[Oztrich Boy]

If I am not mistaken, the Emperial Japanese Navy had existed since the 1600’s. They were an established naval power in the East and even defeated the Russian Navy in 1904 or 1905.

You are mistaken, under the Shogunate, Japan was a mediæval society, existence of any vessel over 75' was banned. It was only after Cdr Perry arrived that the nore powerful feudal lords (a group that definitely did not include the Emperor) began to acquire smaller warships.

The IJN did not exist until after the Meji Restoration in 1868. Its first major ship was the French built Adzuma - built as CSS Sphinx for the Conferderate States of America, Union pressure France caused the contract to be cancelled and it was the sold as Stærkoder to Denmark (then at war with Prussia). It arrived after the war was over, the Danes refused delivery. it was sold to abother owner and sailed as MV Olinde, while at sea it became CSS Stonewall, and broke though a Union blockade off Ferrol, Spain. It arrived in Havana after the Civil War ended and was turned over to the United States Government.

In 1867, they sold it to the Japanese Shogun. By the time it arrived in Japan. the war between the Shogun and the Emperor was brewing, and both sides claimed it. When the Shogun retired to his stronghold, the Emperor took possesion of it as IJN Kotetsu in 1869.

Only 35 years later, the IJN decisively defeated the third largest navy in the world.

[Ernie Kaputnik]

Thanks for the information, but as you pointed out in your post, the IJN defeated the world’s third largest navy in 1904.

So while I was misinformed about the IJN’s history, I was still correct in that the IJN had already established itself as a naval power long before WWII, during the Russo-Japanese war (1904-1905), correct?