Soldats japonais chemulpo sept 1904 1107419

The Battle of Chemulpo Bay, also known as the Battle of Jemulpo or the Battle of Inchon, took place on February 9, 1904, during the Russo-Japanese War. It was a naval engagement between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the Imperial Russian Navy. At the time, Chemulpo Bay (now known as Incheon) was a strategic port in Korea. The Russian Pacific Fleet, commanded by Admiral Wilhelm Vitgeft, was stationed there to support Russian land forces in Korea. The Japanese saw this as an opportunity to engage the Russian fleet and gain control over the region. On the morning of February 8, 1904, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the Russian ships anchored in Chemulpo Bay. The Japanese fleet, under the command of Admiral Uryū Sotokichi, consisted of six cruisers and nine destroyers. The Russians had seven warships, including the flagship Varyag and the protected cruiser Korietz. The Japanese began bombarding the Russian ships with their superior firepower. In response, the Russians attempted to escape from the bay and engage the Japanese in open waters. However, their attempts were unsuccessful, and they suffered heavy damage from the Japanese gunfire. Realizing that further resistance was futile, Admiral Vitgeft ordered his ships to be scuttled to prevent them from falling into Japanese hands. The Varyag and Korietz were deliberately sunk, while other vessels were heavily damaged or captured by the Japanese. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for Japan. The Russian Pacific Fleet lost two major warships and suffered significant casualties. The Japanese, on the other hand, suffered minimal losses and gained control over Chemulpo Bay. The Battle of Chemulpo Bay was an important early engagement in the Russo-Japanese War. It demonstrated Japan's naval superiority and set the stage for future Japanese victories in the conflict. It also highlighted the vulnerability of the Russian Pacific Fleet, which struggled to defend itself effectively against the more modern and better equipped Japanese Navy.