>> Memorandum of Kaigun-chūjō Tochinai Sojirō on the night battle in the Gulf of Tonkin, December 31, 1921 <<
Distinguished officers and members of the 大本営 (Daihon'ei),
The first day of the new year 1922 has brought us an unexpected success! Of course, we have to say again that the behaviour of our opponent was once again unexpected. Nor could our reconnaissance be expanded to the necessary extent, but with the divine protection of our nation, the navy under the leadership of Kaigun-shōshō Hisamori Taguchi succeeded in inflicting a severe defeat on the Grand Nation in a dramatic battle.
Our losses are minimal compared to those of the enemy, but for the future construction of ships, we need to closely study the sinking of the light cruiser Tatsuta. A single torpedo had reverent consequences here. We have to learn from that.
Signals are coming from the front that the loss of this supply convoy will possibly bring the decision at Tonkin. Thus, we can welcome the New Year benevolently and courageously move forward in this conflict to the honor of the Emperor.
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Thus, the officers of the 軍令部 (Gunreibu) of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the 参謀本部 (Sambō hombu) of the Imperial Japanese Army, and the 海軍省 (Kaigun-shō) may take good note of the prepared and illustrated course of the battle for the night battle in the Gulf of Tonkin on December 31, 1921 of that year.
Long live the Rengō Kantai, long live the Imperial Japanese Navy, long live the Emperor!
Kaigun-chūjō Tochinai Sojirō, January 1, 1922
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Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Sunday, January 1, 1922
>> Imperial Navy sinks large convoy – Tonkin garrison surrenders! <<
The new year 1922 begins with an outstanding success for the Imperial Japanese Navy! On the night of the turn of the year, Kaigun-shōshō Hisamori Taguchi managed to sink a large enemy convoy that was supposed to bring urgently needed supplies to Tonkin. Surely the perfidious enemy had expected to remain unmolested that night. But our navy cannot be tricked in such a clumsy way. Immediately after the French disaster became known, the garrison of Tonkin laid down its arms and surrendered to the Japanese landing troops.
This is the second great success within a few weeks and an indication of an outstanding year 1922!
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Editorial office of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, January 9, 1922
Osaki Satoshi surveyed the maps of the southern China Sea. Japan had achieved impressive successes, that had to be acknowledged. But he also realized how small the colonial bases of the British and French had been. Both nations had not placed much emphasis on larger ports in which large battleships could also be overtaken. He began to understand why opponents were taught one defeat after another. Strong and rested Japanese naval forces were mostly opposed by smaller enemy squadrons that had travelled for months.
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Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, February 02, 1922
In the Élysée Palace, too, someone had probably looked at the cards in the last few weeks! The printing presses were running at full speed, the extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun could not be reprinted fast enough as it was selling.
PEACE!
That was the simple title! Even before the turn of the year, secret negotiations between France and Japan were underway in Berlin. At the turn of the year, these were still not very successful, but at that time the delegations did not know anything about the Tonkin New Year's disaster.
A few weeks later, things changed and France gave up most of its Asian possessions. It was simply not able to defend it at such a distance, and in Europe the will to pay a death toll for the other end of the world melted away.
But Osaki Satoshi also knew what was in store for him now. Without war, there was no need for a large editorial office and he had to come up with something to maintain his position and somehow supply and employ his highly motivated editors.
The war with France brought considerable innovations in naval warfare and this would certainly be reflected in the development of the fleet. If he were to lose his network now, there was a risk of being pushed onto the siding. He himself was still not well liked in the ministry and was cut off from the information there.
Osaki Satoshi needed his editors and their informants now more than ever!
>> Memorandum of the Kaigun-chūjō Tochinai Sojirō on the Second East Asian Colonial War of 1921/1922 <<
Distinguished officers and members of the 大本営 (Daihon'ei),
the war is over!
Our successes are once again unbelievable and the Imperial Japanese Navy is now one of the serious maritime powers in the world! From now on, the European imperialists will think twice about starting a war with Japan.
Asia belongs to us – Asia belongs to Japan – Asia belongs to the Japanese people – Asia belongs to the Emperor!
Our successes at sea but also on land were so clear that it does not take many words to appreciate the achievements of our sailors and soldiers. It has been shown what we are capable of when the army and navy work together and not against each other, as was all too often the case in the past.
Therefore, as the most revealing event of this war, I would like to highlight only the deployment of our new aircraft carriers. As ambivalent as the experiences with it are, the last use of the carrier aircraft has shown the potential of this new weapon.
It is therefore with a heavy heart that I recommend that the Navy question the construction of further battleships and end their continuation in favor of aircraft carriers. It has been shown that the few Japanese battleships have not played a major role. On the contrary, if our battleships got into a reasonable combat situation at all, they were no match even for older enemy units. The few but difficult hits have shown this. The gentlemen officers of the honorable 第一艦隊 (Dai-ichi Kantai - IJN 1st Fleet) may forgive me, but Japan cannot have both. Either a battle fleet or aircraft carriers. I predict that the future belongs to aircraft carriers, the statements of our pilots are clear. If the designers take the statements of our pilots seriously, our modern Japan can take the lead in a weapon system at sea for the first time ever. We will never succeed in doing this with battleships in the future!
Finally, you will get an overview of our new possessions, which will give us an excellent starting point to chase the enemies of our nation out of our waters for all time and keep them out of them.
Long live the Rengō Kantai, long live the Imperial Japanese Navy, long live the Emperor!
Kaigun-chūjō Tochinai Sojirō, February 4, 1922
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Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Monday, February 6, 1922
>> Assassination attempt on Kaigun-chūjō Tochinai Sojirō -
Dispute within the Imperial Japanese Navy escalates! <<
This morning there was an assassination attempt on the honorable Kaigun-chūjō Tochinai Sojirō when he took a walk not far from the 海軍省 (Kaigun-shō – Ministry of the Navy) in the 日比谷公園 (Hibiya-kōen – Hibiya Park). Kaigun-chūjō Tochinai Sojirō was unharmed thanks to the courageous intervention of several young officers. The six hooded Pictures who carried out the attack were shot during their operation. But the question remains, how safe is it in Kasumigaseki (author's note: in principle the government district -> https://www.mlit.go.jp/english/2006/p_g ... story.html) if even the highest officers cannot be safe in their lives?
It is speculated that this attack is connected to a statement by the Honorable Kaigun-chūjō Tochinai Sojirō, according to which he wants to have the battleships of the Imperial Japanese Navy scrapped.
As it was also announced today, there is said to have been a fierce dispute and exchange of blows on the weekend before the 大本営 (Daihon'ei). The naval command has tried to keep this secret. With the assassination attempt this morning in public in front of dozens of witnesses, this was no longer possible. In a short statement, Navy Minister Katō Tomosaburō spoke appeaseingly of disagreements about the future use of Japanese shipyard capacities.
Behind closed doors, however, several members of the press, including the present editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun, were informed that there was an ugly dispute about the very much reduced budget for the Navy. It is completely natural that things cannot go on as before after the end of the war. After all, military spending had reached unhealthy levels that could no longer be explained to the civilian population after the peace agreement.
Kaigun-chūjō Tochinai Sojirō is said to have been annoyed that even the young 帝国海軍航空隊 (Teikoku Kaigun Kōkūtai - Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force) had been massively curtailed. The Kaigun-chūjō sees the future in these parts of the navy and does not agree with the ordered scrapping of the airships. On the contrary, it would massively restrict maritime reconnaissance, which would become increasingly important in the future. In the opinion of the Kaigun-chūjō, the disastrous deployment of the naval aviators so far – there is no other way to describe it – would not get any better if they were not granted the necessary warning time through long-distance sea reconnaissance. This requires all parts of the 帝国海軍航空隊 (Teikoku Kaigun Kōkūtai - Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force).
During the conversation in front of the 大本営 (Daihon'ei), an unnamed officer is said to have exclaimed that the honorable Kaigun-chūjō Tochinai Sojirō would be harnessed to one of the newly wrapped 18" guns. Then he could personally convince himself of the alleged uselessness of battleships.
These events so soon after the victory over the Grande Nation do not cast a good light on the recently achieved partnership within the Japanese military. The coming weeks and months should be exciting to see which faction prevails within the Navy. The fact that the dreaded Kempeitai have already been put on a short leash speaks volumes. The appearance of the Kempeitai during the last months of the war was too brutal.
The entire Japanese military is in the process of gambling away its reputation among the population when it carries out its disputes with public assassinations and incites its military police against the population.
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Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, March 3, 1922
Osaki Satoshi already knew the feeling from before. A feeling of emptiness, a feeling of uselessness. A feeling of falling into an infinitely deep and black hole – with no return!
It wasn't just because of the deserted editorial offices. Every time a war ended, he asked himself what to do next? The first days after the peace agreement had been extremely exciting, but the dispute within the military was now also carried out behind closed doors and the press learned nothing. Only time would tell who should gain the upper hand.
Most of his subordinates had received special leave and he knew that very many would not return from this vacation. The publishing house management used the absence of the employees to sort out who had to leave and who was allowed to stay. Osaki Satoshi had no say in this, he understood that immediately.
He thought about how it had been after the previous war and wanted to try to enforce this as a minimum.
After war is before the war, that much was clear – that's how he would argue to the publishing house management!
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, March 6, 1922
Osaki Satoshi experienced his biggest disaster so far. He was allowed to stay and continue to devote himself to the war chronicles of Imperial Japan. However, only he was allowed to stay. The rest of his editorial team was either dismissed or transferred to other editorial offices. He had to give up his spacious office and destroy most of his filing. There was no more room for that in the publishing house. Out of necessity, he stored everything at his home that was detrimental to the peace of the family.
In the small "broom closet" that he still had at his disposal, he tried to make the best of the situation. He had a small shelf wall in which he only stored the latest information according to a new scheme. He began by mapping the status quo of the current fleet. He found out that Kaigun-chūjō Tochinai Sojirō was already right. The current new hives alone showed that naval aviation was not accorded any importance.
If the 帝国海軍航空隊 (Teikoku Kaigun Kōkūtai - Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force) really become what Tochinai Sojirō suspected, it would be far too little budget!
However, it had to be admitted that at least the airfields on land were expanded or built at all. However, this did not help the fleet at sea.
At least editor-in-chief Fukuzawa Saburo didn't expect Satoshi to contribute even one article. He said that the population had had enough of the war and did not want to hear about thicker armor plates and new medals for old officers.
So it was hardly noticeable that Osaki Satoshi spent only a little time in the publishing house and built a large "shed" next to his home on his own together with his sons and several former editorial colleagues. His wife was worried that he was now bringing his editorial office directly home, but was also happy to get the rooms of the apartment building free again. March 1922 had passed quickly...
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Editorship of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, October 12, 1922
Not only the next few weeks, but the next few months flew by like the wind. But this was also due to the fact that simply nothing of importance for the naval war happened. There were individual political skirmishes, but that was about it. It was only in October that Osaki Satoshi was able to attend the delivery of the first real aircraft carrier designed and built as such. However, he could have saved himself the trouble with the camera, the photo of the new ship, christened "Zuiho", was not printed. A three-liner on an inconsequential back page, the report was not worth more to the publisher.
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Editorial office of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, December 18, 1922
The rest of the year was just as uneventful as the months before. Towards the end of the year, Osaki Satoshi was allowed to add at least a small side dish to the Tōkyō Shinbun. The overview of the fleet strengths of this world, however, made little work for him. Apart from the bare Pictures, the available space left no room for further information.
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Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Tuesday, February 8, 1923
The turn of the year was also quieter than ever before and Osaki Satoshi took the opportunity to go to Formosa with his family. In the last war, this island played an important role and he wanted to take a closer look at this piece of Japan. It was clear to him that future conflicts would hardly be fought over Japan itself. In the meantime, the Japanese Empire had maneuvered itself into a comfortable situation, as there were hardly any serious enemy bases near the Japanese islands.
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, May 17, 1923
The last war had already been over for more than a year, and although it had ended with a bang – the assassination attempt of Kaigun-chūjō Tochinai Sojirō – it had been quiet ever since.
Osaki Satoshi was burning with curiosity about who could assert himself in the navy, but nothing leaked out, nothing at all! It was certainly also due to the fact that he had hardly any personnel, resources and sources of information left, but there was also absolute silence on the part of the navy.
Actually, there was an indicator for the winning faction, but even this indicator was literally dead – the shipyards!
Apart from a few submarines and another ship of the Fuso class, which had been forced on the Navy from above, there was not a single new building. Not a single existing ship has been docked for major modernizations. On the slipways there were only ships that had been commissioned before or during the war. In addition, there was practically no construction progress to be observed for many of these ships. One of the Fuso-class battleships and the battlecruiser Ikoma existed in principle only on paper. Although large steel parts and steel plates were lying around everywhere in the shipyards, nothing happened. Of these 70,000 tons and 45,000 tons of new buildings, there was not even anything that could remind you of a keel in a dream.
What was going on in the navy?
Could it be that no faction was able to prevail and therefore neither new buildings nor conversions were carried out? That the large battleships were not demolished, but also not further built? But new aircraft carriers were not added either?
Osaki Satoshi didn't know how to assess that? He also didn't know how to find out what was going on in the big red brick building he hadn't been to for a long time?
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Editorial office of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, August 22, 1923
Summer was almost over and autumn was just around the corner. Osaki Satoshi was visibly depressed and frustrated. He was already thinking about quitting, even his own newspaper was haunting his head, but he had neither the knowledge nor the financial means to do so. He resigned himself to his fate and concentrated more and more on his new passion of painting. He stood with his easel in the hills of his homeland and painted landscapes. He found that this was an outstanding activity to distract himself.
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Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Saturday, September 1, 1923
It was Saturday! No reason for a Japanese not to work. Especially as an editor of a daily newspaper, you actually always worked. Day and night from Monday to next Monday. Osaki Satoshi did the same, at least in the past. He had had an unusually large amount of free time for a year and a half. In his hometown, there were already whispers about the lazy good-for-nothing. What could he do about it? His editor-in-chief had sidelined him and editor-in-chief Fukuzawa Saburo seemed to be right. There was simply no interesting news. Neither as far as the Imperial Japanese Navy was concerned, nor from abroad. Japan's relations with the other nations were good – all of them. Only the United States of America was slightly annoyed, but even that had not been worth mentioning for months.
The world seemed to have understood that it could be unhealthy to be on bad terms with Japan. Political tensions did not escalate as quickly as they used to. Even tangible espionage does not lead to threatening gestures and cannon thunder at the moment.
Osaki Satoshi did not work today. He was at home, standing in front of his house with his easel and painting a tree – a tree that he had probably painted a dozen times before.
Then put on the easel!
Satoshi was confused — he hadn't started the easel, not in the slightest. He bent down to raise the frame again. His legs felt kind of spongy, then he turned around. He tried to get up, but he couldn't.
Only now did he feel the tremors with full force. Getting up was out of the question. Everything wobbled, everything vibrated, everything shook. Objects jumped back and forth before his eyes, he heard glass shattering and saw the windows of his house shatter, then there was silence!
He didn't know how long it had taken, but it was intense. It was the most violent earthquake he had ever experienced. He had already experienced many quakes, that was nothing special in Japan. This time, however, he instinctively felt that it was different than usual. He ran to his command room, where chaos reigned – nothing was in his place, not even his camera.
After all, the camera seemed to have fallen softly, as it was lying on a mountain of paper. He grabbed the bag, then ran into the house. His wife was fine, but chaos reigned here too. After all, the house was still standing. However, lunch was spread over the floor. His wife was just about to start cooking, but the quake struck just moments before she was about to light the fireplace.
Osaki Satoshi no longer had an automobile at his disposal, so he looked for his bike. Found it and made his way towards Yokohama.
Up here in the 多摩丘陵 (Tama-kyūryū), he quickly had an unobstructed view of the Kantō Plain.
At first he said that it probably wasn't that bad, then it rumbled from the direction of the Honjo district. A great flame rose into the sky and danced around. Honjo? The military depot!
It didn't take long and more and more flames could be seen. No wonder! It was lunchtime. The food was prepared, practically all over Tōkyō and Yokohama the fireplaces burned in the houses. In Sagami Bay, he saw some ships making strange movements, then he recognized the tsunami hurtling towards land.
He heard explosions without end, he saw the water and the wind became stronger and stronger. The approaching typhoon had been felt all morning...
He looked around, turned his head back and forth. Only then did he think about his camera and start taking Pictures.
Shots of the completely destroyed Yokohama and the burning Tōkyō in the background.
Roads, paths, bridges into the city were destroyed. Progress is practically impossible. Fortunately, the damage was quite minor here in his place. His house was still fixed and his family had gotten off quite lightly. Since he could not get to the publishing house, he cleaned up. He helped his wife, then his neighbors. There weren't too many because of the rather sparse buildings, but the day passed. However, it was not a dark night, because the burning Tōkyō illuminated the horizon to the northeast across the entire width. In addition, there were a number of aftershocks, some of them strong. There would be no rest that night.
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Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, September 7, 1923
In the days since the great Kantō earthquake, Osaki Satoshi had repeatedly gone to the destroyed and burning city with his camera. But it was hardly possible to actually reach a destination. It was not until September 7 that he managed to get as far as the Tōkyō Shinbun publishing house. The building was largely destroyed – at least practically everything above the basement. The printing presses in the cellar might still be intact, but that could not be determined with the best will in the world. But one thing was clear:
Many colleagues were dead!
Who all could be known, no one could know. That would only be clarified in the next few days and weeks. But he had learned one thing: editor-in-chief Fukuzawa Saburo was lying in one of the makeshift hospitals. Maisutā Murata had made it out of the building. He couldn't really help because of his frailty, but he had watched Fukuzawa Saburo be rescued with crushed legs and taken away.
Now old Maisutā Murata stood beside Osaki Satoshi with tears streaming down his face, repeating the words over and over again: "My life – my printing presses – my life!"
Osaki Satoshi put his hand on his shoulder:
"We'll rebuild that, and you'll be the one to get the presses going again!"
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Editorial office of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, November 15, 1923
Editor-in-chief Osaki Satoshi stood in front of the publishing house and observed the clean-up work and the construction activity. It was already clear that the reconstruction of the capital would take years, if not decades. The emperor had issued an edict for reconstruction, and the Tōkyō Shinbun publishing house was one of a small number of buildings that would be rebuilt on the spot.
Tōkyō will be a different one than before. The image of the city would change fundamentally! The Emperor himself had declared that such a catastrophe must never be repeated. From then on, Tōkyō had to look completely different for this. And the Tōkyō Shinbun was lucky or unlucky not to be affected.
Gradually Osaki Satoshi understood that it must have been a divine providence that he had not been at the publishing house that day. He would probably be dead now if he had been in the publishing house. But as it was, Fukuzawa Saburo had unconsciously ensured that Osaki Satoshi was alive with his dislike of Osaki Satoshi's editors. What's more, his entire archive would probably have been destroyed if he hadn't had to move it to his private home. So almost everything was still there. It had to be truly a divine providence how everything had come about...
Editor-in-Chief
Osaki Satoshi also had to get used to this title. The editor of the Tōkyō Shinbun did not suffer any losses, but his youngest son Fukuzawa Saburo was henceforth in a wheelchair and was no longer able to fill these posts. Many others who would have been eligible for this before the quake were also dead or seriously injured. As the editor of a newspaper, however, the man also had a good memory. He knew only too well that his former editor-in-chief Kamata Itachi had warmly recommended the young Osaki Satoshi to succeed him before his retirement.
At that time, of course, he had decided otherwise, but now he had no other choice and had visited Osaki Satoshi at the beginning of the week and offered him the post.
Refusal was impossible, and Osaki Satoshi was now editor-in-chief of the Tōkyō Shinbun. In the past, he had imagined what he would do in this position, but today his main activity was to ensure the reconstruction of the publishing house. And he was successful! The basement of the building had actually been only slightly damaged. The printing presses required some care, but were basically able to do their job. Maisutā Murata was already devotedly taking care of his treasure and the first emergency edition of the Tōkyō Shinbun in a small edition was planned for Monday.
At the same time, he needed new staff. From then on, he had his own car as editor-in-chief, but it was of little use in the capital. Hardly any road could be used sensibly. The bicycle was the means of transport of choice and Osaki Satoshi rattled off all the addresses of his former employees that he had in mind. Here, too, there were deaths and injuries. Some had left Tōkyō or had long since taken up a new profession, but at least he had a small number of editors together.
Their work included, of course, the great Kantō earthquake and everything that followed, but at least he assigned an editor to research and write about the consequences of the quake on the Imperial Japanese Navy!
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Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, December 3, 1923
It would take months before the Tōkyō Shinbun would reach something like normality, but by the end of the year they were on the right track.
It was ironic that even editor-in-chief Osaki Satoshi could hardly give the Navy any space in the emergency editions, but it was only natural that the population had other concerns at the time. At least those who were still alive.
Military and war were the last words people wanted to read!
Editorship of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, March 27, 1924
As much free time as Osaki Satoshi had had in 1922 and 1923, he now had little in his new position as editor-in-chief. In Tōkyō there was still chaos, but at least an orderly chaos.
The Tōkyō Shinbun continued to appear in an emergency edition about once or twice a week, sometimes three times a week. The reports were limited to the reconstruction of the capital and the most important reports from abroad. Little came from the navy, but that was hardly surprising. Research was done, that was it for the moment. The Navy could be happy that it still had all ongoing construction projects on the agenda, but otherwise large parts of the 小野浜造船所 (Onohama Zōsenjo) (Kure Naval Shipyard) had to be rebuilt first. Most supplier companies had also been hit hard.
So editor-in-chief Osaki Satoshi was happy that he could devote his time fully to the entire publishing house and that the navy actually didn't stop him much.
Now, at the end of March 1924, he finally had some time to himself and rummaged through an older issue of Les Temps on the events of late January and early February in France.
Even though the war against the Grand Nation had already taken place two years ago, the actions of the Imperial Japanese Navy had now claimed the last victims!
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Tuesday, June 17, 1924
Towards the middle of the year, the situation had eased slightly. The previous traditional construction method of Japan had at least the macabre advantage that in many districts there was only a few pieces of rubble that were really difficult to remove. The new cityscape showed its first facial features with new, magnificent streets that were wider than anything known. Never again should a fire be able to burn down an entire district from one place. The streets were laid out so generously that it was almost impossible for the flames to spread.
Tōkyō would truly be a different person!
Whereas he had previously been able to use the DAT 41 of his predecessor, which had some scratches from falling bricks, Osaki Satoshi now had a brand new Otomo from Hakuyosha Ironworks at his disposal. On the new wide main streets of Tōkyō it was a pure pleasure to be on the road with it. Satoshi was now able to do his work faster, especially since he kept switching between the publishing house and his branch office at his home so as not to leave the employees working there completely unsupervised.
Ministry of Navy of the Imperial Japanese Navy – Monday, September 1, 1924
Navy Minister Takarabe Takeshi had invited the Japanese press to the Navy Ministry on the anniversary of the great Kantō earthquake. Kaigun-taishō Takarabe Takeshi was no stranger to the ministry, even though he had only held the office of Minister of the Navy since June 11. He had already been Minister of the Navy from May 1923 to January 1924 and had previously been Deputy Minister of the Navy under Katō Tomosaburō.
Kaigun-taishō Takarabe Takeshi had a long career in the Imperial Japanese Navy, where he was also acting head of the design department for many years. He was also the son-in-law of former Minister of the Navy Yamamoto Gonnohyōe.
Navy Minister Takarabe Takeshi's life thus consisted almost exclusively of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Osaki Satoshi was almost bursting with curiosity as to what the minister would have to announce? It had been a long time since he had last entered the Ministry of the Navy. He had his two older twins Okada and Giichi with him, who now regularly helped out in the editorial office. Actually, both were supposed to be doing military service at the moment, but quite a few young men were released to help rebuild Tōkyō. But it was only a matter of time before the two had to do their military service.
The Ministry of the Navy had suffered only minor damage and was one of the first buildings to be repaired. Now the representatives of the Japanese press were in a large hall and Minister of the Navy Takarabe Takeshi began his speech.
He said that the Japanese nation had suffered a difficult year, but now it was time to look forward. The construction of the capital was progressing and it was time to question self-employment. Too many incidents have been ignored, such as the French espionage and the affront during the Prime Minister's trip to Europe, and finally the United States of America and the British Empire have recently been on a confrontational course towards the Japanese Empire.
He went into great detail about all that Japan had achieved in the last twenty-five years and that it would be necessary to defend what had been created in the future.
Then four cadets pushed several display boards into the room and pulled down the linen sheets:
Minister of the Navy Takarabe Takeshi explained that the Navy intends to build new battleships and heavy cruisers and praised the presented designs as the current ultimate in shipbuilding.
After that, the minister allowed questions, but Osaki Satoshi ran away. If the others are to pepper the minister with questions – then the Tōkyō Shinbun will be the first newspaper to have its extra paper on the street. The headline was clear:
"One year after the disaster, the Imperial Japanese Navy awards a major contract – Japan is arming!"
Osaki Satoshi knew all too well what this was going to lead to...
Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, December 12, 1924
The rest of the year continued to be quiet, although it became apparent that the streets were more lively overall. The announcements of Navy Minister Takarabe Takeshi were followed by action and at the end of the year two heavy cruisers of the new Maya class and two battleships of the new Yamashiro class were ordered.
The most striking thing was that for the first time the designs did not follow the principle of bigger-bigger, but the two battleships were even about 12,000 tons smaller than their predecessors of the Fuso class. The two heavy cruisers were about the same size as the previous Chokai class with 1,000 tons more.
The special feature of both ship classes, however, was probably that for the first time on-board aircraft were part of the equipment. Nevertheless, both classes were significantly cheaper in construction than their predecessors and Osaki Satoshi interpreted this as a sign that the navy had to save money and the representatives of the capital ship faction could no longer do what they wanted unchallenged.
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, April 16, 1925
The next few months flew by without any major events. There was something like a hustle and bustle throughout Japan, which was carried by the reconstruction of the capital. The Tōkyō Shinbun publishing house also shone in new splendour. Large rooms with enough space for numerous editorial offices. Storage rooms to the end of the world in fortified cellars. And in terms of equipment, everything that was modern and hip. Osaki Satoshi had even had a marine radio wave receiver installed on the roof on the top floor, along with the necessary antenna system. He had taken over the device cheaply. It came from a brand-new freighter that had been destroyed by the great Kantō earthquake just days before its completion and was then to be scrapped. Of course, all this was of little use to him if reports from the military were transmitted in code, but one could also conclude otherwise from civilian reports.
Where there was light, there was usually shadow. The publishing house had purchased new printing presses, but Maisutā Murata did not warm up to them. He mourned his old presses and visibly deteriorated. He was hardly seen in the publishing house, but he had long since reached the age for retirement. Nobody really knew how old Murata actually was and how long he had been working for the publishing house. Maybe Maisutā Murata didn't even know that himself. He would probably have reached ninety long ago, was the general assumption and everyone left it at that. Osaki Satoshi would seek him out. Just disappearing like a ghost, he didn't want to let that happen either. New machines were one thing, decades of knowledge were quite another.
Satoshi left the publishing house and was about to leave when his son Giichi came running and shouted something:
"Disarmament – disarmament – the navy is scrapping ships, father!"
Perplexed, Osaki Satoshi stood on the street.
"The minister has just announced the implementation of the 20+5 plan."
"20+5 plan?"
Then it dawned on Osaki Satoshi – 20+5 plan – there was something fifteen years ago. He ran back to his office with his son and rummaged through one of the boxes he had just brought back to the office from home. An old notepad appeared in his field of vision:
"Here in 1910..."
He leafed through the pages, but only to the second page (https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopi ... 9#p5262629), where the one he was looking for was already written with the date of January 5, 1910. On the occasion of the visit of Navy Minister Saitō Makoto to the editorial office, the minister announced the 20+5 plan.
"And what has been said now, son?"
"The old ships of the line are being scrapped. But the Mikasa could become a monument and all light cruisers should go to the shipyard for major conversions."
"But this is just the beginning. Navy Minister Takarabe Takeshi said that many more old ships will be sold or scrapped in the next five years..."
+ + +
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, December 9, 1925
The rest of the year continued to be busy. From about the middle of the year, Osaki Satoshi recognized an old pattern. Tensions with the other nations increased, there were more espionage scandals and, as a matter of course, the navy's budget was increased as a result. This had an effect on significantly increased reports of success by scientists and designers, but the money was also often enough squandered in failures.
At the turn of the year, the editorial team prepared a supplement sheet. It headlined in large letters:
"The 帝国海軍航空隊 (Teikoku Kaigun Kōkūtai - Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force)"
And finally, Osaki Satoshi heard a new term, but he didn't know how to sort it out yet: "Kidō Butai".
+ + +
"The 帝国海軍航空隊 (Teikoku Kaigun Kōkūtai - Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force)"
From their beginnings to the present day and compared to the foreign war fleets!
Editorial office of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, February 3, 1926
The turn of the year was rather quiet, as in the last few times. It was noticeable that Japan was still preoccupied with itself. The reconstruction of the capital Tōkyō simply took up most of Japan's resources, leaving little time for other things, let alone materials.
One thing changed: the release of many young men for the construction of Tōkyō was ended.
Osaki Okada joined the 帝国海軍航空隊 (Teikoku Kaigun Kōkūtai - Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force) and his twin brother Osaki Giichi competed in the 大日本帝國海軍 (Dai-Nippon Teikoku Kaigun - Imperial Japanese Navy).
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Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, May 24, 1926
On the eve of May 24 – a Sunday – Osaki Giichi had unexpectedly appeared at home. He had explained that he and his comrades had a few hours of special leave to say goodbye to their parents. He also handed over a letter to his father, Osaki Satoshi, which granted him admission to the 横須賀海軍工廠 (Yokosuka kaigun kōshō – Yokosuka Naval Arsenal) on Monday, May 24.
So now Osaki Satoshi stood on a pier in the Yokosuka naval arsenal and officially said goodbye to his son Giichi. It was probably unusual that a young sailor who had only been in the navy for two months was allowed to go on a big trip, or rather had to, but the navy lacked a lot of men and officers after the big quake.
Osaki Giichi had been assigned to the light cruiser Hirado, which had only come out of the shipyard overhaul in March.
The Navy wanted to test the ship thoroughly and the cruiser would be at sea for several months and would have to endure extensive testing. Osaki Giichi had told his parents the day before that the Hirado would not return to Japan until the following year, whereupon his mother Natsuko burst into tears and disappeared into the bedroom.
So now the parents of the young sailors were allowed to watch as their "children" went on board, the cruiser with two destroyers cast off and were pulled into the fairway by tugboats. Then deep black smoke gushed out of the chimneys and the three ships picked up speed.
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Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, June 25, 1926
Almost exactly a month later, his second son Okada suddenly stood in his father's office and pushed around. Osaki Satoshi feared that something bad must have happened. His son Okada shouldn't have left the barracks without permission, should he? But Okada explained that the pilots – which he was not yet – had been given some freedom.
In other words, after the months of theory, the newcomers would be put into a training plane for the first time next week and sent into the air. Accident rates were high and many aspiring pilots did not survive the first training flights. The commanding officer of the training squadron had therefore quite frankly stated that all student pilots who had not yet had any experience with a woman had been assigned to the Yoshiwara entertainment district of Tōkyō over the upcoming weekend (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshiwara). Those who have already had experience with women, also to get really drunk at least once in their lives!
Osaki Satoshi was amazed to find that he didn't know at all what was going on with Okada and the women? Of course, he had seen him a few times with young women his age. Could it be the daughters of the neighborhood, or schoolmates, or whoever? However, he did not know whether there was anything serious about it. The topic of women and weddings was at least a bit special in Japan. He knew that all too well, because his marriage to Natsuko had also been organized by her and his parents, as was usually the case in Japan.
- - - - -
Author's note: Again, it is difficult to find anything exactly what the education system in Japan looked like around 1920-1930, but at least women were able to attend school. We have not been able to clarify whether the existing compulsory schooling affected boys and girls, we just accept it. Also, we didn't find anything – in a hurry – whether there were only separate classes/schools according to gender or not? Japan was probably something special until the 1990s – um – it still is!
"We'll leave out the topic of Yoshiwara, you're here in the editorial office and not there. So what do you want to tell your father?"
Okada was silent, took a sheet of paper and a pen, then began to draw from memory. It took several minutes, almost an eternity, then he looked up:
"Here - that's what they showed us this morning. This is supposed to be the future, that's what we should be trained for."
Osaki Satoshi stared at the plan in amazement:
"What is that? So big? Madness!"
"Destroy it, if someone finds it on you, we both won't be alive much longer."
Then Okada disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared and Satoshi wondered if his son would now comply with the order and go to Yoshiwara to get drunk or...
Satoshi also set off. He had an appointment with the former publisher of the Tōkyō Puck. He wanted to talk to him about a very special project and hoped to get the necessary contacts.
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, November 10, 1926
In mid-November, Osaki Satoshi found a letter from Giichi on his desk in the editorial office. His son informed him that the small Japanese unit had arrived in Papeete today – Satoshi looked at the date of the letter, it was from the end of July – and he described the work in the port and the island's new Japanese airfield. He had also attached a photo of the harbor, on which other Japanese warships were Pictured. Apparently, the Japanese high command considered the island important enough to spend huge sums of money here, which would probably have been better off in Tōkyō?
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Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, November 26, 1926
At the end of November, Navy Minister Takarabe Takeshi announced that the battleship Kashima, which was under construction, would not be completed further. The ship would already be obsolete due to technological progress and would no longer be needed.
That was a reasonable conclusion for Osaki Satoshi. There has simply been no construction progress since the ship was put up more than two years ago. The sister ship Yamashiro was also far from completion, but it had probably caused enough costs in the meantime that the Navy did not dare to demolish this ship. Not in a time of tight budgets and the reconstruction of the capital. The population would not accept a waste of money of this magnitude at the moment. It was also rumoured behind closed doors that the proponents of aircraft carriers had now prevailed and that the navy simply needed the budget of the Kashima for the development of the delivery weapon.
Osaki Satoshi could not actively explain what he already knew about the new carriers, but the Navy could hardly hide the fact that two units of them were now under construction at full speed. A look into the shipyard from one of the hills and everyone knew that the two hulls were unusual. Although the Navy claimed that these would be new heavy cruisers and presented the order for a total of eight 8" turrets for the two ships, as if to prove it, this was a weak excuse. It was known in expert circles that Japan equipped its heavy cruisers with at least 10" guns. Reducing the caliber made no sense and the hull shape never suited a cruiser.
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Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, December 01, 1926
In the last few days, Osaki Satoshi had gathered his courage and decided that he would do it.
He would publish what he knew about the aircraft carriers under construction!
But he wouldn't just do it. For many weeks, two former employees of the Tōkyō Puck had been at the Tōkyō Shinbun publishing house.
Osaki Satoshi was about to publish a very special extra paper. Just for this extra sheet he would ask the two mangaka to take care of the aircraft carrier Kaga as well...
Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Monday, December 06, 1926
On Monday, December 6th, the time had finally come. Over the weekend, the printing presses ran in continuous operation for the Extra sheet. Osaki Satoshi had wanted this again for a long time and now he was finally in the position to implement the project. Of course, it would have cost him at least his professional existence if he had published detailed design sketches of all Japanese warships, perhaps more than just his professional existence? But he had often looked at the lovingly designed color woodcuts in old records and books and was enthusiastic about their aesthetics, color power and richness of detail. These illustrations also reminded him of the illustrations of the Tōkyō Puck. There was something like a strange similarity.
With that, his decision was made. In recent months, he had commissioned the two mangaka of the Tōkyō Puck to create illustrations of all ship classes of the Imperial Japanese Navy. With all the details, but still so artfully distorted that nothing was really revealed. This now also applied to the two aircraft carriers of the new Kaga class under construction. It was presumptuous to print exact details of these new ships for all the world to see, without the readers understanding what they were looking at. The result was an extraordinary special sheet by the Tōkyō Shinbun about the Imperial Japanese Navy in an opulence that had not been customary for decades.
Osaki Satoshi felt it was a masterpiece. Whether newspaper readers would see it that way too should soon become apparent. The sale would start at any moment.
Until he knew how his extra paper would be received, he would think about what words to choose if a Kempeitai department arrived at his office!
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Tuesday, December 7, 1926
The Kempeitai had not appeared in Osaki Satoshi's editorial office, but a young Kaigun-tai-i had delivered a letter from the Minister of the Navy.
The letter had two contents. Firstly, the minister indicated that loose tongues of relatives such as brothers, uncles or sons had sometimes ended in a seppuku at other times, and on the other hand, Navy Minister Takarabe Takeshi ordered a thousand copies of the special paper to be delivered to the ministry. It was clear that the "fine" drawings enjoyed great popularity among the officers and that the naval leadership had decided to send several copies of the special sheet to all naval bases outside of Tōkyō.
Osaki Satoshi could therefore assume that the ministry had no objections to an overview of Japanese warships, at least for the time being, but that the way in which information was obtained would have consequences for the next occurrence.
Satoshi left his office in a good mood to run errands for the upcoming turn of the year.
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Editorial office of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, May 9, 1927
Osaki Satoshi set off on foot from the publishing house through the city. Spring began to arrive and in modern Tōkyō something like a spirit of optimism could be felt. Three and a half years had passed since the great quake and the deep wounds of this event could still be seen in the city. But there was no denying that "new" Tōkyō made you curious and want more. At least that's what the open-minded part of the population thought. World travelers who knew the big cities like Paris and New York, or the literally exploding Berlin with life, said that the Japanese metropolis had embarked on an exciting path of resurrection. The traditionalists rejected this, as they simply rejected everything, even what they had vowed the day before. Only those who had lost everything could hardly be heard. Except for those who had taken their own lives out of shame as a result of the loss of their belongings, the rest tried to regain their lives and positions. This group of people simply had no time for philosophical thoughts, but sank into work.
Osaki Satoshi wondered if this would subside with the onset of spring and people would "live" more again? The reports from the development departments seemed to come thick and fast and the winter was made for the research of an industrious population. Would this continue or subside over the coming summer?
Satoshi's walk ended at the beach and in the distance he could see the light cruiser Hirado slowly but steadily pushing towards Yokosuka. He hadn't seen his son Giichi for a year now, and apart from the three letters his son had sent him, he hadn't received any other information. One letter came from Papeete, a second from New York and the third from Cape Town. The small Japanese squadron had once circumnavigated the world and had reached home today.
The Ministry of the Navy had announced the arrival in a big way and celebrated it as a heroic deed. It was impressive without question whether it was also heroic - Satoshi some doubts about that!
It had probably been a demonstration of power by the Japanese self-image, and at least that's how Germany and France had understood it. Relations with France were on the verge of a new war and this had also brought Prime Minister Tanaka Giichi to the scene. Satoshi smiled at the identical first names, but otherwise he knew little to say about the new prime minister, who had been in office for three weeks. At least he knew now that Tanaka Giichi, although he was an army general, was not a pure warmonger. He demanded concessions from the military in order to appease France. How much that might be worth would soon become apparent from the French reaction.
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, December 15, 1927
The rest of the year was more tense, but ultimately peaceful. This was also due to the fact that Prime Minister Tanaka Giichi intervened again and again as soon as his military provoked trouble. At the end of the year, insiders therefore understood it as an affront to the minister when the navy sent the oldest ships that could be found on another circumnavigation of the world.
Everyone already knew that the Imperial Japanese Navy had more to offer, and everyone knew that the Navy was performing this spectacle as a covert attack on the Prime Minister. Speculation quickly arose that the navy was estranged with an army general at the head of the government and that the peaceful times between the army and the navy might be a thing of the past.
A new conflict was literally in the air – but it was unclear whether it would only be fought within the military – or whether it would be better to take out the aggression on a common enemy!
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Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, February 8, 1928
Osaki Satoshi had to acknowledge that Prime Minister Tanaka Giichi had left no stone unturned to prevent a new war, but there were opponents of peace not only in Japan but also abroad.
More than half of the crew of the destroyer Wakatsuki was killed when the destroyer was sunk by an unknown submarine during a training cruise. Everyone in the Navy, without exception, was sure that it had been a French submarine, but the slightest statement in that direction would have immediately triggered a war.
Most of the fleet was decommissioned in reserve, which was not a viable starting point for a war. The letter from Navy Minister Okada Keisuke was therefore unambiguous. The blame was to be blamed on Russia and Osaki Satoshi was chosen to create a corresponding mood among the people in an extra paper today. The messenger who had delivered the minister's letter made it clear that Osaki Satoshi had no choice. Either he was working with the Navy, or he would disappear from the scene for a long time.
Osaki Satoshi had not yet finished the article when the next messenger stood in the doorway. Events seemed to be coming thick and fast. In the design department of the 小野浜造船所 (Onohama Zōsenjo) (Kure Naval Shipyard), a French spy was unmasked and large parts of the shipyard workers had already learned about it. This could no longer be concealed and this also had to be published now. Satoshi had to perform a feat. He should also pillory France without triggering a war.
As quiet as the last few years had been, everything changed today. The Navy was on the defensive for the first time in thirty years. Until now, Japan's hawks had provoked conflicts and then struck suddenly and unexpectedly. This time, France took the reins of action and forced Japan onto the defensive.
The fuse might not have been lit yet, but it was laid and only a small occasion was missing and Japan was in an unplanned war!
Editors of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, March 2, 1928
Tensions between the Empire of Japan and the rest of the world seemed to have risen unexpectedly. In the navy, something like a slight panic could be detected. This was visibly expressed in the fact that almost all light cruisers were brought to the shipyards in February. It was rumoured behind the scenes that the modernisations had been planned hastily and without the necessary care. In particular, the propulsion system was not converted to the most modern possibilities, because the Navy found the time for such a conversion too long. Quite a few critics said that this would unnecessarily lose potential.
The signs were unmistakable, the Navy had been caught on the wrong foot and was now taking frantic steps to prepare the fleet for an impending war – as soon as possible!
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Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, April 11, 1928
In mid-April, the big blow followed: mobilization! A war between Russia and Japan was less than the blink of an eye, and angry notes of protest came from France and Germany. Here, too, every wrong word could end in the thunder of the cannons! Practically all over Japan people were sure that the coming summer would bring death and ruin. But for whom, that was puzzled?
Secrecy also found its way back in. Osaki Satoshi had learned that the Navy had commissioned several studies for new ship designs. What it was about could not be ascertained. The shipyards, at least, hired more staff than the current order situation allowed and the blast furnaces seemed to melt themselves, that's how much steel was produced.
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Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Friday, June 8, 1928
Prime Minister Giichi Tanaka alone did not want to sacrifice peace. Like an industrious squirrel, he took up the fight against the war and cleaned doors. He even took personal disgrace upon himself to keep Japan out of war. The success was small but there. Russia had sent large parts of its fleet to Asia, but the German and French warships were still in European waters.
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Editorial office of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, August 20, 1928
Summer came and the cannons remained silent. However, there was full employment in the shipyards. No fewer than eight new larger ships were under construction. They weren't battleships, you could see that by looking at the docks. But whether it was cruisers or aircraft carriers or something else, you couldn't judge.
France and Russia could be appeased, but an almost seventy-year-old German Emperor raged around in Berlin and spoke of the end of gentleness with the Asian slit eyes.
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Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Tuesday, December 11, 1928
A hot summer passed by and led to a warm autumn that had slipped into a cold December. The political situation was tense, but the guns fell silent. The 小野浜造船所 (Onohama Zōsenjo) (Kure Naval Shipyard) was preparing a dry dock for something massive. It could only be a new battleship, but even for a battleship, it would be huge. Further details were not known, but even the foreign military attachés whispered about the largest warship ever built.
On the eleventh of December, it seemed that all of Tokyo gathered at the bay. The Imperial Japanese Navy held a gigantic fleet parade to mark the commissioning of the world's first fleet aircraft carrier. The Kaga was not to be confused – its appearance did not meet the usual expectations and its size could not be overlooked. A huge large gray box. A larger part of the crowd scoffed that you couldn't miss this thing at all, even if you wanted to. The crowd was sure that it was a grenade catcher that would sink in the first minute of a naval battle.
But when sixty planes flew out into the bay from the background, flying low over their heads, everyone was speechless and everyone covered their ears with their hands. The brutal noise of the twin radial engines made more than a few spectators think back to the earthquake that had hit the capital five years earlier. Everything shook, everything vibrated, everyone was amazed with awe at what they saw and heard. It took a few minutes – the chain of fighter planes and bombers made a lap around the convoy, then one after the other started to land.
This was something new – it had never been done before!
Osaki Satoshi watched the landing of each plane with the utmost concentration and suspicion. In one of the Yokosuka Shuka fighter planes sat his son Okada and from him he knew that of the 20 pilots in his squadron, no less than five had broken during the first two test landings a week earlier. Three of the pilots were killed and the other two would never be able to walk, let alone fly.
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Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, January 3, 1929
January started very unusually. The Navy announced the scrapping of six recently ordered ships. The reason was not given, but Osaki Satoshi had learned from his son Giichi that the designs had already been overtaken by technical progress when they were commissioned. The design departments had long since received the order for adapted designs and the Navy did not want to block the dock capacities with ships that had just been laid up and could not record any significant construction progress.
It was also on this occasion that Satoshi learned the name of the new battleship. It was to be called Fuji and allude to the fact that it would be just as deadly as the volcano that was also emblematic of Japan.
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Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Tuesday, March 19, 1929
Osaki Satoshi was sitting in an office, engrossed in his notes, when he heard screams from the open-plan office of the editorial office. He got up to look. He hadn't reached the door yet when it flew open and crashed into the side wall of the shelf next to the door.
One of his editors stood in front of him, quite out of breath:
"WAR – WAR – THE GERMAN EMPIRE HAS DECLARED WAR ON JAPAN!"
The Empire of Japan had no interest in war, at least not at the end of 1929. The conversion of the fleet was a priority and had only just begun. The Navy had agreed internally over the last twelve to twenty-four months where the fleet should steer.
The new concept has been called 機動部隊 ("Kidō Butai")
The 機動部隊 ("Kidō Butai") was to become the new tactical core of the Rengō Kantai. The young officers also called it a rapid mobile reaction force. Battleships – especially those of Japan – were slow and real monsters. Their theoretical firepower is enormous, but far too small in number. Even if a Japanese battleship was equal to two or even three European battleships, it was not enough. Aircraft carriers, on the other hand, were fast and Japan was the clear technology leader in this area. What a single aircraft could do had been known since the war against France. But it had taken almost five years to enforce this opinion throughout the Navy. There were still the hardliners of the battleship faction, but they were quietly disempowered. Although their objections to firepower against land targets were heard, a few battleships were sufficient.
The decision had been made. Japan would build a large number of fast fleet aircraft carriers, which would be accompanied by fast heavy cruisers and mass fast destroyers. This "Kidō Butai" would become fast and powerful, yet be so numerous that Japan would be able to maintain several battle groups at the same time.
Battleships might be able to act as close cover, but more so to support landing operations. The problem was that at the beginning of the year, Japan had only one fleet aircraft carrier, the Kaga. The sister ship was nearing completion, but a "Kidō Butai" battle group was to consist of at least four large aircraft carriers. Fast heavy cruisers and destroyers were also far from being available in the necessary numbers. This would not change significantly before 1935.
Japan had tried to avoid a new war, but in Berlin they probably had a hunch that the naval war was at its turning point. The German High Seas Fleet was built up almost entirely according to classical doctrine from large numbers of battleships and battlecruisers. The fact that Japan had the goal of "cleansing" Asia of the colonial powers since the war against the British Empire was known only too well in Berlin. France had not understood this and paid the price. The old Kaiser Wilhelm II did not want to be duped as he had been with France. However, the time for this was running out. If Germany wanted to maintain its position, it had to be now. In a few years, it would be too late for that.
The German Emperor was sure that he could teach himself a lesson with his large fleet. His admirals knew better. They had long since realized that the High Seas Fleet would sail into a mousetrap like the Tsar's ships once did. The Admiralty had long since given up on Tsingtau, but could not say so publicly. It would have been high treason with the corresponding consequences for anyone who held this opinion.
The reports of the former commanding officer of the German East Asia Squadron, Vice Admiral Friedrich Gädecke, revealed much about Japan's combat tactics. The acting head of the High Command of the Navy – Admiral Erich Johann Albert Raeder – therefore had an idea of what would happen in Asia and what would be better done there. It wasn't his thoughts. On the contrary, he was even reluctant to do so. He had criticized Wolfgang Wegener's memorandum more than abundantly, which, to his chagrin, was strikingly suited to the current situation. At least that he realized — now — when it was too late to avert fate.
His conclusions acknowledged the fact that Asia was far away from the North Sea and Baltic Sea and the old "gentleman" could not be there on site due to his condition. Raeder would not sacrifice the fleet in a major naval battle. He would try something new, which was at the same time as old as seafaring itself. In novels, it would be described as pirate tactics. Fast, powerful, but small squadrons that were supposed to dish out pinpricks to buy time. It was time before the emperor could be convinced that this war was pointless. It culminated in the German-Japanese Spring War of 1929, which showed at a high price how to hurt Japan if you wanted to.
In March 1929, the following units were under construction:
1 Fuji-class battleship (76,000 tons)
1 Maya-class heavy cruiser (28,000 tons) – Currently docked for modernization
2 Akashi-class light cruisers (7,000 tons each) – Currently docked for modernization
3 Akitsushima-class light cruisers (8,000 tons each) – Currently docked for modernization
4 Tatsuta-class light cruisers (8,000 tons each)
1 Kaga-class fleet aircraft carrier (28,000 tons)
2 Akagi-class fleet aircraft carriers (28,000 tons)
1 Yuzuki-class destroyer (2,000 tons)
Air Force in March 1929:
Suwo carrier squadron – 16 aircraft
Kehi Maru carrier Squadron – 22 aircraft
Zuiho carrier Squadron – 34 aircraft
Ryujo carrier Squadron – 34 aircraft
Kaga carrier Squadron – 59 (60) aircraft
Naval Air Force Base Sasebo (Japan) – 40 aircraft
Yokosuka Naval Air Force Base (Japan) – 40 aircraft
Noshiro Naval Air Force Base (Japan) – 40 aircraft
Takao Air Base (Formosa) – 40 aircraft
Saint Jaques Air Base (Cochinchina) – 40 aircraft
Than Hoa Air Base (Tonkin) – 40 aircraft
Fort Bayard Air Base (Kwang-Chou-Wan) – 40 aircraft
Hong Kong Air Force Base (Hong Kong) – 40 aircraft
Wēihǎiwèi Air Base (Wēihǎiwèi) – 40 aircraft
Port Arthur Air Force Base (Liaodong Peninsula) – 40 aircraft
Wakkanai Air Force Base (Hokkaido) – 40 aircraft
Papeete Air Base (Polynesia) – 40 aircraft
- - -
The German High Seas Fleet in March 1929
At the beginning of the war, the High Seas Fleet consisted of the following units:
In March 1929, the following units were under construction:
1 Preussen-class battleship (40,100 tons)
1 Prinz Eitel Friedrich-class battlecruiser (28,200 tons) – Currently docked for modernization
1 München-class battlecruiser (35,900 tons)
1 München-class battlecruiser (35,900 tons) – Currently docked for modernization
2 Dresden-class battlecruisers (39,200 tons each)
1 Stuttgart-class heavy cruiser (11,900 tons)
1 Karlsruhe-class light cruiser (4,500 tons) – Currently docked for modernization
2 Danzig-class light cruisers (6,800 tons each)
1 Jade-class light aircraft carrier (10,000 tons)
1 Weddingen-class aircraft mothership (2,700 tons) – Currently docked for modernization
1 S61-class destroyer (1,100 tons)
3 corvettes of various classes (600 tons each)
1 corvette Minna Petersen-Klassen (900 tons)
2 coastal submarines
Air Force in March 1929:
Total number of naval aircraft: 258
Airship base Lüderitz (German South West Africa)
Airship base Wilhelmshafen (Germany)
Tsingtau airship base (Kiautschou)
Gdansk Air Base (Germany)
Duala Air Force Base (Cameroon)
Tsingtau Air Base (Kiautschou)
Pilau Air Force Base (East Prussia)
Naval Air Force Base Wilhelmshafen (Germany)
Naval Air Force Base Emden (Germany)
+ + +
Comparison of forces between Japan and Germany:
The German Empire had tiny bases in Asia and the Pacific region and these were sometimes thousands of nautical miles apart. Only Tsingtau had a certain size and relevance, but this Tsingtau was located in the backyard of Japan and was surrounded by Japanese bases, which were now very well developed. It was practically impossible to reach or leave Tsingtau unseen. Even though the German High Seas Fleet had an impressive size, it could not intervene in Asia. If the capital ships were to be sent to Asia, they would have to bunker in Tsingtau before they could take up the fight. Due to the location of the base, however, the High Seas Fleet would probably never arrive there, but would sink with empty bunkers and thus in principle unable to maneuver.
The paper may once again speak against Japan, but the situation fundamentally against the German Empire!
Thus, this declaration of war was incomprehensible to European experts. Hardly anyone knew anything about the internal German differences of opinion within the navy on the one hand and between the navy and the political leadership on the other. For most observers, it was therefore most likely that the battleship fanatic Kaiser Wilhelm II finally wanted to see his toys in battle due to his advanced age. Tsingtau should also be better lost in an honorable war of aggression than that it would soon be wiped up by Japan in a coup d'état due to its strategic location.
The tonnage of the two war fleets was approximately the same. Japan had 1,501,600 tons in the water or shipyards, Germany slightly higher 1,649,800 tons. The difference was the weighting of the ship classes. Japan had 6 battleships and 6 battlecruisers, while Germany had 15 battleships and 24 battlecruisers. In the cruisers, 38 Japanese and 35 German heavy and light cruisers faced each other. And the corvettes were also similarly positioned, with 46 Japanese to 41 Germans. In addition, there were 53 Japanese U-boats against 38 German U-boats.
The decisive difference so far has always been promised to be made this time by the lavish 190 Japanese destroyers, of which Germany could only deploy 48.
The ratio of planes was also drastic. 661 Japanese aircraft were opposed by only 306 German aircraft and 24 airships.
But this relationship was deceptive!
The Japanese Empire had almost literally an airfield on every base and, together with its aircraft carriers, was able to deploy almost the entire number of aircraft in the supposed war zone. Germany was the only airfield to have a runway in Tsingtau. Together with the well-known aircraft carriers, it would not be able to deploy 306 aircraft, but perhaps 60 and that was an optimistic number.
What was to happen at sea in the German-Japanese Spring War of 1929 was therefore not foreseeable for either side on the basis of these clear Pictures!
The declaration of war came unexpectedly, but the war did not.
The tensions between the Japanese Empire and the major European powers had been continuously too high over the past twelve months to avert a new war. Japan had begun to embark troops on March 15 to strengthen its external positions. Destinations were Hong Kong, Formosa and Wēihǎiwèi. Hong Kong was considered particularly threatened, as it was an excellent starting point for conducting naval operations in Asia. The port was large and the shipyards had considerable capacity. Formosa, on the other hand, was something like a door opener or a blockade bulwark. Whoever controlled Formosa controlled access to northern East Asia. Finally, Wēihǎiwèi could be threatened by German troops overland, even if it would be difficult.
The General Staff therefore decided to strengthen Hong Kong considerably, to add Formosa and not to forget Wēihǎiwèi.
The troop transports had left various ports on the Japanese islands on the morning of March 15 and met east of Sasebo. There, three convoys were assembled, which then set off separately for their destination ports. The association for Wēihǎiwèi was the last and also had the shortest route. Most of the transporters had loaded supplies, but hardly any additional troops. The danger to Wēihǎiwèi was estimated to be low, but this transport was the only one that would come within range of a potentially enemy base.
Kaigun-taishō Taniguchi Naomi, as commander of the 聯合艦隊 (Rengō Kantai), was only superficially involved in the planning of the operations, since Japan was formally at peace and the 聯合艦隊 (Rengō Kantai) was therefore not used. He merely gave up his ship units to independent smaller fleets, which then formed the escort. He left it to the commanders of the respective fleets how the individual convoys were to be led. The Chief of the Admiral's Staff, Kaigun-taishō Katō Hiroharu, gave him a free hand in this regard.
Kaigun-taishō Taniguchi Naomi formed the 第三艦隊 (Dai-san Kantai - 3rd Fleet) for the escort to Wēihǎiwèi and entrusted Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura with command of the fleet, although or precisely because Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura had only limited luck with a naval command in the past. Kaigun-taishō Taniguchi Naomi did not expect any difficulties and therefore Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura did not have to prove himself. Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura, for his part, asked to assign the existing parts of the 機動部隊 ("Kidō Butai") to his 3rd Fleet. The argument that the convoy to Wēihǎiwèi would move into the sphere of influence of a possible enemy airfield could not be contradicted. Due to this situation, the fleet aircraft carrier Kaga would make the most sense for the 3rd Fleet.
The command on site was taken by Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura on board the fairly new battlecruiser Ikoma, which thus acted as a flagship. The 3rd Fleet consisted of two parts after the separation off Sasebo. A battlecruiser fleet had to carry out operational reconnaissance and follow-up cover, and a support fleet, which in case of doubt took over the actual combat mission, should it become necessary.
In the late afternoon of March 19, 1929, the convoy was standing in the middle of the Yellow Sea at about the height of Tsingtau and dusk was approaching. On board the Ikoma, a general radio message from Tōkyō arrived, which changed everything abruptly. Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura read the brief transcript of the radio officer:
"German Empire declared war on Japan at 3:00 p.m. Tōkyō time! Hostilities can be expected to start at any time. Have a good hunt!"
Geographically, the convoy was almost exactly on the time zone line and was one hour behind Tōkyō. 3:00 p.m. local time Tōkyō was 2:00 p.m. for the convoy.
2:00 p.m. for the convoy had been over 4 hours ago!
Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura audibly cursed that his unit had been at war and in enemy waters for over four hours without knowing it.
His curses increased when, minutes later, he received another radio message addressed directly to him. The High Command asked about the possibility of an immediate invasion of Wēihǎiwèi? At headquarters, it was believed that a surprise invasion might be successful. After all, no one on the German side could expect an invasion to take place just six to seven hours after the German declaration of war. The Germans certainly did not expect the possibility of troop transports arriving at Wēihǎiwèi before the end of about sixty hours. And even sixty hours were actually very ambitious for that.
The mess was perfect! Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura wondered how a low-force invasion could succeed without planning in the middle of the night? He looks at the ships at his disposal to decide whether he should take the risk? If he were to succeed in this action, his reputation would be cleansed of the former disgrace. Without coordination with his ship's captains, however, a change in the orders was out of the question...
On a pro forma basis, Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura first ordered a reconnaissance plan for the air bases, his on-board aircraft, and the Kaga's reconnaissance planes. He knew too well that not a single plane would take off. In less than ten minutes, dusk set in over the fleet, so flight operations were out of the question. Before a single plane was ready to take off, it would be pitch dark. On the contrary, the day's flight operations had long since ended and all the planes had already returned to their bases. He already noted in the logbook: aircraft carrier Kaga useless!
Whether he would carry out an invasion, he also wanted to make dependent on the situation on the ground. He dismissed the support fleet with the two battleships Shikishima and Hatsuse with their escort from their task and ordered their approach to Wēihǎiwèi in order to clarify the situation and on this occasion to lay waste to the aircraft base with the heavy guns. Only if the convoy was in danger should the battleships turn around. However, he did not expect this, since according to the secret service, no larger units of the High Seas Fleet were known as heavy cruisers in Asian waters.
Author's note: The "Japan Support force" is under the control of the AI and therefore cannot be commanded.
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His force was now divided as follows:
Japanese 7th Battlecruiser Division:
Battlecruiser Ikoma (flagship)
Battlecruiser Furutaka
- - -
Japanese 10th Aircraft Carrier Division:
Fleet aircraft carrier Kaga
- - -
Japanese 9th Reconnaissance Division:
Light cruiser Tsushima
- - -
Japanese 12th Seaplane Carrier Division:
Ussuri Maru Aircraft Tender
His flagship, the battlecruiser Ikoma, was by far the most powerful unit he had at his disposal. The ship was quite new and modern. It was completely different with the Furutaka, which was more like a floating museum. He found the Kaga to be worthless ballast because of the darkness, which also applied to the tender Ussuri Maru. Thus, apart from his Ikoma, he had only a handful of modern destroyers and the light cruiser Tsushima as offensive potential. The remaining ships had to be used carefully.
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Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura issued some orders and now he wanted to ask his division leaders for a statement. Encrypting the radio messages took time and by the time he could even count on an answer, darkness had already settled over the fleet. The first response radio message was not of the expected kind, but completely unencrypted a message from the destroyer Arare, which said that the destroyer had spotted an unknown ship in the immediate vicinity and that the aircraft carrier Kaga was heading directly for this contact. The distance to the Kaga might be 6,000 to 8,000 yards.
The Kaga was ordered to turn away immediately while her escort destroyers swung to the attack. But first they had to find out what it was all about?
The convoy was also to turn away from the potential enemy, while Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura ordered his battlecruisers to make contact. It quickly became clear that they had encountered the enemy as the sightings increased. Fortunately, the enemy group seemed to steer a northerly course that took it away from the Kaga.
The Japanese 11th Destroyer Flotilla took a battle formation and decided to attack. At that moment, lightning flashed through the darkness and a capital ship loomed dimly against the horizon. Only seconds later, the first shells rained down on the destroyers. The Yamakaze, in turn, fired at a detected destroyer across the board.
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Out of the darkness, a battleship emerged, heading directly for the transport ships. Could the enemy have known about the convoy? Had the declaration of war been made specifically in order to be able to attack this convoy?
Visibility was poor. Scarcely 4,000 yards could be seen. The battleship turned north, while her companion swung south and was addressed as a heavy cruiser. Then it was realized that it was not the companion, but another ship. The battleship, meanwhile, was referred to as a Von der Tann-class battlecruiser, which did not make it any better. The ship was old, but still heavily armed with eight 12" guns. Four enemy ships had now been detected.
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If the visibility conditions had not been so miserable, a nasty artillery battle would already have been fought.
But as it was, all warships sailed towards each other for the time being!
On board the light cruiser Tsushima, Nagumo Chūichi, who had been hastily promoted to 海軍大佐 (Kaigun-taisa) and assigned as commander because of the impending war, undertook a daring maneuver. The young and dashing Kaigun-taisa put his cruiser directly into the course of the battlecruiser to force it to swerve. This would mean that the battlecruiser would no longer be able to catch up with the transports whose position it apparently knew.
Meanwhile, the escort destroyer of the battlecruiser apparently tried to do the same with the advancing Japanese destroyers.
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Then the force of the enemy 12" guns became apparent, inflicting heavy hits on the destroyer Kiynonami.
Kaigun-taisa Nagumo Chūichi turned about 1000 yards away from the battlecruiser in order to attack it with his torpedoes. The light cruiser's modern multi-torpedo launchers were designed precisely for such maneuvers, and Nagumo Chūichi was the right young daredevil for such a maneuver.
Someone had apparently drummed into the German commanders to be intransigent. Just like the Japanese were! While enemy destroyers usually turned away very early, this one stubbornly stayed on its course and was almost rammed by the Akikaze because of it. The hull of the Akikaze glided past the enemy ship by centimeters, and that was only because the Akikaze had changed course. The battlecruiser also stubbornly held its course, but that brought it directly into the trajectory of Nagumo's torpedo salvo and it was right!
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On board the aircraft carrier Kaga, Commander Kaigun-taisa Yamamoto Isoroku clenched his fists. Barely six weeks had passed since he had lost an entire squadron in a maneuver. He had therefore repeatedly called on the military leadership to provide better navigation instruments. How he would have liked to have had it at his disposal now. He would have sent his planes into the night to attack. Even as head of the flying school in Kasumigaura, he ruthlessly insisted on night flights by his flight students. Despite immense losses of pilots, he believed that air raids at night always had the advantage of the element of surprise.
Now, however, Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura had forbidden the use of the planes. The Kaga crept south of the battle like a mangy dog and was supposed to catch up with the convoy, which also applied to the aircraft tender Ussuri Maru. The only thing Kaigun-taisa Yamamoto Isoroku could do at the moment was to summon a four-time sea guard to scan the horizon with binoculars. The Kaga was alone, its destroyers were in battle and if more ships were to appear or even a submarine, the Kaga lay completely defenseless on the platter. Of course, he had heard of the mocking sayings at the fleet parade. That the Kaga was nothing more than a bullet trap. Fat and useless and impossible to overlook for anyone or anything due to its gigantic silhouette.
When it became apparent that the heavy cruiser and its destroyer were also heading for the convoy and had a clear path, the order was given to the Kaga to move south and move towards Japan. Not a single escort ship was between the Kaga and the two German warships.
The disgrace was hard to beat. The pride of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the ship that was to lead Japan into the future, that was to make Japan the number one naval power, was on the run!
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The two torpedo hits had an effect, the battlecruiser finally turned away. In the process, he hit the Kiyonami, which was already significantly damaged. The night battle confirmed and the German destroyer calmly sailed parallel between two Japanese destroyer flotillas.
The German commander knew very well that the Japanese could not fire without hitting themselves!
This was also recognized by Kaigun-taisa Nagumo Chūichi, who with his light cruiser held the only position to influence the German destroyer with his artillery without running the risk of hitting his own destroyers. Maybe apart from the numakaze. He ordered the change of target on his own authority, although he was supposed to attack the battlecruiser.
Then it tore apart the Arare and the probability was high that it had been a Japanese torpedo that split the destroyer in two.
The battle between the Japanese squadron and the German battlecruiser unfolded at short distance. The enemy heavy cruiser swerved south, apparently looking for the Kaga. Japan's fleet aircraft carrier, however, had already distanced itself under the cover of darkness.
For the High Seas Fleet, the battle went badly and the battlecruiser acted as a torpedo catcher. Japan's destroyers mastered this tactic effortlessly, as they were not used to fighting like this for thirty years! The Germans, on the other hand, seemed to have copied a lot from the Japanese. Above all, they made tenacity their own, which resulted in the collision of the Numakaze with the German destroyer.
Neither of the two skippers wanted to give in. Everyone stubbornly insisted on their course until it crashed!
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Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura recorded numerous torpedo hits on the enemy ship in succession and was satisfied with the situation. The opponent is probably already doomed to death. Such an old cruiser could not cope with so many hits. Then it tore him off his legs. The Ikoma rocked wildly back and forth and a deep rumble ran through the hull. The Ikoma leaned to starboard and coming from the forecastle, dark smoke enveloped the bridge superstructure.
"Torpedo hit starboard at gun turret level" croaked from the loudspeaker, then the sirens blared off.
The captain of the Ikoma did not wait for instructions from the admiral and ordered immediate hard-rudder to port. This was never a Japanese torpedo, the captain was sure of that. This torpedo could and had to come only from the Germans!
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This battlecruiser was an honorable enemy, he knew how to fight and did so, even if he was already finished off himself. The Ikoma, on the other hand, took water and lost speed. For the fact that the Ikoma was almost state-of-the-art, the battlecruiser was badly damaged. Another hit with the same effect could already mean the end, Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura had to admit to himself and he didn't want to believe that this modern ship could be so easily sunk!
Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura took his cruiser out of the battle until the leak was under control. However, the German commander wanted to have a say and set course for the Japanese battlecruisers, even if his speed was already below that of the Japanese.
This German battlecruiser was an honorable opponent, that was already clear!
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However, the German battlecruiser could no longer do anything against the Japanese destroyers. Their number was too large and every minute the German's torso was torn open by more and more torpedo hits until it almost came to a stop.
Kaigun-taisa Nagumo Chūichi had also maneuvered his light cruiser back into position to increase its share in the sinking. In particular, with its 6inch guns, it hammered on the German battlecruiser.
Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura received a message that the leak barrier finally brought the situation under control. However, larger quantities of water still flowed into the hull and enlarged the side of the Ikoma.
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Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura had detached the Ikoma from the chain of command in order to give the Furutaka the necessary room for manoeuvre. The Ikoma itself now crept through the sea with only two knots. Just enough to be able to maneuver somehow, but too little to be able to continue the fight. The destroyers now had to shield the Ikoma and keep the enemy away.
Then, almost out of nowhere, a German light cruiser appeared and took the Japanese destroyers under fire.
The light cruiser was quickly addressed as a modern ship of the Danzig class and on the Japanese side the question arose as to how many ships of the High Seas Fleet were present.
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Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura ordered all visible enemy ships to be precisely reconnaissance. He had to know what he was dealing with. So far, two destroyers, a heavy cruiser and the battlecruiser had been recognized. Now a light cruiser. Two more sightings were available. In the best case, these were the well-known destroyers and the heavy cruiser. However, that was not certain.
Ikoma is making progress in repairing the damage and the impact has been noticeably reduced. The German battlecruiser was now in flames and thus offered a clearly visible target, which the artillery crew of Ikoma gratefully accepted. Even if the Ikoma should stay out of it, with the heavy 16inch guns you could stay out of it at a distance, if you had such a grateful target because it was visible at a long distance.
The artillery crew of Ikoma had excellent quality and the necessary combat experience was now being gained. Whereas the hull of the German battlecruiser was previously torpedoed to shreds, Ikoma is now doing the same with the superstructure and the guns with her artillery.
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After a few tough minutes, they had the certainty that it was two destroyers and a light cruiser with which they were in battle. Where the heavy cruiser had gone, one did not know and could only guess whether it would appear with the Kaga or with the freighters?
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Gradually, the battle lost its intensity. The enemy ships had all been hit several times and seemed to want to retreat. The battlecruiser was burning in the water and had stopped. There was practically no resistance and it was only a matter of time before it would sink. Nevertheless, the situation was unsatisfactory because it was simply completely unknown with which forces the High Seas Fleet had even gone into battle?
Then it happened very quickly and the German battlecruiser capsized and sank!
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Finally, the flooding on the Ikoma was almost stopped and the battlecruiser could intervene in the battle again, if one still wanted to speak of a battle. The well-known enemy ships were all badly hit and the resistance sporadic. There were no other opponents to be seen and in the darkness that would certainly not change. A planned search was pointless! In this respect, they concentrated on the known opponents and led a pincer attack on the light cruiser of the Danzig class.
+ + +
The German light cruiser had little to counter this force and was literally dismantled by several torpedoes and shells. But this was also true for the Arashio, whose torpedo launchers first began to burn after a hit and then exploded. The destroyer retired from the battle with the most severe damage.
+ + +
The battle became tough. At least the Arashio team was able to bring the fire under control. However, the destroyer was not yet saved. The damage was severe and whether the Arashio would make it to Wēihǎiwèi in this condition was anything but certain. Even if the actual night was still to come. With only two knots, the destroyer took an eternity to reach the harbor and with the first sunlight of the next day, she was in the middle of the range of enemy aircraft.
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Then it went blow after blow. Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura could make out through his binoculars the battleships Shikishima and Hatsuse, which were approaching the combat zone and were probably looking for the heavy cruiser. However, only the reports of sinking German ships came over the radio in quick succession.
No other opponents were discovered. Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura therefore had no choice but to declare the battle over!
>> Memorandum of Kaigun-taishō Taniguchi Naomi on the Battle of the Yellow Sea, March 19, 1929 <<
Distinguished officers and members of the 大本営 (Daihon'ei),
what we wanted to avoid, the German Empire has now forced on us!
We must actually acknowledge that we were very lucky in the naval battle in the Yellow Sea. The small shock squadron of the High Seas Fleet was only just away from inflicting serious damage on us. Both our aircraft carrier Kaga proved to be ballast due to the darkness and the short distances, as well as the hit on the Ikoma could have ended badly.
In fact, the Ikoma was in greater danger than Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura transmitted to headquarters by radio. The Ikoma was still taking in a small amount of water when it arrived in Sasebo. If this had been the case further away from a sufficiently large base, the Ikoma could have sunk on the way back! The design department has already been briefed to look for errors in the armor concept and torpedo protection of the Ikoma. However, there are also indications of the shipyard's lack of quality in the construction of the Ikoma. You may remember that the construction has been subject to some delays.
All in all, we can be very happy about the outcome of the battle. It didn't take much and it would have ended in disaster.
In fact, this unexpected declaration of war is not to be taken lightly. There is only a small collection of ships of the German High Seas Fleet in Asian waters, but these ships are unexpectedly well managed. It seems that the Germans have adapted their tactics to ours, which has not been expected from a European navy so far. We have to monitor this situation closely, whether there is a change in the naval war strategy of our opponents or not?
As I have learned, the government has already taken steps to end this conflict as soon as possible. This is a logical decision for our long-term planning, but the fleet is ready to take up the fight if these negotiations are inconclusive.
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Thus, the officers of the 軍令部 (Gunreibu) of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the 参謀本部 (Sambō hombu) of the Imperial Japanese Army, and the 海軍省 (Kaigun-shō) may take good note of the prepared and illustrated course of the battle for the naval battle in the Yellow Sea on March 19, 1929 of that year.
Long live the Rengō Kantai, long live the Imperial Japanese Navy, long live the Emperor!
Kaigun-taishō Taniguchi Naomi, March 20, 1929
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Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Wednesday, March 20, 1929
The German Empire has declared war on Japan!
As the commander of the 聯合艦隊 (Rengō Kantai) Kaigun-taishō Taniguchi Naomi announced a few hours ago, the Imperial Japanese Naval Forces were ambushed by a squadron of the German High Seas Fleet only a few hours after the surprising and unprovoked declaration of war by an envoy of the German Emperor Wilhelm II. The Japanese squadron, escorting reinforcements for our garrison in Wēihǎiwèi, succeeded in sinking the German battlecruiser SMS Moltke in a short battle. All escort ships of the SMS Moltke were also sunk.
As Kaigun-taishō Taniguchi Naomi further explained, the German raid was a targeted attack after dark, which is why the aircraft carrier Kaga, which was present and only recently commissioned, could not intervene in the fight. The hopes raised by the naval command that aircraft carriers would be able to fight the enemy from a distance have therefore not been fulfilled. The Minister of the Navy, Okada Keisuke, who was also present, openly admitted this and explained that this was also the reason why the Navy would not only build aircraft carriers, but still needed large battleships. However, he reiterated that the time of large aircraft carriers will come and future conflicts will certainly be decided by aircraft.
He expressed incomprehension for the declaration of war by Friedrich Wilhelm Albert Viktor of Prussia and believes it was an oversight that could certainly be quickly cleared out of the world.
To the question of the representative of the Tōkyō Shinbun whether it has not been the goal for a long time to liberate Tsingtau from the colonial yoke of the Germans? Navy Minister Okada Keisuke replied that you can never know which way a war will take. The minister did not want to confirm that Japanese invading troops are already on the coast of Tsingtau.
Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Wednesday, March 20, 1929
Osaki Satoshi reviewed all reports of fleet movements in recent weeks and months. In fact, the German High Seas Fleet had amassed some units in Asia, but the squadron in Asia did not have much to do with the potential that the High Seas Fleet had at its disposal. And more didn't seem to be on the way. By far the largest part of the High Seas Fleet was located in the ports of the North Sea.
For a planned war, this was more than strange!
Even in the German High Command they had to know that the best possibility, if at all, would have been a surprise attack with all available ships. After that, the Germans had to assume that they would have to do without Tsingtau. Now the position of the Germans probably has the worst conceivable starting position and perhaps this already explains the weak appearance of the High Seas Fleet. The German High Command may not have trusted its own possibilities. So it deployed just as many ships in Asia as it could reasonably supply there. Osaki Satoshi was waiting to see how the German daily newspapers would open? His editors in Europe would report this by telegraph, but that would take a few more hours. The time difference to Germany was considerable.
So he could only wait and assume that the Japanese fleet would immediately take the initiative. The German deployment was too weak and the already known relocation of further Japanese capital ships towards Formosa spoke volumes.
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Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Tuesday, March 26, 1929
Hammer blow Tsingtau!
As the Japanese High Command announced this morning, Japanese Marine Infantry Assault Troopers have taken control of the port of Tsingtau! The fall of the entire city is only a matter of hours. According to the statement of the Minister of the Navy, Okada Keisuke, the troops actually intended for Wēihǎiwèi had already been near Tsingtau since March 20. There are also reports that Japanese planes from Wēihǎiwèi and Port Arthur fly regular missions over Tsingtau and support the invading forces. In particular, the aircraft are to target the port and the coastal batteries. With the loss of the port, Kaiser Wilhelm II's ambitions are likely to have come to an end before he could even begin to implement his plans. According to the announcements of the European world press, Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted to put a stop to Japan's further advance into East Asia.
This project is likely to have become superfluous with the fall of Tsingtau.
Northeast Asia was now firmly in Japanese hands. Apart from Russia, there was no serious threat to the Japanese Empire in this region after the fall of Tsingtau. In the Central Pacific and Southeast Asia, the situation was different. The focus was therefore on the bases of European colonial powers there. For further progress, however, additional invasion troops were needed, which could advance further with Formosa as a springboard. Even if it was not planned, the opportunity had to be seized by the German declaration of war.
But the German side was also aware of the new tactical and strategic situation. The head of the High Command of the Navy, Admiral Erich Raeder, did not need to transmit any new instructions to his commanders on the ground. He had expected a better result, but he had planned for Tsingtau to fall. He also had an idea of how Japan would react to it and what to do about it. Following his premise not to look for a big decisive battle in this region, the opportunity now came to cause unrest with small but combative units.
On the morning of April 27, 1929, a German battlecruiser was patrolling the known Japanese convoy routes north of Formosa and almost inevitably encountered Japanese ships.
This convoy came from Japan and had loaded supplies, ammunition and troops to prepare for the next invasion on Formosa. At the same time, together with this convoy, other Japanese warships moved south to replenish the increased demand there. It was again Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura, who this time commanded the two battlecruisers Tsukuba and Furutaka. In addition, there was the light aircraft carrier Kehi Maru and a dozen escort ships. The convoy itself had an old battlecruiser and plenty of destroyers at its disposal as an actual escort.
What followed was to give the Japanese naval leadership food for thought for a long time to come!
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Japanese 6th Battlecruiser Division:
Battlecruiser Tsukuba (flagship)
Battlecruiser Furutaka
- - -
Japanese 9th Aircraft Carrier Division:
Light aircraft carrier Kehi Maru
- - -
Japanese 11th Reconnaissance Division:
Light cruiser Hirado
Light cruiser Tenryu
Japanese 10th Destroyer Flotilla:
Destroyer Shibutsu
Destroyer Arakai
Destroyer Nasu
Destroyer daycare center
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The Ikoma would spend a few more weeks in the shipyard, which is why the Imperial Japanese Navy could only continue the war with the second and third sets of battlecruisers. As a replacement, Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura served as the flagship of the more than twenty-year-old battlecruiser Tsukuba. His second battlecruiser - the Furutaka - remained undamaged in the last battle, but was even older. However, no one expected a battle during the transfer to Formosa, which is why the convoy was rather small. The actual combat units were to be assembled in Formosa.
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Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura stood with his staff officers at the railing and enjoyed the warm rays of the morning April sun. From the north a light breeze blew over the deck and far to the south the Qixing Shan rose into the sky and announced the imminent arrival in Keelung. The port city was located at the northern end of a narrow valley between the Datun volcanic group and the main massif, which stretched along the entire length of Formosa. At the current speed of the convoy, the convoy would have reached the small bay of Keelung in the afternoon. The freighters and troop transports would anchor and unload here, while Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura would bring his warships directly to Takao. In the best weather, the morning ritual began, which was different with an aircraft carrier in the formation than in the last almost thirty years. Everyone was relaxed and in joyful anticipation of disembarking the next morning in Takao. The island was a wonderful spot in spring and nobody wanted to miss it. Now, however, the courses had to be changed in order to start the fighter protection and the reconnaissance aircraft of the Kehi Maru. After all, the carrier should not lose touch with the fleet.
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Three quarters of an hour later, Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura was back on the bridge and observing the routine tasks when he was reported a sighting to the southwest. From the size and the plume of smoke, someone suspected that he had a heavy cruiser in front of him and immediately the cheerful mood on board was gone. Nomura ordered the battle alarm to be sounded and to turn towards the possible enemy and to turn the convoy around.
The contact approached quickly and seemed to be on a direct course for the cargo ships.
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Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura blocked the way of the possible enemy, while the battlecruiser Nisshin, which was part of the actual convoy escort, steered an interception course. The Nisshin was old and slow and could only hope to get into combat range at acute angles.
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Another sighting report came from the destroyer Hokaze, according to which a standard ship of the line, a heavy cruiser and a destroyer were heading for the convoy. Nobody took the report completely seriously, because the German Empire would hardly seek battle with a ship of the line, but the report could not be completely ignored. From this position, the Tsukuba could easily be bypassed. Then the convoy would be at the mercy of the enemy.
All in all, the tactical situation was highly unpleasant for Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura.
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Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura was still thinking about how best to proceed against the two enemy groups when the Nisshin announced by radio that she was under fire. This changed the situation abruptly, because a heavy cruiser hardly had the necessary firing range. It had to be a battleship or at least a battlecruiser, and the quality and range of the German artillery was superior to the Japanese. That much was already certain!
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A few minutes later, another ship came into view, while there was no confirmation for the group reported further north.
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The Nisshin continued to be under heavy fire, but so far this has remained without consequences. On the contrary! Since the enemy was concentrated on the Nisshin, the Japanese 7th Destroyer Flotilla was able to get into attack position unmolested, and Tsukuba and Furutaka, shielded from the 7th Flotilla, were able to change course for the enemy.
The Nisshin now returned fire and drew even more attention to herself for a short moment. This was no longer without consequences. A direct hit once again showed the quality of the opponent compared to the old Nisshin.
Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura didn't want to look at it any longer and gave the order to fire at a long distance. At that moment, the lookout reported that a German battlecruiser of the Fürst Bismarck class was in front of them.
That was an impressive opponent!
With twelve 15" guns grouped into four turrets, this ship was clearly superior to the ten 12" guns of the Japanese ships. Although the Fürst Bismarck class was also somewhat older, it was still more modern than the three Japanese battlecruisers. With her twenty-two 4" guns, this ship could also spoil the day of advancing destroyers.
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The detected destroyer was identified as an S15-class and was also a bit older, but still dangerous with nine torpedoes. After all, the enemy commander did not want to risk a head-on collision and turned around. This put him in a quandary, but with his firepower he could afford it. A single one of its main turrets had more firepower than any Japanese ship in its entirety. This allowed him to fight all Japanese capital ships at the same time and use the fourth turret to bring about a concentration of fire where it was necessary.
At least the enemy gradually came within range of all Japanese ships, which at least allowed them a hail of shells. Whether that would be of any use was not to be said.
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Next, the enemy proved the theory that he knew how to defend himself against destroyers. The Japanese 7th Destroyer Flotilla was far from being able to conduct a torpedo attack, when the first 4" shells rained down on the flotilla and hit the flotilla leader Kaede. Meanwhile, the Tsukuba suffered from the old Japanese problem of the error-prone turret mechanics.
With the second goal, the Kaede did not get off as lightly as with the first goal. The German projectile penetrated the thin fuselage smoothly and detonated in the engine room. Immediately, the destroyer lost half of its propulsion power and was already as good as out of the race.
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Destroyer Kaede left the flotilla and would continue to fight alone so as not to deprive the flotilla of the advantage of superior speed. The German federation, on the other hand, made a full turnaround and sailed south. Apparently, the sheer number of Japanese ships impressed enough to give up the attack on the convoy.
This was the beginning of a classic hunt, but everything else was settled. The German battlecruiser ran up to 27 knots and could therefore only be caught up with by the destroyers and light cruisers.
Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura could not be more dissatisfied. Everyone who could fight tried to catch up with the enemy, but it didn't really succeed. His heavy units were simply too slow, and his destroyers were under heavy fire, trying to find their way through the wall of water that opened up in front of and between them without ramming each other.
Then, at least, the Tsukuba managed a lucky hit at long range, which allowed the enemy to continue unimpressed.
On the Kehi Maru, a single torpedo bomber was ready for use and might finally be of use!
Completely frightened, Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura had to watch as the battlecruiser Nisshin disappeared in a dark cloud of smoke. In the first few seconds they puzzled around whether one of the chimneys had been hit, then came the message from the escort destroyer Hayashio over the radio:
"Bullseye on Battlecruiser Nisshin - Bullseye on Battlecruiser Nisshin – Battlecruiser Nisshin is on its side and is losing momentum."
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From the Kehi Maru came the message that the rest of the bombers were now also at the start, but no one was interested in that anymore. The Nisshin didn't seem to be on fire and slid out of the smoke, but the ship had such a big side that everyone watching was sure that the cruiser was about to capsize.
More hits didn't make the situation any better for the Nisshin!
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After all, the attack on the Nisshin took time for the destroyers to catch up in peace. Now the first Japanese destroyer was barely more than 5000 yards away from the German battlecruiser.
The Nisshin made a U-turn and tried to break away from the enemy. Apparently, however, the radio system seemed to have failed, because no one on board gave a situation report or responded to calls.
The destroyers were getting closer, but were in a completely unsuitable position for a torpedo attack. They would have to pass the German battlecruiser to use their torpedoes, and everyone knew that this would be tantamount to suicide.
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It was decided to fire some torpedoes from aft anyway. Perhaps this would cause a change of course for the German battlecruiser and that was absolutely necessary to enable the heavy Japanese units to catch up.
The destroyers would not fix it this time, there was unusual agreement on that!
The manoeuvre seemed to succeed! The battlecruiser changed course, although destroyer Natsuzuki had not fired any torpedoes at all. The Germans also seemed to be extremely nervous about the situation.
Now the situation was a little better, but anything but promising.
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Next, Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura himself felt what a German 15" shell could do. The Tsukuba took a single hit amidships just above the waterline. However, the cruiser was pushed violently to the side and then swung back, allowing water to enter the hull through the huge hole that had been created.
Such a hit directly at the waterline and one could assume that a corresponding leak at sea would not be plugged. Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura looked at the Nisshin and got an uneasy feeling about the battlecruiser.
But then surprisingly came a radio message from the Nisshin, according to which the water ingress was almost completely under control.
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The Japanese light cruisers had caught up with the destroyers and immediately got an impression of who they were dealing with. The fact that nothing more had happened after a rook hit on the Hirado was more luck than brains.
Now the destroyers tried once again to force a change of course to allow the light cruisers to catch up with the enemy. This time, however, the Germans did not go along with the maneuver!
The Hirado continued to feel the defensive fire, but continued to be very lucky. The single torpedo bomber flew over the light cruisers and towards the German squadron at exactly this time.
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The Aichi Tokai was the newest type of torpedo bomber of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force and the pilots referred to it as the Winged Lame Duck. The pilot in training Genda Minoru saw it the same way and actually he would have had no place in this cockpit without a degree. It was not necessarily unusual for student pilots to be on board aircraft carriers in wartime. The fact that the actual pilot who flew this plane was drunk was rather unusual and would have consequences. Genda Minoru, who was just twenty-four years old, simply took the opportunity. He had not received a flight permit, but also no flight ban when he asked the squadron leader for permission to take over the Aichi. In the chaos that opened up on board the Kehi Maru after the first sighting report, Genda Minoru, who was known to be persistent and capable, but also disobedient and stubborn, simply sat down in the cockpit and instructed the crews to bring the bomber into take-off position.
His brisk and fast appearance led to him being the first bomber ready for take-off and before anyone took him out of the cockpit, he simply flew off alone. Now he passed the two cruisers Tenryu and Hirado at low altitude and wiggled his wings slightly in greeting.
In front of him he saw the two German ships and the constant flash of the German guns. This was not yet for him, but that would probably change. He lowered the flight altitude further and it was only about 10 to 15 meters away from the water surface. He flew in a slight loop towards the battlecruiser and was promptly shaken by anti-aircraft fire. He stubbornly kept his goal in mind, listened more to his gut feeling than to the training and released the torpedo at a distance that was too great for his taste but felt right. The angle was also a bit sharp, but that could not be changed now. He turned the steering horn and moved away from the huge German ship.
Genda Minoru wanted to observe what was happening now, but looking back and flying an airplane at the same time was not compatible. Especially since the German air defense still left no stone unturned to shoot him down.
But he was rewarded. He turned his head to watch the ship and just at that moment a large column of water rose up the hull.
His torpedo had hit!
The approaching destroyers had also seen what this scrap of cloth and wood called the airplane had done. Even though quite a few on board the ships were angry that it was not they who had caught the enemy, everyone now hoped that the cruiser would lose speed.
But he didn't!
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Genda Minoru flew a curve to get a better look at the battlecruiser. The ship seemed to have a slight tilt, but it was still going full speed.
The light cruisers had to stop the fast catch-up race, as the Hirado could no longer keep up the high speed. Serious problems were reported from the engine room.
The Japanese destroyers had at least made their German counterpart slow down with single hits so long that a torpedo attack was now possible. This was then also successful, so that at least this opponent would probably still be able to be sunk.
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The enemy destroyer began to turn and smoke in. At least this ship would now be able to be shot down with numerically far superior artillery. It visibly lost momentum.
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The destroyers received orders from Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura over radio to attack the battlecruiser and leave the German destroyer to the two Japanese light cruisers. The Tenryu and Hirado could no longer pursue the battlecruiser, but had enough firepower to deal with the destroyer on their own. The Japanese destroyers, on the other hand, were the only ships that were able to catch up with the battlecruiser at all.
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The German destroyer was badly hit. Now the Tsukuba and Furutaka were also in his vicinity and would also take him under fire. The light cruisers were now to follow their own destroyers. If the destroyers were still able to confront the enemy, the support of the light cruisers was urgently needed.
The enemy destroyer was no longer a danger. He lay motionless in the water.
However, the battlecruiser simply could not be reached!
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The battlecruiser, on the other hand, scored impact hits on its pursuers. Decimated in this way, the destroyers had almost no choice but to attempt another torpedo attack. Maybe you could score a lucky hit or persuade the opponent to change course again.
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The only success of this maneuver was further hits on the Japanese destroyers. At least you could see how the enemy destroyer abruptly got a significant blow and capsized.
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At about twelve thirty local time, it was clear to Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura that there was no chance of catching up with the German battlecruiser. There was also no sign of other torpedo bombers from the Kehi Maru. The rest of the season had completely flown away and was not to be seen.
Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura had it tacked and ordered all units to collect or to set course for Keelung for the damaged ships.
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The battle was effectively over, even if the opponents could still see each other. Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura stared at the enemy with his binoculars. He felt powerless and vulnerable and had to watch as the German warship disappeared behind the horizon.
How was he supposed to explain this to his commander?
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After all, he had no major losses to report. Although numerous ships were damaged, including the Tsukuba, it was nothing that could not be repaired in a dry dock. The Nisshin also reported only minimal water intake. The old battlecruiser would certainly make it to Keelung or even Takao.
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A maritime reconnaissance aircraft reported a credible sighting around thirteen-thirty, but it was clear that this battlecruiser could not be caught up with for good! Maybe the German commander would turn around again or make a big loop to get to the cargo ships after all, which is why Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō let Nomura swarm out to prevent this in case of doubt, but he didn't believe in it himself.
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At about eight o'clock local time, Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura gave the final order to enter the port of Keelung. Dusk was approaching and there had been no sign of the enemy for hours. Since all reconnaissance planes now had to land, it would no longer be found, regardless of whether it had expired or would now attack in a wide arc from the north.
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At eighteen-fifteen o'clock, Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura declared the battle over. The world was not yet in order for him, but all in all, the convoy had remained undamaged.
It was not until after midnight that all ships arrived in Keelung. It was pitch dark and the warships had made the journey to the harbor without position lights so as not to run the risk of being discovered after all. After all, more German ships had to be expected. Where a German battlecruiser and destroyer escort had slipped through surveillance, other German ships could also do the same.
Only now in the harbor did panic suddenly set in and a wild mess of radio messages made the air crackle:
No one knew where the battlecruiser Nisshin was, nor did it respond to radio calls!
Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Sunday, April 28, 1929
Humiliation and catastrophe off Formosa!
In a battle off the Japanese island of Formosa, the German Empire has inflicted a humiliating defeat on the Imperial Japanese Navy. In only a short battle, a numerically far inferior opponent has severely damaged several Japanese ships and sunk the battlecruiser Nisshin.
At no time could the Japanese Navy be a threat to the enemy, apart from the heroic attack of the student pilot Genda Minoru. But even this single successful air torpedo hit had no effect on the enemy.
If we as a nation do not want to fall into superstition, as the naval leadership tries to persuade the people, then the German ships were technically far superior to the Japanese and the German commanders were simply better than the Japanese commanders.
The fact that the sinking of the Nisshin was only noticed hours later probably borders on high treason. There is no other way to describe the behavior of dozens of skippers. From the unencrypted radio messages that can currently be heard, all ships in the waters off Keelung are called upon to search for lifeboats or debris. This ignominious loss has only become known at all because the Minister of the Navy at least has enough decency to search for possible survivors of the catastrophe.
The champagne corks are likely to pop in Berlin! Not only did the High Seas Fleet brilliantly defeat the Japanese squadron, no, for the first time ever a European colonial power succeeded in defeating Japan disastrously. The German Empire will certainly be able to show off its European competitors and expand its position in Europe!
This defeat must have consequences!
The eternal quarrels within the navy and between the navy and the army have probably made it possible in the first place that Japanese shipbuilding is in fact far behind the European nations. The naval leadership has always emphasized that it will never be able to compete with the large European fleets in terms of numbers, which is why Japanese designs must be larger and better than those of the enemy.
We now had to see how much better the Japanese ships are.
The Japanese ships are far inferior!
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>> Memorandum of Kaigun-taishō Taniguchi Naomi on the convoy battle off Keelung April 27, 1929 <<
Honored officers and members of the 大本営 (Daihon'ei),
I have brought 恥 (Haji) via Japan and request the 大本営 (Daihon'ei) to receive my 退職願 (Taishokunega), which I justify as follows:
On April 27 of that year, there was a surprising encounter with two warships of the High Seas Fleet of the German Empire off the Keelung base. This encounter ended in a disaster of the greatest proportions for the Imperial Japanese Navy. The sole blame for this situation is my responsibility. Blind to the reality of the warfare and quality of the German High Seas Fleet, I sent the honorable Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura to his doom with obsolete and inadequate ships.
Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura is to be fully exonerated for the loss of the battlecruiser Nisshin. Firstly, the battlecruiser Nisshin was not under the direct command of the Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura, but was instead the flagship of the escort squadron itself, and secondly, Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura had no chance of averting the fate of the battlecruiser Nisshin with the means at his disposal.
The selection of Kaigun-chūjō Koshiro Otani as commander of the convoy was also my responsibility. Thus, I also bear responsibility for the excessively aggressive actions of Kaigun-chūjō Koshiro Otani against the German battlecruiser. Kaigun-chūjō Koshiro Otani should have realized that he would never have been able to defeat a far superior opponent single-handedly with the Nisshin. As commander of the escort fleet, he should also have excluded from the convoy and left the enemy to the honorable Kaigun-chūjō Kichisaburō Nomura.
It is also incumbent on me not to have freed the 聯合艦隊 (Rengō Kantai) of the Imperial Japanese Navy from the ballast of obsolete ships in time. I shouldn't have allowed 聯合艦隊 (Rengō Kantai) to go into battle with these old ships. Only the newest and most modern ships would have been qualified for this task. The withholding of these units to protect the Japanese homeland was wrong.
I have failed and am unworthy to continue the tasks assigned to me any longer. I have brought shame upon Imperial Japan, and I will endure any consequence of this!
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Thus, the officers of the 軍令部 (Gunreibu) of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the 参謀本部 (Sambō hombu) of the Imperial Japanese Army, and the 海軍省 (Kaigun-shō) may take note of the prepared and illustrated course of the battle for the convoy battle off Keelung on April 27 of that year.
Long live the Rengō Kantai, long live the Imperial Japanese Navy, long live the Emperor!
Kaigun-taishō Taniguchi Naomi, April 30, 1929
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Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Tuesday, April 30, 1929
Kaigun-taishō Taniguchi Naomi resigned as commander of 聯 合艦隊 (Rengō Kantai)!
Minister of the Navy Okada Keisuke announced in a brief announcement this morning that Kaigun-taishō Taniguchi Naomi takes full responsibility for the Nisshin disaster and has been relieved of the position of commander of the 聯合艦隊 (Rengō Kantai). In the midst of the war, which is going badly overall, the most important fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy is now without a commander. Nothing has been announced about a possible successor.
As was heard from circles of the Ministry of the Navy, Kaigun-taishō Taniguchi Naomi is withdrawing into private life.
When asked about the goals of the fleet in the ongoing war against the German Empire, the representatives of the Japanese and international press present received no answer.
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Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, May 2, 1929
Osaki Satoshi sat in his office and read the information of the day. The fleet had been without a commander for two days and no successor was named today. How could it be that in just five days, the proud Imperial Japanese Navy squandered all the prestige it had previously earned in almost thirty years?
The remaining reports were also rather poor. Apparently, the German Empire did not have any increased interest in this war either. The fleet in Asia was very weak and the enemy avoided new battles.
Osaki Satoshi found all this strange, but nothing more could be found out at the moment.
