BATTLE OF TSUSHIMA

1905
SYNDICATE B
SYNDICATE MEMBERS

LT Zaw Myo Htet

LT Salimu Amri Salimu
LT MD Nayemul Islam
LT Boniface Altemins Millinga
Insp Rambhojun
LCdr CS Hettiarachchi
LCdr WGASS Senadeera
LCdr SLW Illesinghe
LtJG Mujayudi Nuradhitya
INTRODUCTION
TSAR NICHOLAS II EMPEROR MEIJI

RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR 1904-05

INTRODUCTION

‘The fate of the Empire

depends upon this event;
let every man do his utmost’

ADMIRAL TOGO HEIHACHIRO

4
AIM

Aim of this presentation is to

analyze and discuss the Battle of
Tsushima under the principles of
war
.

5
SCOPE

•Background
•Unfolding of Event
•How the Campaign Shaped History
•Significant Innovations
•Analysis – Principles of War
•Lesson Learnt

6
BACKGROUND
GEOGRAPHIC BATTLE

KOREA

MANCHURIA

A I T
IM RA
SU
S H
A
ST JAPAN
T I M
U SH
TS

8
RUSSIAN EXPANSION

AMUR
RIVER

9
PICTURE OF PORT ARTHUR

10
BACKGROUND

Russian’s rejection of a Japanese plan to divide

Manchuria and Korea into spheres of influence
Imperial Japanese Navy launched surprise attack on
Port Arthur
Underestimated the military potential of non-Western
opponent

11
OPPOSING FORCE

BALTIC

BLACK SEA PACIFIC

12
ACTORS

2nd Pacific Fleet

ADM ZINOVY PETROVICH ROZHDESTVENSKY
13
ACTORS

Japanese Fleet
ADMIRAL TOGO HEIHACHIRO
14
COMPARASION FORCE

Battle Ships 04 08
Cruisers 08 08
Destroyers 21 09
Torpedo Boat 60 -

15
FORMATION OF 2ND PACIFIC FLEET

• Japanese declared war on 8

February 1904
• Russians prepared to send
reinforcements their naval assets
to Port Arthur
• Japanese successfully took Port
Arthur in January 1905
• Baltic Fleet just arrived in May
1905
ADM ZINOVY PETROVICH
ROZHDESTVENSKY
16
FORMATION OF 2ND PACIFIC FLEET

• Sail towards the last remaining

Russian port at Vladivostok to link
up with the remaining Russian
naval assets
• Unprepared for battle
• Supplies were low
• Crews were exhausted
• Low morale
• Crews consisted largely of
• Inexperienced recruits

17
ROUTES FROM BALTIC TO PORT ARTHUR

Reached
Cam Ranh Bay
31 March 1905

Joined by 3rd
Pacific Fleet on
11 May 1905

Set Sail: 15 Oct 1904

Approx Dist: 18000 NM
Destination: Port Arthur
18
ROUTES TO VLADIVOSTOK
La Perouse

Vladivostok

Tsugaru

KOREA JAPAN
Tsushima

19
UNFOLDING EVENT
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
 XGE
“I Surrender”

31
BATTLE LOSSES

Sunk 08 03
Captured 5917 -
Died 4380 117

32
HOW THE CAMPAIGN
SHAPED HISTORY
HOW THE CAMPAIGN SHAPED HISTORY

• Abolition of Chinese Qing Dynasty

• Political movements instigated revolution of 1911
• Ended 267 years of dynastic rule

• New era of British Dreadnought Battleships

• Japanese superior gunnery called for improved battleships
• To address Germany’s rising military strength

34
HOW THE CAMPAIGN SAHPED
HISTORY
• Psychological impact on Asian colonized countries
• Non-European power could defeat a European one
• National movements seen in Asian colonies

• Formation of two separate Korean States

• Japanese occupation seized control of Korean culture
• Japanese control led to differences between natives
• Contributed in formation of two separate Korean states

35
SIGNIFICANT
INNOVATIONS
SIGINIFACNT INNOVATIONS

• High Explosive Shells

• Japanese used devastating Shimose Cordite shells

• Did not penetrate structure

• Burst with blast, heat, splinters and fumes

• Liquid flame of explosion spread over everything

37
SIGINIFACNT INNOVATIONS

• Improved Rate of Fire

• Japanese adopted new system of
continuous aim
• Lighter shells of up to 6 inch caliber were
used
• 8-12 shots as compared to a single shot of
12 inch gun

38
SIGINIFACNT INNOVATIONS

• First use of wireless Telegraphy in Warfare

• Admiral Togo relied on radio message to keep inform of Russian
Location

39
 ANALYSIS
PRINCIPLES OF WAR
SELECTION & MAINTENANCE OF AIM (OBJECTIVE)

• Japanese aimed to reduce • Russians aimed to master Sea of

Russian Influence Japan changed
• Maintained by Togo and • Second aim to reach Vladivostok
remained focused
• Incorrectly selected and could
• Correctly selected and not be maintained
maintained throughout

41
MORALE

• Training – basis of motivation • Russians were not adequately

• Togo remained successful in trained
keeping morale high • Low motivation & morale
• Previous victories factored for • Fall of Port Arthur
high morale • Long voyage
• Lesser training

42
OFFENSIVE ACTION

• Japanese remained offensive • Could not reorganize for

throughout offensive counter-strike
• Compelled Russians to remain
reactive

43
SECURITY

• Spies exploited weak Russian • Russians did not exploit

security Japanese security lapses
• sending valuable information
of Russians intentions

44
FLEXIBILITY

• Japanese operated in semi- • Employment of slower ships in

independent divisions same group denied flexibility
• Effective tasking and • Division sometimes offer
deployment offered flexibility concealment & flexibility

45
UNITY OF COMMAND (COOPERATION)

• Effective coordination at • Russians lacked cooperation

tactical level afforded • arrogant nature and lack of
cooperation coordination between
• Timely response remained Input/feedback link
hallmark of battle

46
LOGISTIC

• Japanese were located in • Russians could not manage

Theatre of Operation • Remote Theatre of Operations
• Japan had availability of • Longer logistic lines
secure coal supply
• Limited supply of coal

47
LESSON LEARNT
LESSON LEARNT

Good Commander looks for an opportunity

Tactical mistake not realized by Rozhdestvensky

Use of strengths to exploit enemy weaknesses

Togo crossed T twice using speed

Operational Strategy singular with Political Strategy

Rozhdestvensky should have considered alternates

49
LESSON LEARNT

More you sweat in peace, less you bleed in war

Togo trained his men well & remained successful

Numerical Advantage vs Superior Technology

Japanese used special explosive & guns

Enemy should not be underestimated

Little Japan surprised everyone including Russia

Right people for the right job

Criminals & deserters recruited for battle

50
CONCLUSION

• Total naval victory in Battle Tsushima gave Japan an

overall victory in the Russo-Japanese War.
• Japan crew is more experienced and trained well
• Japan established itself as a legitimate power destined to
influence affairs in Asia and beyond for decades to come

51
Q&A