Post by desdinova on Nov 14, 2020 15:48:13 GMT -6
1915: The Second Russo-Japanese War
As of 1915, the tensions between Japan and Great Britain have ebbed after the Japanese offered certain concessions. However, this has emboldened the Russian Empire, which still deeply begrudges their defeat in 1903. Believing that Japan is unwilling to go to war at all, Russia gambles on an ultimatum for the return of the Liaotung Peninsula; an ultimatum Japan immediately rejects. In February 1915, Russia declares war on Japan.
The war comes at an inopportune time for Japan, as, with funding scarce, most of the fleet is in need of overhaul, and the rapid escalation of tensions and immediate outbreak of war catches them at a relatively low level of readiness. The Japanese Admiralty had counted on being able to refit the fleet with director firing over 1915, which is now unlikely to happen. Nevertheless, they believe their forces compare favorably to the Russian Navy in equipment and training, and are confident of victory. The Imperial Japanese Navy mobilizes immediately, save for the now-obsolete Fuso and Shikishima-class battleships, which remain mothballed.
The Balance of Power, February 1915
Russian Order of Battle, February 1915
(Not pictured: 49 destroyers, all 700 tons or below; 8 corvettes, 19 submarines)
Including the 21-knot Satsuma and Kashima-class predreadnoughts, which are capable of operating alongside their dreadnoughts, the Japanese have a slight edge in capital ship tonnage. While the Russians have an advantage in battlecruiser tonnage, their Knyaz Potemkin-class ships are basically battlecruisers in name only, with only a 21-knot top speed. They do have 14" guns, but very light belt armor. Japanese intelligence does not appraise them very highly. The Retvizan-class is a more balanced design, but likewise believed to be too slow for the battlecruiser role, while the Imperator Petr Veliki-class battleships are another bizarre design, being fast at 23 knots and well armored, but only armed with a pair of 14" turrets, essentially a predreadnought battleship on steroids.
The Russians invested heavily in armored cruisers following their defeat in the last war. This may present a problem for the Japanese, as they have only a single battlecruiser in commission, and their armored cruiser fleet is mostly old and in need of overhaul. The Russian light cruiser force is very small and obsolete, and their destroyers are inferior to the modern Japanese destroyers.
As of 1915, the tensions between Japan and Great Britain have ebbed after the Japanese offered certain concessions. However, this has emboldened the Russian Empire, which still deeply begrudges their defeat in 1903. Believing that Japan is unwilling to go to war at all, Russia gambles on an ultimatum for the return of the Liaotung Peninsula; an ultimatum Japan immediately rejects. In February 1915, Russia declares war on Japan.
The war comes at an inopportune time for Japan, as, with funding scarce, most of the fleet is in need of overhaul, and the rapid escalation of tensions and immediate outbreak of war catches them at a relatively low level of readiness. The Japanese Admiralty had counted on being able to refit the fleet with director firing over 1915, which is now unlikely to happen. Nevertheless, they believe their forces compare favorably to the Russian Navy in equipment and training, and are confident of victory. The Imperial Japanese Navy mobilizes immediately, save for the now-obsolete Fuso and Shikishima-class battleships, which remain mothballed.
The Balance of Power, February 1915
Russian Order of Battle, February 1915
(Not pictured: 49 destroyers, all 700 tons or below; 8 corvettes, 19 submarines)
Including the 21-knot Satsuma and Kashima-class predreadnoughts, which are capable of operating alongside their dreadnoughts, the Japanese have a slight edge in capital ship tonnage. While the Russians have an advantage in battlecruiser tonnage, their Knyaz Potemkin-class ships are basically battlecruisers in name only, with only a 21-knot top speed. They do have 14" guns, but very light belt armor. Japanese intelligence does not appraise them very highly. The Retvizan-class is a more balanced design, but likewise believed to be too slow for the battlecruiser role, while the Imperator Petr Veliki-class battleships are another bizarre design, being fast at 23 knots and well armored, but only armed with a pair of 14" turrets, essentially a predreadnought battleship on steroids.
The Russians invested heavily in armored cruisers following their defeat in the last war. This may present a problem for the Japanese, as they have only a single battlecruiser in commission, and their armored cruiser fleet is mostly old and in need of overhaul. The Russian light cruiser force is very small and obsolete, and their destroyers are inferior to the modern Japanese destroyers.