Battle of Osaka, 1868
"A victory is a victory. A defeat is a defeat. Today is neither." - General Codrington
The Siege of Osaka:
(Osaka Castle, just months before the battle, 1868)
After Imperial successes across central Kansai, General Masujiro recommended the capture of the critical city of Osaka. A center of trade, it's ruler will surely be the wealthier one in the conflict, and thus it was necessary for the smaller Imperial force.
With more artillery from the British, General Codrington had a well armed army that could face any challenge. With Masujiro at his side and Takamori keeping the Shogunal forces in East Kansai at bay, Codrington felt confident in his victory. In fact, unless Takamori fell under the weathering pressure of Isami's forces, then the battle of Osaka would be in the footnotes of battle history.
Except that he did not count for the power of the navy. The Shogunate heavily focused on their navy (and were superb under the excellent leadership of Admiral Enomoto Takeaki), and after the victory at Awa, they were able to stockpile Osaka with tons of troops, enough to cover the whole city and the neighboring towns. The only problem was they couldn't risk losing a superb general and thus the forces were a bit decentralized. But no matter, they were for defensive purposes, and would stay their ground.
(With control of East Shikoku's seas, the Shogunal forces were able to land in Osaka.)
(Enomoto Takeaki was the greatest admiral in the whole Boshin War. He is often called "Masujiro of the Waves".)
General Codrington marched his men towards the villages. Masujiro, suspicious of the quiet, strongly advised Codrington that he prepare his men, which Codrington did. But neither expected the sound of "Charge!" made by the samurai garrisons. These Samurai were katana samurai, and after the initial collapse to gunpowder, once up close they mauled the modern soldiers of Codrington's army. Codrington ordered a tactical retreat, allowing Masujiro to take over the initial phase.
General Masujiro split up his forces into smaller "hunting groups" that were diverse in weaponry and could take on any threat. With Masujiro selecting excellent field captains, communication issues were essentially mute, and these groups picked off the village garrisons one by one.
Codrington had time to organize his soldiers into a more tank based unit, filled with cannons, gunmen, etc. Melee was behind the gunmen and next to the artillery, protecting it at all times. After the signal from Masujiro's men, Codrington's army marched through the battlefield. The advanced artillery easily broke down Osaka's wall's, and the well positioned gunmen shot down most of the Shogunal army in Osaka. The cavalry charges at the artillery were slaughtered by the Yari, and things were mostly going as planned. Codrington had proved his worth, gaining even more admiration from his Japanese men.
The Siege of Osaka:
(Osaka Castle, just months before the battle, 1868)
After Imperial successes across central Kansai, General Masujiro recommended the capture of the critical city of Osaka. A center of trade, it's ruler will surely be the wealthier one in the conflict, and thus it was necessary for the smaller Imperial force.
With more artillery from the British, General Codrington had a well armed army that could face any challenge. With Masujiro at his side and Takamori keeping the Shogunal forces in East Kansai at bay, Codrington felt confident in his victory. In fact, unless Takamori fell under the weathering pressure of Isami's forces, then the battle of Osaka would be in the footnotes of battle history.
Except that he did not count for the power of the navy. The Shogunate heavily focused on their navy (and were superb under the excellent leadership of Admiral Enomoto Takeaki), and after the victory at Awa, they were able to stockpile Osaka with tons of troops, enough to cover the whole city and the neighboring towns. The only problem was they couldn't risk losing a superb general and thus the forces were a bit decentralized. But no matter, they were for defensive purposes, and would stay their ground.
(With control of East Shikoku's seas, the Shogunal forces were able to land in Osaka.)
(Enomoto Takeaki was the greatest admiral in the whole Boshin War. He is often called "Masujiro of the Waves".)
General Codrington marched his men towards the villages. Masujiro, suspicious of the quiet, strongly advised Codrington that he prepare his men, which Codrington did. But neither expected the sound of "Charge!" made by the samurai garrisons. These Samurai were katana samurai, and after the initial collapse to gunpowder, once up close they mauled the modern soldiers of Codrington's army. Codrington ordered a tactical retreat, allowing Masujiro to take over the initial phase.
General Masujiro split up his forces into smaller "hunting groups" that were diverse in weaponry and could take on any threat. With Masujiro selecting excellent field captains, communication issues were essentially mute, and these groups picked off the village garrisons one by one.
Codrington had time to organize his soldiers into a more tank based unit, filled with cannons, gunmen, etc. Melee was behind the gunmen and next to the artillery, protecting it at all times. After the signal from Masujiro's men, Codrington's army marched through the battlefield. The advanced artillery easily broke down Osaka's wall's, and the well positioned gunmen shot down most of the Shogunal army in Osaka. The cavalry charges at the artillery were slaughtered by the Yari, and things were mostly going as planned. Codrington had proved his worth, gaining even more admiration from his Japanese men.
Everything started to break down though, when after the glorious fight the Imperial samurai decided that revenge is a drink best served bloody. Osaka's immense riches provided tremendous incentive for looting, and a plethora of crimes against humanity were committed. Codrington was shocked. He had seen brutality at Crimea plentifold, but he was unprepared for this. And thus, while to everyone, this was his heroic victory, he could never except that the battle was truly a victory. And the people of Osaka never forget, nor did they really ever forgive.
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