Russia arrived with more battleships and formidable paper strength, while Japan's fleet included many smaller cruisers, destroyers, and torpedo boats spread across a wider operational area. Tōgō refused pressure to meet the Russians prematurely and chose a battle area where Japanese supply, support, intelligence, and concentration were strongest. The setup anticipates later kantai kessen thinking: defeat a major part of the enemy close to Japan under favorable logistical conditions. At Tsushima, prepared gunnery and the crossing of the Russian line produced a crushing defeat in detail.
Chapter · 1:21:44-1:27:34
Choosing the ground for decisive battle at Tsushima
Tōgō waited near Japan, where intelligence and logistics could concentrate effective strength against Russia's heavier battleships.