Admiral Beez
Banned
The opening of this thread makes me think....
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=338793&highlight=tsushima
What if instead of sailing from FIC for Vladivostok in May 1905, Admiral Rozhestvensky is ordered to hold at Danang, FIC. This is a prudent move, as Port Arthur has already fallen to the Japanese, so there's no point in running the gauntlet to Vladivostok only to be stuck in the ice that coming autumn.
Instead, Rozhestvensky is ordered to refit and repair his ships at Danang, and to wait for further reinforcements of first rate ships. This extended stay requires help or at least a longer welcome provided by the French (this requires a diplomatic POD - suggestions welcome). The planned reinforcements would not be ready in time, but were planned to be the new battleships Slava, Potemkin, Evstafi and Ioann Zlatoust.
So, with a growing Russian naval force off FIC, what do Russia and Japan do? Can Russia consider re-taking Port Arthur with a summer army offensive, with the now refitted and rested Rozhestvensky harassing any IJN moves to support the city?
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=338793&highlight=tsushima
What if instead of sailing from FIC for Vladivostok in May 1905, Admiral Rozhestvensky is ordered to hold at Danang, FIC. This is a prudent move, as Port Arthur has already fallen to the Japanese, so there's no point in running the gauntlet to Vladivostok only to be stuck in the ice that coming autumn.
Instead, Rozhestvensky is ordered to refit and repair his ships at Danang, and to wait for further reinforcements of first rate ships. This extended stay requires help or at least a longer welcome provided by the French (this requires a diplomatic POD - suggestions welcome). The planned reinforcements would not be ready in time, but were planned to be the new battleships Slava, Potemkin, Evstafi and Ioann Zlatoust.
So, with a growing Russian naval force off FIC, what do Russia and Japan do? Can Russia consider re-taking Port Arthur with a summer army offensive, with the now refitted and rested Rozhestvensky harassing any IJN moves to support the city?