sharlin
Banned
[FONT="]Somewhere off the coast of Vietnam July 12th 1905.[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Formidable shook from bow to stern as the old, refitted barbette ship fired a broadside. Two 10.8 inch shells roared out of the muzzles of their guns, her refitted 6.4 inch guns joining in the cannonade as the old ship lead a squadron of equally old ships.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Tensions had been building for months and the old ships assigned to guard this distant part of the French Empire had been reinforced whilst diplomats bustled too and froe and Generals and Admirals on both sides planned and prepared for what many thought and hoped would be inevitable.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Formidable shook as waterspouts from hostile shells landed off her starboard side. Whilst the secondary guns were firing as fast as they loaded the huge 10.8 guns were much slower. The guns slowly training out to point at their distant targets. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The roar of the guns was accompanied by great gouts of cordite smoke which all but obscured the ship for a moment before she sailed through the smoke at a painful 12 knots, it was all her old engines could do and even then she was rattling and shaking like an arthritic old man.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Looking astern the ragged French column was firing with every gun they had. Rapid firing 5.5 inch guns, slower 10.8 and even slower 13.4 inch guns booming out as soon as they were loaded, flinging tonnes of high explosive metal at their enemies. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The Captain was smiling, even though they were pinned to the coast the volume of gunfire seemed to be keeping their attackers at bay, even if few hits had been observed. Suddenly the Formidable rocked and shuddered as a 12 inch round from the IJN Yashima ploughed into her poorly armoured bow.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The 850lb high explosive shell punched through the unarmoured hull before detonating, ripping a hole in the hull and starting a fire. The Formidable's agony had just started.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Prelude:[/FONT]
[FONT="]As the Greater Powers continued to dismember China, carving the formerly great Empire up like a turkey on Thanksgiving the Japanese Empire 'inherited' Formosa as well as portions of Hainan(1). Whilst tensions grew with the Russian Empire over Korea a new player entered the Board. The Kingdom of Siam. The French had gone to war with Siam in 1893, forcing the Kingdom to give up a huge slice of its territory, later to be known as Laos. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Whilst the British government's paranoia about French ambitions on the Indian sub-continent were heightened by this short 'war' and the land it netted France and both countries had strong interests in controlling parts of Indochina war never broke out between the two great powers. Years later in 1904 the French started putting more pressure on Siam for territory, slowly working to manufacture a crisis.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The King of Siam, fearing that the French would continue to slice off more and more of his country, even take his Crown sought outside help. Britain was content to keep the kingdom as a buffer between French ambition and its holdings, Russia was busy consolidating its holdings in Korea whilst keeping a wary eye on Japan and was an ally of France. Germany had little influence in the region. This left Japan. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Whilst the Japanese initially had little interest in the offers and proposals put forward by the Siamese ambassadors the Army and Navy were intrigued. French strength in the region was weak, the IJN was far stronger than the local French forces and the army was confident it could defeat the French. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Although discussions between the two countries started in 1900 it was not until 1904 that the Siamese government offered to fight alongside the Japanese. The Royal Army would attack and tie down French troops in Siam and along the border whilst Japanese troops stationed at Hainan would be landed to attack French held Vietnam where the Colonial forces were deeply unpopular.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Tempted by the possibility of an easy victory as well as more land gained as well as more than favourable trade agreements with Siam the Japanese were spurred into motion.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The build up of armed forces in Hainan, close to French Indochina was noticed by French diplomats and agents and the build-up was matched in kind. The former backwater squadron based at Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam was slowly augmented, but even then it was not with the best ships the French had to offer, as these were kept close to face the Royal Navy.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Japanese also had problems of their own. Military planners had originally prepared to fight the Russians over Korea, not the French in distant Vietnam. Establishing facilities, moving supplies as well as co-ordinating with the Siamese took time, money and a lot of effort. [/FONT]
[FONT="]As 1904 turned into 1905 the tensions in the region continued to escalate, the Russians, nominally allies of the French were politely reminded that the Japanese were British allies, this polite reminder was backed up by the deployment of Two full squadrons of British Battleships and their escorts to the Far East. Although the slowly thawing relations between Britain and France had lead to the ente-cordial, the French still kept their 6 best ships at home (2)[/FONT]
[FONT="]The French protested to the Japanese about the build-up near their Vietnamese holdings and the Japanese in turn cited self defence due to the French build-up. The French maritime strength in the region was considerable but most of it consisted of older ships.[/FONT]
[FONT="]1st Squadron:
MN Bouvet.[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Messena[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Jaureguiberry (Flag)[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Charles Martel[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Brennus [/FONT]
[FONT="]Cruisers
MN Dupuy Lome[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Bruix[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Chanzy[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Latouche-Trevelle[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Guichen[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 Torpedo Boats[/FONT]
[FONT="]6 Destroyers (4 Durandal Class, 2 Framee class)[/FONT]
[FONT="]2nd Squadron[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Formidable[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Amiral Baudin[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Marceau (Flag)[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Neptune[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Magenta[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Hoche[/FONT]
[FONT="]Cruisers:[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN D'Estrees[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Infernet[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Chateaurenault[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 Torpedo Boats[/FONT]
[FONT="]Coast Defence Ships: All three to be decommissioned - Guarding Cam Ranh Bay
MN Redoutable [/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Courbet[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Devastation[/FONT]
(1). In this AH the Russians and Japanese were not at odds with each other over Korea. Russia got more holdings in Korea whilst Japan got regions of[FONT="] Hainan.[/FONT]
[FONT="](2). MN Charlemagne, St Louis, Gaulois, MN Suffren, Villaret (Suffren Class), MN Iena. [/FONT][FONT="]MN Republique due to finish Trials August/September 1905[/FONT]
[FONT="](3). The Charles Martel docked in Toloun, prior to refitting before her journey to the Far East with her three near sisters. In the background you can see the mast of what appears to be t he Hoche or the refitted Formidable.[/FONT]
[FONT="]
[/FONT] [FONT="]Prelude and Politics[/FONT]
[FONT="]With the French and Japanese build-up increasing both sides turned to their allies for assistance and help. The British sold rifles to both the Siamese government and the Japanese as well as dispatching 'advisors' at the behest of the Admiralty. [/FONT]
[FONT="]To counterbalance this support the British Government agreed to let the French use the Suez Canal, allowing possibly belligerent ships to sail down it, under escort of course as well as the use of coaling stations along the way, if fighting was to break out.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The British 'advisors' included Captain Scott as well as other naval experts who were keen to study the Japanese gunnery practices as well as introducing their own, bringing with them all the needed training equipment as well as a gentleman from Barr & Shroud to discuss the sales of the new fangled rangefinder's that Scott was so obsessed about.[/FONT]
[FONT="]When knowledge that 'naval experts' had been dispatched from England to Japan the French Government reacted strongly, stopping just short of accusing the English of aiding a possible enemy. Although the public knew little about this diplomatic breech, relations cooled between the two great nations. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The English brushed off the French claims, stating that the Japanese ships were British designed and built and that the Japanese needed assistance and advice in running and maintaining the complex machinery onboard. This 'excuse' was accepted at face value and that was all.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Diplomatic bluster between France and Japan continued to get worse, especially when the Japanese openly admitted to aiding, training and arming the Siamese army to 'aid an oriental nation that has asked for our help, the Kingdom of Siam does not want to be a lamb, devoured by France.' [/FONT]
[FONT="]This curt diplomatic message was taken as a threat and warning by the French Government. More troops were ordered to prepare to move to Indochina, sailing with a considerable number of escorts which would become the 1st Far East Battle Squadron. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The Russian Tsar, keen to expand his country's holdings in the East contacted the French Government about coming to their aid should war break out. But this was parried and foiled by the British Government stating to both Governments that 'In the unlikely event of War in the Far East, if the war was to escalate against British allies and interests in the region, then Britain herself could be compelled to come to her allies aid.' [/FONT]
[FONT="]With that, the formerly cool diplomatic relations between England and France heated up once more. This was only made worse by the dispatching to the Far East both the Duncan and Canopus classes, in their entirety as well as cruiser and destroyer escorts to safeguard British interests in the region. (1)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Indochina was becoming a tinderbox, and all it would need to ignite was a spark.[/FONT]
[FONT="](1) This act along with the British Declaration as well as their support for Japan would all but destroy the Ente Cordial. Britain and Germany started to move closer together as allies, but what would happen in the future is not what this story's about.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Flash-point[/FONT]
[FONT="]8th of June 1905 Somewhere off the Coast of Vietnam 0430am[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Convoy was plodding along at a painful 8 knots through the dark waters of the Pacific. The steady thrumming of dozens of engines could be heard over the sound of spray and wind. It was fortunately a smooth night, barely a breath of wind stirred the air which saved the embarked soldiers crowded into the transports from the cruelty of sea-sickness but not the oppressive humidity. [/FONT]
Dotted round the 24 strong convoy was Rear Admiral Kamimura 1st Cruiser Squadron. The modern and powerful armoured cruisers Izumo, Azuma Tokiwa and Iwate as well as the older protected cruiser Naniwa, 8 destroyers and 8 torpedo boats forming the escort for this, the first of many planned runs from Hainan. Whilst the Navy crews bemoaned the poor station keeping of the Merchants, their abysmal speed and constant requests for aid they had a job to do.
Escort the transports to Halong bay and assist with the landing by providing gunfire support to the troops as they went ashore. The bay itself was a maze of limestone islands and outcroppings but once ashore the troops would be a mere 160 kilometers from Hanoi, the ultimate objective of the campaign.
The Siamese Army would strike along the borders of Laos whilst the Japanese would strike for Hanoi and claim the city and other regions of Northern Vietnam. Combined with the planned destruction of any French forces in the region it was assumed it would be enough to bring France to the negotiating table.
There was one major flaw to this plan. The French protected cruiser Chateaurenault, a product of the Jeunne Ecole and eyes of the Second Far East Squadron sighted the Japanese formation and correctly assumed their beligerent intent. The eight thousand tonne cruiser, originally designed for commerce raiding was undergunned and poorly protected but she did have one advantage. She was fast.
Forcing her engines the French cruiser turned south and ran at an impressive 24 knots, much to the distress of her Chief Engineer and his work crews the Cruiser set off towards the city of Da Nang and her squadron-mates. Whilst the 1st Squadron was further south in Cam Ranh bay the 2nd Squadron would be France's first line of defence.
The Chateaurenault arrived at Midnight on the 9th passing the word. Giving his simply exhausted cruiser time to re-coal and repair her shaken engines Rear Admiral Marcel raised his flag on the MN Marceau and ordered the fleet to sea as well as cabling the 1st Squadron and the commander of Hanoi's ground defences as well as regional military commands throughout French Indochina.
Sailing at 12 knots it would take time to reach Ha Long bay, but if the Japanese transports and cruisers could be caught pinned against the shore then the older ships of the 2nd Squadron would be able to pound them to pieces in the close confines of the island dotted bay.
This departure was not missed by Vietnamese rebels, nor was it missed by Japanese agents. The Imperial Japanese Navy had also planned ahead. Waiting off the coast of Hainan were the Battleships Shikishima, Fuji, Yashima, Hatsuse the armoured cruisers Nisshin and kasuga as well as four light cruisers and 18 destroyers. Thanks to the modern miracle of Wireless Telegraphy the Japanese under Admiral Tokioki knew the French were coming and planned to intercept them.
[FONT="]The eyes of the fleet - The Battle of Tonkin Gulf - Part 1.[/FONT]
[FONT="]As the sun rose the sky seemed to catch on fire. Glorious rays of red and yellow decorated the sky as the French Second Squadron cruiser along the Vietnamese coast. The squadron had to slow to 10 knots due to the engines of the Formidable, long overdue a full refit were incapable of sustaining 12 knots for more than a hour without damaging the engines workings.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The engines of the other old ships of the squadron were admittedly in little better shape, most of the ships had been re-boilered in 1888 - 1889 but they were still old, unreliable engines, prone to failure and a constant strain on the engineers. The journey north had been smooth and quiet, a blessing for the crew of the MN Hoche. The battleship, despite her alterations in 1888 - 1889 still wallowed like a pig on a smooth sea and the ship had nearly foundered on her trip to Indochina when she ran into a heavy storm. Her captain had reported that she was rolling to a horrifying 22 degrees at one point. That storm had also killed four of her crew, either swept overboard or in one case falling from the huge mast.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Hoche now plodded along at the rear of the column, seemingly happy with the smooth seas and clear sky that promised a lovely day. The three armoured cruisers and the Torpedo boats in squadrons of four were spread out over a 180 degree arc to the starboard side of the Battleline roughly 10000 yards away. Radio signals flitted back and forth between the cruisers and battleships but so far the horizon was clear. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Leading the French line the MN Formidable was followed by the sister the Neptune and Magenta then the Flag the Marceau. The Amiral Baudin and lastly the Hoche followed the flagship. A formidable group of warships despite their age and relative obsolescence compared to their opponents.[/FONT]
[FONT="]There was one advantage though, the French would be in essence fighting British ships. Every battleship in the Japanese line was modelled and built on the latest British practice when they were laid down. There would be few surprises from the Japanese ships. And the French had a surprise of their own.[/FONT]
[FONT="]For years the French had planned to fight the Royal Navy, and despite the Government and Press's assurances to the contrary, French Admirals knew their ships were outclassed and also outnumbered. Given their potential enemies numerical advantage the French had concentrated on gunnery as well as experimenting with and then implementing long range gunnery.[/FONT]
[FONT="]If a ship could be damaged at long range then it could be finished off by the plentiful torpedo boats the Marine Nationale Favoured. The first experiments with long range gunnery yielded valuable results and as a result of this, every major French warship had the most advanced optical sites available and the gunners were experienced and indeed use to firing out to the phenomenal range of 8000 yards. Even the oldest battleships in the fleet were well practiced at long range fire.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Aboard the Cruisers and destroyers, every pair of eyes that could scan the horizon was. Breakfast had been served at the guns of the torpedo boats. The small ships were products of the Jeunne Ecole, a school of thought that still held considerable sway over the French Admiralty. Although small the ships were crewed by well trained, keen and skilled professionals who knew their job.[/FONT]
[FONT="]As the sun slowly rose higher into the sky, the fleet steaming north as it got hotter and hotter. Inside the turrets and batteries it was unbearably warm. Some gunnery captains allowed the hatches to be opened to try and get some air into the enclosed spaces. The cooks were constantly running cool water to the gun crews despite complaints from the ships quartermasters about the rates of water consumption.[/FONT]
[FONT="]At 10:47am lookouts on the Cruiser D'Estrees's towering masts fighting top sighted smoke on the horizon. The small cruiser and her four torpedo boats accelerated up to 18 knots, the cruisers hull vibrating as she worked up to close to her normal full speed. Radioing the flagship her report the D'Estrees's Captain's eyes were glued to the hazy patch of smoke in the distance. Every gun was manned, deep in the cruisers hull the engineers watched their charges, hoses playing on hot bearings which hissed and steamed when cool water struck them.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Over 16000 yards away the cause of the plume of smoke was surging through the water. Her radio reported had already made a contact report and was racing to investigate the smoke she could see. The IJN Takasago was a new, modern ship, built by Armstrong Witworth and was one of the very successful Elswick type cruisers that had sold so well. Armed with two 8-inch guns and a large battery of quick firing 4.7-inch guns the protected cruiser was a powerful scout. Capable of fighting off anything her size and running from anything bigger, and her main guns gave her a formidable punch. [/FONT]
[FONT="]
[/FONT]
[FONT="]1)[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN D'Estrees - Bridge[/FONT]
[FONT="]"That's too much smoke to be a merchant ship..." The Captain said, half talking to himself. "I want to know who and what she is, signal the Flag we are approaching a presumed hostile ship. Signal the torpedo boats, 'prepare to follow us, do not engage unless ordered." [/FONT]
[FONT="]Lieutenants and seamen raced to obey the captains orders, the range was being shouted out at 1 minute intervals as the ships approached each other at a staggering 34 knots. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Every pair of binoculars was trained on the growing cloud of smoke. The tension on the ship rose. Every gun was manned, there was not a sound on deck apart from muttered orders and reports. [/FONT]
[FONT="]"Masthead reporting. Ship in sight, two funnels, military masts. Japanese cruiser Sir!" A young subaltern reported. [/FONT]
[FONT="]"Very well, I want to know what I'm up against. Get up there and tell me what you see. Helm! Bring us about Try to keep us ahead of the enemy ship until we know what we're facing. Radio! Signal the Marcau 'Have sighted enemy cruiser, plan to engage, will withdraw if outmatched."[/FONT]
[FONT="]The small French formation turned hard to starboard, now the Distrees was following her escorts, still powering along at 18 knots. The Japanese ship however was doing 21 knots. [/FONT]
[FONT="]"Masthead reporting Sir, hostile is an Elswick type cruiser, either the Yoshino, Takasago or Takachiho classes."[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Captain was good with recognition and his memory for ships was as good as any newly trained officer. Any of those ships outgunned his small ship and possibly outran it. Walking over to the voice pipe for the engineering he waited for a response.[/FONT]
[FONT="]"Engineering"[/FONT]
[FONT="]"Philippe, I am going to need everything she's got, force the engines if needs be, we're being chased by a Japanese cruiser."
[/FONT]
[FONT="]"Masthead reporting! More smoke sighted to the North east, same baring as the Japanese Cruiser. Heavy smoke sighted."[/FONT]
[FONT="]'Merde...' The Captain swore softly, his job was to be the eyes of the fleet, was he being chased by one ship or was there a fleet out there? Duty won out over preserving his ship. Besides the range was long and they still had time to get vital intelligence before withdrawing.[/FONT]
[FONT="]"Range to target?"[/FONT]
[FONT="]"13000 yards Sir!"[/FONT]
[FONT="]Nodding the Captain ordered the turn that would bring the Cruiser and her formation round towards the charging Japanese ship. Trying to buy time to see what was beyond the cruiser before turning away once more.[/FONT]
[FONT="]"Guns, begin controlled long range fire with the main armament as soon as the Japanese ship is within range, lets see what these little yellow men are made of.[/FONT]
[FONT="]1) [/FONT][FONT="]IJN Takasago – A British made cruiser built protected cruiser designed and built by the Elswick firm in the Tyne. The Elswic designs were popular and successful export cruisers, bought by the Japanese and many South American countries. One of which survived until 1948
[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Formidable shook from bow to stern as the old, refitted barbette ship fired a broadside. Two 10.8 inch shells roared out of the muzzles of their guns, her refitted 6.4 inch guns joining in the cannonade as the old ship lead a squadron of equally old ships.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Tensions had been building for months and the old ships assigned to guard this distant part of the French Empire had been reinforced whilst diplomats bustled too and froe and Generals and Admirals on both sides planned and prepared for what many thought and hoped would be inevitable.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Formidable shook as waterspouts from hostile shells landed off her starboard side. Whilst the secondary guns were firing as fast as they loaded the huge 10.8 guns were much slower. The guns slowly training out to point at their distant targets. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The roar of the guns was accompanied by great gouts of cordite smoke which all but obscured the ship for a moment before she sailed through the smoke at a painful 12 knots, it was all her old engines could do and even then she was rattling and shaking like an arthritic old man.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Looking astern the ragged French column was firing with every gun they had. Rapid firing 5.5 inch guns, slower 10.8 and even slower 13.4 inch guns booming out as soon as they were loaded, flinging tonnes of high explosive metal at their enemies. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The Captain was smiling, even though they were pinned to the coast the volume of gunfire seemed to be keeping their attackers at bay, even if few hits had been observed. Suddenly the Formidable rocked and shuddered as a 12 inch round from the IJN Yashima ploughed into her poorly armoured bow.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The 850lb high explosive shell punched through the unarmoured hull before detonating, ripping a hole in the hull and starting a fire. The Formidable's agony had just started.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Prelude:[/FONT]
[FONT="]As the Greater Powers continued to dismember China, carving the formerly great Empire up like a turkey on Thanksgiving the Japanese Empire 'inherited' Formosa as well as portions of Hainan(1). Whilst tensions grew with the Russian Empire over Korea a new player entered the Board. The Kingdom of Siam. The French had gone to war with Siam in 1893, forcing the Kingdom to give up a huge slice of its territory, later to be known as Laos. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Whilst the British government's paranoia about French ambitions on the Indian sub-continent were heightened by this short 'war' and the land it netted France and both countries had strong interests in controlling parts of Indochina war never broke out between the two great powers. Years later in 1904 the French started putting more pressure on Siam for territory, slowly working to manufacture a crisis.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The King of Siam, fearing that the French would continue to slice off more and more of his country, even take his Crown sought outside help. Britain was content to keep the kingdom as a buffer between French ambition and its holdings, Russia was busy consolidating its holdings in Korea whilst keeping a wary eye on Japan and was an ally of France. Germany had little influence in the region. This left Japan. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Whilst the Japanese initially had little interest in the offers and proposals put forward by the Siamese ambassadors the Army and Navy were intrigued. French strength in the region was weak, the IJN was far stronger than the local French forces and the army was confident it could defeat the French. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Although discussions between the two countries started in 1900 it was not until 1904 that the Siamese government offered to fight alongside the Japanese. The Royal Army would attack and tie down French troops in Siam and along the border whilst Japanese troops stationed at Hainan would be landed to attack French held Vietnam where the Colonial forces were deeply unpopular.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Tempted by the possibility of an easy victory as well as more land gained as well as more than favourable trade agreements with Siam the Japanese were spurred into motion.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The build up of armed forces in Hainan, close to French Indochina was noticed by French diplomats and agents and the build-up was matched in kind. The former backwater squadron based at Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam was slowly augmented, but even then it was not with the best ships the French had to offer, as these were kept close to face the Royal Navy.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Japanese also had problems of their own. Military planners had originally prepared to fight the Russians over Korea, not the French in distant Vietnam. Establishing facilities, moving supplies as well as co-ordinating with the Siamese took time, money and a lot of effort. [/FONT]
[FONT="]As 1904 turned into 1905 the tensions in the region continued to escalate, the Russians, nominally allies of the French were politely reminded that the Japanese were British allies, this polite reminder was backed up by the deployment of Two full squadrons of British Battleships and their escorts to the Far East. Although the slowly thawing relations between Britain and France had lead to the ente-cordial, the French still kept their 6 best ships at home (2)[/FONT]
[FONT="]The French protested to the Japanese about the build-up near their Vietnamese holdings and the Japanese in turn cited self defence due to the French build-up. The French maritime strength in the region was considerable but most of it consisted of older ships.[/FONT]
[FONT="]1st Squadron:
MN Bouvet.[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Messena[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Jaureguiberry (Flag)[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Charles Martel[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Brennus [/FONT]
[FONT="]Cruisers
MN Dupuy Lome[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Bruix[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Chanzy[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Latouche-Trevelle[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Guichen[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 Torpedo Boats[/FONT]
[FONT="]6 Destroyers (4 Durandal Class, 2 Framee class)[/FONT]
[FONT="]2nd Squadron[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Formidable[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Amiral Baudin[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Marceau (Flag)[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Neptune[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Magenta[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Hoche[/FONT]
[FONT="]Cruisers:[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN D'Estrees[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Infernet[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Chateaurenault[/FONT]
[FONT="]12 Torpedo Boats[/FONT]
[FONT="]Coast Defence Ships: All three to be decommissioned - Guarding Cam Ranh Bay
MN Redoutable [/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Courbet[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN Devastation[/FONT]
(1). In this AH the Russians and Japanese were not at odds with each other over Korea. Russia got more holdings in Korea whilst Japan got regions of[FONT="] Hainan.[/FONT]
[FONT="](2). MN Charlemagne, St Louis, Gaulois, MN Suffren, Villaret (Suffren Class), MN Iena. [/FONT][FONT="]MN Republique due to finish Trials August/September 1905[/FONT]
[FONT="](3). The Charles Martel docked in Toloun, prior to refitting before her journey to the Far East with her three near sisters. In the background you can see the mast of what appears to be t he Hoche or the refitted Formidable.[/FONT]
[FONT="]
[/FONT] [FONT="]Prelude and Politics[/FONT]
[FONT="]With the French and Japanese build-up increasing both sides turned to their allies for assistance and help. The British sold rifles to both the Siamese government and the Japanese as well as dispatching 'advisors' at the behest of the Admiralty. [/FONT]
[FONT="]To counterbalance this support the British Government agreed to let the French use the Suez Canal, allowing possibly belligerent ships to sail down it, under escort of course as well as the use of coaling stations along the way, if fighting was to break out.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The British 'advisors' included Captain Scott as well as other naval experts who were keen to study the Japanese gunnery practices as well as introducing their own, bringing with them all the needed training equipment as well as a gentleman from Barr & Shroud to discuss the sales of the new fangled rangefinder's that Scott was so obsessed about.[/FONT]
[FONT="]When knowledge that 'naval experts' had been dispatched from England to Japan the French Government reacted strongly, stopping just short of accusing the English of aiding a possible enemy. Although the public knew little about this diplomatic breech, relations cooled between the two great nations. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The English brushed off the French claims, stating that the Japanese ships were British designed and built and that the Japanese needed assistance and advice in running and maintaining the complex machinery onboard. This 'excuse' was accepted at face value and that was all.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Diplomatic bluster between France and Japan continued to get worse, especially when the Japanese openly admitted to aiding, training and arming the Siamese army to 'aid an oriental nation that has asked for our help, the Kingdom of Siam does not want to be a lamb, devoured by France.' [/FONT]
[FONT="]This curt diplomatic message was taken as a threat and warning by the French Government. More troops were ordered to prepare to move to Indochina, sailing with a considerable number of escorts which would become the 1st Far East Battle Squadron. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The Russian Tsar, keen to expand his country's holdings in the East contacted the French Government about coming to their aid should war break out. But this was parried and foiled by the British Government stating to both Governments that 'In the unlikely event of War in the Far East, if the war was to escalate against British allies and interests in the region, then Britain herself could be compelled to come to her allies aid.' [/FONT]
[FONT="]With that, the formerly cool diplomatic relations between England and France heated up once more. This was only made worse by the dispatching to the Far East both the Duncan and Canopus classes, in their entirety as well as cruiser and destroyer escorts to safeguard British interests in the region. (1)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Indochina was becoming a tinderbox, and all it would need to ignite was a spark.[/FONT]
[FONT="](1) This act along with the British Declaration as well as their support for Japan would all but destroy the Ente Cordial. Britain and Germany started to move closer together as allies, but what would happen in the future is not what this story's about.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Flash-point[/FONT]
[FONT="]8th of June 1905 Somewhere off the Coast of Vietnam 0430am[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Convoy was plodding along at a painful 8 knots through the dark waters of the Pacific. The steady thrumming of dozens of engines could be heard over the sound of spray and wind. It was fortunately a smooth night, barely a breath of wind stirred the air which saved the embarked soldiers crowded into the transports from the cruelty of sea-sickness but not the oppressive humidity. [/FONT]
Dotted round the 24 strong convoy was Rear Admiral Kamimura 1st Cruiser Squadron. The modern and powerful armoured cruisers Izumo, Azuma Tokiwa and Iwate as well as the older protected cruiser Naniwa, 8 destroyers and 8 torpedo boats forming the escort for this, the first of many planned runs from Hainan. Whilst the Navy crews bemoaned the poor station keeping of the Merchants, their abysmal speed and constant requests for aid they had a job to do.
Escort the transports to Halong bay and assist with the landing by providing gunfire support to the troops as they went ashore. The bay itself was a maze of limestone islands and outcroppings but once ashore the troops would be a mere 160 kilometers from Hanoi, the ultimate objective of the campaign.
The Siamese Army would strike along the borders of Laos whilst the Japanese would strike for Hanoi and claim the city and other regions of Northern Vietnam. Combined with the planned destruction of any French forces in the region it was assumed it would be enough to bring France to the negotiating table.
There was one major flaw to this plan. The French protected cruiser Chateaurenault, a product of the Jeunne Ecole and eyes of the Second Far East Squadron sighted the Japanese formation and correctly assumed their beligerent intent. The eight thousand tonne cruiser, originally designed for commerce raiding was undergunned and poorly protected but she did have one advantage. She was fast.
Forcing her engines the French cruiser turned south and ran at an impressive 24 knots, much to the distress of her Chief Engineer and his work crews the Cruiser set off towards the city of Da Nang and her squadron-mates. Whilst the 1st Squadron was further south in Cam Ranh bay the 2nd Squadron would be France's first line of defence.
The Chateaurenault arrived at Midnight on the 9th passing the word. Giving his simply exhausted cruiser time to re-coal and repair her shaken engines Rear Admiral Marcel raised his flag on the MN Marceau and ordered the fleet to sea as well as cabling the 1st Squadron and the commander of Hanoi's ground defences as well as regional military commands throughout French Indochina.
Sailing at 12 knots it would take time to reach Ha Long bay, but if the Japanese transports and cruisers could be caught pinned against the shore then the older ships of the 2nd Squadron would be able to pound them to pieces in the close confines of the island dotted bay.
This departure was not missed by Vietnamese rebels, nor was it missed by Japanese agents. The Imperial Japanese Navy had also planned ahead. Waiting off the coast of Hainan were the Battleships Shikishima, Fuji, Yashima, Hatsuse the armoured cruisers Nisshin and kasuga as well as four light cruisers and 18 destroyers. Thanks to the modern miracle of Wireless Telegraphy the Japanese under Admiral Tokioki knew the French were coming and planned to intercept them.
[FONT="]The eyes of the fleet - The Battle of Tonkin Gulf - Part 1.[/FONT]
[FONT="]As the sun rose the sky seemed to catch on fire. Glorious rays of red and yellow decorated the sky as the French Second Squadron cruiser along the Vietnamese coast. The squadron had to slow to 10 knots due to the engines of the Formidable, long overdue a full refit were incapable of sustaining 12 knots for more than a hour without damaging the engines workings.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The engines of the other old ships of the squadron were admittedly in little better shape, most of the ships had been re-boilered in 1888 - 1889 but they were still old, unreliable engines, prone to failure and a constant strain on the engineers. The journey north had been smooth and quiet, a blessing for the crew of the MN Hoche. The battleship, despite her alterations in 1888 - 1889 still wallowed like a pig on a smooth sea and the ship had nearly foundered on her trip to Indochina when she ran into a heavy storm. Her captain had reported that she was rolling to a horrifying 22 degrees at one point. That storm had also killed four of her crew, either swept overboard or in one case falling from the huge mast.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Hoche now plodded along at the rear of the column, seemingly happy with the smooth seas and clear sky that promised a lovely day. The three armoured cruisers and the Torpedo boats in squadrons of four were spread out over a 180 degree arc to the starboard side of the Battleline roughly 10000 yards away. Radio signals flitted back and forth between the cruisers and battleships but so far the horizon was clear. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Leading the French line the MN Formidable was followed by the sister the Neptune and Magenta then the Flag the Marceau. The Amiral Baudin and lastly the Hoche followed the flagship. A formidable group of warships despite their age and relative obsolescence compared to their opponents.[/FONT]
[FONT="]There was one advantage though, the French would be in essence fighting British ships. Every battleship in the Japanese line was modelled and built on the latest British practice when they were laid down. There would be few surprises from the Japanese ships. And the French had a surprise of their own.[/FONT]
[FONT="]For years the French had planned to fight the Royal Navy, and despite the Government and Press's assurances to the contrary, French Admirals knew their ships were outclassed and also outnumbered. Given their potential enemies numerical advantage the French had concentrated on gunnery as well as experimenting with and then implementing long range gunnery.[/FONT]
[FONT="]If a ship could be damaged at long range then it could be finished off by the plentiful torpedo boats the Marine Nationale Favoured. The first experiments with long range gunnery yielded valuable results and as a result of this, every major French warship had the most advanced optical sites available and the gunners were experienced and indeed use to firing out to the phenomenal range of 8000 yards. Even the oldest battleships in the fleet were well practiced at long range fire.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Aboard the Cruisers and destroyers, every pair of eyes that could scan the horizon was. Breakfast had been served at the guns of the torpedo boats. The small ships were products of the Jeunne Ecole, a school of thought that still held considerable sway over the French Admiralty. Although small the ships were crewed by well trained, keen and skilled professionals who knew their job.[/FONT]
[FONT="]As the sun slowly rose higher into the sky, the fleet steaming north as it got hotter and hotter. Inside the turrets and batteries it was unbearably warm. Some gunnery captains allowed the hatches to be opened to try and get some air into the enclosed spaces. The cooks were constantly running cool water to the gun crews despite complaints from the ships quartermasters about the rates of water consumption.[/FONT]
[FONT="]At 10:47am lookouts on the Cruiser D'Estrees's towering masts fighting top sighted smoke on the horizon. The small cruiser and her four torpedo boats accelerated up to 18 knots, the cruisers hull vibrating as she worked up to close to her normal full speed. Radioing the flagship her report the D'Estrees's Captain's eyes were glued to the hazy patch of smoke in the distance. Every gun was manned, deep in the cruisers hull the engineers watched their charges, hoses playing on hot bearings which hissed and steamed when cool water struck them.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Over 16000 yards away the cause of the plume of smoke was surging through the water. Her radio reported had already made a contact report and was racing to investigate the smoke she could see. The IJN Takasago was a new, modern ship, built by Armstrong Witworth and was one of the very successful Elswick type cruisers that had sold so well. Armed with two 8-inch guns and a large battery of quick firing 4.7-inch guns the protected cruiser was a powerful scout. Capable of fighting off anything her size and running from anything bigger, and her main guns gave her a formidable punch. [/FONT]
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[FONT="]1)[/FONT]
[FONT="]MN D'Estrees - Bridge[/FONT]
[FONT="]"That's too much smoke to be a merchant ship..." The Captain said, half talking to himself. "I want to know who and what she is, signal the Flag we are approaching a presumed hostile ship. Signal the torpedo boats, 'prepare to follow us, do not engage unless ordered." [/FONT]
[FONT="]Lieutenants and seamen raced to obey the captains orders, the range was being shouted out at 1 minute intervals as the ships approached each other at a staggering 34 knots. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Every pair of binoculars was trained on the growing cloud of smoke. The tension on the ship rose. Every gun was manned, there was not a sound on deck apart from muttered orders and reports. [/FONT]
[FONT="]"Masthead reporting. Ship in sight, two funnels, military masts. Japanese cruiser Sir!" A young subaltern reported. [/FONT]
[FONT="]"Very well, I want to know what I'm up against. Get up there and tell me what you see. Helm! Bring us about Try to keep us ahead of the enemy ship until we know what we're facing. Radio! Signal the Marcau 'Have sighted enemy cruiser, plan to engage, will withdraw if outmatched."[/FONT]
[FONT="]The small French formation turned hard to starboard, now the Distrees was following her escorts, still powering along at 18 knots. The Japanese ship however was doing 21 knots. [/FONT]
[FONT="]"Masthead reporting Sir, hostile is an Elswick type cruiser, either the Yoshino, Takasago or Takachiho classes."[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Captain was good with recognition and his memory for ships was as good as any newly trained officer. Any of those ships outgunned his small ship and possibly outran it. Walking over to the voice pipe for the engineering he waited for a response.[/FONT]
[FONT="]"Engineering"[/FONT]
[FONT="]"Philippe, I am going to need everything she's got, force the engines if needs be, we're being chased by a Japanese cruiser."
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[FONT="]"Masthead reporting! More smoke sighted to the North east, same baring as the Japanese Cruiser. Heavy smoke sighted."[/FONT]
[FONT="]'Merde...' The Captain swore softly, his job was to be the eyes of the fleet, was he being chased by one ship or was there a fleet out there? Duty won out over preserving his ship. Besides the range was long and they still had time to get vital intelligence before withdrawing.[/FONT]
[FONT="]"Range to target?"[/FONT]
[FONT="]"13000 yards Sir!"[/FONT]
[FONT="]Nodding the Captain ordered the turn that would bring the Cruiser and her formation round towards the charging Japanese ship. Trying to buy time to see what was beyond the cruiser before turning away once more.[/FONT]
[FONT="]"Guns, begin controlled long range fire with the main armament as soon as the Japanese ship is within range, lets see what these little yellow men are made of.[/FONT]
[FONT="]1) [/FONT][FONT="]IJN Takasago – A British made cruiser built protected cruiser designed and built by the Elswick firm in the Tyne. The Elswic designs were popular and successful export cruisers, bought by the Japanese and many South American countries. One of which survived until 1948
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