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Additional Images.

1-2. A conversion of an ACW general officer and horse to create a Japanese officer by Kevin Longley. It shows very well what can be done with a little imagination. Very nice indeed.

ON THE JAPANESE CAVALRY IN 1904

‘On the Japanese side they acted defensively, and did not go far ahead of the infantry, as the Japanese were reluctant to risk them against the superior numbers possessed by the Russians. Also they were at a disadvantage with the Russians, as they had no horse artillery, and they were badly mounted. Had the Japanese had larger numbers of cavalry they might, during this period of the campaign, have been able to turn some of their successes into complete victories.

On both sides the cavalry acted dismounted for the most part. However, the Japanese cavalry covered their front and prevented their opponents from seeing the movements up to the battlefields, but except at the Battle of Telissu, the action of cavalry was not an important factor in the fighting on either side. On this occasion the Japanese infantry, who had made a frontal attack, could make no impression on the Russian position until two Japanese squadrons turned the enemy’s left flank, and by means of rifle fire, compelled the Russians to retire. This action uncovered the rest of the force, which fell back through the defile in rear, suffering heavy loss.

From this date to the end of the campaign the actual influence of cavalry on the general actions was unimportant, although west of the railway the open plains were clear of crops and were admirably suited to the action of the arm.

The Japanese, being inferior in numbers, were forced to act on the defensive. On the other side, so great was the lack of enterprise of the Russian cavalry that they never made an offensive movement of any importance.  Thus, during the hard fighting south of Liao-yang, when practically the whole of the Japanese reserves were absorbed in the fight, there was abundant scope for an enterprising Russian cavalry commander. Nothing was done, and a large force of hostile cavalry was contained by one weak brigade of Japanese cavalry, who lost two men wounded.’

Source. ‘A Study of Strategy and Tactics of The Russo-Japanese War, 1904’ Lt Col Kearsey DSO OBE psc, The Naval & Military Press, 2019.