OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY 1868–1945

This “outline” was written with a certain scope in mind and cannot, of course, replace a “history”, of which there are Japanese works with up to 12 and 14 volumes. Readers will therefore undoubtedly notice significant gaps and find descriptions, where too much previous knowledge may have been required, or which are too long or too short. I am solely responsible for these shortcomings and also for errors and misinterpretations for which I apologize and hope for understanding.

Because it can be assumed that the history of the IJN in the 20th Century is better known than its “prehistory” and its structure during the 19th Century, more space has been given to this period and field of subject. Training has also been emphasized since it formed the basis of the structure.