戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Tue Sep 23, 2025 4:40 pm

Bigfish

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

- - -

004 Big plans – small fleet

- - -

005 Second Russo-Japanese War of 1909

Convoy battle off Mordvinova Bay - June 19 , 1909
Convoy Battle at Cape Mayak Ostrovnoy - July 7, 1909

- - -

006 The Road to Naval Power

- - -

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?

- - -

011 German-Japanese Spring War of 1929

Naval Battle of the Yellow Sea - March 19, 1929
Convoy battle off Keelung - April 27, 1929

- - -

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#

EwaldvonKleist · Post by **EwaldvonKleist** » Thu Sep 25, 2025 3:57 pm

I am most happy to see that your awesome AAR will be available for a public and English speaking audience!

To all readers, prepare for the most detailed RtW2 AAR you have ever seen, with a character based storyline and detailed reporting of all game events.
Best regards
EvK

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Thu Sep 25, 2025 4:54 pm

#002 Dawn of a New Century

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Thursday, August 17, 1899

>> Great excitement in Yokosuka <<

Under the gaze of hundreds of onlookers, the first two of the six new ships of the line of the Imperial Japanese Fleet built by Vickers in Barrow-in-Furness were received yesterday afternoon in Yokosuka.

Also in Yokosuka, four of the six Japanese-built Asama-class armored cruisers have been anchored for three months. The takeover of the remaining armoured cruisers is to take place this month.

Slowly but surely, the Navy's naval armament program is nearing completion. Admittedly, with their natural simplicity due to the spartan furnishings, the standard liners of the Mikasa class have an almost timeless elegance without frills and chichi.

Picture 04: Original ship of the line of the Japanese Navy Mikasa
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Japa ... Mikasa.jpg
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_ ... ip_Mikasa

However, the turrets of the Mikasa are a true monstrance and they are not even the largest guns. It is rumored that other nations already have gun barrels with a caliber of 13inches or even 14inches. That would be significantly more than the 11inches of our ships.

Picture 05: Front twin turret of the Mikasa
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MIKASAGUNS.jpg
Author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:User:PHG

It has been leaked from the ministry that the fleet leaders have also expressed concerns about the performance of the Mikasa. In a secret memorandum, it was therefore demanded to build significantly more than the torpedo boats previously planned. In these torpedo boats, parts of the operational command see the better chances of reacting to enemy ships of the line.

The representatives of the "bigger-bigger doctrine" in the admiral's staff are said to have reacted angrily with a counter-proposal to even larger and more expensive ships of the line. According to reports, last-minute fisticuffs were prevented by Admiral Itō Sukeyuki – the hero of the Battle of Yalu.

Picture 06: Admiral Itō Sukeyuki – Successful in the First Sino-Japanese War
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... keyuki.jpg
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%C5%8D_Sukeyuki
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Sino-Japanese_War
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of ... ver_(1894)

The disputes within the navy are only surpassed by a tangible conflict between the navy and the army. However, the Tennō itself is now said to be willing to recognize the Navy as a branch of the armed forces and thus grant the Navy direct access to the Tennō.

With this, the hardliners in the navy have finally prevailed over the army, which has so far had the say over the navy in the command structure (info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_ ... adquarters).

There are increasing voices among the population that the massive rearmament of our naval forces cannot mean anything good and that the financial resources should be better used to support the impoverished rural population. The situation in Japan is thus becoming increasingly confusing and the reaction of the naval leadership can be awaited with bated breath.

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Tuesday, December 12, 1899

>> Navy completes its 10-year plan <<

Minister of the Navy Yamamoto Gonnohyōe yesterday commented on the status of the 10-year plan for the modernization of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Picture 07: Minister of the Navy Yamamoto Gonnohyōe – Actively prepared the Russo-Japanese War
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... to1904.jpg
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamamoto_Gonnohy%C5%8De

The minister said that with the arrival of the protected cruiser Izumi five days ago at the Sasebo Naval Base, the first part of the construction of a Competitive Naval Force had been completed. According to this, the Imperial Japanese Navy has the following units as of today:

- 6 Mikasa-class ships of the line (B)
- 6 Azumi-class armoured cruisers (CA)
- 2 Iwate-class armoured cruisers (CA)
- 4 Izumi-class protected cruisers (CL)
- 24 Akikaze-class torpedo boats (DD)
- 24 Minazuki-class torpedo boats (DD)
- 12 Asama Maru-class corvettes

Picture 08: The original Izumi in the port of Sasebo
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... o_1908.jpg
Author: N/A - Mikasa Memorial Museum
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_ ... lda_(1883)

Thus, the Navy has not yet succeeded in fulfilling the Plan goals in all areas. The amended original modernization plan provides for the following numbers of naval units by 1905 at the latest:

- 6-7 ships of the line (B)
- 6-8 Armored Cruisers (CA)
- 9-16 Protected Cruisers (CL)
- 24 torpedo boats (DD)
- 63 Corvettes (KE)
- 60 Auxiliary Cruiser (AMC)

According to the naval command, the auxiliary cruisers in particular should not be equipped with armament in peacetime, but talks should be held with the shipping companies in the country as to which cargo and passenger ships are particularly suitable for use as auxiliary cruisers in the event of war? These ships should then have been prepared as far as possible for use as auxiliary cruisers during the regularly required shipyard overhauls.

To this day, the naval leadership has not succeeded in convincing the shipping companies to designate and convert such ships. The shipping companies do not want to accept the necessary reduction in the transport capacities of their ships without compensation, nor do they want to bear the costs of the conversions and the extended shipyard layovers.

Instead of these 60 auxiliary cruisers, the Navy now plans to comply with the wishes of its fleet commanders and significantly increase the number of torpedo boats and corvettes.

The Navy has awarded contracts to domestic shipyards to build the following units:

- 4 Izumi-class protected cruisers (CL)
- 12 Akikaze-class torpedo boats (DD)
- 12 Asama Maru-class corvettes

All ships of this second order generation are to be available to the fleet within two years.

Current Build Orders (Legacy Fleet at the start of the game)

Instead of a large number of corvettes, the emphasis will be placed on the torpedo boat class. How the request for the non-existent auxiliary cruisers will be dealt with was left open by the Minister of the Navy. From lower positions in the Navy Ministry, it was learned behind closed doors that additional armored cruisers with extra long range might be ordered for this purpose.

Even with these additional ships, the Navy is missing a total of almost 60 units compared to the planned figures. These must therefore be awarded and built within the next 5 years.

It can already be said that Japan continues to lag behind the other major maritime powers, especially in terms of larger ships.

Legacy Fleets of All Nation at Game Launch – January 1900

Author's note: According to my information, Japan had 60 auxiliary cruisers in service in the first Russo-Japanese War. To my knowledge, real auxiliary cruisers were built by converting requisitioned merchant ships, whereby the conversion time usually took 2-3 weeks. Here in the game, Auxiliary Cruisers (AMC) have to be built normally, with a construction time of 3-4 months. Under the regular conditions of RTW2, this is simply not possible. This is another reason why i have made the budget increase of Japan (and the AI nations) mentioned at the beginning. I compensate for the lack of auxiliary cruisers with additional torpedo boats.

+ + +

Special edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Sunday, December 31, 1899

>> A new century begins <<

The old century ends unpleasantly! Just one day before the turn of the year, a British fleet squadron arrived in Hong Kong. Initial information that the British Admiralty only wanted to grant its sailors special leave to welcome the 20th century proved to be false within a few hours.

Rather, it has turned out that these ships are intended to remain permanently in the "China Station" ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commande ... yal_Navy) ). Since the new arrivals also include large ships of the line and armored cruisers, this represents a completely new situation. So far, "China Station" has only had older protected cruisers and small gunboats for use on the Chinese rivers.

The Minister of the Navy spoke of an unpleasant situation with the British Kingdom, which has so far been friendly. In response to the significant increase in British naval forces in South-East Asia, the Minister of the Navy has announced that several Japanese warships will be transferred to the small naval base on Formosa later today. At the same time, the Navy has pledged funding from its budget for the expansion of the Formosa naval base. Furthermore, the naval leadership had agreed on a "two-thirds-one-third doctrine", according to which two-thirds of the Japanese fleet should be stationed in home waters and one-third of the fleet in Formosa.

Current situation report of the Naval Intelligence Service on the fleet distribution in Southeast Asia

This is intended to counter any interests of other nations in the island of Formosa. At the same time, Japanese home waters would be protected in advance, because advances by foreign naval forces can be detected at an early stage.

The government does not expect increased tensions between Japan and the British Empire due to the direct opposition of these two naval units. However, there were objections from the Russian side, which sees this as Japan's aggressive will to expand, which is also the sole purpose for the massive renewal and rearmament of the Japanese fleet.

In a letter to Tsar Nicholas II, the Tennō himself rejected the Russian accusations as unfounded and rather made a point of noting that it was Russia that was flaunting its aggressive attitude to the world with this new provocation.

Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe added that Japan would easily deal with the Russian fleet if these floating wrecks were ever able to travel all the way from the Baltic States to the Sea of Japan. The Imperial Japanese Navy would be ready at any time for rescue measures of sinking Russian ships of the line.

Overview of the division of the world in January 1900

+ + +

#002 RTW2-JAP#

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Thu Sep 25, 2025 7:09 pm

#002 Dawn of a New Century

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Wednesday, January 10, 1900

>> Imperial Japanese Navy continues to fall behind <<

While our navy spends only a small amount on the training of its sailors and has also significantly increased its research budget, it sounds from all other countries in the world how many magnificent new warships have now been laid down again. The Japanese Navy, which is already small, does not have the financial means to afford such arms spending.

On the contrary! Workers at the Kure Naval Shipyard, which belongs to the 小野浜造船所 (Onohama Zōsenjo), are increasingly complaining about the untenable conditions at the shipyard, which have already led to delays in the completion of several ships under construction. Once again, Japan's ambitions have little correspondence with the reality of Japan's industrial capabilities.

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Friday, April 27, 1900

>> Navy takes delivery of the first new torpedo boats <<

The Imperial Japanese Navy today took delivery of two of the twelve new torpedo boats under construction in Sasebo. The crisis of the throwing industry in Japan thus shows its full extent, because actually all twelve torpedo boats under construction should have been completed in April. Meanwhile, the development of the Royal Navy in particular continues to progress, as the foreign newspapers have headlined it in recent months.

It is of little use if the Admiralty deals with new ideas for modern naval battles, the Imperial Japanese Navy simply lacks the necessary ships.

>> France loses outstanding commander in the Battle of Kousséri <<

On 22 April, the French forces lost their commanding officer Amédée-François Lamy at the Battle of Kousséri. Likewise, the warlord Rabih az-Zubayr ibn Fadl Allah of the opposing force was killed during the battle. As the French ambassador announced yesterday to Foreign Minister Aoki Shūzō, France has ended the expansion of its colonial territory with the battle won.

Picture 09: The moment of death of Amédée-François Lamy in the Battle of Kousséri
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... t_Lamy.jpg
Author: N/A - http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigi ... m=&pos=24#
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kouss%C3%A9ri
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Am%C3%A9d ... A7ois_Lamy
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabih_az-Zubayr

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Tuesday, May 15, 1900

>> Navy pushes development of its weapon systems <<

After the Navy lost touch with the shipbuilding programs of the major European nations, Minister of the Navy Yamamoto Gonnohyōe announced that the Imperial Japanese Navy had to make up for the lack of quantity with quality. Therefore, extensive changes have been made in the budgeting of naval research with the aim of accelerating the areas identified by the naval leadership as urgent.

>> Major sporting event started in Paris <<

The 1900 Summer Olympics began yesterday in Paris. The competitions are particularly popular as part of the accompanying programme of the World Exhibition.

Picture 10: Affiche Jeux Olympiques Paris 1900
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... s_1900.jpg
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900_Summer_Olympics

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Friday, June 22, 1900

>> Japanese shipyards are the focus of the naval leadership <<

Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe called the behavior of the shipyard management unacceptable. The delays in the completion of the protected cruiser Yaeyama have reached worrying proportions. Officials from the 大蔵省 (ōkura-shō – Ministry of Finance) have raised the question of whether it would not be more economical to demolish the half-finished Yaeyama and start construction again.

>> Boxer Rebellion Escalates <<

After the Chinese government had already given the European envoys an ultimatum on June 19 to leave China within 24 hours, China yesterday handed over the official declaration of war to the Western powers. The murder of the German envoy Clemens August Freiherr von Ketteler before the ultimatum expired at sixteen o'clock had an escalating effect.

Picture 11: Clemens August Freiherr von Ketteler
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... tteler.jpg
Author: N/A - Mary Hooker: Behind the scenes in Peking, being experiences during the siege of the legations
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clemens_von_Ketteler

+ + +

#003 RTW2-JAP#

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 5:52 pm

#002 Dawn of a New Century

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Monday, July 14, 1900

>> Despite major problems, Japanese shipyards receive new orders <<

Minister of the Navy Yamamoto Gonnohyōe has confirmed that despite the ongoing problems with the completion of the ships under construction, the Japanese shipyards have been awarded the contract to design improved Ikazuchi-class torpedo boats. The Ikazuchi class is only a slightly better armed Akikaze class. The modifications were made possible by recent improvements in the ship's design and propulsion systems.

>> Japan rejects China's offer! <<

Foreign Minister Aoki Shūzō announced yesterday that Japan has rejected the Sino-Japanese alliance launched by the Chinese government eleven days ago. The Japanese government sees no real advantage in this Asian alliance for the Japanese Empire. However, the Japanese government expects severe upheavals between Japan and its European friends should such an Asian alliance come about.

Picture 12: Viscount Aoki Shūzō(2nd)
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aoki_Shuzo.jpg
Author: N/A - Japanese book Kinsei Meishi Shashin vol.1 (近世名士写真其1), Published in 1934 – 1935
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aoki_Sh%C5%ABz%C5%8D

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Thursday, August 16, 1900

>> Navy places orders for the construction of additional torpedo boats <<

After the delivery of the last four corvettes to the Imperial Navy, contracts were signed between the shipyards and the Imperial Japanese Navy for the construction of twelve additional torpedo boats of the new Ikazuchi class.

>> Beijing liberated! <<

The city of Beijing was liberated yesterday by an international expeditionary force. The envoys, who had been detained for eight weeks, were found alive. The flight of the Chinese imperial court to Taijüan is still unconfirmed.

+ + +

Special edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Sunday, September 9, 1900

>> Navy has to admit setbacks in ongoing research projects <<

After an accident with several deaths at the Kure Naval Shipyard, Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe had to admit that this accident was related to a failed experimental set-up by the Navy's Development Department. The minister did not provide any information on the exact circumstances.

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Saturday, October 6, 1900

>> British colonial power in distress <<

In Cyprus, rebels have attacked the largest base of the British colonial power. The aim is the liberation of Cyprus from the British yoke in order to achieve full independence. The severity with which the reaction of the British Armed Forces will take place is unknown.

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Friday, December 21, 1900

>> Clear words from Minister of the Navy Yamamoto Gonnohyōe <<

At the end of the first year of the new century, Minister of the Navy Yamamoto Gonnohyōe found clear words about the situation of the Imperial Japanese Navy. He called for all necessary efforts to be made to eliminate the inability of the Japanese shipbuilding industry. At least in the last three months of the year, significant progress has been made in the field of weapons systems. Therefore, Minister of the Navy Yamamoto Gonnohyōe looks confidently to the coming year 1901, which will certainly bring significant progress for the Japanese Navy.

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Friday, January 11, 1901

>> Ignominious defeat of the British Kingdom <<

In renewed fierce fighting between Cypriot independence fighters and the British colonial power, the occupying troops have suffered a severe defeat. The remnants of the British colonial power were forced to flee the island of Cyprus.

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Monday, February 25, 1901

>> New ships for the Navy! <<

Minister of the Navy Yamamoto Gonnohyōe announced the construction of an improved Izumi class over the weekend. After the great advances in the field of weapons technology, these ships of the future Matsushima class are intended to represent a significant advance over the Izumi class.

>> Those who are declared dead live longer <<

The cruiser Yaeyama, which has already been written off by many participants, was declared fully seaworthy and combat-ready by the Navy today. The ship itself was recently delivered by the shipyard. However, after the considerable difficulties in the construction of the Yaeyama, the Navy itself insisted on comprehensive seaworthiness tests before signing the final acceptance against the shipyard. As part of this acceptance, contracts were announced with the delivering shipyard for the construction of two units of the successor class Matsushima.

>> Tolstoy expelled from the Russian Orthodox Church <<

The Russian writer Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy has been expelled from the Russian Orthodox Church because of blasphemous statements in his novel Resurrection. A month ago, there were demonstrations in Moscow to prevent the announced exclusion.

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Wednesday, March 20, 1901

>> Renewed tensions between Japan and Russia <<

The commissioning of two more Matsushima-class units has led to resentment with Russia. The Russian ambassador Count Alexander Petrovich Izvolsky spoke of warmongering that would not go unanswered from the Russian side. Japan is preparing for a new war that can only target Russia. This is obvious, because Japan has not gotten over the loss of the Liaodong Peninsula even seven years after the peace agreement with China. Since then, the Liaodong Peninsula has been under Russian control and is home to the important naval base of Port Arthur.

Picture 14: Count Alexander Petrovich Izvolsky
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... ,_1894.jpg
Author: С фотографии Фарина въ Риме, гравировал Б. А. Пуц
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Izvolsky

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Friday, April 5, 1901

>> Russia follows up with action <<

After accusations of warmongering by Russian Ambassador Count Alexander Petrovich Izvolsky, the Russian Navy follows up with action. The Russian Navy has announced a drastic increase in its spending to lay the keel of new ships as well as to comprehensively modernize existing ships. In response, Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe announced that the Japanese naval budget would be thoroughly monitored and, if necessary, readjusted. Russia reacted with a note of protest and said that Japan was planning to plunge all of Asia into the abyss.

>> Largest passenger ship in the world launched <<

The largest passenger ship in the world, the Celtic, has been launched at the Harland & Wolff Ltd. shipyard in Belfast. The ship has a nominal displacement of over 21,000 gross tons and is thus larger than all previously known warships. The shipping company White Star Line announced that it intends to use the Celtic on the North Atlantic route between Liverpool and New York after its completion. The possibility of welcoming the world's largest passenger ship in a Japanese port is therefore low.

Picture 15: Passenger ship "Celtic" from 1901
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RMS_Celtic.jpg
Author: The Great Ocean Liners
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Celtic_(1901)

+ + +

#004 RTW2-JAP#

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Mon Sep 29, 2025 6:00 pm

OK - the next post is classified as SPAM

Forbidden. Contains contacts. Message seems to be spam. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.

How can I find out which part of the post triggers the spam filter?

Thanks in advance!

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Thu Oct 09, 2025 8:50 pm

#002 Dawn of a New Century

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Thursday, May 2, 1901

>> Navy increases defense readiness <<

In response to the Russian threats, Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe has announced the construction of two coastal gun emplacements on Formosa. Formosa does not yet have any defensive facilities in this regard and the construction will take a few months. The Minister of the Navy attached particular importance to the fact that coastal gun emplacements have a purely defensive character, after all, they do not run into an enemy port.

Nevertheless, the French base commander of Fort Bayard reacted in a public statement decidedly indignant with regard to the Japanese rearmament in Southeast Asia.

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Thursday, June 27, 1901

>> Navy reaffirms rearmament of Imperial Japanese Navy <<

After taking over a total of ten warships this month, Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe has announced that he wants to push ahead with the rearmament of the fleet. The latest scientific developments will play their part in significantly increasing combat effectiveness.

>> Distortions in Germany <<

The insolvency of the Leipzig bank has led to a massive loss of confidence in the banking system in Germany. Internal government officials in Japan confirmed behind closed doors that the extensive expenditures of the Imperial Japanese Navy could also lead to distortions in the national budget in Japan.

+ + +

Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, June 27, 1901

Editor-in-chief Kamata Itachi approached Osaki Satoshi's desk and handed him a folder.

"Is that it?"

"Yes, Mr. Osaki, that's what you were asking for."

"And that comes from the Navy?"

"Not directly, but the source behind it is likely to be in the Foreign Ministry."

"I see!"

…

After the editor-in-chief had left the open-plan office, Osaki Satoshi began to sort through the many documents. It was not uniform, but after painstaking detailed work, Satoshi had what he wanted to know. In front of him he now had a precise overview of how the Imperial Japanese Navy stood in comparison to the other great powers.

He could understand why these figures made Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe speak of further reinforcements. But it was no secret that the Japanese national budget had to suffer badly from the constant new warships. There were isolated calls to significantly reduce this spending, but the security forces suppressed public speeches about military spending as soon as they became aware of it.

Japan only had a clear lead in torpedo boats, and Japan was not equal in all other types of ships. Although it apparently had a similar number of ships of one type in service, the lack of ships under construction was conspicuous compared to the other nations. The construction of such large ships in particular also took a lot of time. In fact, these were not just phrases of the Minister of the Navy. No, the man was right, Japan could not keep up in equipping the world's fleets.

No matter how ambitious the plans may be, Japan would have the smallest and weakest fleet of all the great nations for years to come!

So it was not at all surprising that the Navy continued where it could grow the fastest. Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe announced plans for new, larger torpedo boats. The Umikaze class would have significantly more combat power than the previous types.

+ + +

Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, October 18, 1901

The summer had passed without any major events. The navy had done more or less the same as the year and a half before, but this did not change the situation. In the United States of America, a new president took office – Theodore Roosevelt – and voices were raised that change was in the air. But what these changes were supposed to be, no one could say.

The conflict with Russia was smouldering, but tensions with France in particular had not diminished since the construction of the fortifications on Formosa. Nobody in the naval leadership had expected this and everyone found themselves on the wrong foot. Tensions with France were not on the agenda. And even if France and Russia were not the best of friends, a conflict situation with two European nations at once was a problem. France's position in Asia was also much better than that of Russia.

Osaki Satoshi wrote his fingers sore with his articles about the Navy, but interest in them seemed to be waning. Satoshi was also of the opinion that this was felt the same within the Navy. In another interview with Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe, he therefore thought he could hear that something had to happen to improve the mood of the people towards the armed forces. He could be wrong, but he was sure that the Navy would plan something. In one way or another.

Satoshi sat down at his desk, on which huge stacks of paper were piled up in completely unusual whiteness. He took all the reports and newspaper articles, especially the European press, of the last few months to check whether he had overlooked anything. A small, inconspicuous indication that in truth announced great things. An indication that gave him a clue as to what the navy was up to.

+ + +

Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Tuesday, November 19, 1901

Osaki Satoshi didn't quite believe it. The navy has unmasked a French spy in a completely insignificant position, but it has been turned into a state affair of the first order. One almost had the feeling that Tennō himself should have been murdered.

It didn't make sense. Relations with France were not the best anyway and these completely exaggerated statements about a small spy would only have an escalating effect. That couldn't be in the interest of the Navy?

Then Satoshi thought he understood what was going on. The armed forces seemed intent on taking on anyone who did not deny quickly enough and kowtowed (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kowtow).

Was that it?

Did the armed forces want to destabilize the world situation so much that the Japanese people demanded higher military spending of their own accord?

+ + +

>> USA and the British Kingdom agree on new Panama Canal Treaty <<

The Hay-Pauncefote Treaty between the United States of America and the British Kingdom has been renegotiated. It is now clear that the United States alone will be responsible for the construction and operation of the Panama Canal. Observers comment on the new treaty in such a way that the construction of the Panama Canal, which has been planned for a long time and often started and stopped again, could now finally become reality.

Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hay%E2%8 ... te_Treaty
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Canal

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Wednesday, January 15, 1902

>> Navy conceals new armament projects! <<

After Japanese shipyards began massive recruitment measures for additional shipyard workers shortly after the turn of the year, the question arises as to what they are needed for? Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe did not want to participate in the speculation and commented on various reports that a new generation of large armored cruisers was planned with the term "absurd".

At the same time, it is striking that several officials in the Ministry of Finance who are critical of the military have been transferred to insignificant posts in the remote Kuril Islands. The Kuril Islands were ceded by Russia to Japan in 1855 by treaty ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuril_Islands ).

The new silence of Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe since the turn of the year fits seamlessly into similar new behaviors in the army and the Foreign Ministry.

>> Execution after Boxer Rebellion <<

Empress Dowager Cixi, after her return to the head of the Chinese government, had one of the leaders of the Boxer Rebellion – General Tung Fuhsian – executed as a concession to the European powers. The extent to which this can now completely end the tensions will have to be seen in the coming months.

Picture 16: Portrait of Empress Dowager Cixi
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... -Cixi1.jpg
Author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Hubert_Vos
Author: Seed, John, Hubert Vos, Court Painter of Empres Dowager Cixi, Arts of Asia, Jan/Feb 2015
Info: http://www.harvardartmuseums.org/art/311922
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Dowager_Cixi

+ + +

#005 RTW2-JAP#

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Thu Oct 09, 2025 8:58 pm

Big thanks to the Matrixgames Admins/Moderators for the help with the spam filter!

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Fri Oct 17, 2025 7:17 pm

#002 Dawn of a New Century

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Tuesday, February 11, 1902

>> Imperial Japanese Navy builds first ship of the line under its own responsibility <<

Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe was forced to give in to the increasing pressure and announced the latest project of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Kure Naval Shipyard was commissioned to design the first unit ship of the line built in Japan. The lead ship of the new class is to be named after the old Japanese province of Suwo.

Compared to the Mikasa class, the Suwo will be significantly better armored. But there are also better guns and more ammunition available. The ship will have a much longer range and will be built in the largest dock in the country, which is just big enough to be able to build the Suwo. This dock was completed just five days ago.

When asked how many units of the Suwo class are to be built and whether this is all, or whether other ships are planned, Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe did not answer.

Picture 17: Map of Japan from 1880 with provincial division
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... i-1880.jpg
Author: N/A
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Japan

+ + +

Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Tuesday, April 8, 1902

Osaki Satoshi was finally sure.

The military wants war!

Now, in addition to Russia and France, there was another very big dispute with the United States of America. The military had to be crazy, because these three countries were spread around Japan with their overseas possessions. If these three wanted it, not a single ship would get to or from Japan.

And the worst thing was, the military was successful with its method. The financial resources provided continued to rise. This was also urgently needed because of the start of construction of the Suwo, even though this additional battleship was just as good as none. If so, then Japan needed ten of these Suwo's and that was not to be financed even if Japan was at war with the entire world.

Picture 18: The original Suwo was a former Russian ship of the line that was taken over by Japan.
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... kosuka.jpg
Author: N/A
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_b ... ese_career

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Monday, April 21, 1902

>> Navy concerned about Russian fleet in Port Arthur <<

Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe expressed concern about the increasing presence of large Russian naval units in Port Arthur. With the current regrouping of the Russian fleet, the minister said, there will soon be more Russian warships in Asia than in Europe.

>> Uprising in Batumi <<

In Batumi, Russia, the revolutionary Yossif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili was arrested. He is said to be one of the masterminds of the prison storm, which turned into a massacre when an officer opened fire on the demonstrators.

+ + +

Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Saturday, May 17, 1902

Editor-in-chief Kamata Itachi angrily slammed the door behind him as he entered the editorial offices.

"What's that supposed to mean Satoshi? You refuse to write anything about the espionage case in the USA?"

"Mr. Kamata – yes!"

"What yes?"

"Yes – I refuse, Mr. Kamata!"

"Damn it, Mr. Osaki, I hope you have a good explanation for that?"

"I would have to speculate, Mr. Editor-in-Chief."

"Speculate? Do you have an explanation? It's getting better and better!"

"No, Mr. Editor-in-Chief – speculate what the true background is!"

"The what? The true background? The background is well known. The U.S. military has unmasked a Japanese spy in the U.S. Navy's construction department."

"I think this spy should be exposed!"

"WHAT? Have you gone crazy? That would be high treason!"

"Yes, Mr. Kamata, but not if that's exactly what the military wants."

"The military wants high traitors in its own ranks? You have to explain that to me, Mr. Osaki."

"Of course, the military does not want to have high traitors in its own ranks, Mr. Kamata. But the military wants to massively fuel tensions with the other major powers."

"Why?"

"To get more money for rearmament!"

"Oh, so? Of course! – That would make sense. Then such a spy would come just in time!"

"Exactly, Mr. Editor-in-Chief. With all the new ships, the money is not enough at the back and front. The navy, but also the army, are doing everything they can to get more money."

"And why don't you want to write about it?"

"If this becomes known..."

„... Then we'll both be unbuttoned!"

"I can't guarantee to write anything from which the Navy could deduce what I suspect."

"I see!"

"Mr. Editor-in-Chief - let Sakamura write the article about the espionage case, he knows nothing about it!"

"Good, but keep me posted. If that's true... - man, that's going to be a thing!"

+ + +

Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, July 14, 1902

If any proof was needed of the game the Japanese leaders were playing, it was the events around Italy!

Italy had not even begun to pose a threat to Japan, but now the signs were pointing to a storm here as well. It could only be a mild breeze, because neither country had the slightest opportunity to take action against the enemy with its fleet, but that didn't seem to matter. The people found themselves more and more surrounded by enemies – indeed, the entire world community seemed to have conspired against Japan – and so the military was able to increase its arms spending without complaint.

And it did so in full. The army and navy spent the money with their hands full. At some point it had to bang.

At some point, the military would go one step too far!

At some point, a further escalation would lead to war, intentionally or unintentionally, and currently four nations would come into question.

+ + +

Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, October 1, 1902

Over the summer, government officials in many countries were on their usual pleasure trips. Satoshi noted with goodwill that global tensions had fallen significantly as a result. The hardliners in the country could not like that. The painstakingly built up license to print money seemed to stutter.

An unexpected conflict in Shanghai was therefore an opportunity to take countermeasures. The Japanese diplomats did this with flying colors. The fact that the ultimatum directed against Germany to leave the affairs in Shanghai to Japan did not immediately end in an armed conflict was probably pure luck. At least what had been intended was achieved. Japan had once again put its aggressive stamp on the world, and everyone except the Japanese people had to be aware that Asia was becoming a hot spot.

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Friday, October 3, 1902

>> Navy reaffirms claim to leadership position in the Yellow Sea <<

After the seizure of land by the German Empire, Minister of the Navy Yamamoto Gonnohyōe has expressed Japan's claim to leadership in the surrounding sea areas. He again warned against underestimating Japan. It would not depend on the number of ships of the line, but on the men standing there on the bridges. Japan is ready to sink the Russian and German fleets at any time if necessary.

+ + +

Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, October 3, 1902

Sagawa stood in front of Osaki Satoshi with a questioning face.

"Tell me, Satoshi, why is the navy making so much noise about Shanghai?"

"Well, that's not so easy. But if you look at the map, Shanghai is a much bigger threat to Japan than Tsingtau is. From Shanghai, the jump to Formosa or even Japan itself is much easier and Shanghai is nowhere near as exposed. If you wanted to block Shanghai, it's much more difficult than with Tsingtau. I think the Navy sees its Liaodong ambitions as endangered if other nations settle here more and more."

"Liaodong ambitions? I thought the topic had been buried?"

"But where are you thinking, Sagawa! – The Liaodong Peninsula is still the first target of the Navy, apart from Korea."

"Korea?"

"There's war in the air, I feel it. The military wants to make up for the humiliation inflicted on it by Russia. Either attack Russia directly, or Korea and provoke a Russian declaration of war against Japan."

"That sounds unbelievable Satoshi, do you have any evidence for that?"

"No, Sagawa, I didn't. That's my problem!"

+ + +

#006 RTW2-JAP#

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 6:34 pm

#002 Dawn of a New Century

Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, January 2, 1903

Osaki Satoshi still had a severe hangover. He had spent the New Year's celebrations extensively with his family. When he realized that from his parents' point of view it was finally time to get into orderly conditions, i.e. to carry out 結婚 (kekkon), he sought his salvation in sake.

Sure Natsuko was extraordinary 可愛い (kawaii), but getting married? Already in your mid-twenties? For Satoshi, this idea was anything but pleasant. He was much more interested in the navy – and this finding shocked him deeply. More than once he had imagined what it would be like to stand on the bridge of the Mikasa and watch the powerful shells tear apart an enemy ship.

No, marriage was out of the question for him. He didn't want to admit that his family had already made a date for the wedding ceremony together with the Takahashis, Natsuko's parents!

Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage_in_Japan
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sake

So he was now sitting in the editorial office with a headache and combing through the latest news from all over the world.

The year 1902 according to the Gregorian calendar ended peacefully and the year 1903 began peacefully.

Picture 19: Pope Gregory XIII
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... y_XIII.jpg
Author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Lavinia_Fontana
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregorian_calendar

The Imperial Japanese Navy had probably tried to further inflame tensions by a probably staged collision of one of its ships with one of the French Navy. France, however, seemed to lack the right desire to let the already bad mood sink further.

Nevertheless, Satoshi was sure that the year Meiji 36 (info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_calendar ) would bring changes. At some point, the navy and army would be ready and put fire on the fuse that had been so carefully prepared. And then there was Natsuko – at least in his life there would be a change – and this had not come about voluntarily.

+ + +

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Tuesday, January 6, 1903

>> Marine remains stubbornly silent! <<

Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe has confirmed that the Navy has approved funds for the construction of a new generation of armored cruisers called the Aso class. However, the minister did not want to comment on what the Furutaka-class armored cruisers, which have already been proven to be under construction, are all about.

+ + +

Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, February 12, 1903

"It didn't take long!" thought Osaki Satoshi while reading through a memorandum according to which Russian foreign policy towards Japan would certainly end in a military conflict if Russia did not change its mind. No sooner had the turn of the year taken place than the war rhetoric became much more acute.

"Maybe I'll escape the wedding this way?"

After all, there was a good chance that Satoshi would be called up for military service in the event of a war with Russia.

A battlefield couldn't be worse than a marriage!

+ + +

Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, July 8, 1903

Summer was finally just around the corner, but unlike in previous years, spring had also been comparatively uneventful. The tensions in the world were open, but the nervousness had disappeared. Apparently, all states had come to terms with Japan's constant taunts and the rearmament of the military was in full swing in all states anyway.

Japan was not even noticed during the rearmament. Compared to the rest of the world, Japan's military was secondary and of inferior experience and equipment. At least that's what they thought.

The commissioning of ten submarines caused a stir among the people! Something so strange had never been seen before and everyone wondered how such a strange vessel could be dangerous to a large warship?

So since the world situation was restless but boring, the Shinto ceremony promised a lot of variety, at least in his private life.

Editor-in-chief Kamata Itachi had granted Osaki Satoshi a full two days of vacation. So Satoshi had to do without a 新婚旅行 (shinkonryokō – honeymoon). But then he told the editor-in-chief that a honeymoon would also have its advantages for the publishing house. He could take a look at the new Pearl Harbor naval base of the US Navy in Hawaii? There was no denying that the expansion of the United States of America in the Pacific region sooner or later resulted in a conflict of interest with Japan. So it would be good to be informed first-hand about the capabilities of the US Navy.

Kamata Itachi gave in to pressure from his protégé and even promised that the publisher would cover the costs of the trip. After that, however, Satoshi would have to work all the harder to recoup the advance.

Picture 20: Aerial view of Pearl Harbor
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... Hawaii.jpg
Author: Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center, Expedition 21
Derivative work including removal of dust spots, grading.: Julian Herzog
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Harbor

+ + +

Picture 21: black-white-red flag - the flag of the North German Confederation and the German Reich
Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Fla ... Empire.svg
Author: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:B1mbo / https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Madden
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_ ... an_Empire

Express mail steamer Kronprinz Wilhelm – Friday September 25, 1903

Autumn was on the horizon and Osaki Satoshi sat annoyed on the sun deck of the German express mail steamer Kronprinz Wilhelm. The short honeymoon to Hawaii actually turned into a months-long trip around the world. The idea of finding out about an important potential opponent of Japan on site was so well received by the owner of the publishing house that he wanted to have a comprehensive overview of all possible opponents. There was not much to say about Russia. Port Arthur was very well known. But except for Hawaii? There were also Portsmouth, the Base Navale de Brest and the Wilhelmshaven base of the Imperial German Navy, which has been gaining in importance for several years.

Two days ago, SS Kronprinz Wilhelm had left New York and since then has been making an honest effort to wear his Blue Ribbon in future years. The stay in New York had been very short. Satoshi had bought all the available newspapers of the last few weeks that he had been able to obtain. That must have been a strange moment for many, which is what a Japanese probably wanted with daily newspapers that were several weeks old. When he said that he was a journalist himself, it was good. Presumably, the sellers thought that this hillbilly slit-eye just wanted everything to imitate.

On the crossing to Europe, Satoshi had time to catch up on everything he had missed recently. A report from weeks ago made him sit up and take notice. In Port Arthur, a Russian warship had exploded while lying in the harbor. Russia speculated who was responsible, but had no evidence. Satoshi quickly realized who had pulled the strings!

"Now don't shy away from direct attacks anymore" he whispered so softly that none of the other passengers could hear him.

Then he looked at another headline: Rebels in Shanghai had attacked and wiped out the German protecting power. The German Empire then ended its short guest appearance in Shanghai.

Shanghai was free!

The navy would like that and then again not. The danger posed by Shanghai had thus been eliminated, but thus also the reason for the ongoing tensions with Germany, which had also subsided abruptly.

Picture 22: Express mail steamer Kronprinz Wilhelm
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... stcard.jpg
Author: N/A
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Kronprinz_Wilhelm

+ + +

#007 RTW2-JAP#

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Sat Nov 08, 2025 8:15 pm

#002 Dawn of a New Century

Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, December 18, 1903

Osaki Satoshi was finally back in Japan. The impressions of the long journey hung like a curtain of mist before his eyes and his mind. He had seen a lot of foreign countries, their ports and warships. Most of the time, however, he had been at sea and thought he already knew the timetables of the passenger ships by heart. From Japan to Hawaii. To the US West Coast. By train to Texas, a short drive to the Bahamas. US East Coast New York. Wilhelmshaven, Brest, Portsmouth. Via Denmark, Germany, Austria-Hungary to Italy. Egypt, India, the Philippines back to Japan.

A journey that you would only make once in a lifetime.

When he arrived in Yokohama, his parents greeted him not with a joyful welcome, but with the question of whether Natsuko was hopeful?

Editor-in-chief Kamata Itachi was also at the port and that was his salvation. Satoshi was to come to the editorial office immediately, there was news that needed an article immediately.

In the meantime, by far the largest part of the Russian fleet was actually in Asia. Tensions with Russia escalated. As a result, Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe had been tempted to take an unexpected measure in the morning.

Effective at the end of 1903, the 聯合艦隊 (Rengō Kantai) – the combined fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy – would be reorganized. The unexpected thing, however, was the appointment of Vice Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō as Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet.

Even the Meiji-tennō found this step extremely unusual and Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe answered the question of why with the words:

"Yes, because he has a lot of personality and is known as a lucky man."

Picture 23: Tōgō Heihachirō
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... %C5%8D.jpg
Author: N/A
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Dg ... hir%C5%8D

Everyone knew that the Rengō Kantai would only be erected in case of war and so it was clear that it would probably come to that soon.

Tōgō Heihachirō was not a blank slate, which is why his appointment also caused this astonishment. He was involved in the Tokugawa conflicts of 1863 to 1869, especially in the Sino-Japanese War. There he made a name for himself as commander of the protected cruiser Naniwa, with which he sank the British transport ship Kowshing, which was underway with Chinese troops. This made him famous and British lawyers attested that he had acted in complete accordance with international law.

Picture 24: Protected cruiser Naniwa
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... n_1887.jpg
Author: N/A - Mikasa Memorial Museum, Yokosuka
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese ... Takachiho

Now the signs were unmistakably pointing to war!

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Friday, December 18, 1903

>> First powered flight in the world! <<

Yesterday, the Wright brothers completed the world's first controlled powered flight. With their plane, called Flyer, they made several flights on the beach of Kitty Hawk, the longest lasting 59 seconds with a flight distance of 260 meters. With this, man has finally made an old dream come true.

Picture 25: The flyer of the Wright brothers
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... light2.jpg
Author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:John_T._Daniels
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_Flyer

+ + +

Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, January 25, 1904

Osaki Satoshi rubbed his eyes in surprise. First, the navy made every effort to provoke a war for years, and then panic broke out when it was at the door. Since the beginning of the year, the Russian naval forces have been superior to those of the Japanese in Northeast Asia. The Navy began frantically exchanging naval units between Japan and Formosa. Older, weaker ships moved to Formosa, large units and the best torpedo boats to Japan.

At the same time, more submarines were ordered, as well as hastily redesigned torpedo boats. The bases were expanded, training intensified. Research reached a new high, as did the horror of the entire size of the Russian Navy.

The spark that caused the matter to explode was to be expected at any time!

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Monday, January 25, 1904

>> Fire destroys Norwegian city <<

A major fire has almost completely destroyed the Norwegian city of Ålesund. More than 10,000 people were left homeless. Ålesund is widely known for its city centre, which is almost entirely Art Nouveau. This is now history. The German Emperor Wilhelm II, who is particularly fond of Ålesund, has announced immediate aid and is personally committed to reconstruction.

Picture 26: The rebuilt city of Ålesund in December 2016
Source: Own photo of the author of this AAR
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%85le ... icipality

+ + +

Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, April 18, 1904

By the end of April, the situation had become completely unbearable. The Navy postponed the completion of its newest armored cruisers, the still secret Furutaka class, probably to bring the ships up to date with the latest technology before the dance began.

Only a little bit was missing. The regrouping of the Rengō Kantai had been completed within the scope of the possibilities, but everyone acted as if only one maneuver was imminent.

Neither side wanted to be the one to throw the first stone!

It was understandable that neither the Empire of Japan nor the Tsarist Empire of Russia wanted to be guilty of the war in the event of defeat. The world was looking at Asia, and bets were already being made on when and where the war would begin.

Osaki Satoshi took the folders with the previous War Chronicles of Imperial Japan from the archive. He would probably have to start his work on this work soon and wanted to be prepared.

+ + +

#008 RTW2-JAP#

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Sat Nov 08, 2025 8:32 pm

#002 Dawn of a New Century

Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Wednesday, May 11, 1904

>> Japan in the focus of the world <<

Despite the tense situation between Russia and Japan, there is no end to the accusations of Japan by other countries. Observers at home and abroad are asking themselves what the Tennō is trying to achieve with this one-sided policy? At the moment, Japan is in a highly explosive diplomatic emergency situation with four other nations and quite a few are wondering why the powder keg has not exploded yet!

+ + +

Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, June 24, 1904

Osaki Satoshi had trouble getting into the editorial office. The unrest among the people had climbed to a new level. Everywhere on the streets there were crowds of people debating whether Japan's path was the path of ruin, or whether Japan was growing to new greatness? There were also isolated demands to depose the emperor. However, these slogans were immediately nipped in the bud by the security forces, who were apparently present everywhere, with almost maximum force. Questioning the emperor was a matter that could all too quickly end with one's own death.

Like a tsunami, a hitherto completely unknown movement swept over Japan, dripping with patriotism. It was hard to believe, but the mood among the Japanese people began to swing towards war. It had to happen now, because the support of the armed forces among the people was suddenly higher than ever before!

+ + +

Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, July 28, 1904

In the end, it was another Japanese espionage operation that led to the final escalation. After July 1904 was almost over and a slight easing of tensions began to emerge, many people among the people gained new hope. A peaceful settlement of the conflict, the reasons for which many had not understood anyway, still seemed possible.

Russian Ambassador Baron Roman Romanovich Rosen was officially removed from his post in Japan on January 28. However, he was still in Tōkyō and it was up to him to hand over the declaration of war. It was already afternoon in Japan when the ambassador was seen coming out of the Foreign Ministry with a bright red head. Ironically, he ran into Osaki Satoshi, who was on his way to the ministry at that time to find out what was new. Satoshi knew who he had in front of him and his facial expressions spoke volumes. He greeted him friendly and earned a pinched smile. He thought he heard something like "Monday", but that was probably a mistake.

Picture 27: Baron Roman Romanovich Rosen
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... _Rosen.jpg
Author: N/A
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Rosen

Satoshi was the first to know – before all the other journalists – this was his chance. The ministry was keen to give the impression that the war had already begun. Formally, however, the declaration of war was for Friday, July 29, 1904, midnight Japan time. Satoshi ran to the publishing house, slammed open the door to the editorial office and stood in front of his colleagues, panting loudly. Then he spoke very softly, he almost whispered:

"From midnight we have war with Russia!"

+ + +

Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Thursday, July 28, 1904

>> WAR! <<

>> War with Russia! <<

Everywhere through Tōkyō the newspaper boys of the Tōkyō Shinbun roamed. All young people, no matter how old, were quickly signed to sell as many newspapers as possible before other publishing houses could follow suit.

In all places of the city it croaked from the hotter young throats:

"War – War with Russia – From tomorrow is war – Japan is at war with Russia – Buy the Tōkyō Shinbun – All about the outbreak of war with Russia – Buy the Tōkyō Shinbun!"

The newspaper was literally snatched out of the boys' hands. The printing press could not deliver as quickly as the newspaper was demanded. A huge crowd formed in front of the publishing house, which almost tore the Tōkyō Shinbun out of the presses.

The news was Satoshi's showpiece!

Purely by chance, Minister of the Navy Yamamoto Gonnohyōe was in the Foreign Ministry when Osaki Satoshi spoke to announce what was new. Minister of the Navy Yamamoto Gonnohyōe had made a small wish to Satoshi. Osaki Satoshi knew immediately that this was another rigged game, but he didn't even ask for the details.

He would only find out if someone cut his throat a second later!

It also had its good side. Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe promised Satoshi exclusive information in return for this favor. Satoshi knew the man would keep his word!

>> Japanese Navy taken by surprise!

Russia declares war on Japan, while countless ships are shot empty on their way back from a maneuver in the Philippine Sea.

At sixteen o'clock this afternoon, the Russian envoy Baron Rosen handed over Russia's formal declaration of war to the Japanese Foreign Minister Komura Jutarō. The outbreak of hostilities can be expected at any time. Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōe spoke of a bad time because the Imperial Japanese Navy was on its way home from a maneuver that was not held in the Sea of Japan or the Yellow Sea to calm the tense situation, but in the more distant Philippine Sea. This decision could be the Navy's most serious mistake during the term of Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyōes.

Before Monday, the Imperial Japanese Navy is not expected to be ready for combat. <<

Picture 28: Komura Jutarō, 1905
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... n_1905.jpg
Author: N/A
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komura_Jutar%C5%8D

Osaki Satoshi only knew this much: All Russians in the country who could pass on any information had to believe that the Japanese Navy could only go into battle on Monday. Satoshi had learned from Yamamoto Gonnohyōe that the Russian Navy also did not expect the outbreak of hostilities before Monday. How did the Minister of the Navy know that the declaration of war for Friday had not been coordinated between the diplomats and the military.

The Minister of the Navy had concealed the fact that, in addition to the espionage incident, there was another decisive event in St. Petersburg today.

The telegraph lines had been glowing all day, but no one knew what had happened on July 28, 1904 – the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War!

Picture 29: Overview of the telegraph lines in 1901
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... _monde.jpg
Author: https://www.flickr.com/people/24528911@N05
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telegraphy

+ + +

#009 RTW2-JAP#

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Sat Nov 08, 2025 8:43 pm

#003 The Russo-Japanese War of 1904/1905

Picture 30: 日章旗 Nisshōki - Solar Coat of Arms Flag - Flag of the Empire of Greater Japan
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... _Japan.svg
Author: Various
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Japan

From the War Chronicles of Imperial Japan:

>> Russo-Japanese War of 1904/1905 <<

The war with Russia ultimately came as a surprise to the Japanese people, as it had been prepared for years long in advance.

For months, this conflict had been swelling and the Japanese government under the leadership of Prime Minister Katsura Tarō did not miss any opportunity to portray Russia as the aggressor to the world public.

Picture 31: Prime Minister Katsura Tarō
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:11_KatsuraT.jpg
Author: N/A
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katsura_Tar%C5%8D

The disputes for supremacy in Manchuria and Korea culminated in a note from the Russian Tsar Nicholas II on the afternoon of July 28, 1904, which amounted to a declaration of war.

Nevertheless, the Tsar hoped to prevent the war at the last minute by presenting a way out. For the Meiji-tennō, this would have meant a loss of face that was unacceptable.

The Imperial Japanese Navy was aware of the date for unknown reasons, but denies any involvement in the bombing of Russian Interior Minister Vyacheslav K. Pleve, who was killed in St. Petersburg on the morning of the 28th local time.

In the weeks before, numerous heavy units of the Formosa fleet, as well as the most modern torpedo boats, had been secretly transferred to Japan. Ostensibly, for overhaul and modernization in the country's shipyards. To compensate, a few older torpedo boats moved to Formosa. The background was the massive naval presence of the Russians in Northeast Asia, while in Southeast Asia only a few weak units of Russia were represented. Russia had been relocating significant parts of its Baltic Fleet to Asia for months, so that almost the entire Russian naval force far from its European climes posed a threat to Japan's interests.

In the background, however, the Japanese military pulled the strings, leaving Russia with little choice but to declare war.

Days earlier, more and more Japanese naval units had left their bases to carry out maneuvers. So it came as no surprise to anyone that on July 28, 1904, the day of the declaration of war, the naval bases lay deserted in the summer sun.

In fact, however, the Imperial Japanese Navy gathered in the Yellow Sea and steered with the last rays of sunlight ahead towards the Russian base of Port Arthur.

+ + +

The Imperial Japanese Navy on July 28, 1904

At the beginning of the war, the Imperial Japanese Navy consisted of the following units:

6 Mikasa-class standard ships of the line (11,000 tons each)
6 Asama-class armored cruisers (7,300 tons each)
2 Iwate-class armored cruisers (13,500 tons each)
8 Izumi-class protected cruisers (5,500 tons each)
4 Matsushima-class protected cruisers (5,500 tons each)
36 Akikaze-class torpedo boats (500 tons each)
24 Minazuki-class torpedo boats (500 tons each)
12 Ikazuchi-class torpedo boats (500 tons each)
12 Umikaze-class torpedo boats (600 tons each)
24 Asama Maru-class corvettes (600 tons each)
12 Murasaki Maru-class corvettes (600 tons each)
10 Type I-1 coastal submarines

At the end of June 1904, the following units were under construction:

1 standard ship of the line of the Suwo class (15,000 tons)
2 Furutaka-class armored cruisers (12,000 tons each)
2 Aso-class armored cruisers (16,000 tons each)
12 Oshio-class torpedo boats (600 tons each)
10 Type I-10 coastal submarines

- - -

The Russian Navy on July 28, 1904

At the beginning of the war, the fleet of the Tsarist Empire consisted of the following units:

8 Retvizan-class standard ships of the line (15,500 tons each)
2 Evstafi-class standard ships of the line (12,800 tons each)
1 Bogatyr-class unit ship of the line (11,800 tons)
5 Gangut-class standard ships of the line (14,900 tons each)
1 Bayan-class armored cruiser (6,600 tons each)
1 Rossyya-class armored cruiser (10,500 tons each)
5 Gromoboi-class armoured cruisers (10,900 tons each)
2 Vityaz-class armored cruisers (13,200 tons each)
1 Peresvet-class armoured cruiser (9,700 tons)
3 Diana-class protected cruisers (6,600 tons each)
5 Pallada class protected cruisers (6,000 tons each)
4 Velikii Knyaz Konstantin-class protected cruisers (3,000 tons each)
1 Boyarin-class protected cruiser (3,200 tons)
7 Posadnik-class protected cruisers (3,900 tons each)
20 Bravi-class torpedo boats (500 tons each)
9 Boiki-class torpedo boats (400 tons each)
1 Naezdnik-class corvette (600 tons)
1 Plastun-class corvette (600 tons)
1 Peterburg-class corvette (600 tons)
2 coastal submarines

At the end of June 1904, the following units were under construction:

3 Knyaz Potemkin-class standard ships of the line (14,500 tons each)
2 Sisoi Veliki-class standard ships of the line (13,600 tons each)
3 Oslyabya-class armored cruisers (14,000 tons each)
2 Zhemchug-class protected cruisers (6,100 tons each)
1 Gonets-class corvette (600 tons)
1 Kurier-class corvette (900 tons)
3 coastal submarines

Picture 32: Even the Black Sea Fleet ultimately had to move to Asia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... eships.jpg
Author: N/A
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Russian_Navy

+ + +

Comparison of forces between Japan and Russia:

In terms of tonnage, the superiority of the Russian fleet was overwhelming. Here, 346,000 tons were in service and under construction on the Japanese side against 578,000 tons on the Russian side.

Japan could not keep up with the number of large warships either. A total of 31 units of the line, armored cruisers and protected cruisers of Japan stood against 55 units of these types of Russia.

Only with the small torpedo boats and corvettes did the ratio look completely different. In contrast to the 132 torpedo boats and corvettes of the Tennō, which were completed and under construction, the Tsar could only oppose 34 torpedo boats and corvettes.

Russia was sure of its strength and had deployed most of its active fleet in Northeast Asia. The First Russian Pacific Squadron consisted largely of units of the Baltic Fleet, but that didn't matter. At least that's what they thought. The fact that the commanders and crews had almost no experience in these waters or with the Pacific climate was dismissed as inconsequential.

The Imperial Japanese Fleet had been training for this very day for five years!

Kaigun-chūjō Tōgō Heihachirō had been meticulously preparing the attack plan for weeks in order to win a victory with the much weaker Imperial Fleet. His goal was to destroy the entire Tsar's fleet with a single, massive blow and to mobilize all forces. For this it was essential that the Tsar's fleet was in Port Arthur and not already at sea.

The deceptive manoeuvre of the Japanese went satisfactorily. Oskar Viktorovich Stark, the commander of the Russian fleet, had no reason to be at sea with his fleet. That was decisive! However, most of the Russian Pacific Squadron was not present.

Kaigun-chūjō Tōgō Heihachirō's decisive battle plan was doomed to failure,
even before the first shot had been fired!

Picture 33: Vice-Admiral Oskar Viktorovich Stark
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... _Stark.jpg
Author: Автор репродукции: Здобнов Дмитрий Спиридонович
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_Starck

+ + +

#010 RTW2-JAP#

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Sat Nov 08, 2025 9:00 pm

#003 The Russo-Japanese War of 1904/1905

From the War Chronicles of Imperial Japan:

>> Battle of the Liaodong Peninsula 28 to 29 July 1904 <<

Only part of the Russian fleet was on the ground in the supposedly safe Port Arthur after the declaration of war. Vice Admiral Oskar Viktorovich Stark had divided his Pacific squadron into the three main bases of Port Arthur, Vladivostok and Sakhalin. According to his calculations, Japan would not attack Port Arthur with its inferior fleet, precisely because the entire Russian Pacific Squadron was supposedly anchored there. According to his assessment, the Japanese would therefore try to occupy the apparently unprotected ports in Vladivostok or Sakhalin and thus run into traps.

That Japan was absolutely interested in attacking the entire Russian fleet at once, he did not think possible in his wildest dreams. He also considered it absolutely impossible that the Japanese, who were so concerned about their honor, should do something that had nothing to do with honor.

After the declaration of war, hostilities would officially begin on the 29th of the month at zero o'clock sharp. However, it was completely absurd that the Imperial Japanese Navy would attack before the official start of the war without its own declaration of war. This would be such a dishonorable act that the commanding admiral could only make up for it by committing suicide.

That Japan attacks without a declaration of war was completely impossible!

The first shot in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904/1905 was fired by the Japanese torpedo boat Hokaze at 11:30 p.m. local time on an unidentified ship at anchor. The attack thus began half an hour before the officially declared war with a surprise attack by the Rengō Kantai on the Russian naval base of Port Arthur.

+ + +

Kaigun-chūjō Tōgō Heihachirō advanced against the enemy with the following units:

Japanese 5th Battle Division:
Asahi (flagship)
Mikasa Standard Ship of the Line
Yashima Standard Ship of the Line

- - -

Japanese 10th Cruiser Division:
Battleship Nisshin, Iwate, Yakumo

- - -

Japanese 8th Light Cruiser Division:
Protected cruisers Izumi, Chishima, Unebi

- - -

Japanese 12th Light Cruiser Division:
Protected cruisers Takachiho, Naniwa, Itsukushima

- - -

Japanese 14th Light Cruiser Division:
Protected Cruiser Chiyoda

- - -

Japanese 6th Torpedo Boat Flotilla:
Torpedo boats: Okikaze, Hokaze, Tachikaze, Yukaze, Shirakumo, Usugumo

- - -

Japanese 7th Torpedo Boat Flotilla:
Torpedo boats: Namikaze, Akikaze, Minekaze, Hakaze, Numakaze, Shimakaze

- - -

Japanese 9th Torpedo Boat Flotilla:
Torpedo boats: Arare, Umikaze, Yamakaze, Arashio, Yudachi, Asahio

- - -

Japanese 11th Torpedo Boat Flotilla:
Torpedo boats: Shiratsuyu, Ikazuchi, Hatsushimo, Ariake, Nenohi, Yugure

- - -

Japanese 13th Torpedo Boat Flotilla:
Torpedo boats: Yugiri, Nokaze, Yakaze, Asakaze, Shikinami, Uranami

- - -

Japanese 15th Torpedo Boat Flotilla:
Torpedo boats: Inazuma, Shiokaze, Sawakaze, Hatakaze

+ + +

Picture 35: Asahi Ship of the Line
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... sahi_3.jpg
Author: N/A
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese ... hip_Asahi

+ + +

Assistants:
Coastal submarines SSC I-1, SSC I-2, SSC I-8

+ + +

>> Course of the Battle <<

The Russian ships in question were completely taken by surprise.

No one expected the outbreak of hostilities before the start of the new week. Practically no ship was under steam and many sailors were even on land. The few outpost boats could be skilfully avoided and then the commander of the leading 6th Japanese torpedo boat flotilla was greeted by the magnificent sight of the Russian armoured cruisers, which lay quietly in the water in several rows as if strung on pearl necklaces.

+ + +

The 6th Torpedo Boat Flotilla immediately decided on the first targets, although they were actually targeting the mighty ships of the line. The Japanese torpedo boats sailed undetected within the first two rows and were able to bring their torpedoes into the water in peace. While the first hits were still prevented by torpedo nets, it went blow after blow. Practically all armoured cruisers were hit several times and where no aim was possible on the armoured cruisers, the boatmen looked for protected cruisers or even enemy torpedo boats to compensate.

+ + +

The 7th Japanese Torpedo Boat Flotilla was not even within range of its weapons when practically all Russian armored cruisers were already in flames, one fatally hit already capsizing.

+ + +

The 7th Japanese Torpedo Boat Flotilla took the path between the anchorage and a row of outposts to complete the work. These armored cruisers would probably no longer pose a serious danger. At this time, the commander of the 6th Torpedo Boat Flotilla reported the berths of the Russian ships of the line and began to attack these ships with the remaining torpedoes as they sailed along the harbour entrance to Port Arthur.

+ + +

The 7th Japanese Torpedo Boat Flotilla quickly decided to abandon the already badly hit armoured cruisers and also to attack the ships of the line before they could pick up speed and were then difficult to hit. However, the armored cruisers were so tempting at anchor that it would have been downright negligent not to use any more torpedoes in the event of optimal firing solutions.

+ + +

Stripped of its port torpedoes, the 7th Japanese Torpedo Boat Flotilla now had to pass between two enemy torpedo boat flotillas and try to fight the ships of the line with the starboard torpedoes at the right moment. While the other flotillas still on the march encountered some enemy torpedo boats and also opened fire.

+ + +

The manoeuvre was successful and hits were made on the ships of the line as well as on the torpedo boats directly in front of them. However, the Japanese torpedo boats also received some heavy hits from the awakening Russian artillery.

+ + +

Next, the 11th Japanese Torpedo Boat Flotilla came up, this time attempting to attack the ships of the line from their port side. Hits from two sides would certainly have a devastating effect. The big advantage was that a torpedo that was used from this side and did not hit the ships of the line almost inevitably had to hit the torpedo boats or armored cruisers behind it.

The lead boat Shiratsuyu of the 11th Flotilla had not yet reached the foremost ship of the line in optimal position when that same Russian ship of the line was torn to pieces by a huge explosion and sank within seconds. Debris hit all around the Shiratsuyu and it was pure luck not to be hit or even sunk myself. The Shimakaze of the 7th Flotilla, which had been hit by the awakening enemy guns and could not hold the position in the 7th Flotilla, brought some disorder to the attack and therefore ran south.

Picture 35: Retwisan-class ship of the line sunk in the harbour basin of Port Arthur
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... tvisan.jpg
Author: 日本語: 海軍軍令部 (Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff)
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_ ... _Retvizan

A loud bang announced the equally quick end of an armored cruiser, which was ablaze with flames after the first attack. Now the fire had reached one of the magazines and put an end to the ship.

It seemed to be an auspicious day for the Imperial Japanese Navy!

Picture 36: "Russian ships of the line in the foreground receive hits from Japanese ships"
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... r_crop.jpg
Author: Torajirō Kasai
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Port_Arthur

+ + +

#011 RTW2-JAP#

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Mon Dec 01, 2025 5:54 pm

#003 The Russo-Japanese War of 1904/1905

From the War Chronicles of Imperial Japan:

>> Battle of the Liaodong Peninsula 28 to 29 July 1904 <<

On the side facing away from the ships of the line lay a single armoured cruiser, which thus faced the starboard torpedo launchers of the
11th Flotilla as a target, although this cruiser had already begun to pick up speed. At the same time, the lead boats of the 11th Flotilla began to attack the enemy ships of the line.

+ + +

The 9th, 13th and 15th Japanese Torpedo Boat Flotilla were now free to choose which ships they wanted to target. The commanders were to decide for themselves which Russian ship had not yet been hit, or which one still had to be restocked in order to be able to ensure sinking.

+ + +

Meanwhile, the Japanese armored cruisers Nisshin, Iwate and Yakumo steered a course that kept them away from the direct combat area. First of all, the torpedo boats were supposed to put as many heavy units out of action as possible and also to avoid some Russian torpedo boats that had finally understood what was happening.

The lookout of the Nisshin was so distracted by the spectacle of the firelight off the port of Port Arthur that he spotted an unknown ship directly ahead in the cruiser's channel much too late. This could probably only be a Russian torpedo boat or something even smaller. A basic evasion was no longer to be thought of and a torpedo alarm was sounded.

+ + +

The 11th Flotilla had done its job and inflicted at least one hit on each of the remaining ships of the line.

Next to the Nisshin, a small corvette peeled out of the darkness and the shelling was hardly possible because of the short distance. The commander of the Nisshin was annoyed by his evasive maneuver, ramming would have gotten this little crap out of the way faster. Nevertheless, the Nisshin managed to score.

Although the 12inch shell flew just over the target, but for such a small boat, the close hit by a 12inch shell was no small feat!

+ + +

Two of the remaining Japanese torpedo boat flotillas decided to finish off the armoured cruisers, while the third wanted to try their hand at the ships of the line.

Meanwhile, the heavily battered corvette was taken care of by the protected cruisers, which were much better suited for this than the large armoured cruisers.

However, the Japanese commanders now completely lost track!

+ + +

Hit after hit was reported! From the ships of the line to the armoured cruisers, the smaller protected cruisers and torpedo boats were also affected. Burning debris floated practically everywhere, casting an unreal glow of light on the scene. In between, corpses and people screaming for help drifted, but stopping was out of the question. On the contrary, there would soon be even more living and dead people in the water.

+ + +

Now that the Russian fleet had finally dropped anchor, at least the part that was still able to do so, the opponents now got in each other's way. The tax rates had to be adjusted. Evasion to the east was no longer generally possible. The torpedoes now had to be handled carefully in order not to hit your own boats, but the first Russian torpedoes were also sighted. The enemy, however, was very cautious with the return of fire. If he missed his Japanese targets, he would almost certainly hit his own Russian ships. The less death-defying Russian sailors did not want to risk that.

The Russian fleet could not defend itself without making everything much worse!

+ + +

Virtually no Russian warship larger than a torpedo boat was spared. Hardly any of them managed more than five knots, but this was enough to avoid further torpedo hits. One of the largest Russian ships of the line slowly crawled away to the northwest and apparently wanted to run aground in the shallow water off the coast in order to be rescued later. All nearby torpedo boats tried to prevent this, which led to hopeless chaos.

The defensive fire also came from the coastal batteries, which had fewer inhibitions about firing between their own fleet. This also increased the number of hits and heavy hits on the Japanese torpedo boats.

Picture 37: Russian land batteries shelling the Japanese fleet
Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Houang-Chin-San.jpg
Author: Le Patriote Illustré
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Port_Arthur

+ + +

The first attack of all six Japanese torpedo boat flotillas was over. All six flotillas sailed, but did their utmost to score further torpedo hits. At this point, the attack could have been called off, but it was not enough for Kaigun-chūjō Tōgō Heihachirō to hear which ship had been hit by how many torpedoes. He did not want to hear that these ships were burning and would soon sink.

Kaigun-chūjō Tōgō Heihachirō wanted to hear only one thing:

That all Russian ships of the line and armored cruisers have actually sunk!

Picture 38: "For the fourth time, our destroyers attack the enemy ships off Port Arthur in a courageous surprise attack". Artist Migita Toshihide, March 1904."
Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Por ... ch1904.jpg
Author: Migita Toshihide
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of ... ruary_1904

+ + +

#012 RTW2-JAP#

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Mon Dec 01, 2025 6:07 pm

#003 The Russo-Japanese War of 1904/1905

From the War Chronicles of Imperial Japan:

>> Battle of the Liaodong Peninsula 28 to 29 July 1904 <<

All torpedo boats that were still able to do so and, more importantly, had torpedoes – were ordered to continue the attack. Only when the torpedo boats were ready would the Japanese ships of the line and armored cruisers actively intervene in the fight and finish off what the torpedo boats had left.

Although all other large Russian ships had indeed been hit several times, none of them was acutely sinking. But that was exactly what Kaigun-chūjō Tōgō Heihachirō wanted to ensure.

+ + +

Since torpedoes were actually the best weapon against large ships, as always suspected by the naval leadership, the protected cruisers were now also ordered to intervene in the fight. Practically all protected cruisers still had the full stock of torpedoes in their launchers, with a few exceptions. Incidentally, this also applied to the Japanese armored cruisers and ships of the line, although Kaigun-chūjō Tōgō Heihachirō wanted to avoid having to get so close with his most valuable ships to bring torpedoes to the enemy from them.

If his ships of the line came within torpedo range, the same was true for the Russian torpedoes!

He did not want to give up the great success by a late catastrophe.

+ + +

Order could not be maintained during the second attack. Too many torpedo boats arrived at the same time, driving into each other's races. In addition, there were badly damaged stragglers who tried to get out of the combat zone. The protected cruisers were now also in the middle of the action and the Russian gun crews had finally lost their shyness to simply hold on. In addition, enemy torpedo boats now seemed to be scurrying around everywhere, always ready to give the Japanese an eel in turn.

Despite the spreading chaos, further torpedo hits were scored. There were nowhere near as many as before. Some hardly better than shot from the hip. Some of them aimed at gangs, because they had a firing solution on an enemy torpedo boat, but not on the ship of the line that they actually wanted to hit. Fortunately, however, this was not necessary at all. You could shoot at the torpedo boat calmly and the course of the ship of the line would lead it right into the middle of the torpedo's career at the right time.

And it was still true: If the torpedo does not hit its intended target, it will hit any other ship behind it!

+ + +

The use of the protected cruisers proved to be problematic. Firstly, too many of their own torpedo boats were sailing around in the vicinity for safe aiming, then they were under noticeable defensive fire, which prevented the torpedoes from being released safely, and finally the protected cruisers had permanently installed underwater torpedo tubes and no swivelling launchers on deck. So you had to aim with the entire cruiser yourself, which was hardly possible.

Individual goals were scored, but much less than hoped for and than seemed necessary.

+ + +

All the Russian ships that had not yet been hit—almost all torpedo boats—were now retreating to the sheltered harbor of Port Arthur. Because of the minefield, they could not be followed there, but two extremely daring submarine commanders had been lying inside the harbor basin with their submarines SSC I-2 and SSC I-8 for several hours – and even before the official declaration of war. The fact that neither of them had been torn apart by a mine was like a miracle. The harbor was not deep enough to safely submerge the minefield. If an anchor rope of a mine should get caught on the boat and the mine would be pulled directly to the submarine, submersion was also useless.

+ + +

What had to happen happens, the Yamakaze was hit by a torpedo. Whether shot by friend or foe could not be clarified. However, it was now confirmed that two ships of the line had sunk, as well as three armoured cruisers. However, these could also only be protected cruisers, that had not been determined with certainty. One ship of the line bobbed around on its side in front of the emerging Japanese ships of the line, another ship of the line had been lost sight of.

+ + +

The Japanese torpedo boats were in skirmishes with enemy protected cruisers and suffered painful blows in turn. Only the enemy torpedo boats seemed to do everything they could to avoid a fight. Surely their crews were traumatized by the sinking of their own ships of the line and armored cruisers and froze when they saw the Japanese ships of the line approaching.

+ + +

Kaigun-chūjō Tōgō Heihachirō blew for the last attack.

All torpedo boats and protected cruisers should now unleash their remaining torpedoes on the enemy ships of the line and armored cruisers and then turn away. After that, he would do the rest with his ships of the line and armored cruisers, and the torpedo boats and protected cruisers would only prevent enemy torpedo boats from getting too close to the Japanese battle fleet.

In particular, a Russian armoured cruiser proved to be particularly resistant. He might have already caught ten torpedoes, but maybe twenty, no one knew. The ship made a short trip and made no attempt to finally sink.

Kaigun-chūjō Tōgō Heihachirō headed for what seemed to be the last Russian ship of the line with his ships of the line, but just as he was about to open fire, the Russian ship of the line capsized. So now he would try to get to grips with this unsinkable armored cruiser.

The rest of the Japanese fleet tried to keep the enemy away from the ships of the line and otherwise tried to clean up the Russian "odds and ends", which proved to be extremely difficult with the guns. Hits were rare and the hit effect even worse.

It was indeed true – torpedoes had been irreplaceable – this night had impressively proven it!

The enemy armored cruiser ate one shell after the other and even the torpedo hits by all three Japanese ships of the line did not want to impress him.

Like predators, the Asahi, Mikasa, and Yashima circled their now-dormant prey, firing all guns. It seemed to pass an infinite amount of time until the enemy finally sank into the floods.

How heavily armored could this ship have actually been?

+ + +

As it sailed, a cargo ship and a torpedo boat got in the way of the Japanese fleet. Both could be sunk with artillery fire, but then the way was clear. The Russian torpedo boat made the mistake of pointing – i.e. without the possibility of using its torpedoes – towards the Japanese battle line. One of the few hits with the heavy guns on this day hit the command post of the torpedo boat and finally sealed its fate. The boat remained stranded and could not be missed at this short distance. It was shredded by more 11inch shells.

In the middle of the last skirmish came the reports of their own losses. As small as these may have been. Every single one was painful and they were not yet in a safe haven at home.

Kaigun-chūjō Tōgō Heihachirō ordered the retreat!

His plan of a surprise attack right at the beginning of the war was a great success!

+ + +

At two o'clock and fifteen minutes the last lookout announced a clear sea ahead, and no enemy in sight. In the west, only a few fires were still blazing, most ships had sunk and thus the fires were extinguished.

Night wrapped its mantle over Port Arthur, but Russia was far from defeated.

The core of the Russian fleet off Port Arthur was destroyed. Their own losses were extraordinarily low with only two torpedo boats. In addition, one of the U-boats did not report back from the patrol. The commander of SSC I-8 stated that he had noticed an underwater explosion when leaving the port.

It can be assumed that SSC I-2 ran into a mine and sank.

None of the Japanese ships of the line or the armoured cruisers were seriously damaged. All protected cruisers also remained operational. However, numerous torpedo boats have to go to the shipyard for several months.

According to unconfirmed reports, all Russian ships of the line and armored cruisers were sunk. Also several protected cruisers and torpedo boats. However, the naval command had to note with regret that about half of the Russian fleet was not present in Port Arthur. The whereabouts of these ships of the line and armoured cruisers are currently unclear, and several critics have indicated that it was pure luck that these ships did not show up off Japan while the fleet was looking for adventure!

+ + +

#013 RTW2-JAP#

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Mon Dec 01, 2025 6:13 pm

#003 The Russo-Japanese War of 1904/1905

From the War Chronicles of Imperial Japan:

>> Memorandum of Kaigun-chūjō Tōgō Heihachirō on the Battle of the Liaodong Peninsula
July 28 and 29, 1904 <<

Reflections on the Battle of the Liaodong Peninsula on July 28 and 29 for consideration by the 軍令部 (Gunreibu – General Staff) of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the 参謀本部 (Sambō hombu – General Staff) of the Imperial Japanese Army, and the 海軍省 (Kaigun-shō – Ministry of the Navy).

Honored Officers and Members of the 大本営 (Daihon'ei – Great Headquarters; Information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial ... adquarters), on the basis of the events in the night of the twenty-eighth to the twenty-ninth of July 1904, fundamental requirements arise for the further course of the war with Russia and the future planning of the fleet.

As the noble kaigun-daijin Yamamoto Gonnohyōe already knows, there are persistent statements that fundamentally question the combat effectiveness of the Mikasa-class standard ships of the line bought and built in Great Britain.

After the experiences before Port Arthur, I must now share the realization that the accuracy and damage of the 11inch guns of the Mikasa class leave much to be desired. This also applies to the 12-inch guns of the Iwate-class armoured cruisers, which were also supplied by British shipyards.

After evaluating all the reports and information provided by the artillery officers of all the ships involved in the battle, the final damage caused by the artillery must be classified as practically non-existent. According to this, the sinking of all large Russian ships present in Port Arthur can be attributed exclusively to the torpedo weapon. Hits by the main artillery of the ships of the line on a Russian armoured cruiser of the Gromoboi class had only an amplifying and accelerating effect. The 11-inch grenades were by no means the cause of the sinking.

Picture 39: Battleship Gromoboi
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gromoboi.jpg
Author: N/A
Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_cruiser_Gromoboi

Also look at the cumulative counts of the individual skippers:

In this respect, I now share the demands of the esteemed and honourable colleagues of the operational fleet commands for a targeted and substantial upgrade of the fleet with fast and as heavily armed additional torpedo boats as possible.

To this end, I consider the following characteristics to be the premise for the tenders to be issued:
- Number is more important than quality
- Number of torpedo launchers is more important than speed and number of guns
- Speed is more important than reliability

The honored kaigun-daijin should take this into account in future measures in design and procurement.

Gentlemen, I would now like to turn your attention to the events of the torpedo attack.

The first attacks of both the 6th Japanese Torpedo Boat Flotilla and the 7th Japanese Torpedo Boat Flotilla were exemplary and in the best tradition. However, already during the attack of the 11th Japanese Torpedo Boat Flotilla disorder and lack of coordination was noticeable.

Of course, this is due to the ineffective communication from ship to ship and is also more understandable due to the fighting. After all, it was at this point that the Russian fleet began to return fire. But I consider it inexcusable that both the 11th and all subsequent torpedo boat flotillas entered the fight on different approach routes.

It was only through this behavior that the chaos that had ultimately developed could arise in the first place. For my cruisers and ships of the line this could have ended extremely catastrophically.

I hereby call for binding rules to be issued for all commanders of torpedo boats and especially their flotilla leaders. Likewise, all training measures and manoeuvres must be examined in this regard and, if necessary, amended.

The attack of several torpedo boat flotillas on the same targets, moving in marching formation or at anchor, must be carried out exclusively from a battle line, either to starboard or to port. Under no circumstances should an attack be carried out from two directions.

After the attack, all torpedo boat flotillas have to move to starboard or port in a coordinated manner. Under no circumstances may it be swerved to starboard or port.

To achieve this, all torpedo boat flotillas must coordinate their approach with each other. All torpedo boat flotillas must never be on the enemy at the same time at the highest speed level.

The attack of the torpedo boat flotillas involved must take place one after the other.

These guiding principles also apply to the second and all subsequent attacks, insofar as this is feasible due to the events on site.

Furthermore, the flotilla leaders must ensure that all available ordnance is used. It is not in keeping with the Japanese military tradition of returning to the home port with full torpedo launchers.

Compiled together, the esteemed officers now receive the complete official course of operations of the ships of the line and cruisers during the
Battle of the Liaodong Peninsula on 28 and 29 July 1904

Dear officers and members of the 大本営 (Daihon'ei), in due course, further requirements for the military action of the fleet will arise. But now it is time to leave the victory behind us and take up the further fight.

The goal of forcing Russia to surrender in a single annihilation was missed. Now we must follow up with further action to make our goal – the return of the Liaodong Peninsula to the Japanese Empire – come true.

Long live the Rengō Kantai, long live the Imperial Japanese Navy, long live the Emperor!

Kaigun-chūjō Tōgō Heihachirō, August 02, 1904

+ + +

#014 RTW2-JAP#

Bigfish2012 · Post by **Bigfish2012** » Tue Dec 02, 2025 8:04 pm

#003 The Russo-Japanese War of 1904/1905

Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Friday, July 29, 1904

>> NAVAL BATTLE OFF PORT ARTHUR <<
>> RUSSIAN NAVY CRUSHINGLY DEFEATED <<

In a naval battle lasting several hours last night, the Imperial Japanese Navy under the command of Kaigun-chūjō Tōgō Heihachirō defeated the Russian fleet off Port Arthur. All ships of the Russian Pacific Squadron were sunk during the battle, while all Japanese ships returned home. Russian envoy Baron Rosen was seen frantically entering the Foreign Ministry building this morning. It can be assumed that negotiations on the Russian surrender were initiated at this time.

+ + +

Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, July 29, 1904

In Tōkyō and all other cities and villages in Japan, people were on the streets, excitedly waving the country's newspapers back and forth. Hectic and amazement, fear and pride gripped the people. Everyone wanted to know exactly what was going on, what was going to happen next?

Osaki Satoshi sat in the editorial office and sorted the reports – once again! He was less interested in what he himself and the other Japanese newspapers had spread among the people for disinformation – of course there were his own losses – but he wanted to know what the rest of the world had to say. To his chagrin, it was still a bit early for that. The time difference to the capitals of Europe or North America was significant. So before the world press could publish anything at all, its reporters and journalists had to get up and rub the sleep out of their eyes. Then they would drink coffee and suddenly be disturbed by their publisher. War? What? No, that can't be? Surely this is a hoax? What? War? Russian fleet destroyed? What does the Tsar's court say? Be silent? So really sunk? All? We have to check that!

He would probably have to wait until tomorrow to find out the lead stories in London, Saint Petersburg, Berlin and Paris. All the hope and begging didn't help.

In the meantime, he was content with what could be learned from the official side in Japan and that was also interesting. The army laid claim to Sakhalin. Necessary, because Port Arthur was currently outside the army's invasion capabilities and the navy was concentrating on the enemy fleet.

Trade traffic had to be protected and even if the naval command wanted otherwise, what could be built quickly had to be built. Above all, the reference to far too few minesweeping ships was startling. This was therefore the first to be commissioned. Corvettes with minesweeping capabilities and torpedo boats with minesweeping capabilities. The shipyards were busy with this, in whose docks other ships were waiting for completion anyway.

The military had got its way, Japan was at war with Russia. It was to last much longer than friend and foe had suspected!

+ + +

Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Tuesday, August 2, 1904

>> RUSSIAN COWARDS REFUSE NAVAL BATTLE <<

Units of the Russian fleet tried to attack Japanese cargo ships in the Sea of Okhotsk this morning. The Imperial Japanese Navy wanted to confront the enemy in battle. At the sight of our ships of the line, the Russian ships fled in wild panic.

+ + +

Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Tuesday, August 2, 1904

Osaki Satoshi, of course, knew the whole truth. At least most of it. Minister of the Navy Yamamoto Gonnohyōe kept his word and let one or the other piece of information leak out, even though Satoshi was never allowed to write anything about it in the newspaper.

The cargo ships were part of an invasion fleet en route to Sakhalin, and despite the flight of the Russian Pacific Squadron, the invasion eventually failed due to the danger posed by a possible return of the enemy. The Imperial Japanese Army was unwilling to expose its soldiers to this danger, and the conflict between the army and the navy was heading for a new climax. At least the trade war, which was presented by the U-boats, was satisfactory, even if not really sustainable.

The initiative in this war was once again taken by Japan!

+ + +

From the War Chronicles of Imperial Japan:

>> Battle of the Yalu Estuary 16 to 17 August 1904 <<

Port Arthur should have been the decisive battle. To make everything clear in just one day. However, the greater part of the Russian fleet had been at sea, and was not at home at Port Arthur.

Although Port Arthur was a huge shock for Russia and there were riots in St. Petersburg and Moscow and demonstrations to end the war immediately, Tsar Nicholas II or his military advisors saw it differently.

Apparently, the Russian naval leadership had assured the Tsar that it would be able to successfully stand up to Japan with the rest of the Russian Pacific Squadron. In view of the balance of power, this was a rational consideration, because the Russian naval forces in Asia were still on a par with the Japanese naval forces in terms of strength.

For the Imperial Japanese Navy, this marked the beginning of everyday life during the war.

Due to extensive espionage activities, information reached the naval command that Russia wanted to take control of the access to the Yalu River. On the western side of the Yalu, work was underway to establish a base and quite certainly a coastal battery.

Its completion was to be prevented at all costs, as the Yalu played an essential role in the "seizure" of Korea. Korea had long been on Japan's expansion list, and Russia could not be allowed to interfere here.

Shortly after sunrise on 16 August 1904, the Japanese First Cruiser Division with the armoured cruisers Yakumo, Tokiwa and Izumo was on its way to the Yalu. The armoured cruisers were accompanied by the Second Reconnaissance Division with the protected cruisers Takachiho, Izumi and Unebi and the Fourth Reconnaissance Division with the protected cruisers Yaeyama, Naniwa and Hashidate.

After the experience off Port Arthur, the Third Torpedo Boat Flotilla with the torpedo boats Hibiki, Nenohi, Shikinami, Namikaze, Hokaze and Numakaze played a major role. If heavy units of the Russian fleet were on site to defend the construction site, it would again be the torpedo boats that had to strike the first blow.

Eijirō Takagi, who had recently been promoted to Kaigun Shōshō, led the Japanese squadron into battle with the following premise:

The heavy units, covered by the Fourth Reconnaissance Division, would advance close under land along the coast of Korea to the mouth of the Yalu. In Korean territorial waters, the presence of the Russian fleet was hardly to be expected.

The Third Torpedo Boat Flotilla would rush ahead, but turn early towards the mouth of the Yalu River.

The Second Reconnaissance Division, on the other hand, was supposed to take the direct route to the Yalu from its current position. Here, outpost boats were expected and armoured cruisers directly in the wide mouth of the river. It was up to the protected cruisers with their superior firepower to wrestle down the enemy outposts, while the torpedo boats were to run head-on against the presumed armoured cruisers.

With the defense of the Third Japanese Torpedo Boat Flotilla, the enemy would certainly be so busy that with a little luck he would notice the arrival of the Japanese armored cruisers late and then he would already be under fire from the Japanese artillery. This, in turn, had to be enough to give the torpedo boats the time to really hit the enemy with the torpedoes.

It turned out differently - it was going to be a long day!

+ + +

#015 RTW2-JAP#

戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon

Re: 戦争クロニクル帝国日本 – Sensō kuronikuru teikoku Nihon