Bullethead
Storm Eagle Studios
11 February 1904 would go down as a banner day for the Russian Far East Fleet. It was a day of revenge for the perfidious sneak attack on Port Arthur and its immediate aftermath at Chemulpo, which had done terrible damage. The cruiser Pallada and gunboat Koreyets had been sunk and other ships severely damaged. Nobody knew when, or if, the mighty Tsessarevitch, Retvizan, and Petropavlovsk would sail again, and the vital cruisers Askold, Novik and Boyarin were also crippled. But the Russians could still hit back, and soon Varyag joined the forces from Vladivostok in brutal retaliation. By the end of the day, 2 auxiliary cruisers, 3 IJN marus, and 3 neutral merchants carrying contraband had been accounted for. However, the Russian mood was tempered when torpedo gunboats Gaidamak and Vsadnik were lost in a gallant but hopeless fight off Wei-Hai-Wei with the dangerous cruiser squadron led by Chitose.
The deeds performed by the subsidiary forces on this stirring day inspired Admiral Bulletkov, CinC at Port Arthur, to emulation. While his forces at Port Arthur had accounted for 9 Japanese destroyers during the attack, since then they had been too busy saving sinking ships and wallowing in self-pity to take action. Bulletkov now resolved to raise his sailors' morale by leading his remaining ships out that night against the blockading Japanese. His special target was the Chitose cruiser squadron, to avenge the dead of the TGBs. Reports from Varyag indicated that Togo's battlefleet was well to the south, so Bulletkov saw an opportunity. Little did he know what a long night lay in store.
At 1530, the fleet, which had kept steam up since the attack, weighed anchor, cleared for action, and began to assemble outside the harbor. The question of what formation to adopt plagued Bulletkov from the beginning. He decided to begin with a conventional battleline with flanking destroyers to guard against torpedoboat attacks, always a possibility in night actions. Thus, the armored cruiser Bayan, followed by the recently patched-up Diana, led the formation. Next came Bulletkov's temporary flagship Pobyeda, then Peresvyet, Poltava, and Sevastopol. The seven 26-knot destroyers (DesRon26) normally screened 1PacRon but at the last minute, Rastorpni and Byestrashni were repaired. In recognition of their valor during the sneak attack, Bulletkov decided to bring them along as well. Led by Vnimatelni of DesRon26, they formed a reserve at the rear of the line. Meanwhile, Vnushitelni, Vinoslivi, and Grozovoi formed the starboard column and Vlastni, Boiki, and Burni the port. By the time the ships had formed up and a quick meal distributed to the crews at their stations, it was 1630; twilight was fading into night. Bulletkov gave the signal and Bayan led off on a course of 135^.
It was fully dark when, at 1713, Bayan's searchlights suddenly snapped on, faintly illuminating ships dead ahead, crossing from starboard to port. Gunfire broke out and it was soon apparent that Bulletkov had found his quarry, Chitose and her consorts. However, by the time Bulletkov's fleet had turned in pursuit, the speedy Japanese had vanished into the night. The action was over in only a few minutes and disappointment reigned throughout the fleet--most ships had not even seen the enemy. Bulletkov decided to press on, however, knowing that an immediate return to port would only further sap morale.
Nothing further happened for ninety minutes, but at 1855, sharp-eyed lookouts aboard Rastoropni spotted something dark and tiny closing from astern. It turned out to be a Japanese torpedoboat. Instantly, the 3 destroyers at the rear of the line reversed their course and closed in on the target, meanwhile looking for other TBs that were surely out there. Simultaneously, Bulletkov's divisions also turned to bring their anti-torpedoboat guns to bear on the expected direction of attack. But the enemy TB turned out to be all alone--it must have gotten separated from its fellows in the darkness. The Russian torpedoboat destroyers lived up to their names and made short work of the intruder, although Rastoropni suffered some minor splinter damage in the process. From the dozen survivors picked up, Bulletkov learned that the victim had been Torpedoboat 63. Small fry, but at least a blow had been struck.
These engagements had taken Bulletkov's force off course, and it was now due south of Port Arthur. Shortly after reforming, at 1925, it was the turn of the port-side destroyers to spot the enemy first. More torpedoboats, no doubt the cohorts of Bulletkov's earlier victim. Four of them closed in from the beam and Bulletkov's column once again broke up into divisions, each maneuvering to its own advantage. A short, sharp engagement followed and all the heavy ships were finally able to contribute. One torpedoboat exploded from a direct hit by Peresvyet and the others quickly succombed less spectacularly. Once the survivors were rescued and Bulletkov's force reformed, it was learned that these had been TBs Aotaka, Hato, Kari, and Tsubame. The fleet now felt somewhat better; 5 TB scalps was not a bad night's work. But the fun had only just begun.
At 2030, now somewhat further south of Port Arthur, Bayan again spotted the primary targets dead ahead. Chitose's cruisers were on almost the same course as the Russians, so the fight immediately became a stern chase with Bulletkov's divisions fanning out slightly to each side to obtain clear lines of fire. The Russian cruiser engaged Kasagi, third in line, and both sides quickly scored, although no great damage was done. As the Japanese began to open the range, however, Bulletkov ordered all ships to concentrate on Yoshino, last in the Japanese line. Soon she was well ablaze from numerous hits from Bulletkov's cruisers, then slowed suddenly after a 10" shell from Pobyeda struck home. The other Japanese ships slowed to protect Yoshino and all were still slightly faster than Bulletkov's forces. But Bulletkov, determined not to let this ship escape, ordered his destroyers to attempt a torpedo attack, despite it being a stern chase. As the destroyers slowly closed in, they came under an intense barrage and one by one were forced to break off with raging fires. However, there places were taken by others and Yoshino continued to slow under the hammering of the Russian ships. Eventually, she slowed below the Russians' speed and the other Japanese abandoned her to her fate, disappearing into the darkness. This made it easier for the remaining destroyers to close in and soon torpedoes were away from both sides of the target. Yoshino managed to avoid the first 2, but one from Vnushitelni scored a hit amidships, which resulted in a large secondary explosion. Enveloped in flames, Yoshino capsized and went down less than 3 minutes later. Less than 50 of her crew survived.
Bulletkov's elation at this success was overshadowed by concern at the cost--7 destroyers shot up. However, he was soon relieved to learn that his destroyer crews were adept at damage control. Their fires were quickly controlled and none of them reported more than moderate damage. However, they had all been lamed to some extent, making them unfit for further use on this sortie. Therefore, after transferring all prisoners to them, he sent them back to Port Arthur. This left him with only 2 destroyers, Vlastni and Byestrashni. Bulletkov also realized that his use of a single column had kept 3 of his battleships from engaging the Japanese cruisers much, if at all. Had they been able to shoot, perhaps he might have bagged more cruisers or lost fewer destroyers. Bulletkov therefore decided to change his formation into divisions abreast, 2 battleships on each side and the cruisers in the middle, with one of the remaining destroyers on each flank. He hoped thereby to be able to bring all guns into action against targets looming up dead ahead.
By 2151, Bulletkov's force was SSE of Dalny and heading south. Suddenly, Sevastopol, at the rear of the starboard division, spotted a large ship dead astern and opened fire. Searchlights quickly illuminated the Chitose force yet again, with the positions of the previous engagement reversed. All ships on both sides immediately turned 16 points to starboard, allowing Bulletkov's entire force to fire several full broadsides during the turn. All fire was concentrated on the closest Japanese cruiser, Chitose herself. She suffered at least a dozen hits and burst into flame with her after 8" gun knocked out, but despite this damage her speed was unaffected and once again the Japanese cruisers escaped destruction. Soon even Chitose's fires were extinguished and all was once again darkness.
Bulletkov considered the situation. He intended to return to Port Arthur at sunrise to avoid any northward thrust by Togo. However, he still had a few hours in which to try to finish off the Japanese cruisers, which he believed would now attempt to leave the area. Knowing he was south of them, Bulletkov anticipated that they would try to get around him via Elliot Islands. Therefore, he shaped a course NE. If he found nothing there, he would head south again towards Wei-Hai-Wei, possibly patrolling back and forth on a N-S line if time permitted, before turning for home. At first, this appeared to be what would happen. A lull descended over the Russian fleet for nearly 2 hours, which allowed a welcome respite to the crews. Bunkers were trimmed, fires cleaned, minor damage cleared away, and tea and bread distributed to the men.
*** TO BE CONTINUED ***
The deeds performed by the subsidiary forces on this stirring day inspired Admiral Bulletkov, CinC at Port Arthur, to emulation. While his forces at Port Arthur had accounted for 9 Japanese destroyers during the attack, since then they had been too busy saving sinking ships and wallowing in self-pity to take action. Bulletkov now resolved to raise his sailors' morale by leading his remaining ships out that night against the blockading Japanese. His special target was the Chitose cruiser squadron, to avenge the dead of the TGBs. Reports from Varyag indicated that Togo's battlefleet was well to the south, so Bulletkov saw an opportunity. Little did he know what a long night lay in store.
At 1530, the fleet, which had kept steam up since the attack, weighed anchor, cleared for action, and began to assemble outside the harbor. The question of what formation to adopt plagued Bulletkov from the beginning. He decided to begin with a conventional battleline with flanking destroyers to guard against torpedoboat attacks, always a possibility in night actions. Thus, the armored cruiser Bayan, followed by the recently patched-up Diana, led the formation. Next came Bulletkov's temporary flagship Pobyeda, then Peresvyet, Poltava, and Sevastopol. The seven 26-knot destroyers (DesRon26) normally screened 1PacRon but at the last minute, Rastorpni and Byestrashni were repaired. In recognition of their valor during the sneak attack, Bulletkov decided to bring them along as well. Led by Vnimatelni of DesRon26, they formed a reserve at the rear of the line. Meanwhile, Vnushitelni, Vinoslivi, and Grozovoi formed the starboard column and Vlastni, Boiki, and Burni the port. By the time the ships had formed up and a quick meal distributed to the crews at their stations, it was 1630; twilight was fading into night. Bulletkov gave the signal and Bayan led off on a course of 135^.
It was fully dark when, at 1713, Bayan's searchlights suddenly snapped on, faintly illuminating ships dead ahead, crossing from starboard to port. Gunfire broke out and it was soon apparent that Bulletkov had found his quarry, Chitose and her consorts. However, by the time Bulletkov's fleet had turned in pursuit, the speedy Japanese had vanished into the night. The action was over in only a few minutes and disappointment reigned throughout the fleet--most ships had not even seen the enemy. Bulletkov decided to press on, however, knowing that an immediate return to port would only further sap morale.
Nothing further happened for ninety minutes, but at 1855, sharp-eyed lookouts aboard Rastoropni spotted something dark and tiny closing from astern. It turned out to be a Japanese torpedoboat. Instantly, the 3 destroyers at the rear of the line reversed their course and closed in on the target, meanwhile looking for other TBs that were surely out there. Simultaneously, Bulletkov's divisions also turned to bring their anti-torpedoboat guns to bear on the expected direction of attack. But the enemy TB turned out to be all alone--it must have gotten separated from its fellows in the darkness. The Russian torpedoboat destroyers lived up to their names and made short work of the intruder, although Rastoropni suffered some minor splinter damage in the process. From the dozen survivors picked up, Bulletkov learned that the victim had been Torpedoboat 63. Small fry, but at least a blow had been struck.
These engagements had taken Bulletkov's force off course, and it was now due south of Port Arthur. Shortly after reforming, at 1925, it was the turn of the port-side destroyers to spot the enemy first. More torpedoboats, no doubt the cohorts of Bulletkov's earlier victim. Four of them closed in from the beam and Bulletkov's column once again broke up into divisions, each maneuvering to its own advantage. A short, sharp engagement followed and all the heavy ships were finally able to contribute. One torpedoboat exploded from a direct hit by Peresvyet and the others quickly succombed less spectacularly. Once the survivors were rescued and Bulletkov's force reformed, it was learned that these had been TBs Aotaka, Hato, Kari, and Tsubame. The fleet now felt somewhat better; 5 TB scalps was not a bad night's work. But the fun had only just begun.
At 2030, now somewhat further south of Port Arthur, Bayan again spotted the primary targets dead ahead. Chitose's cruisers were on almost the same course as the Russians, so the fight immediately became a stern chase with Bulletkov's divisions fanning out slightly to each side to obtain clear lines of fire. The Russian cruiser engaged Kasagi, third in line, and both sides quickly scored, although no great damage was done. As the Japanese began to open the range, however, Bulletkov ordered all ships to concentrate on Yoshino, last in the Japanese line. Soon she was well ablaze from numerous hits from Bulletkov's cruisers, then slowed suddenly after a 10" shell from Pobyeda struck home. The other Japanese ships slowed to protect Yoshino and all were still slightly faster than Bulletkov's forces. But Bulletkov, determined not to let this ship escape, ordered his destroyers to attempt a torpedo attack, despite it being a stern chase. As the destroyers slowly closed in, they came under an intense barrage and one by one were forced to break off with raging fires. However, there places were taken by others and Yoshino continued to slow under the hammering of the Russian ships. Eventually, she slowed below the Russians' speed and the other Japanese abandoned her to her fate, disappearing into the darkness. This made it easier for the remaining destroyers to close in and soon torpedoes were away from both sides of the target. Yoshino managed to avoid the first 2, but one from Vnushitelni scored a hit amidships, which resulted in a large secondary explosion. Enveloped in flames, Yoshino capsized and went down less than 3 minutes later. Less than 50 of her crew survived.
Bulletkov's elation at this success was overshadowed by concern at the cost--7 destroyers shot up. However, he was soon relieved to learn that his destroyer crews were adept at damage control. Their fires were quickly controlled and none of them reported more than moderate damage. However, they had all been lamed to some extent, making them unfit for further use on this sortie. Therefore, after transferring all prisoners to them, he sent them back to Port Arthur. This left him with only 2 destroyers, Vlastni and Byestrashni. Bulletkov also realized that his use of a single column had kept 3 of his battleships from engaging the Japanese cruisers much, if at all. Had they been able to shoot, perhaps he might have bagged more cruisers or lost fewer destroyers. Bulletkov therefore decided to change his formation into divisions abreast, 2 battleships on each side and the cruisers in the middle, with one of the remaining destroyers on each flank. He hoped thereby to be able to bring all guns into action against targets looming up dead ahead.
By 2151, Bulletkov's force was SSE of Dalny and heading south. Suddenly, Sevastopol, at the rear of the starboard division, spotted a large ship dead astern and opened fire. Searchlights quickly illuminated the Chitose force yet again, with the positions of the previous engagement reversed. All ships on both sides immediately turned 16 points to starboard, allowing Bulletkov's entire force to fire several full broadsides during the turn. All fire was concentrated on the closest Japanese cruiser, Chitose herself. She suffered at least a dozen hits and burst into flame with her after 8" gun knocked out, but despite this damage her speed was unaffected and once again the Japanese cruisers escaped destruction. Soon even Chitose's fires were extinguished and all was once again darkness.
Bulletkov considered the situation. He intended to return to Port Arthur at sunrise to avoid any northward thrust by Togo. However, he still had a few hours in which to try to finish off the Japanese cruisers, which he believed would now attempt to leave the area. Knowing he was south of them, Bulletkov anticipated that they would try to get around him via Elliot Islands. Therefore, he shaped a course NE. If he found nothing there, he would head south again towards Wei-Hai-Wei, possibly patrolling back and forth on a N-S line if time permitted, before turning for home. At first, this appeared to be what would happen. A lull descended over the Russian fleet for nearly 2 hours, which allowed a welcome respite to the crews. Bunkers were trimmed, fires cleaned, minor damage cleared away, and tea and bread distributed to the men.
*** TO BE CONTINUED ***