Historical Character

Prashanth Rasanayagam

Activity 2: The 1905 Revolution

Option A: Russo-Japanese War

June 1, 1905

I could remember it like it was yesterday, disgrace and dishonour still haunt me when I think of those days of tormented defeat. I cannot believe I escaped such a voyage with no harm. I was in Port Arthur with the Pacific Fleet of 27 ships which was commanded by Admiral Z.P. Rozhestvensky. The Russian government decided to link up the Pacific squadron with the Baltic Fleet upon which the combined fleets would overwhelm the Japanese navy. However this did not happen for when Rozhestvensky made for Vladivostok via the Tsushima Strait Admiral Togo Heihachiro's fleet lay in wait for him on the South Korean coast near Pusan. On May 27, as we approached, he attacked. In the course of the two-day battle, two-thirds of the Russian Fleet was sunk, six ships were captured. It was a dramatic and decisive defeat; after a voyage lasting seven months and when within a few hundred miles of its destination, our fleet was shattered, and, with it, Russia's hope of regaining mastery of the sea was crushed.

This is a preview of the whole essay

On the night when we were passing through the Tsushima Strait in the back of my mind I knew something was to expire. It was at Port Arthur where we experienced tremendous losses especially of the night of 8 February 1905.I remember it was a quiet and calm night and I had just strolled on to the deck to get some fresh air. The calm waves of the sea soothed me and the bright light of the moon gave me hope that the squadron and I would be fine. The moon lit our path forward and the gentle but soothing wind held us back. I was still in disbelief contemplating on the possible obstacles ahead. As I looked up to the moon I could not see it anymore as I turned around to return to the bunker there was a bright flash of light. Debris was flying everywhere, there was a sudden bang and the night sky was lit by this colossal and malicious explosion. It was then I realized it was one of our ships and as I turned around I could see the Japanese fleet under the Admiral Heihachiro Togo approaching. We were compromised, and as we struggled to get to the battle stations it imminent that our inevitable end was near. Explosions and gun fire went off as the soldiers tried desperately to hold off the Japanese. One by one our fleet was taken out as we were barraged with mortars, shells and gun fire.

Unfortunately, I believe that the naval Battle of Tsushima gave the Japanese the upper hand in the conflict. The Battle in the Tsushima Straits was an embarrassing and dreaded defeat not only for the navy but also for the Russian status. As for my status I think I would not be greatly affected because I don’t feel the need to conform to the certain classes in Russia. However, I feel as if I am a disappointment that the son of Nikolai Roman Raskolnikovas was unable to alter the circumstances. Even if I didn’t like the Tsar I represented the people and my valiant effort was nowhere close to what they expected. This defeat is a clear flaw in my life as a soldier and I will always look back and think what I could have done to change the outcome. I believe I lost reputation as a soldier and perhaps now the military would not trust me to get the job done. Perhaps I will be dismissed or executed for all I know. My actions were that of a coward and I shed no blood to defend Russia when 24 other ships perished, what does that say about me? Although I am not sure of my future I am aware that this defeat would indefinitely scar the Russian Government. To me this war seems pointless and simple yet our tactical and strategic plans were unsuccessful against Japan. We are now labelled as a weak and indecisive country and I believe that with the loss of the major ports in the Far East it would be idiotic to continue the war. Nevertheless, I am ready for the humiliation that awaits me and I hope, in the future, to make a difference in Russia.

Seaman Mikhail Vladimir Raskolnikovas