Sub-Arctic operations in the Russo-Japanese War, 1904–1905

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis note concerns the little known sub-Arctic operations in the Russo-Japanese war, 1904–1905. Apart from a slightly farcical ‘invasion’ of the Kamchatka peninsula by a group of Japanese fishermen, and a naval engagement off the coast of southern Sakhalin, the main operations related to the efficiently conducted Japanese invasion of the sub–Arctic island of Sakhalin itself. This was the only occupation of Russian territory during the war and was intended to strengthen the Japanese position in the peace negotiations, held at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, that brought the war to a close.