Battle of Tsushima: a turning point in naval warfare

AS the sun rose on May 27, 1905, a significant chapter in naval warfare unfolded in an otherwise tranquil sea - the Battle of Tsushima. One hundred and twenty years ago, Japanese admiral Togo's orders, “The fate of our Empire rests on the outcome of this battle. Let each man do his utmost,” echoed across the waters, foreshadowing a clash that would not only determine regional dominance but reshape the world balance of power.

- Dr Gustav Hendrich

The backdrop to this monumental confrontation was the culmination of escalating imperial rivalries in the Far East. By the turn of the 20th century, Russian ambitions, particularly in mineral-rich Manchuria and the strategically pivotal Korean Peninsula, were coming into direct conflict with Japan's own aspirations. Following their notable victory in the Sino-Japanese War of 1895, Japan found itself at odds with the might of Tsar Nicholas II's Russia. The opening shots were fired on 8 February 1904 when the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the Russian Pacific fleet at Port Arthur, signalling the onset of the Russo-Japanese War.