lass destroyers capable of
thirty-five knots an hour; two second-class destroyers with a speed of
thirty-three knots; and forty-six other destroyers of varying speeds;
thirty-one torpedo boats and thirteen submarines, besides auxiliary
craft, hospital ships, dispatch boats, etc.

Although the Japanese air fleet gave a good account of itself during
the operations before Tsing-tau it developed no surprises, and
accomplished no exploits to confirm rumors prevailing before the war
that in Japan naval aviation had reached a special and advanced stage.
The Japanese Flying Corps conducted itself upon lines made familiar by
the British, German and French aviators in Europe.

CHAPTER IX

BEGINNING OF HOSTILITIES--ATTACKS ON TSING-TAU FORTS

Having reviewed the military and naval situation in the Far East at
the outbreak of war, we come now to the beginning of actual
belligerent operations.

Japan's declaration of war against Germany was dated August 23, 1914.
The morning of the preceding day witnessed the departure from Japanese
war ports of the greatest fleet of warships and transports the Empire
had sent to sea since the Russian War. It comprised the Second
Squadron, embracing battleships, cruisers, destroyers and
hydro-aeroplanes, a dozen in all. The transports carried land forces
numbering 22,980 officers and men and 142 guns to be put ashore as
soon as the landing forces had ground for their advantageous location.

The Japanese troops included the Eighteenth Division, under Lieutenant
General Mitsuomi Kamio, who was Commander in Chief of the expedition;
the Twenty-third Brigade of Infantry (Major General B. Horiuchi); the
Twenty-fourth Brigade of Infantry, commanded by Major General Hanzo
Yamanashi, Chief of Staff, and other divisional troops. The
Twenty-ninth Brigade of Infantry (Major General G. Joholi). Siege
Artillery Corps (Major General Y. Watanebe), the Miyama Heavy
Artillery Regiment, the Yokosuka Heavy Artillery Regiment, the
Shimonosoki Heavy Artillery Battalion, and the Tadanoumi Heavy
Artillery Battalion. Detachments of Engineers and Army Service Corps
from the Sixth and Twelfth Divisions. Two Railway Battalions. Railway
Guard Troops, the Eighth Infantry Regiment. Detachment of the Flying
Corps. Marine Artillery Detachment. Being intended for siege work this
army carried no cavalry, horse artillery or light field artillery.

In command of the fleet was Vice Admiral Hikonojo Kamimura, whose
reput