The Rising Sun: Naval History of Japan, 1900-

[desdinova]

By the turn of the 20th century, Japan had revolutionized her armed forces, particularly her navy, into a modern and professional fighting force. It was clear that the Japanese desired a navy capable of challenging the great European powers for naval supremacy in the east; Japan possessed a modest, but well-equipped navy.



Imperial Japanese Navy Order of Battle, January 1900




Shikishima is the pride of the Imperial Japanese Navy; a modern, sea-going battleship equal to any foreign ship. Two more ships in the class, Suwo and Iki, are half-built Great Britain at the turn of the century. Complement: 781.



Fuji, Fuso, and Asahi were Japan's first battleships when ordered in the early 1890's; these ships remain fairly capable for their small size, but their short range and low freeboard limits them operationally to defense of the home islands. Complement: 733.



The European great powers all maintain large fleets of armoured cruisers. Azuma is Japan's answer to large, fast and heavily-armed armoured cruisers like the Russian Pamyat Azova or German Hansa. A second ship, Yakumo, is fitting out in Great Britain. Complement: 791.


The French maintain a large force of lightweight armoured cruisers of around 8,000 tons, while the Russians prefer large protected cruisers. It is these ships that Tokiwa and her sister ships Asama and Izumo were designed to oppose. Their armament is a battery of 6 dual 6" guns, mounted in a hexagonal configuration. They are intended to run from anything that they can't overwhelm with volume of fire. Complement: 634.


Itsukushima, Hashidate, and Akashi were likewise designed to match Russia's preferred large protected cruisers, as well as serve as fleet scouts and escorts. Complement: 413.


The Naniwa-class are Japan's long-range commerce protection and raiding cruisers. Nine ships are in service: Naniwa, Chiyoda, Yaeyama, Takachiho, Izumi, Chishima, Matsushima, Unebi. Complement: 232.


The Akikaze class of torpedo boat destroyer is the fastest in the world at the turn of the century, and fully seaworthy; Japan can perhaps claim to have invented the modern destroyer. Six ships are in service: Akikaze, Hokaze, Hakaze, Nokaze, Namikaze, Minekaze. Numaakze, Sawakaze, Okikaze, Tachikaze, Shimakaze, Shiokaze are still under construction. Complement: 56.

[desdinova]

1900-1905: Prelude to War

1900

Balance of naval power, 1900

In April, Japan negotiates a five-year military alliance with Great Britain. This not only secures Japanese interests against the other great powers, but ensures that the Imperal Japanese Navy will place many orders in British shipyards in the years to come.

The remaining Akikaze-class destroyers are all commissioned by June; battleship Suwo arrives in December. Unrest in China provokes tensions, as the Japanese Navy deploys Shikishima to the coast, demonstrating Japan's resolve to protect her interests there. Germany and France protest the prospect of Japanese intervention, that could conflict with their colonial ambitions in the Pacific.

1901



Mikasa is ordered in March; the Japanese government has decided to match Russian battleship construction on a 2 for 3 basis. With the Anglo-Japanese alliance in place, the admiralty doesn't believe it will have to face the bulk of Russian sea power. British-built Mikasa represents an evolution in battleship design, with her heavy 10" secondary battery. Unfortunately, she will never reach her design speed of 19 knots. Complement: 846.


At the same time, Iwate is ordered: the Japanese have decided that large armoured cruisers may be more useful than battleships in any war to come. The only risk from enemy battleships comes from Russia, whereas Japan has the smallest cruiser fleet of any of the great naval powers. In this matter, it is decided to pursue quality over quantity. Iwate is designed to be a worthy successor to the Azuma class, with similar armament but greatly improved protection. Upon commission, she will reach 24 knots on sea trials, making her the fastest cruiser in the world. Complement: 775.


A dozen Yukaze-class destroyers are ordered in 1901, starting in April: Yukaze, Yakaze, Harukaze, Asanagi, Hatakaze, Asakaze, Hayate, Kamikaze, Matsukaze, Yunagi, Oite, Fumizuki. Complement: 71.

1902

A dozen minesweepers are ordered throughout the year, in anticipation of conflict with Russia.


The only major warship order this year is Kasuga: a 16,000 ton large armoured cruiser. Kasuga breaks new ground in warship design, able to carry a heavy main armament of 6 double 10" guns in a hexagonal arrangement, at a blistering 23 knots. Complement: 997.

1903


The commissioning of Iwate and Mikasa in April frees up funds for two more large armoured cruisers.



Nisshin and Aso are an update of the Kasuga-class, with a year's worth of advancement in their machinery and internal arrangement. They also forgo Kasuga's mixed 6"/3" batteries in favor of 4" guns.


Late in the year, the naval secretary demands the navy procure ten more cruisers; the Yoshino-class design is picked as the only protected cruiser design capable of being built economically in large numbers. While nearly unarmoured, the type is decently fast and armed, and possesses great range. The admiralty intends to use the ships as long-range commerce raiders. Yoshino, Otowa, Suma, Niitaka, Hirado, Akitsushima, Takasago, Chitose, Tsushima, Kasagi. Complement: 217.

1904


Kasuga is commissioned in March; Nisshin in december, as the navy focuses on building cruisers. A colonial crisis with France in October almost brings both nations to war, but the situation is resolved diplomatically.

By late 1904, Japan, through its alliance with Great Britain, has learned of their "dreadnought" building program. While they don't know the exact form the 16,900-ton London class will take, Japan contracts with British naval architects to produce a similar all-big-gun battleship.


Hizen is the result. The battleship will carry a uniform main battery of 10 11" guns in five double turrets; these guns are the latest design and equal in power and penetration to the 12" guns of previous battleships. she mounts her armament in three centerline turrets, and two staggered wing turrets; her designers intended to allow for the possibility of firing cross-deck, although she will not be capable of such as initially built. Complement: 860.

1905


Russia has begun a major battleship building program; two more Hizen-class battleships, Hatsuse and Sagami, are laid down in March in response.


Japan needs fleet destroyers; six ships are ordered in August: Kikuzuki, Kisaragi, Minazuki, Mikazuki, Mutsuki, Mochizuki. This new class prioritizes torpedo armament over gun power, at a speed no foreign ship can match. Complement: 71.

Continued unrest in Northern China has drawn Japanese attention, escalating tensions with Russia; by late 1905, with the Anglo-Japanese alliance expired, Russia no longer feels the need to tolerate any insult to their national pride. In September, diplomatic attempts to mediate the conflict disintegrate, and Russia formally declares war on Japan.

[desdinova]

The opening engagement of the war is fought on October 30th.



Hashidate, with destroyer escort, is patrolling off Korea when she detects the 5,600-ton Russian protected cruiser Posadnik, and gives chase.

At 0354, Posadnik turns into Hashidate, firing a broadside that scores no hits, and Hashidate turns to starboard, passing through her wake. Posadnik turns back north parallel to Hashidate. Hashidate opens fire, and a high explosive 3" shell causes a fire on Posadnik's unprotected deck. At 0430, the Russian's machinery is damaged by enemy fire, and Posadnik's fate is sealed; unable to escape, 30 minutes later, the uncontrolled fire reaches one of her unarmoured gun positions and flashes over, detonating the cruiser's magazine. After the battle Yukazi pulls just 41 men out of the water. Destroyers Zorki and Zharki are sunk as well; the Japanese suffer only light damage, the enemy gunners having scored less than a dozen hits during the brief battle.

[desdinova]

11/28/1905 - Battle of Tsushima 

Japanese Order of Battle:
    Battleships: Asahi, Mikasa, Iki, Suwo, Shikishima, Fuso, Fuji
    Armoured cruisers: Aso, Asama, Tokiwa, Yakumo
    Protected cruisers: Niitaka, Hirado, Suma ,Akashi, Otowa, Hashidate, Itsukushima
    Destroyers: Yukaze, Yakaze, Hatakaze, Namikaze, Shimaakze, Okikaze, Fumizuki, Asakaze, Asanagi, Harukaze, Matsukaze, Kamikaze, Yunagi, Oite, Hayate

Russian Order of Battle:
    Battleships: Imperator Pavel I, Imperator Aleksandr II, Tri Svyatitelya, Retvizan, Imperator Aleksandr I, Tsesarevich, Imperator Nikolai I
Armoured cruisers: Vityaz, Rossiya, Gromoboi
Protected Cruisers: Velikii Knyaz Konstantin
Destroyers: Moshhni, Veseli, Zadorny, Zhivoi, Gromki, Zavetni

The Japanese war plan is to engage the Russians aggressively, in hopes of reducing their strength before they can bring reinforcements in from the European fleets.

On November 28th, the Japanese fleet is patrolling the Tsushima strait, through which the Russians must pass to transport supplies and material between their base at Port Arthur and Vladivostok.

i.imgur.com/ZPOfW8c.png

At 0534, The Japanese vanguard detects a column of three Russian armoured cruisers sailing southeast towards Nagasaki. They turn to pursue the Japanese cruiser squadron, which turns to the northwest to allow the Japanese battleships to catch up.



By 0630, the speedy Japanese cruisers have closed with and engaged the enemy, which is withdrawing towards their own battleships, west by southwest. At 0643, the lead Russian cruiser, 7,700-ton Vityaz, is disabled by a Japanese shell.


By 0700, the arrival of the Russian battlefleet forces the Japanese cruisers to reverse course. The Russians' heavy guns are unable to score any hits on the agile, 23 knot cruisers, although the last ship in the formation, 8,900-ton Asama, is hit several times by 6" and 7" shells and loses her forward turret.


Their retreat takes them past the hapless Vityaz, which is now reduced to a flaming wreck and clearly sinking.


By 0800, the Japanese battleline is also engaged, and the enemy formation has fallen into a loose jumble of ships. Five minutes later, of course, Shikishima, Fuso, and Fuji split off to the northeast due to a signalling error. Japanese gunnery is generally more effective; at 0815, a shell from Iki sets Aleksandr I's superstructure alight.


0823: The japanese cruiser squadron crosses the Russian's T. Pavel I and Aleksandr II turn to starboard, into the Japanese, while the rest of the Russian force, turn together to port, away from them. A 12" shell from Pavel I, hits Aso and ignites a serious fire in her superstructure, even as Pavel I's crew is fighting a fire started by Aso. She rakes Asama with her secondary batteries at point-blank range, causing heavy damage.


0840: It is now twilight, and Pavel I and Aleksandr II are still sailing north, trapped in a crossfire from the Japanese cruiser to port and Asahi and Mikasa to starboard. A feint by Japanese destroyers causes the rest of the Russian fleet to veer off to the west; without the support of their fleet, the two mighty ships are doomed. When night falls, the Japanese steer by the light of the fire raging aboard Pavel I.


0920: Charging out of the darkness, Yukaze makes a desparate, point-blank torpedo run and hits both Russian battleships from 500 yards. Unfortunately, she is struck herself by two 7" shells from Pavel and sinks eight minutes later, but her sacrifice is not in vain, as both ships are crippled. Twenty minutes later, with no electric power to fight the fire or operater her pumps, what's left of Pavel's crew abandons her to her fate, although it takes her another hour to sink. Aleksandr lasts two hours. 

Two enemy battleships are sunk, but flagship Asahi is badly damaged from 8 12" shell hits, Asama is very nearly sunk, and Aso has only barely managed to get her fire under control, and ammunition supplies are low. Rather than attempt to seek out the rest of the enemy force in the middle of the night, the Japanese commander chooses to withdraw to Phusan. Their column is harassed for a while by the cruiser Velikii Knyaz Konstantin, but she is driven off, damaged. The destroyers Moshhni, Veseli, Zadorny, Matsukaze, Kamikaze, Fumizuki, and Yukaze were all also sunk over the course of the battle.



Tactically, the Japanese won an important victory, but failed to achieve the strategic knockout blow they desired. The battle is the first clash between modern battleships in history, and destined to be studied and debated for years to come: could the Russians, with their advantage in battleship tonnage, have won decisively if they'd acted aggressively? Could the Japanese have finished the Russian fleet? What is clear, is that the Japanese focus on gunnery training paid off, as they inflicted  considerably more hits on the enemy than they received. The Japanese doctrine of using fast armoured cruisers to support their battleships paid off as well, even though one of their modern super-cruisers was damaged by fire and a smaller cruiser nearly sunk, they acquitted themselves well, even in the face of enemy battleships.

[desdinova]

The value of large, heavily-armed cruisers having been demonstrated at Tsushima, the admiralty goes forward with plans for a real battlecruiser to equal British types now under construction. Tsukuba improves on the armament arrangement of the Hizen class with a superfiring pair of rear turrets. Complement: 875.

Itsukushima-class Protected cruiser Akashi is torpedoed and sunk by Russian submarine Beluga on the first of December.

12/10/1905 - Second Battle of Tsushima
Japanese Order of Battle:
Battleships: Mikasa, Fuso, Iki, Shikishima, Suwo, Fuji
Armoured Cruisers:  Aso, Azuma, Nisshin
Protected Cruisers: Hirado, Itsukushima, Suma, Otowa, Hashidate
Destroyers: Hokaze, Namikaze, Hatakaze, Yunagi, Asanagi, Yakaze, Harukaze, Hayate, okikaze, Shimakaze, Oite

Russian Order of Battle:
Battleships: Imperator Aleksandr I, Tri Svyatitelya, Retvizan, Tsesarevich, Imperator Nikolai I
Armoured cruisers: Bayan, Rossiya
Protected cruisers: Velikii Knyaz Konstantin
Destroyers: Gromki, Zhivoi


The Japanese were certainly not expecting another major Russian sortie so soon after November's defeat, but on 9 December, while patrolling Tsushima strait at night, Japanese cruisers briefly encounter a large Russian force. They spend the night searching fruitlessly for the enemy, before a wireless message comes in the next day: a large enemy force is shelling the harbor at Phusan.


0618: The Russian battleships pursue the Japanese force south.


0707: The Japanese have been steaming at high speed to catch the Russians, and the battleship column's engines are giving trouble, giving the Russians a speed advantage. The Russians are pursuing the cruisers, but putting distance between themselves and the Japanese battleships. The Japanese cruisers make a risky move, and turn into the Russian line. Aso is hit by a 12" shell that causes heavy, but controllable flooding; she is forced to slow down and turn away. Nikolai I is likewise knocked out of formation by salvoes from Iki and Suwo that strike her funnel and engineering spaces.



0714: The Japanese cruisers have aborted their attempt to pass through the Russian line, but achieved the desired effect of opening a hole in their formation. The turn north to attack Nikolai while Fuso and Mikasa move into close-combat with Retvizan and Tsesarevich.


0737: Nisshin and Azuma are making short work of Nikolai I, but to the south, Mikasa is losing her gun duel with the Russians, as their 7" quick-firing guns prove very effective at short range.


The Japanese do manage to split the Russian battleships apart, but a torpedo attack by Japanese destroyers fails to score any hits.


0814: The sun is setting; the Russian formation has disintegrated, but with Mikasa barely able to make 13 knots, the Japanese are unable to press their advantage. Nikolai I will be the only vessel sunk during the battle, although Mikasa and Retvizan are quite badly damaged. Mikasa is hit by 6 12" and 15 7" shells; a bulkhead gives way after the battle, forcing the fleet to return immediately to Phusan.



Again, the battle concludes unsatisfyingly for the Japanese as they miss another chance for a decisive battle. They avoided a risky night battle, but were exhausted by chasing after the Russian fleet the next day, giving the Russians an advantage. They were able to wholly disrupt the Russian formation, but the effectiveness of their 7" quick-firing guns nearly sank the Japanese flagship; the most effective Japanese weapon again proved to be their cruisers, as they chased down and destroyed the Nikolai I.

[fredsanford]

Interesting. What is you ammo loadout and doctrine? Early game, it can be more fruitful to load up with HE and go for setting fires. Use AP only at short range, due to poor penetration. What mode are you playing (Capt, Rear admiral or Admiral)?

[desdinova]

1906

By January, Japanese hopes for a quick, decisive battle to end the war are fading. Three Russian battleships have been sunk, but Russia still enjoys a considerable advantage in tonnage. Japanese intelligence has learned that the enemy has mobilized the entirety of the Baltic and Black Sea fleets for the war in the Pacific; if Russia blockades the home islands, it would have disastrous consequences for Japan.

2/8/1906 - Battle of the Yellow Sea
Japanese order of battle:
Battleships: Fuji, Mikasa, Iki, Asahi, Fuso, Suwo, Shikishima
Armoured cruisers: Nisshin, Aso, Iwate, Asama, Yakumo
Protected cruisers: Hashidate, Itsukushima
Destroyers: Asanagi, Hatakaze, Oite, Yakaze, Harukaze, Hayate, Asakaze, Yunagi

Russian order of battle:
Battleships: Dvenadtsat Apostolov, Evstafi, Retvizan, Imperator Petr Veliki, Imperator Aleksandr I, Tsesarevich, Gangut, Pervenets, Tri Svyatitelya, Pobeda
Protected cruisers: Zhemchug, Velikii Knyaz Konstantin
Destroyers: Zhivoi, Bodri, Zvonki, Gromki, Verni, Grozni, Ispolnitelni, Letuchi, Zhivuchi, Legki, Lovki

The Japanese fleet is patrolling off Port Arthur, with the goal of preventing Russian reinforcements access to the harbor; little do they know, the Russian reinforcements are already there, and almost the entire Russian battleship force is arrayed against them.


At 2300, the Japanese cruiser squadron sights a Russian scout cruiser, and at 2338, they spot the Russian battleline. The Russians pursue the Japanese cruisers south. The Japanese battleships, meanwhile, have changed course to the northeast, and are circling north to prevent an easy Russian escape to Port Arthur.


At 0200, the Japanese battleships are finally entering firing range, having successfully maneuvered themselves between the Russians and Port Arthur without being detected. The Russians, cut off from their home port, line up to offer battle. The Japanese, having learned the danger of Russian quick-firing guns, maintain a range of about 10,000 yards in hopes that their superior gunnery will make up for having few big guns. But long-ranged gunfire as little effect; by 0400 the range has closed to about 6,000 yards.


0430: Iki's crew is battling a fire, while Fuso is knocked out of line by a critical hit from Tri Svyatitelya disables her machinery and causes heavy flooding. Meanwhile Dvenadtsat Apostolov is being worn down by heavy fire from the Japanese, and the Japanese cruiser squadron is rushing to support the core of the Japanese battle line.


0515: The Russian fleet performs a hasty about-face as Japanese destroyers advance for a torpedo attack, allowing the Japanese to reverse course and reform their line. The Japanese cruiser squadron surges forward to prevent a Russian withdrawal.


0649: Both sides have expended most of their ammunition, except for the unfired starboard wing turrets of Aso and Nisshin. They move to close range and engage the now toothless enemy battleships. Firing at 3,000 yards, they disable the Dvenadtsat Apostolov and set her on fire. Caught by the Japanese battleships, she loses electrical power and is sunk. The cruisers shift their attention to Imperator Aleksandr I, which becomes completely separated from the Russian force. With the Japanese battleships out of 12" shells, it takes over two hours to finish her off with their quick-firing 6" and 4" guns, by which time night has fallen.


1124: A final sweep of the approach to Port Arthur turns up the straggling battleship Retvizan, which is torpedoed by Harukaze and rendered helpless. She, too, is sunk, and the Japanese set course for home. The destroyers Asanagi, Zhivoi, Gromki, and Verni were all lost during the engagement.



The Japanese have at last won a decisive strategic victory, sinking 3 battleships without suffering serious damage. The Russians now have no chance of enforcing a blockade, allowing vital fuel, supplies, and food to reach the home islands. The battle has a disastrous effect on Russian morale: the Japanese have now sunk 6 battleships without reply. 

[desdinova]

Apr 19, 2018 15:28:23 GMT -6 fredsanford said:

Interesting. What is you ammo loadout and doctrine? Early game, it can be more fruitful to load up with HE and go for setting fires. Use AP only at short range, due to poor penetration. What mode are you playing (Capt, Rear admiral or Admiral)?

Rear admiral. I haven't touched the loadout settings.

[desdinova]

3/14/1906 -Battle of Japan 


Tokiwa and Asama are doing convoy escort duty when they spot a pair of Russian armoured cruisers, the 9,100-ton Bayan-class Bogatyr and Gromoboi. Weather is poor, with gale-force winds and heavy seas preventing them from intercepting the enemy before nightfall; Gromoboi changes course with the setting sun to avoid interception but her captain begins his turn too early and the Japanese catch up with them. They inflict heavy damage on Gromoboi before Tokiwa is torpedoed by the enemy cruiser; Asama avenges her with a torpedo of her own. Tokiwa's crew almost saves the ship, but she founders due to the storm.

Asama searches for the other enemy cruiser and briefly reengages, but doesn't realize that enemy battleships Gangut and Pervenets have responded to the Russian cruisers' call for help. A storm is settling in and visibility is now below 2,000 yards. At point-blank range, Asama spots an enemy battleship leading a squadron of destroyers, and disengages, but not before firing on the destroyer Ispolnitelni: the destroyer sinks as well, battered by the weather.

[desdinova]

4/24/1906 -Second Battle of Japan 

Japanese order of battle:
Battleships: Fuji, Mikasa, Iki, Shikishima, Suwo
Armoured cruisers: Nisshin, Aso, Iwate
Protected cruisers: Hashidate, Itsukushima
Destroyers: Tachikaze, Hakaze, Akikaze, Nokaze, Asakaze, Yakaze, Harukaze, Hatakaze, Oite, Yunagi

Russian order of battle:
Battleships: Gangut, Evstafi, Petropavlovsk, Tsesarevich, Tri Svyatitelya
Armoured cruisers: Pamyat Azova
Protected cruisers: Izumrud
Destroyers: Legki, Lovki, Letuchi, Bodri, Grozni, Zvonki, Zhivuchi


0310: A Russian task force sneaks past Japanese patrols and begins bombarding the coastal batteries guarding the fleet base at Sasebo. The Japanese fleet, guarding the strait of Tsushima, races to intercept.


0547: The Japanese task force encounters the Russians near the island of Ukushima and immediately moves to engage.


0724: Superior Japanese gunnery is taking its toll on the enemy. The Japanese cruisers close in, unleashing a hail of 10" and 4" shells. Tsesarevich is disabled by a 10" shell from Aso that strikes her engineering spaces and falls out of formation. Japanese cruisers make a close pass on Tsesarevich, scoring many hits, before resuming pursuit of the main force. They move east of the Russian column, trapping the enemy line in a lethal crossfire, and sinking the destroyers Legki, Lovki, Letuchi, Bodri, and Grozni. Petropavlovsk is critically damaged by fire from the cruisers, and she and Tri Svyatitelya turn south, while the Japanese continue pursuit of the leading Gangut and Evstafi.


0830: Gangut and Evstafi are alone under the guns of the entire Japanese force; a 7" shell from Evstafi demolishes Iwate's bridge, and she loses her place in formation until control can be restored. Over a dozen 12" shells smash into Gangut in quick succession, leaving her ablaze. Evstafi has turned south, abandoning Gangut, but the Japanese catch her and at 1030 she is fatally torpedoed by Asakaze. The sun sets while the fleet is still engaged with the dying Gangut, and the Russian survivors slip away into the darkness. The Japanese fleet searches for them, but to no avail.



The battle marks the last time that the Russian battlefleet poses a credible threat to the Japanese; the Russian far east fleet will never sortie again. As in the two previous engagements, Japan's large armoured cruiser proved to be the key to victory, and it is clear that Russia has no way to deal with them.

The humiliation of Russia's once-proud navy is just one factor in the social unrest that rocks the nation; in July 1906, the Czar is executed and Russia collapses into revolution. Japan accepts the surrender of Russia's pacific bases; Sakhalin and the Liaotung Peninsula, including the strategically vital Port Arthur, are annexed by Japan.


Retvizan-class battleship Pobeda is seized by the Japanese as a war prize, and renamed Iwami in Japanese service. 


Meanwhile in Europe, the first two London-class of battleships have entered Royal Navy service, the first uniform battery, big-gun battleships in history. The ships, and others like them, will come to be known as "dreadnoughts", after Admiral Fisher's proposed, but sadly cancelled, 21,000-ton, 12"-gunned design. Japanese observers reflect that the Hizen, still some three months from completion, will render the London-class as obsolete as she rendered the predreadnought.

Summary of losses, Russo-Japanese War:
Japan:
Armoured cruiser Tokiwa
Protected cruiser Akashi
Destroyers Yukaze, Asanagi, Kamikaze, Matsukaze, Fumizuki
Minesweepers Koan Maru, Dairen Maru
12 merchant ships

Russia:
Battleships Evstafi, Imperator Pavel I, Imperator Aleksandr I, Imperator Nikolai I, Dvenadtsat Apostolov, Retvizan, Imperator Aleksandr II, Gangut
Armoured cruisers Gromoboi, Vityaz
Protected cruiser Posadnik
Destroyers Bodri, Gromki, Verni, Veseli, Zhivoi, Grozni, Zharki, Zorki, Zadorny, Moshhni, Ispolnitelni, Legki, lovki, Letuchi
22 merchant ships
1 submarine

[desdinova]

1907


The immediate end of the war dropped Japan's naval budget to pre-1903 levels; Japan laid up most of their capital ships to avoid delays to the Hizen-class, which were all commissioned by February.


With construction of Japan's dreadnoughts finished, funds became available for expanding the cruiser force. The Yahagi class protected cruisers are a general-purpose design; to save money and tonnage, they mount only four 6" turrets, two of which are staggered wing turrets that can fire cross-deck. Yahagi, Akashi, and Tone are laid down in April; a fourth, Tatsuta, is ordered in November. Japan's Hizen-class dreadnoughts were unable to fire cross-deck upon launching without damaging their deck and superstructure; in October, they begin a refit in a German shipyard to reinforce their upper works so that all guns can be fired on either side.


Six Uzuki-class destroyers are ordered in November as well: Uzuki, Asanagi, Yayoi, Akebono, Amagiri, Asagiri. These 30-knot fleet destroyers improve on the Kikuzuki-class, mounting a heavier main armament.

[desdinova]

1908


Tsukuba is commissioned in March, and surpasses her design speed, reaching 27 knots. At commissioning, she is the largest warship in the world.


In April, battlecruiser Ikoma is laid down in Great Britain. Ikoma maintains the cross-deck firing arrangement of previous Japanese dreadnoughts, but mounts the latest British high-velocity 12" guns. A second ship, Kurama, follows in September.


Also ordered in April are destroyers Ayanami, Hatsuyuki, Fubuki, Isonami, Miyuki, and Murakumo. Japan's latest fleet destroyers will boast heavy gun and torpedo armament.

1909



The Tenryu class are heavily-armed and well-armoured protected cruisers, and impressively fast at 27 knots. Three ships are ordered in March: Tenryu, Chikuma, and Tama.

In August, four more Ayanami-class destroyers are laid down: Sazanami, Shirakumo, Sagiri, and Shikinami. Oboro, Uranami, Shinonome, and Shirayuki are laid down in November.

Tensions between Japan and France have been steadily rising since the French annexation of Borneo, and French occupation of Northern Korea has some elements of the Japanese military openly calling for war. The protected cruiser Cosmao of the French Pacific squadron blows up mysteriously at the end of the year; French authorities pass it off as an accident but many suspect Japanese involvement.

1910



With Ikoma commissioned in August, Japan draws up plans for its next battlecruiser class. The Kongo class blurs the line between a battlecruiser and a battleship; the huge vessel combines battlecruiser speed with 14" guns and battleship-level armour. A second ship, Hiei, is ordered in November.

[desdinova]

1911


Tensions are running high between Japan, Germany, and France, and the dreadnought arms race is in full swing. At the beginning of January, the world powers meet for a naval disarmament conference. By the end of the month a treaty is concluded: for a period of ten years, no new warship will carry guns above 10" caliber or displace more than 15,000 tons. This is something of a diplomatic coup for Japan; Japan must scrap both Kongo-class battlecruisers, but over thirty foreign ships are scrapped. Regional rivals France and Germany will be limited to their existing 4 and 8 dreadnoughts, respectively, and Russia has only 3. As a distant power would be foolish to deploy its entire force to the far east, Japan is guaranteed regional supremacy.


The question remains of how to spend the money allocated for the aborted Kongo-class. Ordering from a foreign yard may be untenable due to friction with Great Britain, so it is decided that their replacement will be domestically-designed and built. The Aoba class will be the largest warships ever built in Japan. While they ostensibly comply with the treaty requirements, in actuality they will displace 10% more than the limit at full load.


The Kitakami-class is Japan's first modern light cruiser. Three ships of the type are laid down in October: Kitakami, Kuma, and Kiso.


Six Ushio-class destroyers are ordered in December: Ushio, Yugiri, Usugumo, Hibiki, Ikazuchi, and Ariake.

1912


With dreadnought construction banned, most nations start following Japan's lead and investing in treaty cruisers.

Tensions have been rising for three years over renewd French colonial interest in Asia; in May, the Japanese dispatch a cruiser squadron to Chinese waters, ignoring a French territorial claim. Later in the month, a Japanese spy is caught in French Korea; France uses these as justification for war.


With the French mobilizing for war, the arms-limitation agreement collapses, and Japan dusts off its plans for the Kongo class. A single ship is ordered, from an American shipyard.

7/23/1912
The new protected cruiser Chikuma sinks the destroyers Tylet and Massue of French Korea.

8/9/1912

Tatsuta and Yahagi spot the French Dupetit-Thouars and attempt to engage. The Japanese score 9 hits on the French cruiser, destroying two of her turrets, but Tatsuta is hit 13 times in response and badly flooded.

Japanese destroyers cover their cruiser's retreat with a torpedo attack. Two of Kisaragi's four fish strike home, sinking the French cruiser. Kisaragi is damaged in the attack, but Tatsuta is very nearly sunk.

9/15/1912
Yahagi sinks the French destroyers Fleuret and Coutelas.

10/20/1912
Japanese raider Suma is sunk in the waters of Southeast Asia by the French protected cruiser Guichen.

In October, Japan invades French Korea.

11/19/1912 -Battle of Northern Korea 

Ikoma and Kurama are interdicting a supply convoy bound for French troops in Korea when lookouts spot two enemy battlecruisers, approaching fast: France has only two battlecruisers, the 20,000-ton Duquesne class. The French ships are reasonably armoured, but make only 24 knots and have only two dual 12" turrets each, giving the Japanese twice the firepower.


Whether due to a signalling error, battle damage, or confusion, Tourville turns into the Japanese, while Duquesne turns away. Tourville pulls alongside the Japanese, but her aft turret jams, leaving her with just two guns firing as the ship is hammered by enemy broadsides from 4,000 yards, which disable her machinery and set her superstructure on fire. Only when Tourville is out of the fight does Duquesne about-face to relieve her.


The Japanese shift fire to Duquesne, and the first 12" salvo from Ikoma robs Duquesne of electrical power, leaving her dead in the water and helpless. Ikoma moves south to attack Tourville, which is underway again. Destroyer Minazuki is rammed and sunk by the French Fronde, which is then herself fatally hit by Ikoma.
 The Japanese battlecruiser reduce Tourville and Duquesne to smouldering wrecks, when Kurama is hit by a Japanese torpedo launched by Kisaragi at Tourville. The torpedo causes catastrophic flooding, but her crew is miraculously able to save the ship. Duquesne rolls over and sinks, and Ikoma races to support Kurama; she encounters the blazing wreck of Tourville and puts another 12" salvo into her that detonates her magazine and lights up the night sky with a tremendous fireball. With Kurama in danger of sinking, the battlecruisers abandon pursuit of the enemy convoy and return to port.

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Six ships of the Minazuki-class are ordered in December: Minazuki, Inazuma, Akatsuki, Hatsuharu, Nenohi, Hatsushimo.

1913


1/27/1913
The elderly raider Chiyoda is sunk in the Mediterranean by the French armoured cruiser Latouche-Treville.

In February, Japan defeats French forces in Korea; Japanese raiders and submarines enjoy considerable success during the first half of the year, sinking nearly 40 enemy merchantmen before the end of May.

5/14/1913
2,500-ton protected cruiser Kasagi is badly damaged in an encounter with the French light cruiser Troude, and Japanese destroyer Hibiki is sunk.

With Korea falling under Japanese control, the Japanese can commit most of their forces to Southeast Asia. Predreadnought Mikasa and the cruisers Azuma, Yakumo, Asama and Izumo form the core of an Indian Ocean squadron; Shikishima, Suwo, Iki, and Iwami move to the South Pacific with Nisshin and Aso to contest control of the oil-rich Caroline Islands. The Japanese Army lands on Madagascar mid-May; by June, the island is under Japanese control, giving them a forward base to control the supply lines through the Suez canal and around the horn of Africa. The Japanese Army lands in Cochin China in June, and Polynesia in July. Raider Yaeyama is interned after developing mechanical trouble.

7/6/1913

Protected cruisers Tama and Tenryu are raiding the coast near the French port of St Jaques when they spot the armoured cruiser Chateaurenault. Chateaurenault is typical of French small armoured cruisers of the turn of the century; a very lightly-armoured, high-tumblehome design armed with casemate-mounted 7" guns.


Chateaurenault isn't much of a match for the Japanese cruisers, but she isn't alone: Friant races to assist. Tama takes a critical hit to her engine room, just as Chateuarenault is hit by a Japanese torpedo. The damage is quickly repaired, and the Japanese begin chasing Friant. They inflict moderate damage, but the French cruiser is relieved by the approach of light cruisers Lalande and Pascal. Tenryu's superstructure is set on fire, and the Japanese are low on ammunition, so they successfully withdraw to the east.

8/12/1913

Most of Japan's cruiser force has been forward-deployed to support the army's advance. Jean Bart and Forbin penetrate Japanese home waters, locating and attacking a Japanese supply convoy near Sakhalin, escorted by only a handful of destroyers.


Despite the danger, the Japanese mount a desperate torpedo attack to defend the convoy. Ushio is mortally wounded in the attempt, but one of her fish strikes Jean Bart's magazine, and the French cruiser vanishes. The Japanese keep attacking, trying to drive Forbin away, but Yugiri is sunk and squadron leader Ariake badly damaged. They are unable to stop Forbin from sinking 6 of the convoy's 8 transports. French satisfaction is short-lived, however, as Forbin is ambushed and sunk only three hours later by the Japanese submarine I-21.

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September


By September, the Japanese army has overrun southern Indochina and is advancing. The United States has so far been happy to support Japan's war against France through the sale of coal, ammunition and equipment, and so Japan orders their next battlecruiser design from an American shipyard. Hiei is a radical redesign of the Kongo class, similar in plan and armament but with a vastly improved protection scheme, using the latest "all-or nothing" armour configuration. A second ship, Haruna, is laid down in November.

Later in the month, Izumo is damaged by a French mine in the Indian Ocean.

9/15/1913
Tone and Tatsuta sink the destroyer Mousquet in the South Pacific.

10/20/1913
Tone and Tatsuta sink the light cruisers Descarte, Pascal and destroyer Flamberge in a night action in the South Pacific.

12/12/1913
Tone is ambushed and sunk at night by light cruisers Isly and Bugeaud, which are badly damaged in the process.

1914


1/1/1914
Battlecruiser Tsukuba launches a dawn sortie on the French base at Fort Bayard, to provide naval gunfire support. She succeeds in her mission, additionally sinking destroyers Pistolet and Javeline.

The Japanese army advances further into Indochina, and launches a separate attack on the French base at Kwang-chou-wan. Later in the month, French Polynesia surrenders to Japanese forces. In March, 12,000-ton armoured cruiser Yakumo is torpedoed and sunk by the French submarine Germinal in the Indian Ocean.

4/13/1914 - Battle of Kwang-Chou-Wan

Recently-commissioned heavy cruisers Furutaka and Aoba launch an attack on Fort Bayard, sinking the light cruisers Cassard and Catinat, and the destroyers Aspirant Herber, Pierrier, Sabre, and Hallebarde.

Later in May, the raider Unebi is sunk by a French submarine.

5/15/1914 - Second Battle of Kwang-Chou-Wan

Tsukuba raids Fort Bayard a second time and encounters a large French cruiser squadron. 


She engages and easily destroys the 14,000-ton armoured cruiser Conde and 6,800-ton Amiral Aube.


Her next victim is the 11,000-ton Gueydon. Night falls as Tsukuba completes her shore bombardment mission; but the overconfident Japanese continue the hunt, even though it has started to rain and visibility is only about 2,500 yards. She mauls the 9,000-ton Sully, locates and sinks the 8,000-ton Jeanne d'Arc, but passes too close to the dying cruiser and is torpedoed. The torpedo hit causes heavy flooding but the Japanese battlecruiser survives to fight another day. The destroyers Murakumo, Sazanami, and Francisque are all sunk during the battle.

Tsukuba's captain is disciplined for putting his ship in danger, however, nevertheless, the French Indochina squadron has been practically annihilated. Fort Bayard surrenders by June; Yahagi is damaged by a mine, and Tama is torpedoed by a French submarine and survives. 

6/9/1914
Hashidate engages and sinks the French light cruiser Du Chayla off Sakhalin.

In July, the Japanese army attacks the French in Djibouti.

In September, the Japanese land in French New Caledonia, to take control of the rich oil fields there.

9/24/1914

Mikasa, Azuma, and Asama sortie into the Red Sea to sink a French convoy bound for Djibouti. The convoy is escorted by a pair of French predreadnoughts: the 16,000-ton Friedland and the 14,700-ton Trident-class battleship Jaureguiberry. The Japanese successfully lure the battleships away from the convoy and sink it, but Asama is torpedoed by a French destroyer.


The French reengage, preventing the Japanese from rendering aid to Asama, which has slowed to 8 knots and has water pouring in. She sinks quickly; the Japanese turn north, to keep the French engaged and allow Matsukaze to pick up survivors.


The Japanese retire only after Mikasa and Azuma have expended all of their 12" and 10" ammunition. 330 men are saved from Asama, more than half the crew. Mikasa is lightly damaged, having suffered 8 12" and 13" hits from the enemy battleships; Azuma is hit by 3 heavy shells but barely injured. The French Jaureguiberry has been hit by 10 12" shells from Mikasa which have completely demolished her superstructure; although she remains afloat the French battleship will be out of action for months. French destroyers Coutelas and Pluviose are sunk.

The battle is a strategic defeat for the Japanese; the Japanese invasion of Djibouti is repulsed before reinforcements arrive from Southeast Asia, although the Japanese army gains ground in Indochina as they push into Annam.

In December, Japanese raider Matsushima is interned after developing condenser trouble in the Carribean.

11/22/1914
The repaired Tsukuba sinks the destroyers Arc and Faconneau.