The Ryukyu Kingdom disagreement.

[snip]

When the neutrality declarations from Villinus, Rome issues a declaration of support of the measure. Rome further proposes that a joint pan-European commission be established to investigate and respond to any issues with neutral shipping.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Battle of Seowipo Phase I.

At 3:06 am, a sentry on a Yodo class cruiser, stationed off the Western tip of Cheju-Do, calls an alert. Nearly 6,000 meters away and already slightly behind the ship, distantly glowing in the breeze are cinders emitted from small stacks as dozens dark shapes zip past in the night, rounding the Western tip and accelerating for the landing fleet now at 24knots.  They are approaching from the Seogwipo and at that speed they will be to Seogwipo by 4:06am.  As the Yodos start to come about, the TBs and MTBs increase speed to 26knts, letting them fall behind.

The Japanese Admiral is not surprised by the radio message, it had always been expected the Chinese would try this. Radio messages crackled from the flagship specifying a formation and bearing. The 24 Kamikaze class torpedo boats depart first, fanning out in a line 7200m across, the Umikaze class destroyers follow, then the cruisers and finally the battleships.  Each line has to proceed slowly, allowing space to grow between them so that each is dimly visible to the next.   The onrushing Chinese will not expect to confront the Japanese so far from the Amphibious force and will have to penetrate each line only to stumble on the next wave.

At 3:18, a Sentry post on the SE shore of Cheju-Do sends up 2 signal rockets. The first means enemy attack, the second means torpedo craft.  The Admiral is informed of this and looks to his Tactics officer map. The Tactics officer estimates the first Chinese force to be 14nm west of the Amphibious force, with the fleet in lines from 1.5 to 5.5nm west of the transports. The Sentry station is 19nm East of the transports.

The Admiral considers the situation, and sends his orders. The Umikazes are to reverse course, as are the light scout cruisers. The battleships and the armored & battle cruiser forces will take responsibility for different approaches. The Admiral's formation is a new one, and takes some time to direct the squadrons.

At 3:24 the predawn twilight starts adding light to the scene. The Chinese torpedomen of the Weihei squadron feel at ease. The nightime dashes to Inchon and Mokpo had both gone well. The devilish Japanese patrols had been a problem, forcing extra hours to steam well clear of, but Cheju-do is so close the attack was still possible. The sentry line of Yodos had been known, but they had hoped in the sliver of moonlight to slip past backdropped by the island. Still, the did not expect to encounter Japanese forces for some time. They had moved from a compact column to their 'attack' formation, with the boats in little Vs, the MTBs dropped back, where the could see the formation lanterns of the larger TBs. By standard teaching they were 1nm away from the shore, far enough to avoid submerged rocks, but close enough to clearly keep course. Unfortunately for them, the Commander of the Kamikazes knew that standard too.

This sense of relaxation before the battle was shattered when 8 minutes later, at 3:32am, a line of Japanese torpedo boats came into view. The protocol was clear. The formation lanterns flickered to 'charge', and the TBs surged forward. This released the MTBs for their full throttle and they roared forward.  For the opposing Kamakazes, this was a gift, as it exposed their primary target sooner. Muzzle flashes could be seen on both formations. The two sides roared towards each other at 60knots, and the meters separating them quickly vanished, falling under 6000m.  Neither side had range finders, so the first firing was by simple guess, but the hail of shells from the quickfire guns meant some landed. The Chinese luck was slightly better, and Kamikazes shuddered as 75mm shells slammed into them and exploded.

The Kamikaze orders were to focus on the MTBs, and one met an untimely end in fireball. As the Chinese MTBs and Torpedo boats arrowed for the gaps in the Japanese line, the fire from both sides became deadly. A half dozen Kamikazes staggered under 75mm impacts, three taking two hits in rapid succession and being severely damaged. In return, the Japanese unleashed a typhoon of 75mm and 50mm fire. 10 of the 24 MTBs failed to reach the Japanese line, the 14 that did were ravaged by 50mm fire from the rotary hotchkiss guns as the Kamikazes veered to close the distance. The Chinese pilots remaining did not understand the Japanese actions, the thought the Kamikazes had been ordered to Ram did not occur to them. Their boats were dying beneath them, many loosing speed rapidly.  Despite the surprise, the Japanese tactic was difficult to succeed with, especially as many of the MTBs were starting to loose speed from the effects of repeated 50mm hits. Four Kamikazes simply missed their targets. Four more succeeded in spearing the 40ton MTBs, their bows groaning and tearing as the energy of 40tons moving at 34knots pulled them to one side. A remarkable (I gave a 4/8 chance to miss, 2/8 to ram, 2/8 to impact, online dice roller) 7 misjudged how fast the wounded MTBs were loosing speed, passing ahead and having 40tons slam into their hulls, rupturing the lightly built sides.

The 24 Kamikazes had succeeded in destroying all 24 of the MTBs, but all but 2 of the 18 the TBs darted through with only scattered 50mm holes. These last two had been hit by 75mm as well, and were in (slowly) sinking condition.

The Kamikazes had been seriously damaged in their own right. Three of them had been hit twice by 75mm and were severely damaged. Three more had been hit by a single 75mm, and virtually all had been hit by one or more 47mm shell. The four ships that had managed to Ram had severe bow damage, and plates sprung far back from the lateral forces. Flooding forward rendered them ineffective, and one which was also battling the effects of a 75mm hit found the combination fatal. The Kamikazes which had 40tons of steel slam into them at around 30-32knots, which is similar in kinetic energy to a 65kg shell at 800m/s, those had gaping holes in their sides. The fuel tanks on the MTBs had ruptured and the pairs were wreathed in fire.
Of the 24 Kamikazes, none were unhurt, 10 were able to proceed, 6 were severely damaged, and 8 were sinking.

[Jefgte]

When the neutrality declarations from Villinus, Rome issues a declaration of support of the measure. Rome further proposes that a joint pan-European commission be established to investigate and respond to any issues with neutral shipping.

Byzantium proposes that an international squadron be created to protect merchant ships and possibly colonial possessions of neutral countries in the south of this area.
Byzantium can send 4 cruisers of 5800t with a tanker.

[Darman]

To: China; Japan
CC: Other neutral powers
From: Empire of Iberia

The Iberian Empire notes with dismay the outbreak of hostilities between Japan and China in the China
Seas region.
The Iberian Empire does not take sides in this matter currently and is Neutral.
The Iberian Empire notes a Japanese Blockade has been declared against Chinese territory.
The Iberian Empire notes a distant Chinese Blockade has been declared against Japan.
Iberian merchant vessels are being advised to avoid violating the blockade, and Iberian commercial
concerns are being advised to limit deliveries destined for belligerents to Iberian ports only, any
belligerent wishing to pick up Iberian goods of any sort must pick it up themselves.
Belligerent warships are to be allowed the customary 24-hour grace period to refuel and revictual in
Iberian ports. An exemption may be allowed due to adverse weather conditions or severe damage that
may imperil the men onboard if forced out of the harbor.
Iberia retains the right to prohibit belligerent warships from using its territorial waters as a safe passage out to 12 nautical miles, an exception being the Strait of Gibraltar which is always open to international traffic.  Any actions to enforce this prohibition do not constitute an act of war against the infracting belligerent warship, simply the enforcement of the police powers of the Empire. 

For further questions please contact your local embassy. 

[snip]

Excerpt from The Londinium Times, July 20th Evening Issue.

It has become clear that the powers of East Asia, the Heavenly Kingdom of China and the Empire of Japan, can not be trusted to conduct themselves as civilized powers on the world stage. The outbreak of hostilities early this month over what amounts to a small, insignificant island has greatly harmed commerce around the world. While it is recognized fact that the Japanese ultimatum that started this war places the blame for the conflict and the harm it has caused squarely with them, China is not fully exempt. It is time for the civilized nations of Europe to come together and show the nations of East Asia how to conduct themselves on the world stage.

This is not a formal communication from the Imperial Roman government.

[Kaiser Kirk]

3:38am For the Weihei squadron, the 16 torpedo boats which had burst through the wall of flame and fury were stunned. Racing forward at flank speed they looked around to see their formation had shrunk from 42 to just 16 a stunning loss, but obviously they could not look turn back. These older boats lacked radios, so the commands would have to come by signal lamp.

3:38am For the Busan squadron, 17nm west of the Weihei squadron the appearance of Japanese destroyers looming in the twilight was an unwelcome sight, but after the signal rocket, not unexpected. Reduced to 5 TBs and 19 MTBs, the original plan was a nighttime run down the Chosen coast to meet the Weihei squadron in Mokpo, to bring the force to 66 craft, and overwhelm any defenses, but the Japanese Torpedo boats sweeping the coast had made that impossible.
So his depleted squadron now faced it's own number in larger destroyers.    The Saegowipo force was supposed to be still 7nm distant, but obviously was reacting. The Busan commander used the radio to announce 'Contact enemy destroyers, 7nm East, Squadron Attack Right Flank',   As the guide lanterns changed colors, the MTBs followed the lead and both sides started firing at the distant, but rapidly growing specs on the horizon.

3:40am The commander of the Weihei squadron was still looking at his formation in dismay in the predawn twilight when the forward gunner cried out the alert. Dimly in the morning light, four 4 cruisers became visible.  Like the Kamikaze before, they were spaced across in a wide screen, covering 12,000m.  The cruisers spotted the torpedo boats, and turned to bring their light guns to bear. The Takasago class had elderly 8" turrets, but they were slow to train, and the 5" and 3" breechloaders would have to be their main battery.

[Kaiser Kirk]

3:38am For the Weihei squadron, the 16 torpedo boats which had burst through the wall of flame and fury were stunned. Racing forward at flank speed they looked around to see their formation had shrunk from 42 to just 16 a stunning loss, but obviously they could not look turn back. These older boats lacked radios, so the commands would have to come by signal lamp.

3:38am For the Busan squadron, 17nm west of the Weihei squadron the appearance of Japanese destroyers looming in the twilight was an unwelcome sight, but after the signal rocket, not unexpected. Reduced to 5 TBs and 19 MTBs, the original plan was a nighttime run down the Chosen coast to meet the Weihei squadron in Mokpo, to bring the force to 66 craft, and overwhelm any defenses, but the Japanese Torpedo boats sweeping the coast had made that impossible.
So his depleted squadron now faced it's own number in larger destroyers.    The Saegowipo force was supposed to be still 7nm distant, but obviously was reacting. The Busan commander used the radio to announce 'Contact enemy destroyers, 7nm East, Squadron Attack Right Flank',   As the guide lanterns changed colors, the MTBs followed the lead and both sides started firing at the distant, but rapidly growing specs on the horizon.

3:40am The commander of the Weihei squadron was still looking at his formation in dismay in the predawn twilight when the forward gunner cried out the alert. Dimly in the morning light, four 4 cruisers became visible.  Like the Kamikaze before, they were spaced across in a wide screen, covering 12,000m.  The cruisers spotted the torpedo boats, and turned to bring their light guns to bear. The Takasago class had elderly 8" turrets, but they were slow to train, and the 5" and 3" breechloaders would have to be their main battery.

The Weihei squadron had taken severe losses, and they burned with desire to avenge their fallen comrades, firing vainly at the hulking Takasago class cruisers.  The single 75mm gun and flanking 47mms were no threat to the 4000ton protected cruisers, but made the crews feel better. The reality was that as the Takasago turned seaward they effectively cut their forward progress, doubling the engagement time. Then like the Eye of Sauron, blazing light appeared high in the superstructures, single beams stabbing out and transfixing a target on which the cruiser focused it's fury. This has a side effect of concentrating each cruiser's fire on just one target at a time, resulting in several targets being destroyed with multiple hits, when just one is truly needed. Still, the hail of fire has claimed 5 of the 16 as they penetrate the line. 

3:45am, the Chinese spotters on Cheju-do start broadcasting in the clear. "We are under heavy assault, may not hold long, this may be last report. ....and then they detail the location of the Japanese forces at the foot of the island.

3:48am The Weihei squadron, sprinting past the cruisers, finds itself already in range of the battleships, a grand line of eight echeloned back, who immediately bring them under fire. The torpedo boats recognize the nearest vessels are already in torpedo range, and they start The TBs make a sweeping turn, unload their tubes and exit at full speed at 225degrees. But not without loss. Of the 11 left, fire from the cruisers and battleships claim 4, only 7 launch at the nearest battleships, of those 7, none would survive the next couple minutes as the rangefinders, coupled with the TBs turning broadside to launch, seal their fate. The Weihei squadron is defeated. But 14 torpedoes splash into the water at 2000-3000m from the echeloned line. The run for the torpedoes is a little over 2 minutes, the battleships see the launch and turn and accelerate to avoid the torpedoes. At such at short range, they can not fully dodge them.


To the East, the Busan Squadron has faced a similar Gauntlet.
For the Busan Squadron, the losses taken earlier to the lead TBs proved helpful in this case. Normally a lead TB was paired with 2 MBTs in a "V" or 3 MTBs in a "Diamond", the larger TB serving as navigation and signaling lead. The loss of 3 TBs on the 3rd meant 5 TBs were leading 19 MTBs in a less popular "Arrow" formation, "->" with the extra MTBs as the shaft of the arrow.  This more compact formation proved beneficial as the long line of Umikaze destroyers stretched out seaward, and the entire Busan formation overlapped only the inshore boats.  The furthest seaward Umikazes only knew by radio of the contact. Both commanders broadcast in the clear the presence of the enemy boats, issuing their orders. At contact,  the Umikazes turned their bows South (seaward) to bring 4x3" to bear, and to delay time to contact and allow more engagement time.  The Busan Squadron commander saw the slew of the ships, and while it made sense for them (at 30knts the 1nm to the island would disappear fast if they turned North) the maneuver gave his force hope as he directed his boats towards the Island flank.  The two sides exchanged a flurry of fire as the distant lines closed, and then the TBs flew through the end and behind the Japanese line, breaking through to the far side to see a small cruiser in their path, one of a line.

The fleeting engagement cost the Busan squadron 6 of their MTBs, one approaching, three lost as they passed through, and then two more lost as they hurtled away from the line, before twilight and burning fuel oil obscured the targets. The Umikazes had not been ordered to ram, but like the Kamikazes, the Umikazes would continue to fire as the Squadron roared away, but they would not turn in pursuit. The Japanese worried that small ships looming out of the twilight right behind enemy TBs would lead to friendly fire issues. They did turn and start heading towards the landing zone, radioing in a report. Their damage was light, with a single 75mm hit, and a dozen 47-57mm hits on just 6 destroyers.

The line of Chihaya class gunboats proved less damaging, and the dash around the Umikaze meant they were inshore of the Chihayas as well, running around the flank, an TB takes a 3" hit for little damage and a MTB disintegrates under a 5" round. The 5 TBs and 12 MTBs sprint past.

This is where the split attacks does work in the Chinese favor. The Line of armored cruisers and battlecruisers- like the battles echeloned forward with the most valuable ships inshore to the rear, is only now returned from the west, and has only reached 1000m past the the amphibious fleet. With the firing from the Chihaya line, not that far further east, the heavy ships are already arrayed to bring the torpedo boats under fire. The the torpedo boats  are under 4,000m to the furthest ships, well within the envelope for the torpedoes. The Busan commander calls in the clear "Japanese Transports and armored cruisers at Saegowipo, launch at armored cruisers, pass through transports. Exit 225."
Six torpedo boats die in the next couple of minutes as the cruisers take them under fire, searchlights stabbing out and a hail of shells following. Three do not survive to launch, the larger torpedo boats are easiest to see and 3 of those and 5 MTBs are destroyed.  28 torpedoes slide into the water while the boats are taken under furious fire , but and then the last 2 TBs and 8 MTBs are racing through the amphibious force, exiting between the various Japanese groups.

It is 3:54am.
As the few remaining members of the Busan Squadron dash to the Southwest for home, the Japanese fleet deals with the results of the short range torpedo launches.

The Battleship Asahi, and the large cruisers Ikoma and Nisshin were struck glancing blows that did not acuate the torpedoes, or they were duds. The battleships Hatsuse and Katori both took hits amidships. One has severe flooding in the boiler rooms, the other has suffered engine damage and estimates 3 hours for repairs. Both can barely make 13 knots.

The large cruiser Karuma is blazing, the coal dust in a bunker having ignited from the flash. The severe fire is being fought. The Kasuga narrowly escaped a similar disaster, as the blast lit charges staged outside the aft magazine, only prompt action by a now dead gunnery mate saw the magazines flooded in time. The Yakumo had tried to turn away from the torpedoes, and suffered a hit in the shaft area, distorting it and causing flooding in the stern, she is limited to 14knots.

At 4:00am, the Japanese flag is raised on top of Mount Hallasan, at the site of the former Chinese lookout.

4:06
A naval lieutenant charged to set up a Japanese station has followed the front lines. He surveys what is there. The code books are gone, the radio blown up, the lines to sentry posts cut. Prepared for that, his seamen have been laying wire up the mountain from the last forward operating post. Along the way they rigged dry-cell batteries in bakelite containers to power it. All they have to do is wire the apparatus in, a matter of minutes.

The large circular table is there.  Marked on the far side of it are the directions of various land forms, there are some simple range finding tools, and a mounting, presumed for a large telescope. The sky has lightened enough he can see the Northern Tip clearly, and working his way down the coast he can see the destroyer formation, then the small cruisers of the Chihaya class. Finally he can see the amphibious fleet, 8 nm away from the peak. The burning Karuma is visible. The Japanese forces to the West are likewise visible.

4:10
The lieutenant peers curiously at the formation in the distance, an odd box like formation heading from Japan. Reinforcement? But of what vessels? Wondering what they are, then looks to the table, from the bearings, those aren't quite from Sasebo, but from a bit south, more Fukejima... he puts his telescope to his eye...those are Chinese destroyers. He yells at his men to set up the telephone to the beach, and the radio station.

4:12  The Admiral of the Japanese fleet is informed that Hallasan Spot reports there is a large formation of Chinese destroyers, approaching the landing force from the SE, and should be visible shortly.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Battle of Seagowipo Phase II

The warning message goes on, detailing the direction, estimating the distance offshore and describes the formation as a 'box with the ocean side open' bearing down on the landing site, they would be in visible range shortly. The Admiral looked to his plot, where a colored pin now indicated the enemy foce. The Umikazes had followed instructions and returned to the the amphibious force, they were 1000 meters east of the fleet, and were ordered into action.

The Umikazes still had their steam up, but had assumed a patrol line. As there was no time for code, they could hear the communications relayed from the spotter and their commander had already started them on what he hoped was an intercept course.  The next several minutes would prove him right, as almost immediately first masts and then hulls loomed out of the sea mist in the predawn light.

This does give time for the large cruiser line to shake itself back into battle order.
When the guns start firing again, from the reference point of the Amphibious force
1st Destroyer (Umikaze) : 2600m East
Chihaya Gunboats : 2200m East, inshore
Large Cruiser force : 500m West, seaward of Amphibious force.
Battleship line : 4300m West
3rd Cruiser Division : 5100m West
returning Kamikazes : 12400m West

Visibility was up to nearly 9000m, and he ordered his destroyers to turn into the path of the foe, forcing them to run the gauntlet to the fleet, and cutting the rate of closure.  When the guns started firing, they were only 3000m East, and a bit south, of the fleet.
As the Umikazes become clear the Chinese destroyers start firing, counting down the line to find their opposite number, only at the end of the 'box', where the destroyers are arrayed in line ahead instead of line abreast, is there no overlap.

The scale of the Chinese attack is now clear to the Japanese as the front rank of the 'box' is 24 destroyers abreast, the 24th being the lead of the 15 larger destroyers in line ahead, followed by a further, smaller, 16 in line abreast. A total of 55 Chinese destroyers.

The Umikazes fire back in the direction of the muzzle flashes. As the range drops from 9000m to 5600m, the Chinese score first, destroying the forward magazine and flooding the bow of #1. one of the the last Umikazes shortly thereafter hits the amidships 90mm on an Iron Pyrite, but as the Chinese find the range, there are several more hits.

The Umikazes continue to steam  WSW to shield the ships behind them, but they can not go to flank speed or they will uncover them. The Chihayas several thousand meters behind. The large cruisers slide west, the battleline is trying to reverse course to get into position, while the protected cruisers and the Kamikazes increase speed and head for the battle.

By time the range has dropped past 4000m, over half the Umikazes have been hit at least once with little to show for it. . The Umikazes begin a turn South as the Chinese line starts to slide behind them, falling into 3 columns of line ahead, hammering the Umikazes from a little over 3000m. The Chihayas start firing at the nearest Pyrite to no avail.  Inshore, the Large cruisers start  fire at the leading destroyers, partially screened by the Chihayas, one of the many shells obliterates the lead destroyer.

The Chinese had one destroyer which could not make that turn, it's steering blown away. The remaining Umikazes focused on that unfortunate, turning it into a wreck. The Umikazes had devastated by nearly 10 minutes of firing, only DD-16 was undamaged, 12 were in the process of sinking, 5 were severely damaged, and 6 moderately damaged.

The Chinese continue their turn Northerly, widening the distance to the Umikazes and running close to the Chihayas which proves fatal for a pair of the closest. The Chihayas are hit 3-4 times each in return, and at 1000 tons this is not serious, it is distracting.  The Chinese roar onwards, the Pyrites in the lead , edging in front of the cruiser line, while the other lines charge forward. Three Pyrites and 5 others do not survive to launch at 3200m. 13 Pyrites and 16 of the 500tonners others do. As the Pyrites are passing ahead, out of the arc of most guns, and all the 500tonners targeted were destroyed by 6 & 5" fire, new 500tonners are targeted.  They make easier targets as after launching their 'cheek' torpedoes, they present their broadside to launch their side torpedoes. Of the 10 chosen as target, only 6 survive to launch, and only 1 completes the turn away.

The 13 Pyrites launched 26 torpedoes, the 500tonners launched a salvo of 32, and then 12 more. The last 16 destroyers simply do not launch. The cruisers make hard turns seaward, the ships listing as they desperately tried to comb the wake. The Chinese pattern was not a perfect cross hatch, but the best solution was still not very good. The cruisers tried to engage while they could but the TBs streak away WSE. 

The 10 cruisers are targeted by 70 torpedoes, they are not evenly distributed, with the unfortunate Kasuga in the middle of the line being the target of 13. Already damaged from an earlier hit, she can not dodge as well, but only 4 hit. Adjacent to her, the Yakumo adds 3 more hits to the one previously taken. Taking torpedoes from both directions, they do not capsize, but do start to sink rapidly. This is still catastrophic, as is what happens to rest of the cruiser formation.

The Iwate is unscathed, fortune smiled and not one torpedo was aimed for her. The Azuma took a torpedo hit foreward of the main bulkhead, and the bow is awash, but the ship is salvageable. The Nisshin took a hit amidships, but they believe they can save her.  Other ships took both hits amidships and at the bow or stern, and are sinking. The Ikoma and Tsukuba may be able to beach on Cheju-do, the others seven have sounded the abandon ship klaxons.

The remaining 45 Chinese Destroyers continue away from the Japanese, leaving the transport force unscathed. Their course is originally simply directly away, but they can be seen to arc back towards where they came from as they transmit coded messages.

It is 4:30am. Dawn is in 20 minutes.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Battle of Seagowipo Phase III

5:16am

The report from Mount Hallasan is unwelcome.  The retreating destroyers appear to have rejoined their fleet, centered on at least 18 vessels, estimated distance, 30nm.

[Kaiser Kirk]

At 5:30am, 

As the fleets are closing, the two wounded Japanese battleships limiting their line to a mere 13knots, while the Chinese Combined fleet bears down, 18 large ships with 45 destroyers remaining.
The two large cruisers of the Ikoma class, both sinking from progressive flooding, have steamed at best speed to ground themselves in the small riverine estuary at Saegowipo. The sandy hook outside the river entrance at least gives some protection from the wave action.

The radio broadcast of an immediate ceasefire and end to hostilities is met with shock in both fleet. .
The coded messages are broadcast from both sides, and continue on to announce that at 5am that morning, the signatures were placed on the treaty. :

The principle points are :

1. An immediate cessation of hostilities, end to blockades, and declaration of peace.

2. China pledges not to station additional troops, fortify or base naval vessels in the Ryukyus for a period of 5 years. After which for a further 5 years a cap of 10,000tons of naval vessels and light fortifications is agreed to.  In return, Japan will recognize the Chinese possessions.

3. All captured ships and troops shall be as rapidly as possibly repatriated to their homelands.  Access, and permission for requisite work to reclaim those troops, ships, or other equipment now stranded in opposing territory shall be granted for up to six months.

4. The Chinese government shall pay an indemnity of $3 for the damages to the Japanese colony of Davao.