum. However, it's possible that I've overlooked some links or simply haven't found a usable English source. In that case, please leave a brief note, and I can correct them.
And as mentioned at the beginning, it's an AI translation. Therefore, some sentences may be correctly translated into English, but they don't make sense in English because you wouldn't say them that way. For really bad things, please send me a private message. Then I can learn something – thanks!
Finally: There may be some graphical display errors here, as the Matrixgames BB Code version differs from the one used in the original forum, and not all elements used in the AAR are supported. I'll try to adjust this as best as possible.
Bigfish
001 A new self-image
- - -
002 Dawn of a new century
- - -
003 The Russo-Japanese War of 1904/1905
Naval Battle of the Liaodong Peninsula - July 28 to 29, 1904
Battle of the Yalu Estuary - August 16 to 17, 1904
Fleet Battle of the Yellow Sea - September 22, 1904
Attack on Sasebo - November 05, 1904
Logbook of the hunter-cruiser Iwate from - December 29, 1904
Battle of the Keelung troop transport from - January 7 to 8, 1905
Naval Battle of La Pérouse Strait - April 17, 1905
Second Naval Battle of La Pérouse Strait - June 7, 1905
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004 Big plans – small fleet
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005 Second Russo-Japanese War of 1909
Convoy battle off Mordvinova Bay - June 19 , 1909
Convoy Battle at Cape Mayak Ostrovnoy - July 7, 1909
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006 The Road to Naval Power
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007 First East Asian Colonial War of 1914/1915
Naval Battle of Wēihǎiwèi - March 18, 1914
Attack on Takao - April 15, 1914
Naval Battle of Hainan - May 9, 1914
Second Naval Battle of Hainan - June 10, 1914
Battle of Dangan Dao - November 23, 1914
Battle of the South China Sea - January 9, 1915
- - -
008 The First Aircraft Carrier
- - -
009 Second East Asian Colonial War of 1921/1922
Battle of Naozhou Island - March 02, 1921
Cruiser Battle off British Malaya - June 28, 1921
Battle of Nansan Dao - August 12, 1921
Battle of Takao - September 5, 1921
Advance at Cape Kiritappu - October 24, 1921
Night battle in the Gulf of Tonkin - December 31, 1921
- - -
010 Quo vadis Rengō Kantai?
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011 German-Japanese Spring War of 1929
Naval Battle of the Yellow Sea - March 19, 1929
Convoy battle off Keelung - April 27, 1929
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012 After the war is before the war
- - -
013 Third Russo-Japanese War of 1935
Attack on Vladivostok - January 12, 1935
Invasion of South Korea - May 22, 1935
Cruiser Battle off British Malaya - June 11, 1935
- - -
014 Looking to the future of Asia
- - -
015 War in the Pacific!
The Fiji Incident - July 30 to 31, 1942
First Battle of the Strait of Malacca - September 26, 1942
Cruiser Battle of Singapore - October 18, 1942
Cruiser Battle off Los Angeles - November 21, 1942
Battle of the Mozambique Strait - December 23, 1942
Convoy battle off Tengah Island - January 4 to 5, 1943
Second Battle of the Strait of Malacca - February 9 to 10, 1943
The bombing of Tanganyika - April 29 to 30, 1943
Cruiser Battle off British Malaya - May 22, 1943
Carrier Battle of Guam - July 17 to 18, 1943
- - -
016 The Land of the Rising Sun
#001 A new self-image
Editorship of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, July 12, 1897
"... you'll do that, Satoshi, you've earned it!"
Editor-in-chief Kamata Itachi closed his lecture and left the editorial office.
What an honour to take on this task! I - Osaki Satoshi - have been given the honorable task of continuing the War Chronicles of Imperial Japan of our publishing house. Until now, the popular and notorious Taka Ogawa had served this responsible task in an exemplary manner. Now, however, Ogawa has started his well-deserved retirement and the editor-in-chief has entrusted me with this great task.
What do I know about the war? The nisshin sensō ended in 1895 and during this time I would have had to do my conscription, but still not all conscripts are actually drafted, because Japan lacks the necessary financial means to accommodate and train all conscripts. Although there are fewer and fewer members of the old warrior class – the samurai – in the military and among the conscripts, there is still not enough space for all conscripts in the military.
The nisshin sensō ended two years ago and the ongoing tensions with Korea are not formally a war. But for the past six years, Japan has seen Russia's growing influence in Asia as a threat to its interests. That will be my first task. Editor-in-chief Itachi will take me to the Ministry of the Navy for an interview. It is said that the planning for the "Six-Six Program" has now been completed.
The Six-Six program is the core of the 10-year plan to build a powerful fleet. If the planning has now been completed, then it can only mean that the Navy has finally completed the designs of the armoured ships and armoured cruisers.
Wednesday will certainly be an exciting day!
+ + +
Picture 01: Kyokujitsuki - Flag of the Rising Sun in a 2:3 ratio of the Imperial Japanese Navy
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... _Japan.svg
Author: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:David_Newton
Ministry of Navy of the Imperial Japanese Navy – Wednesday, July 14, 1897
Navy Minister Saigō Tsugumichi was sitting behind a large and heavy wooden desk when editor-in-chief Kamata Itachi and Osaki Satoshi entered his office at the Ministry of the Navy. Kōshaku Saigō Tsugumichi stood up and stepped out from behind his desk. His two guests bowed in greeting to thank them for the honor of being able to conduct an interview with the minister. After the greetings, all three took a seat in a corner of the room on comfortable living room armchairs, as they were more likely to be found in a palace of the European high nobility. In front of them stood a flat, oval wooden table, the top of which was made of marble set in the wood. The decorations were covered with gold and the furniture was certainly worth many times more than the annual salary of both journalists combined.
Picture 02: Minister of the Navy Saigō Tsugumichi
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... ,_1876.jpg
Author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Frederick_Gutekunst
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saig%C5%8 ... ABd%C5%8D
"Now, gentlemen, how can I be of service to the emissaries of the Tōkyō Shinbun?"
"Thank you very much, Minister. On behalf of the entire staff of Tōkyō Shinbun, I would like to thank you for finding the opportunity for an interview despite your limited time," Kamata Itachi began and was immediately interrupted when an orderly entered the room and placed three cups of green tea and a bowl of taiyaki ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiyaki / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagashi ) on the table from a tablet.
"Grab it gentlemen, the taiyaki is very good."
"Thank you, Minister. Minister, is it true that tensions with Russia over the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway are heading to a new peak?"
"Mr. Kamata, we have had this problem since 1891. As you know, Russia supports our opponent China and through this railway line goods and raw materials reach China without us being able to control it. But even more than that, the forced return of the Liadong Peninsula by Russia was a loss of face for our emperor."
"But wasn't this restitution the result of the negotiations with China?"
"Yes, but Russia pulled the strings."
"This is not known to the public, Minister!"
"Yes, of course and it has to stay that way. Imagine the shame for the Emperor if it turns out that we have caved in to the Russians."
"I understand, Minister. And in response, the 10-year plan for building a naval force was drafted?"
"Quite right, gentlemen."
"We have heard that the six-six program is now coming to an end?"
"That's not true, Mr. Osaki, you've listened to nasty rumors."
"Bad rumors? Is it not true that the government has provided several million British pounds sterling to buy the ships?"
"But gentlemen, there is a major transaction ahead."
"And this transaction has to do with the six-six program?"
"Yes, gentlemen, I have been authorized to inform you that our government has signed a contract to British shipyards to build six standard ships of the line."
"Did you say six ships?"
"Yes, gentlemen, the English are building six ships of the line for us."
"But doesn't the six-six program provide for the construction of six ships of the line and six armoured cruisers, Mr. Minister?"
"That's right, Mr. Osaki. We build the six armoured cruisers at our own shipyards, and these orders have also been placed. For two more ships of the line, an option has been placed with the commissioned British shipyards, but my staff has proposed to build more armoured cruisers instead of the ships of the line. These are faster and therefore better suited to represent our interests outside Japan's home waters."
"Outside Japan's home waters - is the military planning expansion?"
"But no, gentlemen, you misunderstood. We must be able to protect our merchant navy wherever it is at sea."
"So these ships have a purely defensive character, Minister?"
"Of course. The Sino-Japanese War has been over for just two years. We can't have a permanent war, Mr. Osaki."
"But we have to be prepared?"
"Of course, Mr. Kamata. Doesn't every country have to be prepared? Isn't that the task of the military?"
"Of course, Mr. Minister!"
"I suppose the plans of the new warships are classified?"
"You take that right, Mr. Kamata."
"So we must not know what the Japanese people will receive in return for their hard work?"
"Well, gentlemen, chief designer Watanabe has prepared some overviews for you, which do not go into too much detail. You will meet him later. However, I must ask them not to publish any information about it in their newspaper."
"But Mr. Minister..."
"Mr. Kamata – I have to insist on that. It would certainly not be an advantage for the Tōkyō Shinbun if it were reported too closely."
"I understand, Mr. Minister – thank you very much, Mr. Minister!"
"Well, gentlemen, you must excuse me now, but my duty calls."
"Thank you very much, Minister. Thank you very much for your frank words."
+ + +
Editorship of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, July 16, 1897
A messenger from the Ministry of the Navy had handed over the documents directly to editor-in-chief Kamata. The transcripts of the explanations by chief designer Watanabe had also been included, but in some places various notes had been removed.
Osaki Satoshi didn't have time to get upset about this censorship, the construction plans were far too interesting for that!
Now Osaki Satoshi sat in the editorial office together with five colleagues and everyone was discussing what the Navy was planning to build.
"So Satoshi, what do you have for us, what is so important?"
"Editor-in-chief Kamata and I were at the Navy Ministry two days ago."
"Oh – did they really let you go in front of Satoshi?"
"Yes – we were allowed to conduct an interview with the Minister of the Navy in person."
"Oh, he must have tied a bear on you. As the military always does with the press and the whole people!"
"It may be Sagawa, but it was noticeable to hear what we are not allowed to report on under any circumstances. And the construction plans here should not be published either!"
"Construction plans? From the new fleet?"
"Yes, plans for the new ships."
"Oh – that's probably top secret, isn't it?"
"Exactly — so why are we being given these documents so generously?"
"Yes, funny – maybe they want to arrest you as spies! Editor-in-chief Kamata has recently been not very friendly with the military with his editorials."
"But then we are not given such comprehensive documents, are they?"
"No, probably not, so what does the Navy want to do with it?"
"As clearly as the Minister of the Navy has emphasized that these details must not be disclosed? I have the impression that we should publish these documents! Editor-in-chief Kamata thinks so too!"
"But – but – that's treason – that's treason. You'll be executed for that!"
"The danger exists, but don't journalists have to put themselves in danger to do their work correctly?"
"But Satoshi, this is about all of our lives! You can't just decide for all of us."
"Sagawa – if these documents are to remain secret, these documents would not have been brought to the editorial office!"
"Yes, that's true again! So what now?"
"Surely the navy wants to show the world that it intends to get involved in the concert of the great maritime powers in the future. With the new fleet, a whole new self-image is emerging in the military! "
"Ahh – that can be Satoshi – that's possible."
"Now don't talk so dullly – finally show us the plans!"
Laughter flowed through the editorial office: "Sakamura, as always, can't wait!"
"So look here – this is a standard ship of the line. Of these, six were ordered in England."
Design: Mikasa-class unit ship of the line
"What? In England? Why is that, we can build our own ships."
"No, Sakamura, we can't. These ships here are bigger than anything we could lay down in our own docks."
"Oh so – that's how big they are?"
"Yes, and these ships are supposed to protect Japan, but they can also be used in our possessions."
"In our possessions?"
"That certainly means Formosa, Sagawa."
"But Formosa is only a possession – singular – not a majority!"
"Yes, that's right, Sagawa, if you emphasize it like that."
"Does this mean that the military is preparing a new war?"
"But the last one was only two years ago and didn't go the way the military wanted."
"But then that could be the reason for a new war?"
"And how good are these ships? If they are built in England, are these ships as good as the English ones?"
"Yes and no, our ships of the line have been able to build smaller guns than the English, but that's probably a question of cost. Our ships should primarily be as cheap as possible, to be able to build as many ships as possible. For this, weight has to be saved and thus the armament and equipment are less good than would be possible."
"But then they'll just be sunk?"
"Not when we have more ships than the enemy in a battle. In addition, the large ships should be able to fight the enemy, but more to distract the enemy. The Navy has a new doctrine according to which protected cruisers and torpedo boats in particular should attack the enemy with their torpedoes. With torpedoes you can sink large ships much easier and faster than with guns."
"Ah – so these ships are just decoys?"
"Yes, you could say that. The actual load is to be borne by large quantities of small and light ships."
"And can they do that?"
"These are the planned torpedo boats. However, these are not to be built until the very end."
Design: Torpedo boat "Akikaze-Class"
Design: Torpedo boat "Minazuki-Class"
"Compared to foreign types, the first draft in particular is very well armed with four torpedo throws, but it is slower and has only one small gun."
"And the second draft?"
"Has only two torpedo launchers, but is faster than the first draft. Unfortunately with a very short range. This type is to be used mainly in the waters around Japan."
"And what kind of ships are they?"
"There are still so-called armored cruisers from the six-six program, these are smaller and less armed than ships of the line, but much faster. If I have understood correctly, these armored cruisers in particular will form the backbone of the fleet in the future and will also generally take care of the protection of the merchant navy. Even in distant places."
Design: Armored Cruiser "Azumi-Class"
"And the next draft?"
"These are protected cruisers. Fast and comparatively heavily armed for the fight against torpedo boats and due to their many torpedoes also capable of becoming dangerous to larger ships."
Design: Izumi-Class Protected Cruiser
"But where would savings be made if the ships are supposed to be cheap?"
"In terms of armor, all ships have low armor compared to other nations. So it really has to be the number and not the quality that decides. Because if these ships are hit, it can have bad consequences."
"And is the number enough?"
"Nobody knows, and we were not told the exact number of individual types. But when I see what other countries spend on their fleets, what Japan is providing is very little."
"So we should spend even more money on these strange things?"
"We will have to do that if we don't want to lose in future naval battles."
"But where is all the money supposed to come from?"
"The Minister of the Navy has not said anything about this, but at the moment there is a lot of panic about Russia."
"Oh, so if the population gets scared, can the military count on more money?"
"Yes, and that will be one of the reasons why we should report on what the military wants to build. The Japanese people should see that all the money is being spent wisely."
"As if war would make sense!"
"You can't say that, Sagawa, you could get into a lot of trouble for that."
"Tell me, Satoshi - have they already brought you into line? You're already talking like one of them!"
"But Sakamura, it's true. Anyone who says something against the military must expect dire consequences."
"Yes, Satoshi, but that's not good!"
"It's not, but should we change that?"
"Better not, otherwise the editorial office will be closed and we will all have to do military service. And then the officers would certainly not be very friendly in their dealings with us."
"Yes, it would be, so we should be very careful and not just say or worse write things like that."
"So Satoshi – when are these ships supposed to be ready?"
"In two to three years Sagawa."
"That's how long it takes?"
"They're the biggest ships we've ever had. That takes time!"
"But tell me, Satoshi, there's still a draft? But there are almost no weapons drawn?"
"These ships also have almost no weapons. For this purpose, you have equipment on board to be able to clear away sea mines."
"Sea mines?"
"You know that - contact torpedoes!"
Picture 03: Sea mine and detonator around 1880 then called "contact torpedo"
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... eemine.JPG
Author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/de:User:KuK
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_mine
"Is it supposed to be fought?"
"Chief designer Watanabe explained to us that in a naval war you have to expect that the enemy will lay such sea mines in front of our own ports."
"Madness – then an enemy can sink our warships without having to fight himself?"
"Well, these sea mines may not be that good, but our merchant ships are seriously threatened. And that's what these corvettes are for. If the enemy uses sea mines, the corvettes will clear away these mines."
Design: Corvette "Asama Maru-Class"
"And what is this?"
"That? I do not know! When chief designer Watanabe showed us the designs, this design was not included!"
"Then we'd better not write anything about it?"
"That's certainly a mistake, the order has certainly packed too many plans.
Surely we shouldn't be allowed to see this one at all."
"It says armored cruiser, but this ship is bigger than a ship of the line. What does that mean?"
"That the Navy has more plans than it wants to admit!"
"So war after all?"
Design: Armored Cruiser "Iwate-Class" (Secret Naval Project in the Area of "Special Tasks")
+ + +
#001 RTW2-JAP#
