Ministry of the Navy of the Imperial Japanese Navy – Friday, October 9, 1911
"So it's decided then?"
"Yes, Mr. Minister!"
All those present nodded thoughtfully. For three hours there was a fierce argument. Months of work had become worthless, but in the end there was no other option. In the long term, the benefits outweigh the benefits of faster availability.
"Then we will scrap all the new buildings that were laid down just a few weeks ago?"
"Yes, it's the best. We cannot simply install the machine system in the hulls planned so far. Technically possible, but then we lose the full potential of a ship design developed directly for oil firing."
"All right – it's decided. All new buildings will be demolished and the designs with oil firing will be reconstructed."
"Thank you very much, gentlemen, let's get to work!"
+ + +
Editorial of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Tuesday, September 12, 1911
The events at the shipyards did not go unnoticed. The Navy had never had a single oil-fired ship in its hands. Not a single barrel of oil had yet been extracted, and yet from now on the navy seemed to rely on this fuel.
For the lengthy new buildings, this still made sense, until they are completed, oil production would be running. However, it was already being considered to convert existing ships – even those that had just come out of the shipyard – no one could say whether there would be enough oil reserves available by then.
Then in September came what Osaki Satoshi had been speculating on for so long. The government launched a significant disinformation campaign due to the great danger of American influence in East Asia. The telegraph wires were glowing and tensions were soaring.
+ + +
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, September 21, 1911
At the end of September, the oddities began. Thousands of shipyard workers were dismissed without the navy wanting to give a reason.
In the editorial office, there was incomprehension about the minister's silence. Half of Japan knew that something had happened within hours. Thousands of workers were left without income and wondered what was going on. Of course, this immediately made the rounds like wildfire.
Once again, it was Kaigun-daisa Taketomi Kunikane who was able to find out what had happened.
"The Navy is running out of money!"
"What?"
"If these two cruisers were to continue to be built, it would be over in four months and the Navy's budget would be used up."
"Is that why the trouble with the United States was instigated?"
"Yes, this has led to a higher allocation of financial resources, but it is not enough."
"The Navy is living beyond its means – can we print it?"
"If we print it, the government will close down our editorial office."
"The situation is that serious?"
"Insanely large sums are spent on the conversion of existing cruisers. The biggest problem here is the constant delays. The steel industry is completely overwhelmed. Numerous conversions are already months behind schedule and cause unexpected costs."
"What will the Navy do?"
"For starters, stop or even demolish the new buildings. But then..."
"Yes – further increase the tensions in order to get more money back into the coffers."
"That's what it boils down to."
"So we are facing a new war?"
"The Navy is not ready for that yet, but sooner or later it will happen."
+ + +
Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, October 6, 1911
The first news at the beginning of October was still relatively inconsequential.
But then there was a completely unexpected step. The Navy itself announced details about the latest ships under construction!
At first, Osaki Satoshi did not understand the sudden openness. He initially believed that the Navy had taken this step because the designs were no longer a secret anyway. If the government had to admit that enemy spies had stolen the plans, it would be an extraordinary loss of face. If you announced the plans yourself before it came out, there was simply no more espionage affair.
While walking in the hills, Satoshi had another thought. When the whole world learned what powerful ships Japan was building, the other navies had to react. If the other nations then increased their spending, Japan would of course have to follow suit.
"An arms race is brewing," Satoshi fabulated, turned home and immediately left for the editorial office.
+ + +
Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, November 3, 1911
At the beginning of November, however, there was a tangible espionage scandal. However, Japanese spies were involved in it. In Europe, a veritable spy ring was unmasked, which began to put a massive strain on relations, especially with the British Empire.
+ + +
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, December 18, 1911
In December, the time had come. Japan had managed to have a major or minor conflict simmering with every major country. That was probably what the military, which used increasing war rhetoric, had intended.
+ + +
Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, February 5, 1912
Over the turn of the year into February, the tensions subsided a little. Japan had apparently slowed down.
+ + +
Editorial office of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, February 12, 1912
A few days later, Osaki Satoshi also learned the reason. Although Japan had threatened the whole world with its new powerful ships, there has been no progress in the construction of the largest of these ships so far. Japan's navy simply lacked the necessary money and so construction had been stopped.
Without modern ships, however, it was madness to start a new war.
Even the leadership of the Imperial Japanese Navy understood that!
+ + +
Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Monday, February 12, 1912
>> Aisin Gioro Puyi abdicates from <<
In China, the last emperor of the Qing dynasty, Aisin Gioro Puyi, resigned today. Puyi may continue to bear the title of Emperor of China and he has been granted the right to live in the Forbidden City, but he and his court no longer have anything to do with the affairs of government in China.
So far, nothing has been announced from Japanese government circles as to how Japan will react to this development. So far, there is no sign of intervention by the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Tuesday, April 16, 1912
>> Passenger Steamer RMS Titanic sunk during its maiden voyage! <<
In the course of the day it became known that the new passenger steamer RMS Titanic of the White Star Line, which was advertised as unsinkable, sank in the North Atlantic. According to previous telegraphic reports, only a fraction of the passengers and crew could be rescued from the ships that rushed to help. There is talk of well over 1000 victims.
The RMS Titanic had only been commissioned 2 weeks ago and has since been considered the largest ship in the world.
Editorial office of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, April 17, 1912
The worldwide consternation was even felt in Japan, even though the disaster had taken place far away between Europe and North America. Now, one day later, little was still known. The sparse information could be summarized briefly.
The Titanic was one of the most modern ships in the world. It was considered unsinkable. British shipbuilding was leading the way and the hull had been designed with the most modern aspects in mind. Nevertheless, there were well over a thousand victims, not a few of them from the richest and most distinguished European and American families.
But what did this mean for warship construction? Osaki Satoshi had to admit to himself that he had never asked himself whether or not there were identical design principles between warships and civilian ships?
The Titanic was supposed to be unsinkable. A completely new approach to construction. Was this approach also present for cruisers and battleships? Was this approach flawed, or was it a mistake during assembly?
If these design features also applied to warships, how long did shipbuilding designers tinker with them? Was it a well-known principle or a secret?
In the end, the question Satoshi asked himself was: What about Japan's new ships under construction. Did they also have the same design flaw, or did battleships generally not have this problem due to their design?
He would probably have to try to get hold of details from the construction plan.
+ + +
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, May 9, 1912
The last few weeks have brought significant progress. More and more conversions were completed, essential new technologies were ready for production and a significant economic upswing also benefited the Navy. There were still rumours of a deficit, but the more conversions came out of the shipyard, the better it became.
Naval circles rumoured that all new buildings could probably be built at full speed from the second half of the year. But even then, the delay could not be made up. Completion would probably not take place before 1915, that was already apparent.
+ + +
Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, June 10, 1912
But then there were setbacks again. Even though the Minister of the Navy was again as closed as in earlier times, it was hard to keep secret that there were several conflicts behind the scenes. The Navy's plans were thoroughly mixed up, because suddenly the faction of torpedo boat supporters had received an unexpected boost.
+ + +
Editorial office of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, July 17, 1912
It quickly became apparent that the shipyards were happier with torpedo boats than with large battleships. Torpedo boats were quick and easy to build and brought in total significantly higher revenues, with less risk. The new armoured cruisers and the Hatsuse had to wait further, although the second half of the year had begun.
+ + +
Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Tuesday, July 30, 1912
>> THE TENNŌ IS DEAD! <<
>> Terrible news from the palace - the Meiji-tennō is dead! <<
It has been announced from the Imperial Palace that our beloved and revered Emperor of the Meiji-tennō Mutsuhito passed away in the early hours of this morning. The whole country is in a state of shock after the worst conceivable loss that could befall our country.
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Tuesday, July 30, 1912
The news of Meiji-tennō's death hit like a bombshell. It was somewhat known that the tennō had been suffering from various diseases for a long time, which had now led to his death. It was a disaster for Japan. After all, it was Meiji-tennō who had shown Japan the way into modern times.
Despite all hostility and even attempted attacks, the Meiji-tennō has taken the path that has made Japan a modern industrial power. How things would continue under the new Taishō-tennō, the son Yoshihito of Meiji-tennō, no one could say.
The Taishō period began - the time of justice. Osaki Satoshi was aware that the military would continue to pursue its aggressive path and the latest interference in international politics already showed this.
The question now remained as to how the palace – how the Taishō-tennō would feel about the navy?
Would the army now regain its old influence?
+ + +
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, August 16, 1912
There was still uncertainty about Japan's future in many places, only the navy seemed to have clear ideas. At the shipyards, speed was set to complete all conversions. This was probably the only way to be able to fully resume the large new ships despite the forced torpedo boat rebuilding program. The economic upswing helped, but how long would it last?
+ + +
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, September 11, 1912
In September, the Navy finally had the opportunity to highlight its importance. Japanese officers went through a hard drill during their training. Nautical science was carved into their bodies. Mistakes or even failures were an irreparable disgrace. Osaki Satoshi was perfectly aware that no Japanese commander would have made such a simple navigational mistake as was under discussion.
"That was intentional!" Satoshi whispered to the group.
"I think so too," added Kaigun-daisa Taketomi Kunikan
"Then the Navy is back on the warpath?"
"At least it is an attempt to increase the naval budget and the way through international tensions has always worked well in recent years."
"At some point, this will go terribly wrong."
"Yes, at some point, but for now, the Navy has achieved its goal. Surely there will soon be enough money to go through with the new construction programs."
+ + +
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, December 19, 1912
Another year was coming to an end. After the last few months had passed without much excitement, there was a serious rift with the British Empire shortly before the turn of the year. Again, the military had managed to drive the politicians in front of them and it was only a matter of time before the lit powder keg would explode.
Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, December 23, 1912
It didn't really get winter in the 多摩丘陵 (Tama-kyūryū). It was cool, but there was no sign of an already rare snowfall far and wide. Osaki Satoshi walked through the barren December landscape and drew his sound closer, because the wind caused a firm feeling of cold.
Tensions with the Empire were considerable and Japan's navy was far from being able to compete with this enemy. Satoshi had taken some documents from the editorial archive, which he now looked at.
The Empire was clearly superior. A war would be madness!
+ + +
Editorial office of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, January 6, 1913
Another turn of the year had been uneventful, apart from the fact that there had been a debauched family celebration, which was unusual for the civilized Japanese conditions. Osaki Satoshi's head was still pounding. A bump shimmering in all the colors of the rainbow showed exactly where he had hit his head on one of the massive wooden pillars in his house after he had asked his wife to do a swinging dance.
He took note of the news only with the greatest effort and waited for the end of the working day.
+ + +
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Tuesday, March 11, 1913
Kaigun-daisa Taketomi Kunikan was excited, his head was fiery red: "I don't believe that!" he exclaimed unusually loudly.
"But the navy is on fire, surely there must be a reason for that?"
"This is a mistake, the naval leadership will still recognize that."
"For the moment, it means that very considerable funds and research capacities will be diverted to this area."
"It remains the wrong way, what are these rattle racks supposed to do? They fall apart at the slightest gust of wind."
"The minister expects a lot from this new technology of the aircraft!"
"The minister has been wrong in the past and his digression on the question of whether the navy is better off building new battleships or converting old torpedo boats speaks volumes."
"So we won't get anywhere like this..." Osaki Satoshi finally intervened – "We are waiting to see what progress the year brings. After all, the development is going very fast and the other nations have also picked up on the topic."
"Alright, let's wait and see how it develops. But I think the Navy would do well to develop better guns than to fold wooden sticks with paper into origami planes according to old tradition."
+ + +
Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, July 4, 1913
After global tensions had eased in the first half of the year, and the world preferred to enjoy itself at the 28th World Exhibition in Ghent, the topic unsurprisingly picked up again in July.
"The Navy needs the money."
"The Navy always needs money. Slowly it begins to ferment among the colony."
"Yes, you can say that, behind closed doors, many ordinary people complain pitifully about the high arms spending. It's not happening publicly yet, but you can feel it."
"But with an imminent conflict with the Empire, this will not get any better."
"No, the people have still had enough of the war, even if the last one was five years ago."
"So something will have to happen again?"
"To keep the people happy?"
"Yes."
"Something will certainly happen if the military does not want to jeopardize its support."
+ + +
Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, September 17, 1913
Now even Kaigun-daisa Taketomi Kunikan was completely surprised! "The Navy wants what?"
"The Navy wants to launch aircraft from ships."
"That's madness!"
"But you have to admit, dear Kaigun-daisa, that an airplane has a much better view of what is happening at sea from the air?"
"Yes, and what good is that?"
"Why what good is that?"
"How is a pilot supposed to make himself understood in his paper airplane without getting his feet wet and having to be fished out of the water?"
"What about this new technology that is being installed on so many ships after the Titanic disaster?"
"You mean maritime radio?"
"Yes, maritime radio."
"Editor Abe Takeshi - have you ever seen a radio room on a ship?"
"No, Kaigun-daisa."
"It's a whole room, bigger than any airplane. That will never work."
"So it doesn't fit?"
"No, it doesn't fit, and it probably never will. Flag signs remain and that is hardly recognizable even between two ships. Especially not when an airplane is whirling around somewhere in the air at high speed!"
"The minister is convinced of it! He thinks an experiment will be prepared soon."
"Then I'm curious to see how many pilots will have to break their necks before the Navy finally gives up this aberration!"
+ + +
Editorial office of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, November 26, 1913
The late summer and autumn brought important research results for which the Navy had been waiting for a long time. The fire control made a big leap, but there was also worthwhile conversion potential for the small units.
Osaki Satoshi was therefore not surprised that the navy had suddenly begun to send larger parts of the fleet back to the shipyards. And this time, the combat value should actually be able to be increased considerably.
+ + +
Ministry of Navy of the Imperial Japanese Navy – Tuesday, December 9, 1913
Navy Minister Saitō Makoto again welcomed a larger group of officers to his office.
Again present was the promoted Gensui Tōgō Heihachirō, in an advisory capacity. At 65 years old, the Gensui was still extraordinarily agile. However, it was rumored that the Gensui would soon be given a position in the palace and would thus no longer be available to the Navy.
Of course, Kaigun-chūjō Ijūin Gorō was present again, who still held the chairmanship of the 軍令部 (Gunreibu – General Staff).
Kaigun-chūjō Katō Tomosaburō had been the acting commander of the 第一艦隊 (Dai-ichi Kantai - IJN 1st Fleet) since the first of December, so he felt a bit uncomfortable to be summoned so quickly to a top-secret meeting that would have only one topic.
"The army also judges this in this direction. Supplying soldiers of the Imperial Army so far away would have presented us with the greatest problems."
"Besides," Gensui Tōgō Heihachirō pointed out, "Besides, our behavior will lull the British into a sense of security. It reduces the tensions for the moment or at least does not increase them."
"So let's get to the real reason for our meeting..."
+ + +
Kaigun-chūjō Ijūin Gorō spread out a map on a large round table provided, around which all those present now gathered:
"Gentlemen, it is a painful wound that we had to leave Wēihǎiwèi to the Empire in 1898! This shame still weighs on our shoulders today and is a constant humiliation of our Tennō."
"We can't take this any longer!"
The group nodded thoughtfully and stared at the map of the bay.
"Do we know where the ships of the China Station usually are?"
"The units regularly change their base as long as they are not at sea. Most of them stay in Singapore, but also regularly in Hong Kong and Wēihǎiwèi."
"And the British are so reckless as to put their ships on talk and not directly in port?"
"That's how it is, Rikugun-Taishō!"
"But gentlemen of the Navy, if I am correctly informed, our most important ships are all still under construction. Completion not before the summer of the year after next."
"If the attack plan of the noble Kaigun-chūjō Yamashita Gentarō succeeds, it doesn't matter. Kaigun-chūjō Yamashita Gentarō was already responsible for the detailed planning in 1904 and 1905 and is currently the commander of our Naval Academy. He knows what our officers can do."
"Yes, yes, I've heard of him. It is said that he is more concerned with marrying off the young cadets than teaching them the seriousness of life."
"Rikugun-Taishō Hasegawa Yoshimichi, you've listened to nasty rumors! Of course, it is important for our cadets to know what they are fighting for. A wife and children who have to be defended are a greater incentive than they realize."
"Gentlemen, I don't want to provoke a quarrel today. I had only heard about this behavior."
"Yamashita Gentarō is an experienced man. Without his exact elaborations, many a battle with the Russians – especially the one off Port Arthur – could have ended differently."
"So you think the plan is feasible, Gensui Tōgō Heihachirō?"
"Yes, I think so, the plan looks promising."
"Isn't it something – traditional?"
"Has the tradition harmed us so far?"
"No — of course — you're right, Gensui."
"So then it's decided?"
"Yes - Yamashita Gentarō should finish working out the plan."
"Well – then the question of timing remains?"
"That doesn't depend on us alone, the British fleet must also be present."
"She will Katō – according to my information, the British fleet will move to Wēihǎiwèi at the beginning of next year."
"Then it is decided, gentlemen, then I instruct the Foreign Minister to find a reason for war."
"And the Tennō?"
"The Tennō is informed and wants to see the shame of Wēihǎiwèi erased as soon as possible."
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Tuesday, January 6, 1914
This winter there had indeed been light snowfall in 多摩丘陵 (Tama-kyūryū) and Osaki Satoshi trudged through the cold January landscape. The blanket of snow, if you could even call it that, lay like fine powdered sugar over the hills of the region and Satoshi had finally fallen in love with his new home. It actually seemed to him as if he lived in the middle of the countryside, even though Tōkyō was only a few kilometers away. However, he feared very much for his home, as the capital itself and all settlements in the 関東平野 (Kantō heiya = Kantō Plain) had grown enormously in recent years. Japan developed more and more into an industrial nation based on the Western model and had to cope with the influx from the countryside to the cities, so to speak. The 関東平野 (Kantō heiya = Kantō Plain) seemed to grow the fastest and most extensively, which seemed to be due not least to the ever-growing shipyards. In addition, there were steel manufacturing companies, armaments companies for explosives and so on. The peace might not last long.
But that could also change, he could literally feel the tension that was in the air on his skin. It's just funny that the common people didn't seem to notice much of all this. Although there were one or two grumpy voices because of the high arms spending, no one seemed to see a new war coming.
Satoshi knew better. The signs were so clear, so strong, he expected the declaration of war every day.
+ + +
Morning edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun of Friday, January 16, 1914
>> Japan's navy builds airplanes! <<
The Imperial Japanese Navy has announced that it has commissioned a design bureau to develop a naval aircraft. Navy Minister Saitō Makoto did not explain what a naval aircraft is. It is indeed surprising that the navy now seems to want to take to the skies from its element, the water. We can be curious to see what we can expect from this flying boat?
+ + +
Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Thursday, February 5, 1914
>> Japanese Marines put down insurgency in China! <<
Yesterday, a division of Japanese marines put down the uprising in Zhifu, China. The navy justified the step with the great danger to Japanese merchant shipping, which makes numerous trips to the ports in the Shandong region.
Only yesterday evening, the British ambassador Sir William Conyngham Greene protested sharply against the Japanese invasion and demanded the immediate withdrawal of Japanese soldiers from China.
The fierce British reaction is likely to be related to the British naval base Wēihǎiwèi, which is only about sixty kilometers away. Sixty kilometers is about 15里 of our old Shakkanhō, which was replaced by the metric system in 1886.
Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Monday, March 15, 1914
>> The British Empire Mobilizes – Will There Be War? <<
After the Japanese ship of the line Suwo fired at the Chinese Zhifu last night, it became known that the British government has threatened to mobilize the fleet if the Japanese fleet does not immediately withdraw to its home waters.
Is Japan threatened with war with the British Empire?
+ + +
Ministry of Navy of the Imperial Japanese Navy – Wednesday, March 18, 1914
Navy Minister Saitō Makoto sat impatiently in his office. He had hardly slept for the last three days and therefore had difficulty concentrating. It was now half an hour past midnight when he heard voices outside his office. There was a knock and without waiting the door was opened by an order.
With hasty steps, Foreign Minister Makino Nobuaki entered the room.
"And?"
"The Tennō's order has been carried out according to instructions. I handed over the declaration of war to Sir William Conyngham Greene at midnight sharp."
"Good – very good!"
"Mr. Minister of the Navy, why did it have to be in Japan at night? It is still day in Europe, and the Empire can now react immediately. Sir William Conyngham Greene was indignant and threatened to completely subjugate Japan. He has indicated that a British squadron is already on its way to Asia."
"It's forty minutes past midnight now—about an hour to go!"
"What do you mean by another hour?"
"The telegraph line from Wēihǎiwèi to Europe runs through Zhifu, the line was cut directly with its transfer of the declaration of war to the Empire. In Wēihǎiwèi, the British will be completely clueless."
"What have you hidden from me? The mission was to make it clear to the Empire that we would not withdraw from Zhifu. I was not informed about Wēihǎiwèi. Wēihǎiwèi is British colonial territory."
"Wēihǎiwèi is ours – there is nothing more to say about it – wish Japan luck, Mr. Foreign Minister – the fleet will be in Wēihǎiwèi in about an hour."
After the first Russo-Japanese War, a new realization had taken hold in the Japanese military leadership:
Japan is only safe from the European colonial powers if it has control of all the major ports in the region, and East Asia must be liberated from the white imperialists.
Over the years, this developed into a secret doctrine that was to lead to the East Asian Colonial Wars. The members of the 大本営 (Daihon'ei) outlined the following plan:
First step: Securing the Northeast Asian waters
Second step: Securing the Southeast Asian waters
Third step: Establishment of a defense perimeter around Greater East Asia
Fourth step: Strength
To achieve these goals, the requirements were obvious:
Great Britain and the German Empire had colonies in Japan's backyard, which was intolerable. France, Great Britain and the United States of America controlled Southeast Asia and from there could easily cut off the Japanese islands from the world. The South Pacific and Central Pacific provided an ideal buffer zone, without the control of which an attack on Japan would be impossible, with only the Indian Ocean being a problem.
After the ambitions were staked out, the military leadership had to realize that several problems had to be overcome:
First, the navy was not strong enough for protracted major conflicts. At the beginning of a war, therefore, everything had to be made clear, as Port Arthur had already shown.
Secondly, the navy and the army had to work together and settle their dispute.
Third, Japan's economic base had to be strengthened.
All these points could only be achieved by one task:
Conquest of all the colonies of the imperialist enemies of Asia!
+ + +
The fleet of the British Empire was the greatest danger to Japan. If you could beat this fleet, you could beat all the fleets in the world. They also had to defeat the Empire fleet first. If one were to start with Germany or France, there was an acute danger that the Empire would interfere. Conversely, the other nations would hardly rush to the aid of the "great" empire. And the Empire would certainly reject such help. Anything else would be an insult because it would call into question the position of the Royal Navy in the world. The Empire would never risk this disgrace.
This resulted in the first destination for Japan, namely the British base Wēihǎiwèi. The uprising in Zhifu was prepared for months by Japanese infiltrators and offered Japan the opportunity to land a larger contingent of troops in the rear of the British base. At the same time, this required the presence of most of the British naval forces of the Asian region in Wēihǎiwèi.
If the Royal Navy was caught on the wrong foot at Wēihǎiwèi, Japan would have a chance to win the war. It would take weeks or even months for reinforcements from Europe to arrive. However, the most crucial thing was:
The Royal Navy could not weaken the other regions, that would immediately lead to a rebellion in the colonies there!
With a bit of luck, there would only be two sea battles. The opening battle of Wēihǎiwèi and another naval battle with what the Royal Navy could do without from the rest of the world.
At the time of the declaration of war, the main force of the 聯合艦隊 (Rengō Kantai) was located less than thirty nautical miles from Wēihǎiwèi. Everyone had to rely on the fact that the declaration of war had actually been handed over, because it was no longer possible to stop the attack after the fleet had sailed.
Kaigun-chūjō Katō Tomosaburō was appointed commander of the 聯合艦隊 (Dai-ichi Kantai - IJN 1st Fleet) by the acting commander of the 第一艦隊 (Rengō Kantai) and thus had the honor of commanding the blow against Wēihǎiwèi.
Even though the Imperial Japanese Navy had undergone constant rearmament, the most important new units were all under construction. Kaigun-chūjō Katō Tomosaburō therefore had to make do with older material to take up the fight against the most powerful navy in the world – the Royal Navy. The fleet strengths were as follows:
The Imperial Japanese Navy in March 1914
At the beginning of the war, the Imperial Japanese Navy consisted of the following units:
At the beginning of the war, the fleet of the British Empire consisted of the following units:
6 Duncan-class battleships (26,000 tons each)
5 Albion-class battleships (20,800 tons each)
2 Lion-class battlecruisers (28,400 tons each)
3 Invincible-class battlecruisers (20,200 tons each)
3 Indefatigable-class battlecruisers (19,900 tons each)
4 London-class standard ships of the line (16,700 tons each)
1 Venerable-class standard ship of the line (16,100 tons)
4 Centurion-class standard ships of the line (16,000 tons each)
5 Majestic-class standard ships of the line (15,500 tons each)
5 Renown-class standard ships of the line (15,500 tons each)
4 Caesar-class standard ships of the line (15,300 tons each)
7 Anson-class standard ships of the line (14,500 tons each)
1 Europa-class armoured cruiser (13,400 tons)
4 Ariadne-class armoured cruisers (12,300 tons each)
3 Bedford-class armoured cruisers (12,100 tons each)
4 Hogue-class armoured cruisers (12,000 tons each)
1 Diadem-class armoured cruiser (11,600 tons)
4 Amphitrite-class armoured cruisers (10,900 tons each)
1 Curacoa class protected cruiser (6,600 tons)
2 Psyche-class protected cruisers (6,200 tons each)
7 Persian-class protected cruisers (5,300 tons each)
3 Latona-class protected cruisers (4,900 tons each)
4 Cordelia-class protected cruisers (3,400 tons each)
3 Carysfort-class protected cruisers (3,200 tons each)
2 Constance-class protected cruisers (3,100 tons each)
7 Comus-class protected cruisers (3,000 tons each)
7 Acorn-class torpedo boats (900 tons each)
12 Foxhound-class torpedo boats (700 tons each)
3 Wolverine-class torpedo boats (700 tons each)
2 Amazon class torpedo boats (600 tons each)
2 Nubian-class torpedo boats (600 tons each)
5 Maori-class torpedo boats (600 tons each)
4 Kennet-class torpedo boats (600 tons each)
12 Derwent-class torpedo boats (500 tons each)
12 Ure-class torpedo boats (400 tons each)
7 corvettes of various classes (900 tons each)
5 corvettes of various classes (600 tons each)
21 coastal submarines
1 submarine
The following units were under construction in March 1914:
2 Triumph-class battlecruisers (29,000 tons each)
2 Lion-class battlecruisers (28,400 tons each)
1 Venerable-class standard ships of the line (16,100 tons) - modernization
1 Renown-class standard ship of the line (15,500 tons) - modernization
1 Anson-class standard ships of the line (14,500 tons) - modernization
1 Latona-class protected cruiser (4,900 tons) - modernization
2 Eden-class torpedo boats (1,100 tons each)
4 corvettes of various classes (900 tons each)
3 corvettes of various classes (600 tons each)
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Comparison of forces between Japan and Great Britain:
Comparing the balance of power between Japan and Great Britain was actually pointless. The Royal Navy was so clearly superior in all respects that even a statistic was useless.
It contrasted with 632,000 tons of shipping space in service or under construction for Japan and 1,499,200 tons in service or under construction for Great Britain.
Japan had 46 large warships in service or under construction, Great Britain had 106 large warships in service or under construction. This meant that Great Britain had more large warships than Japan currently had torpedo boats in service.
Only the comparison of the torpedo boats with each other did not have to shy away from the Imperial Japanese Navy, which was the result of the torpedo boat supporters. With the units included in the construction and modernization, Japan could muster 129 torpedo boats, of which Great Britain only 63 units in service or under construction.
In addition, there were 36 corvettes for Japan and 19 corvettes for the Empire.
With 43 to 22 U-boats, Japan was also superior in the U-boats, but no one could calculate the value of these units. The bulk of the submarines were small coastal submarines with limited range and firepower.
In the end, Great Britain still had 16 airships, but all of them were in Europe and therefore of no importance for the war in Asia.
Britain was able to complete large warships a good six months faster than Japan, but Japan had the maximum dock size. The largest dock in the Japanese Empire was suitable for ships up to 49,000 tons, while in the British Isles only ships with a maximum of 35,000 tons could be built. However, with the usual construction times of large warships, this was also of no significance for the war.
However, what spoke very much in favor of Japan was the regional distribution of the naval units. Britain needed significant parts of its tonnage in its worldwide colonies. It was simply impossible for the Royal Navy to cruise with the entire fleet in Asia. Neither the British bases in Asia nor the political facts of the colonial power provided this. If the Royal Navy were to leave a region without a sufficient presence for too long, uprisings would break out in the colonial territories. Britain would then have to wage war on several fronts.
This was the aim of the Japanese strategy. The Imperial Japanese Navy was able to act with concentrated power in East Asia, while the Royal Navy was able to bring a reasonable third to a maximum of half of its tonnage to Asia.
This meant that there was at least a tie, but probably even a noticeable preponderance for the Imperial Japanese Navy.
If the attack on Wēihǎiwèi were successful without suffering too many casualties of its own, the Royal Navy would be on the defensive and at least not capable of invading Japan.
Kaigun-chūjō Katō Tomosaburō had to listen to the importance of his first strike for the overall strategy over and over again, and now the time had come. The tips of the 聯合艦隊 (Rengō Kantai) were only about ten nautical miles away from the anchorage of the British East Asia Squadron.
If the politicians had been successful, the ships of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Henry Martyn Jerram were not under steam!
A light cloud cover hid any light, which limited visibility to less than two nautical miles on this pitch-black night. Kaigun-chūjō Katō Tomosaburō was more concerned about finding the enemy than anyone would discover his approach prematurely.
He followed the advice of Gensui Tōgō Heihachirō, according to which, under the right conditions, the torpedo boats should start the attack. This was due to the weak artillery firepower of the Japanese warships, but also to the low visibility at night.
In fact, the conditions for a surprise attack with the torpedo boats could not have been better!
The Imperial Japanese Navy moved in with everything that was seaworthy:
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Japanese 1st Battle Division:
Battleship Iwami (Flagship)
Standard ship of the line Suwo
Standard ship of the Line Iki
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Japanese 6th Battle Division:
Standard ship of the Line Yashima
Standard ship of the Line Asahi
Standard ship of the Line Fuji
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Japanese 8th Cruiser Division:
Armoured cruisers Ashigara, Kako, Aso
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Japanese 4th Light Cruiser Division:
Protected cruisers Kasagi, Akitsushima
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Japanese 10th Light Cruiser Division:
Protected cruisers Otowa, Akashi, Takachiho
