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SCAPA FLOW

RUSSIAN BATTLESHIP VS JAPANESE BATTLESHIP

The first major clash between a European and Asian state in the modern era signalled the beginning of Japan's rise as a major power on the world stage. Watched by the rest of the world's superpowers, this incredibly violent war was disastrous for the Russians who, despite their superior numbers, were defeated by the Japanese in a spectacular fashion. Japan won major victories against the Russians including the critical naval battle of Tsushima in May 1905 which saw almost the entire Russian fleet sunk, captured or interned. 

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The first major clash between a European and Asian state in the modern era signalled the beginning of Japan's rise as a major power on the world stage. What began as differing expansionist interests in Manchuria and Korea developed into a full-blown war in 1904, with an unexpected outcome.

 

Watched by the rest of the world's superpowers, this incredibly violent war was disastrous for the Russians who, despite their superior numbers, were defeated by the Japanese underdogs in a spectacular fashion. Japan won major victories against the Russians including the critical naval battle of Tsushima in May 1905 which saw almost the entire Russian fleet sunk, captured or interned. This was the first and last encounter of pre-dreadnought battleships and it was a huge success for Japanese tactics, skill and planning.

 

This book discusses the design and development of the pre-dreadnoughts that would ultimately lead to a new wave of battleships. The key technical elements of firepower, protection, maneuverability and communications for each side are covered in detail and accompanied by first-hand accounts and specially commissioned artwork to explain and illustrate this historically significant duel.


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Format: Book
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First Publishment Date: 01 January 1970
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Customer Reviews
  1. One of my best naval reads of the last 10 or so years
    This slim book should not be judged on its limited size (80 pages) nor on its ‘popular’ appearance. It has been published by Osprey in their ‘Duel’ series which I had considered a bit too sensationalist (the text on the back cover invites the reader to “Step onto the battlefield”) until I encountered this volume written by Dr Forczyk, a US-American military expert and historian. Here, the actual potential of the approach of the Duel series is fully demonstrated. In seven main chapters, the author briefly but systematically compares design and development, technical specifications, crews and leadership, tactics and effectiveness of the main Japanese and Russian warships in the 1904 to 1905 war, with cursory but helpful observations on the Japanese-Chinese war at sea in 1894 to 1895. Compact data tables support the comparative text, as do the illustrations which are a key part of the Osprey publishing philosophy: photographs, plans, maps, and two specially commissioned colour reconstructions of battle scenes by the British artist Howard Gerrard. This is supplemented by a two-page list of further reading (also featuring some essential Russian publications) and a one-page index of key terms and names. The overall result is an excellent account of the combatants and the machines of war pitted against one other in the most important sea battles of the pre-Dreadnought era. The book outlines the key data and facts of firepower, armour, tactics and communications as well as featuring first-hand accounts. I can say, without exaggeration, that it has been one of my best naval reads of the last 10 or so years. It is clear, concise and well written, full of detail and back-up information without ever getting tedious. It provides a balanced presentation of the subject matter which is very competently set in its wider historical and technological context. Having read quite a lot of books and articles on the Russo-Japanese war, I now feel for the first time that I have a firm grasp and clear understanding of causes and outcomes of the Russo-Japanese war at sea. This slim book (also available as an e-book) deserves more publicity than some other naval books on this period which have recently been foregrounded, and it should be attractive to all devotees of the pre-Dreadnought period.

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