Rising Sun and Tumbling Bear - Russo Japanese War AAR #1

Wednesday night saw the first in a number of linked scenarios for the Russo Japanese War using Through Mud & Blood from the Too Fat lardies stable.

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14th March 1904 North Korea.

Advices received at Ntuchwang state that General Kuroki Tametomo commander of the Japanese First Army have landed at Chemulpo,  the Russian garrison is ordered to fall back on the River Yulu, holding the railway line until the Russian non-combatants can be evacuated.

Our correspondent telegraphs that the Russian defenders were initially caught unawares by the Japanese advance, with members of the high command and sensitive military documents cut off in a small compound at the cross roads at An-lien.

Elements of the 16th Siberian Infantry defend the railway line against the advancing Japanese.

Russian infantry advance through the millet field with Russian blinds advancing down the road to secure the compound and it's valuable content.

Ignoring the left flank the Japanese advance at pace down the main road towards An-lien

 

Elements of the Japanese First Army rush to engage with the Russian defenders, Major-General Asada's advance guard lacked any rear support Sir Ian Hamilton wrote "Fortune was in the mood to be wooed"

Russian elements reached the edge of the millet field but were quickly engaged by the advance Japanese whose aggressive attack forced the Russians back to their start line.

Additional Russian forces are committed as the initial line of Russian defence is forced back by excess shock.

The Japanese press home their attack reaching the cross roads but are forced back by a number of volley's from the Russians at the railway embankment leaving behind several dead including Lt Tanja of the Satsuma Clan.

The Japanese mass for a second attempt at clearing the walled millet field.

The intensive firefight draws additional combatants into the engagement, the Japanese rushing down the main road, whilst the Russian 16th Regiment sweep round the compound engaging the Japanese left flank.

The 16th Siberian Infantry leave the safety of the railway embankment and move towards the Japanese advance guard.

A view from the Russian lines, the Russian detachments have taken a high number of casualties but continue to hold the railway line from a series of Japanese close combat attacks.

As the encounter draws to a close the Japanese are forced into defensive positions opposite the Russian defenders, repeated close combat assaults have weakened their number and whilst suffering little shock, lack the strength in numbers to carry the position.

The loss of a number of Bid men did not allow the Japanese forces to pool their infantry and piece meal attacks against the defended position proved to be ineffective.

The Russian non-combatants and garrison command slip away with the Japanese unable to follow up.