The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 and the Evolution of Operational Art

Abstract

Abstract : The Russo-Japanese War provides a unique opportunity to examine the early roots of operational art, which allowed the Japanese military to overcome a stronger adversary. Although Russia had superiority in land and naval forces, the Japanese were able to use fundamental operational design processes to achieve victories. This monograph takes a qualitative research approach through the study of two cases that focus on the Battle of Port Arthur and the sea battle at Tsushima. These major battles of the war provide insight to the Russian and Japanese approaches in modern warfare and their leverage of operational art. As result of the case analysis, it was discovered that modern warfare during the Russo-Japanese evolved from the ideas of operational scale and reach. The ability of the general staff to link these elements through a series of tactical actions enabled Japan to achieve its strategic aim. Operational art demonstrated the importance of bridging the continuum of tactics to strategy in modern warfare. The Russo-Japanese War illustrated the evolution of operational art in terms of time and space, the elements of scale including mass of armies, the impact of revolution in military affairs, and the importance of campaign objectives in war. The Japanese developed clear strategic goals and understood the operational environment (OE). Japan's limited strategic aim utilized through an operational design achieved a position of relative advantage over their adversary. Japan's victory would stun world observers and allowed Japan to negotiate a favorable peace with Russia.