Port Arthur 1904–05: The First Modern Siege: 398 (Campaign) Paperback – 18 Jan. 2024

The fight for Port Arthur was to remove the Russian Pacific fleet from the war. The struggle of General Nogi's forces to capture the port foreshadowed the trench warfare of the First World war including the dangers of mines and barbed wire and the use of machine guns with heavy artillery by both sides. Casualty rates were equally as large yet because the Japanese succeeded many observers seem to have ignored the lessons to be learned when it came to the later war. A nice, concise volume with Osprey's usual attention to the participants as well as the course of the battles.

From a slightly earlier period than the author's more usual Russian .and Soviet respective WW1 and WW2 focus but contains everything most readers will require and is written in a clear, accessible style with orders of battle etc. included, A story that uncannily anticipated aspects of WW1 a decade later.

As for author, I applauded Robert Forczyk for his well-researched job on Port Arthur in 1904-5. I was really engaged by the aggressive Japanese movements against the stubborn Russian Tsarist defences for one year. Unbelievably, the unwise Japanese attacks were repeated against Russia four times with a serious loss of thousands of attackers under the leadership of inept-strategical General Nogi. Noticeably, the brilliant Russian engineering defence was worthwhile to save hundreds of Russians under the siege. Abruptly, General Stoessel made the quick last minute to make a surrender to Japan even though there was an abundance of food and arnesal for the Russian suvivors. With much joy, I read that book very throughly with my wide eyes!

Sehr gut recheriert. Übersichtskarten äusserst anschaulich mit genauen Informationen über eingesetzte Einheiten und Ablauf der Operationen. Leicht verständlich geschrieben. Sehr empfehlenswert!

The saga of siege of Port Arthur was not new to me. Along with the battle of Tsushima straits it forms an important component of Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05. The conflict has been covered in the 3rd volume of General J F C Fuller’s mammoth work Military History of the Western World which I had the privilege to read a number of times. The present work by Mr Forczyk is a good operational study. Here I wish to add a few things.The roots of this conflict can be traced to Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895 April 17) which brought the Sino-Japanese war to an end where Japan emerged the victor. Under the treaty Japan took possession of Formosa (Taiwan) Pescadores Islands, Liaotung Peninsula of Manchuria. Japan also acquired de facto control over Korea when Chinese renounced all claims on it. Further latter agreed to pay an indemnity of 360 million Yen which was thrice the Japanese national budget of 1894.Soon ‘White Peril’ intervened. Japan got a taste of what the Germans call ‘machtpolitik’. Country’s victory aroused the ire, jealousy of European powers particularly Tsarist Russia. The Japanese considered an upstart race suddenly in short span of time pulled up to European standards and this cannot be allowed. She had to be cut to size. Therefore Russia joined hands with Germany and France to deprive her the fruits of victory by threatening another war which Tokyo was not able to fight.The Japanese felt incensed and embittered. Her feelings have been brilliantly encapsulated by American historian Edwin P. Hoyt in his work Japan’s War: The Story of the Great Pacific Conflict who writes ‘You need not have to be Nipponophile to realize her feelings to be told that the right to have colonies only belong to ‘White’ powers.China -- weak and corrupt ruled by decrepit Qing dynasty—ceded control of Manchuria to Russia. The Russians then built a rail line cutting across Manchuria linking it with Vladivostok, the terminus of the trans-Siberian railroad. Then from Harbin they built a feeder line that stretched south to reach Port Arthur located at the tip of the Liaotung Peninsula. The Russian gaze fell over this place because of being a warm water port. Later a naval base was built and where they based their Pacific Squadron. Vladivostok , enclosed by ice especially during the winter, was not the rightplace for this. All these developments alarmed Japan.Here it should be said that Russia’s expansionist designs in the region also received external encouragement and support. Besides the Russian monarch Tsar Nicholas II had also developed an intense dislike for the Japanese. To know more on this read American historian Robert K.Massie’s book Nicholas and AlexandraWhat set the trigger was when Russian companies acquired rights to log timber across the river Yalu in Korea. To protect logging operations Tsar send a small contingent troops. This was clearly in violation of Nishi-Rosen agreement which clearly demarcated the Russian and Japanese spheres of influence. For Korea lay within the Japanese sphere of influence The Russian move made war with japan inevitable. The Japanese could not afford to stand aloof and watch the Russians swarming all over the area planting Tsar double-headed eagle in every port and promontory near their islands.However, the Japanese wished to settle the issue through discussions. In 1901 their greatest statesman, diplomat Ito Hirobumi came to St. Petersburg but was treated with contempt and disdain. Ignored, finding no one to talk to, he left Russia dejected. The same was also the experience of Japanese ambassador who made futile attempts to seek an audience with the Tsar.Regarding operational aspects of the siege I have no complaints where there is more information than Fuller’s narrative. The Japanese victory had far-reaching political repercussions. It gave a terrific boost to national liberation movements in Asia/Africa infusing hope and confidence in the masses that one day they would be able break free from the shackles of oppressive European colonial rule. Further the Japanese triumph exploded the myth of European invincibility.This was what the great Anglo-Saxon historian J F C Fuller said of this. ‘By challenging the supremacy of White man over the colored it death a mortal blow on every colonial empire. Russian considered as the greatest power in Europe was driven pillar to post, her navy destroyed, her fortress stormed by puny, diminutive men. Asia was moved from one end to other and slumber of centuries was finally broken. A new chapter in world history was about to begin.The author has ignored all these developments. He talks about political upheavals, uprisings in Russia which propelled that country on the road to revolution but not word on what happened in Asia. This could be because of his Eurocentric approach to history or ignorance. On account of it I cannot accord 5 stars for this book.Nonetheless, recommended reading for military history aficionados’.

Accurato nella ricostruzione, focalizzato sull’essenziale.

Well written book in the series full of facts and interesting information on Russo-Japanese War. Great maps too. 5 Stars. Love it.