Continuation of the struggle for Namako Yama, and abandonment
of the hill, September 20—The first attacks on 203 Metre Hill,
September 19–22.
On the morning of September 20 the cannonade commenced very early,
reaching its zenith at about midday. Our men kept low in their trenches
during this veritable hell of fire, which continued for about two
hours. “Will they hold on, or not?” I thought to myself, looking
towards the right flank of Namako Yama, which was being subjected
to the full fury of the bombardment. Our gunners failed to locate
the enemy’s batteries, and thus remained impotent witnesses of the
slaughter of our companies.
Just then I saw the top of the right flank of Namako Yama covered
with grey smoke and the men there rushing headlong down the hill. The
Japanese were using hand grenades charged with pyroxylin and Melinite,
this being the first instance of their use. I immediately sent a report
of what was happening. After the men on the right flank (they were the
7th Company of the 28th Regiment) had run, the others from the battery
and the enemy appeared simultaneously on the crest. A few minutes
later, from the left of the battery behind the crest of the hill,
appeared a group of our men, who opened fire on the Japanese and drove
them off the top.
Unfortunately, our men did not remain where they were, but also ran
back down the hill. Colonel Irman came up just in time to witness the
complete evacuation of the position. It all happened in a very few
minutes. We immediately sent all the officers and orderlies near us
with orders to the retreating companies to stop on Akasaka Yama and
occupy the trenches there, and I also moved the whole of my reserve
there.
Our artillery was evidently watching the course of the fight on Namako
Yama, for, as soon as we had evacuated it, our shells fell like hail on
the summit, and the Japanese disappeared like smoke before the wind.
This enabled us to occupy Akasaka Yama at our ease, and in the night we
fortified ourselves strongly.
I think it would be interesting to describe the action of our 9th
Company during the last minutes of the defence of Namako Yama.
When Captain Sirotko arrived, he found the company in a critical
position. Acting Ensign Anikin of the 27th Regiment was in command.
The trenches were in ruins and enfiladed from two sides by rifle fire,
and from 174 Metre Hill by gun fire as well. Piles of dead bodies were
heaped up all round, blocking the trenches at various points.
The right flank of the company’s trench was connected with that of
the 7th Company of the 28th Regiment, of which the enemy now held
possession,[80] and from which was enfiladed the trench of the 9th
Company. Lower down, behind the rocks in front of the trench, was
another small party of Japanese.
Wishing to find out in what strength the enemy held the 7th Company’s
trench, Captain Sirotko called for volunteers to attack them. Twelve
men came forward and made a rush, but they were met by a volley from
about 100 Japanese, losing five men, whereupon they retired. Having
reported this to Major Moskvin, Captain Sirotko received an order that
the 7th Company of the 28th Regiment and one company of Marines were to
attack and drive the enemy out of the trench.
About 8 a.m. three Japanese batteries of heavy guns, posted in a
valley behind 174 Metre Hill, four quick-firing guns from 174 Metre
Hill itself, and five or seven heavy guns that came into action on
Connecting Ridge, near the Chinese temple, all of them concealed from
our batteries, opened fire with high-explosive shell and shrapnel.
By about 2 p.m. only 48 men were left out of the original 155 in the
9th Company; many of them were wounded, and nearly all more or less
injured by stones and clods of earth. The trench was quite full of the
bodies of the fallen.
Captain Sirotko asked that an emplacement to his left might be
occupied, so Major Moskvin sent 50 men of the Reserve Battalion for
that purpose. These, however, occupied a communication trench near
that of the 9th Company instead of the position assigned to them,
and subsequently ran off precipitately the moment a few shells fell
near them. Just then the gun fire slackened, but firing continued on
the right flank, and strong columns were seen advancing from Extinct
Volcano, one of which began to turn No. 9 Company’s right flank.
Captain Sirotko could not see a single man in the upper tier of
trenches above him—they had all retreated. Then he ordered the remnants
of the company, and also Melinkov with his 30 Marines, to abandon
the trenches. At this time there was not a single non-commissioned
officer on Namako Yama, except those left in the splinter-proofs. In
the trenches of the 12th Company of the 13th Regiment there remained
only a sentry and one non-commissioned officer, who had been forgotten
by their company and did not know that their comrades had retreated.
Akasaka Yama was alive with retreating men. Captain Sirotko, with the
remainder of his company, opened fire on the Japanese who showed on the
crest of the hill, compelling them to take cover, and thus giving all
those left alive time to retreat quietly on to Akasaka Yama.
THE FIRST ATTACK ON 203 METRE HILL
The Japanese commenced their bombardment of 203 Metre Hill and Namako
Yama simultaneously. I thought that they were going to attack Namako
Yama first, but was mistaken. I must mention in this connection that
the fortifications on 203 Metre Hill were now so strong as to be
practically impervious to 6-inch shells, and a heavy bombardment with
projectiles of that type would make but slow progress. From this it was
inferred that an assault on 203 Metre Hill would have to be somewhat
later than the one on Namako Yama, which was defended by but weak
entrenchments. It would not be worth while, we thought, for the enemy
to indulge merely in “sweeping” fire.[81]
[Illustration: PLATE I
SECTION OF TRENCH
SECTION OF TRENCH ON A STEEP SLOPE]
About 3 p.m. on September 5 a Japanese battery had opened fire on 203
Metre Hill, and on the 6th it was observed that the enemy had during
the preceding night placed two guns in a covered position behind 174
Metre Hill, with which he began to sweep the rifle pits on 203 Metre
Hill (see Plate I.). From the 7th onwards it was noticed that the enemy
was massing troops behind Siedlovy (Saddle)[82] and 174 Metre Hills,
until he had there, by September 14, about one brigade of infantry,
with a squadron of cavalry; and from this date the enemy began to
fortify himself strongly on Connecting Ridge and its offshoots.
At daybreak on September 19 two companies attacked[83] our outposts on
the spurs of 203 Metre Hill, captured their positions, and began to dig
themselves in. Our artillery and rifle fire several times put a stop
to their work, compelling them to take cover, but they nevertheless
finally made good their hold on the trenches and began to pour in a hot
rifle and gun fire on 203 Metre Hill.
From all this it could reasonably be concluded that they had decided
to make an attack. When, therefore, Major Stempnevski (sen.), the
commandant of the hill, asked for reinforcements, I sent him the 1st
Company of the 28th Regiment, under Second-Lieutenant Protasevitch,
who reached the hill at 6 p.m., the 11th Company of the 27th Regiment,
under Captain Churbanov, and the 7th Company of the 27th Regiment,
under Major Jeltkevitch, both of whom arrived at 8 p.m. Altogether
there were on the hill on September 19, 480 bayonets, 50 gunners, 2
miners, 6 telephonists, and 6 Marines.[84]
Of guns, there were the following: two 6-inch, two heavy battery, and
two quick-firing guns on the col between 203 Metre Hill and Akasaka
Yama, also two 37-mm. guns, four machine guns, and one mortar for
throwing pyroxylin bombs.
About 5 p.m. on the 19th the mortar was dismounted by a shell, and one
6-inch, one heavy, and two machine guns were disabled.
On the arrival of the companies the commandant disposed them as
follows: the 1st Company of the 28th Regiment, and half the 11th
Company of the 27th Regiment in the trenches on the right flank, the
remainder in the reserve.
At 8.30 p.m., as the enemy was seen advancing on the left flank, the
commandant sent half the 11th Company, 27th Regiment to occupy the
stone-hewn trenches on the very top of the hill, so that it could pick
off the Japanese as they climbed up on to the roofs of the bomb-proofs
along the main trenches.
At that time there were no redoubts on the top of 203 Metre Hill.
The 7th Company, 27th Regiment was placed in reserve behind the 11th
half-company.
The enemy did not for a second cease his rifle and machine-gun fire
from Saddle Hill. He commenced his attacks at 10 p.m., advancing always
in dense columns. Though our riflemen and gunners from the neighbouring
batteries and trenches caused fearful havoc among the attackers, the
Japanese nevertheless reached the wire entanglement and cut it in two
places; however, they could not get any farther, as our volleys swept
them away by the hundred. Our 8th Company, which was occupying False
Hill, and was thus acting on the enemy’s flank, rendered great service
in destroying the enemy. A few Japanese, however, succeeded in reaching
our trenches, but, when there, were killed by hand grenades. Throughout
the night the enemy’s infantry continued their attack, supported by
fire from every kind of gun, but at about 9 a.m. they retired into
the ravines and valleys behind Connecting Ridge. In these attacks the
Japanese lost more than 1,500 men in killed alone.
At 7 a.m. on the 20th the enemy’s artillery swept the hill with fire,
but about 10 a.m. changed its objective to Namako Yama, which was
finally captured at 2 p.m., as already described. At 4 p.m. fire was
again directed on 203 Metre Hill, and the enemy’s infantry began to
concentrate behind Connecting Ridge.
The troops in question were collected in order to relieve those that
had attacked the hill on the 7th. That night they made several attacks,
one after the other, but each time were beaten back with heavy losses.
We were greatly indebted to our star-rockets for the repulse of all
these night attacks. However, a section of Japanese fought its way into
our trenches, and occupied one large bomb-proof and one small one where
we had a Maxim.[85]
The news of this reached me at daybreak on the 21st, on Akasaka Yama,
where work was proceeding on the trenches, and whence I watched the
fighting[86] on 203 Metre Hill. This intelligence was so alarming that
I returned to the staff headquarters, where I found Colonel Irman, who,
at Major Stempnevski’s request, sent up one company from the reserve
(our 6th Company).
Reinforced by this company, the garrison of the hill made a
counter-attack and retook a large portion of the half-ruined trench
previously seized by the Japanese. A small body of the latter, however,
still held the two bomb-proofs, and could not be turned out, and thus
the part of the trench between these two bomb-proofs also remained in
their hands. Unfortunately, this was the identical piece of trench in
front of which was “dead ground” to all our batteries. The enemy could
consequently pass freely and in safety to and from their comrades
lodged in our trench. This was no novel experience for us, but I well
knew the danger of it.
In order to prevent the Japanese from spreading along the trench, our
6th Company was ordered to occupy both ends of it. Our assailants tried
several times to climb right up to the top of the hill, but were driven
back on each occasion. Finally, the commandant sent a portion of the
6th Company there, and the gallant fellows, standing out in the open
all day under shrapnel fire, prevented the enemy from reaching the
summit of the hill. All this was plainly visible to the staff, who were
tremendously impressed by our men’s splendid behaviour.
That evening, at my orders, the top of the hill was surrounded with
a ring of small trenches, and during the night these trenches were
connected up with the batteries on the right flank of the hill, which
measure rendered our position fairly safe.
Several desperate attacks were successfully repulsed, in spite of
the fact that the first of them was made before the completion of
the trenches, when our men had to stand up in them without any cover
under a perfect storm of shells. They _had_ to stand up, as they could
not fire down the steep slope of the hill in a sitting position. The
situation was critical. We were losing men so fast under the terrific
fire that the companies were literally melting away minute by minute.
An endless stream of wounded continued to be carried away from the
hill all through the night. In view of this, Colonel Irman sent for
reinforcements from the general reserve, all our local reserves having
been used up.
Danger threatened 203 Metre Hill’s other neighbours, especially the
left flank of Akasaka Yama, where there was some dead ground right up
under the trenches.
My own personal observations from early morning on September 20, from
Akasaka Yama, were as follows: everything was quiet on the rear side
of 203 Metre Hill, in spite of the shells bursting over it, as if
the garrison were in no danger whatever. The companies were standing
quietly in the trenches, visible to us. The trenches themselves were,
apparently, very little damaged. Thank God! only a few shells had
pierced the roofs of the bomb-proofs. Only one bomb-proof on the right
flank of the hill, facing 174 Metre Hill, was seriously damaged.
There was not a single Japanese to be seen anywhere. They are indeed
a wonderful people! But the rattle of musketry did not cease for a
second. The enemy was firing from the trenches surrounding the hill,
chiefly from Saddle Hill. The dull reports of bursting shell did little
more than deafen the men in the bomb-proofs. A veritable blizzard of
lead swept the rear of the hill and the road leading along the top, and
huddled up beneath the steep embankment of the latter sat some of the
reserves.
[Illustration: VIEW TAKEN FROM 203 METRE HILL, SHOWING WIRE
ENTANGLEMENTS AT THE FOOT THEREOF. IN THE
FOREGROUND FALSE HILL WITH THE TRENCHES ON
ITS RIGHT FLANK.
p. 180]
Judging by present appearances, it seemed as though we were not in
such a very bad way, though the part of our trenches occupied by
the Japanese was a thorn in my side. I knew from experience that
this foreboded the final capture of the hill, and incidentally the
destruction of our fleet. Colonel Irman, I believe, watched 203 Metre
Hill from the side of False Hill. No living man was visible from that
side, but from both Akasaka Yama and False Hill the Japanese dead were
to be seen in piles. In the ravine at the foot of 203 Metre Hill there
were hundreds, if not thousands, of them.
After half an hour’s observation I returned to the staff. Everything
was as quiet there as if the fortress was not threatened with any
danger. But dark clouds were gathering.
A report came in from Division Hill that large bodies of Japanese
infantry were moving towards 174 Metre Hill.
It became imperative to drive the enemy out of our trench on 203 Metre
Hill. An idea occurred to me to roll a large naval mine down on the
occupants, as some of the other forts had done. General Kondratenko and
Colonel Irman approving of my scheme, I at once sent for Lieutenant
Podgourski, who was a specialist in these matters. This was late in the
evening, so he promised to come in the morning with some mines. Having
little hope of success with the large mines, I asked him to bring, in
addition, small ones (from 6 to 10-lb. bombs), and we decided to attack
the Japanese in the bomb-proofs with these missiles.
Our losses during these two days (_i.e._ September 19 and 20) were as
follows: In the 2nd Company, out of 141 men there were left, including
slightly wounded, 83; in the 4th Company, 48 out of 167; in the 11th
Company of the 27th Regiment, 96 out of 140; and of No. 7 Company of
the 27th Regiment, and No. 1 Company of the 28th Regiment half their
strength was _hors de combat_. During this time also the following
officers were killed: Major Jeltkevitch, commanding the 7th Company of
the 27th Regiment, and Ensign Diantrougov, the junior officer of the
1st Company, 28th Regiment.
It was an unfortunate idea of Father Slounin to bury the dead near the
road leading from 203 Metre Hill to the staff headquarters. The sight
of our dead heroes, lying in long rows along that road, was bound to
leave a bad impression on those who passed by.
As evening drew to a close, taking advantage of a temporary lull, I
sent another company from the reserve with tools and sand-bags to work
on 203 Metre Hill; it was absolutely imperative to strengthen our
trenches on the top of the hill by means of sand-bags. This company,
being our last reserve, was to return in the morning. As far as I
remember, it was on this night that two companies of the 27th Regiment
arrived which we had asked of General Kondratenko for strengthening the
works on Akasaka Yama. They were sent there forthwith, and remained
until the end of the siege.
I was deadbeat that day, and when I got the chance, I threw myself down
and snatched a few minutes’ sleep. In consequence of the wide extent
of ground covered by our command, both Colonel Irman and myself were
utterly worn out.
On the morning of September 21 the enemy’s fire against 203 Metre
Hill increased in volume. We had a splendid view of the hill from the
trenches near the quarters of the staff. As I was watching, I plainly
saw a Japanese flag waving over the bomb-proof on the left. I ran
to the telephone and asked what was the meaning of it, to which the
commandant answered that he knew nothing about the flag, and that
everything was all right on the hill. The Japanese were sitting quietly
in their trenches. I gave orders for the flag to be taken down, and
was glad to see that it had disappeared a few minutes afterwards. Some
Japanese soldier had crawled up during the night and stuck it into
the roof; but how he did it, no one knew. That morning 203 Metre Hill
and the part of Akasaka Yama lying nearest to it were subjected to a
tremendous fire from the Japanese heavy artillery, and we expected an
assault every moment; the more so, as we noticed that the enemy had
concentrated a very large force right under 203 Metre Hill. We also
received a telephone message from Lao-tieh Shan telling us that a body
of Japanese was in position in a large flat-bottomed ravine at the foot
of 203 Metre Hill.
We were unable to see them from any point, but it was obvious that they
had been moved there for the decisive attack on the hill in question.
In response to a call for immediate reinforcements we received two
companies, which I sent closer to the hill, so as to be within easy
call. The roar of the cannonade round the hill increased meanwhile.
Podgourski now arrived with his mines, which were sent to the hill. The
Japanese evidently intended to destroy, if they could, every living
thing on the hill and then to occupy it. Anyhow, they delayed their
attack, which we expected every moment.
Just then I received bad news. While attempting to take the trench
occupied by the Japanese, Second-Lieutenant Pogdanovitch was killed
instantaneously, and the attack failed; the 1st Company of the 28th
Regiment lost heavily, but fought magnificently. The death of this
gallant young officer was a heavy blow to me. There were not many like
him left.
“Well, if Podgourski’s mines are a failure, I don’t know what will be
our next step. God grant that we can hold on to our positions, and
then it will be time to decide that difficult question,” I thought to
myself. Firing ceased; which meant the attack was imminent. I ordered
the reserve companies to move right up to the foot of 203 Metre Hill;
and Colonel Irman reported this fact to General Kondratenko, and asked
for two more companies to reinforce him.
Colonel Irman and I rode to Akasaka Yama, where one had a better view
of the positions and of 203 Metre Hill, but though the attack was at
its height, we did not see a single Japanese. Apparently they were
attacking along the narrow strip of cliff on 203 Metre Hill which was
hidden from view from all our positions. We concluded that the assault
was being driven home in small detached parties.
The rifle fire directed on 203 Metre Hill from all the neighbouring
hills occupied by the Japanese was simply terrific. Bullets were flying
in all directions; it was dangerous to stand out in the open, even far
away to the rear, and one of my horses, which was in a place apparently
quite safe, was hit in the foreleg. Now one of the reserve companies
had climbed up to the hill; in another hour the second was almost
there. It became necessary to think about further reinforcements. In an
unbroken line the wounded were being brought back from the hill. At
this moment I heard heavy rifle firing from Division Hill, but I had
not a single man to send there. If the enemy were now about to attack
there also, we should indeed be in a very bad plight.
It was now that Midshipman Doudkin opened fire with his small guns.
Our telephones were silent. The strain was awful. If the Japanese took
Division Hill, communication between 203 Metre Hill, Akasaka Yama,
and False Hill would become extremely difficult. I reassured myself
with the thought that Fort Yi-tzu Shan would prevent the Japanese from
advancing too far. Meanwhile I sent an orderly to Division Hill to find
out what was happening there. We had a splendid view of the rear of
203 Metre Hill, and could clearly see what every man was doing. We saw
how the companies, on reaching the hill, wriggled along like snakes to
the different parts of the trenches, and then disappeared into them,
how every now and then a man would make a dash for the commandant’s
bomb-proof, and then pick his way back again to the top of the hill,
how they carried the wounded back to the dressing station—in a word,
every movement of the defenders was plainly visible from our point of
observation. For a long time we received no reports, but at last one
came in from 203 Metre Hill. Three attacks had been beaten back, with
enormous losses to the enemy; but the commandant felt sure that the
attacks would be renewed, and therefore considerable reinforcements
were indispensable. He also reported that they had found it impossible
to roll the mines down upon the Japanese, and that things in general
were in a very bad way. There were very few men left, and practically
no officers.
Soon after Lieutenant Podgourski[87] came back from the hill with
his sailors (we had by then returned to the staff headquarters) and
promised to bring smaller bombs, from 6 to 10 pounds in weight, on the
morrow.
Podgourski informed us that unless we sent up one company to 203 Metre
Hill, it would be taken, as the men were physically and morally worn
out. Fortunately, a reserve company arrived, and I immediately sent it
to the hill, and Colonel Irman sent a despairing message for at least
two more companies to reinforce us. We heard afterwards that the sight
of the company coming to their help had had a most reassuring effect on
the commandant, officers, and men.
The situation seemed to be so hopeless that one of the artillery
officers suggested that the hill should be abandoned, since there was
no hope of holding it. But Major Stempnevski was the first to say
that, even though every one else left the hill, he would remain with
his one company. Captain Alander supported him, declaring that if the
2nd Company remained, the 4th would stand by it. Just at this moment
the reinforcing company was seen coming up. A ringing cheer went
up, and the heroic defence continued. It was reported from Division
Hill that the enemy had occupied a position in front of the hill and
opened a very heavy rifle fire; to which we replied that the enemy
had apparently no reserves there, and that this was probably only a
demonstration, as it eventually turned out to be.
[Illustration: STAFF HEADQUARTERS OF THE 5TH REGIMENT. IN THE
DISTANCE IN THE CENTRE IS 203 METRE HILL.
p. 187]
The Japanese attacking 203 Metre Hill did not merely restrict
themselves to ground unswept by fire from any point, but would have
crept up the northern side of the hill, had they not been driven back
by the fire from Akasaka Yama and those trenches on 203 Metre Hill
which were more or less undamaged. As a result they showed themselves
there no more.
In the evening (September 21) two companies of the 14th Regiment
arrived. Captain Yarsevitch, commanding one of them, was well known
to all for his courage and enterprise. I gave him the necessary
orders, and expressed the hope that his company would drive the
Japanese out of the trench captured by them, and that the hill would
be ours. Reinforced by these companies the commandant was to make a
counter-attack, and I felt sure that they would clear the hill of the
Japanese during the night. The companies of the 14th Regiment marched
off. Having asked for permission to have a rest (he was utterly worn
out), Major Stempnevski (sen.) came to the staff headquarters that
evening. With him were relieved the 2nd and 4th Companies of the 5th
Regiment, and the 1st Company of the 28th Regiment. The men of the last
mentioned had lost heart somewhat, and were in a state of exhaustion
after the three days’ ceaseless fighting.
Colonel Irman and I met the gallant companies and showered on them
thanks and praise. The men were in good spirits, but one could not see
their faces for the thick coating of dust on them.
In place of the companies I had withdrawn, I sent the 2nd Company of
the 13th Regiment and the 4th Company of the 28th, and appointed
Captain Sichev commandant of the hill in place of Major Stempnevski
(sen.).
Night fell. Everything was apparently quiet. At times the enemy fired
a few heavy shell at 203 Metre Hill, at other times rifle firing broke
out and then again ceased, while occasionally the star-rockets, fired
from the hill, brilliantly lit up the enemy’s positions, and the heavy
guns on our hills fired a few rounds, the riflemen meanwhile opening
fire on any Japanese caught out in the open.
Colonel Irman, Captain Baum,[88] Lieutenant Kostoushko,[89] and I sat
in the staff headquarters, deliberating as to what was to be done
with the Japanese who had got into our trench on 203 Metre Hill. It
seemed to us that without very careful organization a counter-attack
would not stand much chance of success by day. On the other hand, it
was impossible to make this attack in the night, as the enemy could
concentrate large reserves against us, follow us up the hill, and,
completely outnumbering us, creep close up behind as we withdrew, and
finally drive us entirely off the hill.
In view of the paramount necessity for decisive action on 203 Metre
Hill, I had already sent Major Stempnevski (who had had a certain
amount of rest) back with 20 men who had volunteered from the 2nd
and 4th Companies of my regiment. As he knew every inch of 203 Metre
Hill, Major Stempnevski was ordered to assist the new commandant
in organizing an attack on the Japanese then in occupation of our
bomb-proofs.
Considering the importance of the intended attack, I wished to go
myself to the hill. I sent to General Kondratenko for two more
companies, but he refused to let me have them, proposing to undertake
some movement himself. Thus it but remained for me to see in the
morning from what part I could best withdraw two companies.
At this moment an officer was brought in on a stretcher, and I
was horrified to see that it was our gallant Captain Yarsevitch,
wounded in the chest. I ran to him and asked him if he was badly
hurt, whereupon he pointed to his right breast, saying in a very
feeble voice: “It’s nothing—I shall get over it. It’s all right on
the hill ... they can fight a bit longer ... successfully ... but
they must be relieved ... they have had no sleep and are deadbeat.
Let them take me to the hospital.” Having assured him that his wound
was not dangerous, we turned away determined that we would get men,
cost what it might, to relieve the garrison of the hill, knowing,
however, that it was almost an impossibility, as _we_ had no men,
and in the centre,[90] where there were some reserves, they might
be more needed than with us, seeing that there also the fighting
had been very fierce. Not without cause had General Kondratenko
left us to our own devices.
Captain Yarsevitch was wounded as he rushed at the head of his company
on the trench occupied by the Japanese. Met by a hot fire, and seeing
the fall of their commander, the men picked him up and ran back. How
important it is that a company should respect and love its commanding
officer! The men did everything for him that could possibly be done.
Early on the morning of the 22nd the cannonade, with its resulting
stream of wounded from 203 Metre Hill, recommenced. The reserves had
not arrived, but we received information that the enemy was collecting
in large force under 203 Metre Hill. One might almost say that we were
helpless, as we had not a single man in reserve.
Then an order came from General Smirnov directing us “To send
immediately two quick-firing guns to the rear against the Japanese
collecting under 203 Metre Hill.” Colonel Irman, Colonel Romanovski,
Major Gobiato, and other gunner officers had a long discussion as to
which guns were to be withdrawn. At last they decided to telephone to
Lieutenant Yasinski to move from the Lao-tieh Shan positions through
the _kao-liang_ towards Pigeon Bay, to the rear of the Japanese. The
message was sent, and Colonel Irman himself rode off in that direction,
leaving me at the telephone. Scarcely two hours had passed before some
one caught sight of him galloping towards our headquarters as hard as
he could ride. We ran out to meet him. “Victory! Victory!” shouted our
Colonel, riding up to the door. We deluged him with questions.
“The Japanese are in full retreat from under 203 Metre Hill and the
trenches near it,” he shouted as he dismounted. Lieutenant Yasinski had
ranged on the very centre of them, in one minute had destroyed half
of them, and in another most of the survivors. Completely demoralized,
off they went helter-skelter, like partridges, and even evacuated their
trenches on Saddle Hill.
We were like mad people; I do not think I had ever experienced such a
feeling of joy.
A little later Lieutenant Podgourski arrived with his small 6–10 lb.
bombs. But as we had no reserves we could not withdraw a single man,
the enemy being in force before all the hills.
Podgourski proceeded to 203 Metre Hill. Everything was quiet there
now; even the rifle fire had ceased. I still awaited the advent of the
two companies which I intended to send up to drive off the Japanese,
because I put such little faith in the efficiency of the bombs. It
seemed to me that those who had to throw them would not be able to get
near enough to the Japanese trenches.
Hardly an hour had passed since Podgourski’s departure, when several
terrific explosions were heard from 203 Metre Hill, followed by some
dozen minor ones and then an outburst of rifle fire. We heard a
“Hurrah!” shouted through the telephone. The Japanese were decimated
by the bombs, and the remainder shot as they ran down the hill.
Our spirits rose, and a gasp of relief was heard on the receipt of
this message. I immediately sent a report of the result to General
Kondratenko.
This is what had taken place. On the arrival of Lieutenant Podgourski,
Captain Sichev, Major Stempnevski and Captain Kramorenko (to whose
initiative the attack was mainly due) formed the following plan: to
call for volunteers among the officers and men to attack the Japanese
with the bombs, to divide them into two parties, and, on a rocket being
fired, one party to act from one flank of the trench and the other from
the other flank. Lieutenant Podgourski was to take charge of one party.
As arranged, the two parties started off in absolute silence towards
their objectives. Then Lieutenant Podgourski with three volunteers,
Riflemen Trufanov and Butorin of the 4th Company of the 5th Regiment,
and Fomeenitch, a sailor, wriggled up on their stomachs to the trench,
and there set the fuses of their bombs. The distance was yet rather
far for throwing, but as it seemed impossible to crawl any nearer
without being observed, they decided to have a try. Fomeenitch was
the first to throw his bomb, but it fell short. The enemy did not pay
the slightest attention. As the signal had not yet been given, it was
decided not to throw any more bombs for the present. Then, seeing that
they were not in a good position for throwing, Lieutenant Podgourski
and Fomeenitch crawled along to the other flank and joined Captain
Kramorenko’s detachment. They then succeeded in getting quite close
to the bomb-proofs, and Lieutenant Podgourski threw his bomb, which,
however, also fell short.
“Let me have another try, sir,” said Fomeenitch to Lieutenant
Podgourski, and the 10-lb. missile, hurled with a strong arm and true
aim, fell right into the entrance to the bomb-proof. There was a
deafening roar, and a great column of smoke, combined with fragments
of planks, beams, iron girders, and shattered limbs, shot high into
the air. All the other men then ran out into the open and threw their
bombs. With a terrific roar the bomb-proofs were blown to pieces.
Clods of earth, pieces of planks and beams, and fragments of human
bodies fell all round our brave fellows. Those of the Japanese who
were left alive fled down the hill, but were all shot down by Captain
Kramorenko’s men. All was over in two minutes.[91]
Praise and all honour to Podgourski and Kramorenko! Our joy knew no
bounds, whereas the Japanese were literally dumbfounded.
[Illustration: JAPANESE BODIES ON THE TOP OF 203 METRE HILL.
p. 193]
Their futile, but desperate, attacks had cost them some thousands of
men,[92] whose bodies were strewn over all the slopes of 203 Metre Hill
and choked the ravines at the foot of it.
On the following day (September 23) we collected a number of rifles and
digging tools. We walked freely about 203 Metre Hill and its environs,
and did not hear a single shot from the Japanese. The enemy’s artillery
also was silent, and if we had only had one more division, we could
have retaken all our old positions, the Japanese having apparently
abandoned them.
Parties of Chinese were sent out to collect the bodies on 203 Metre
Hill, and they dug pits on the spot and buried the dead in them. Our
men were laid to rest near the headquarters of the staff. Many of the
dead had lain for a long time in the trenches on 203 Metre Hill among
its living defenders.
Rest ye in peace, brave men! Your heroic deeds will bear such fruit on
Russian soil that thousands like unto you will arise hereafter.
FOOTNOTES:
[80] Namako Yama was defended by two tiers of trenches, an upper and a
lower, and this was part of the lower line that had been captured (see
p. 174, where the upper tier is mentioned).
[81] Probably the author means that to effect anything an assault
would be necessary, as the defenders, safely ensconced in their now
well-constructed trenches, had nothing to fear from a mere bombardment.
[82] In future references the term “Saddle Hill” will be used. This
position is the saddle joining the southern extremity of 203 Metre Hill
to Connecting Ridge.
[83] No mention of any _attack_ is made on this date (19th) in our
Official History; this was probably a preliminary movement to the main
assault fixed for the next day.
[84] The numbers here given again differ widely from those given in
our Official History. Here 500 is about the total, and the Official
History gives 1,500 (Official History, Part III., p. 61)—a considerable
difference. Note the numbers on p. 181. Assuming that companies were at
this time about 140 strong only, the total of these five comes to 714
(700 + 2 + 6 + 6), which, with gunners, gives a total of 764.
[85] All this preliminary fighting is not described in our Official
History, but the lodgment effected by the Japanese on the 20th in the
Russian bomb-proof is mentioned.
[86] See p. 180.
[87] He had apparently failed to keep his previous promise (see par. 2,
p. 181).
[88] Staff Officer to Colonel Irman.
[89] Orderly Officer to Colonel Tretyakov.
[90] This refers to the Japanese attacks and capture of the Waterworks
and Temple Redoubts. (See Map III.)
[91] Official History affirms that this was done with 15-lb. charges,
but according to our narrative the heavier charges failed.
[92] The Japanese casualties amounted to about 2,500.