Japan started the Russo Japanese war as a definite underdog. Expected by all western nations and attached observers to be soundly whooped by the numerically superior Imperial Russian forces amply backed up by an economy that could replace the losses of an aggressive war, Japan by comparison had almost bankrupted itself in order to provide its navy with 6 Battleships and 6 Armoured Cruisers. Rear Admiral Togo Heihachiro knew that the way he fought the war had to be in such a way as to conserve his naval assets.
Japans European ally, Great Britain routinely called Japan in the press of the day Gallant Little Japan!
Japan had such a paucity of resources that they were still forced to use the armoured cruisers that had fought (and won) the Sino-Japanese naval war of 1895, albeit in the Fifth reserve naval division.
What the Japanese under the Emperor Meiji lacked in resources they more than made up for in professionalism, aggressive modus operandi and the state of repair that the naval vessels were kept in.
In the final analysis it was these elements that dealt such a crushing blow to the European superpower; Imperial Russia!
The Japanese First Squadron
First Division:
OBB Mikasa, OBB Asahi, OBB Fuji, OBB Yashima, OBB Shikishima, OBB Hatsuse
OBB Asahi
OBB Fuji
OBB Mikasa
OBB Shikishima
OBB Tatsuta
Third Division:
OCR Chitose, OCR Takasago, OCR Kasagi, OCR Yoshino
OCR Chitose
OCR Kasagi
OCR Takasago
OCR Yoshino
1st Destroyer Division:
ODD Shirakumo, ODD Asashiwo, ODD Kasumi, Akatsuki
2nd Destroyer Division:
ODD Ikazuchi, ODD Oboro, ODD Inadzuma, ODD Akebono
3rd Destroyer Division:
ODD Usugumo, ODD Shinonome, ODD Sazanami
14th Torpedo-Boat Division
TB Chiyoda, TB Hayabusa, TB Manadzuru, TB Kasasagi
1st Torpedo-Boat Division
TB67, TB68,TB69, TB70
The Japanese Second Squadron
Second Division
CR Idzumo, CR Adzuma, CR Asama, CR Yakumo, CR Tokiwa, CR Iwate, CS Chihaya
CR Adzuma
CR Asama
CS Chihaya
CR Idzumo
CR Yakumo
Fourth Division
OCR Naniwa, OCR Akashi, OCR Takachiho, OCR Niitaka
OCR Akashi
OCR Naniwa
OCR Tsushima
4th Destroyer Division
ODD Hayatori, ODD Asagiri, ODD Harusame, ODD Murasame
5th Destroyer Division
ODD Murakumo, ODD Shiranui, ODD Yugiri, ODD Kagero
9th Torpedo-Boat Division
TB Aotaka, TB Hato, TB Kari, TB Tsubame
20th Torpedo-Boat Division
TB62, TB63, TB64, TB65
The Japanese Third Squadron
Fifth Division
OBB Chin Yen, OCR Ikutsushima, OCR Hashidate, OCR Matsushima
OBB Chin Yen
OCR Hashidate
OCR Matsushima
Sixth Division
OCR Idzumi (ex Chilean OCR Esmerelda), OCR Suma, OCR Akitsushima, OCR CR Chiyoda
OCR Akitsushima
CR Chiyoda
OCR Idzuma (Ex Chilean OCR Esmerelda)
Seventh Division
OBB Fuso, SC Kaimon, OCR Saiyen (ex Chinese OCR Chi Yuan)
OBB Fuso
SC Kaimon
OCR Saiyen (Ex Chinese OCR Chi Yuan)
Gunboat Division
OBB Heiyen (Ex Chinese OBB Ping Yuen), OCR Tsukushi, PG Banjo, PG Chokai, PG Atago, PG Maya, PG Uji
Another Gunboat Division Shot
PG Banjo
OBB Heiyen (Ex Chinese OBB Ping Yuen)
PG Maya
CS Miyako
OCR Tsukushi
PG Uji
10th Torpedo-Boat Division
11th Torpedo-Boat Division
16th Torpedo-Boat Division
The 1905 Additions to the Combined Fleet
All of the line of battle vessels that were added to the fleet
OCR Niitaka
CR Nisshin & CR Kasuga
OCR Otawa
CS Yaeyama
