February 8–9, 1904 · Liaodong Peninsula Theater
February 8–9, 1904
Without a formal declaration of war, Admiral Tōgō launched a torpedo boat destroyer attack on the Russian Pacific Squadron anchored at Port Arthur on the night of February 8–9, 1904. The surprise assault damaged several Russian battleships and immediately established Japanese naval superiority in the theater. The attack shocked the world and set the tone for a war fought with modern industrial weapons and ruthless strategic initiative.
Commanders