FOOTNOTES
[1] Somewhat less than £8 at the rate of exchange of 9·5 roubles to the pound sterling.
[2] The term “scout detachment” is used in all official accounts, and will be used throughout this work, to denote a detachment, either mounted or on foot, composed of volunteers (“okhotnik”) and attached to various regiments. All Russian volunteers were thus organized.
[3] Accounts received on the Nan Shan position were probably greatly exaggerated, as something of the nature of a panic ensued upon the first Japanese torpedo attack (see Official History, Part III., pp. 10 et seq.). Two battleships and one cruiser were injured in this attack.
[4] This company formed part of the Legation Guard at Pekin.
[5] An “Acting Ensign” is a senior non-commissioned officer who has done his service with the colours, and ranks next to an Ensign in the Reserve, and, like him, wears officer’s uniform.
[6] Though the rank of Major does not exist in the Russian Army, it is used in this translation to denote the Captain Commanding a Battery, Company, or Squadron, in contradistinction to Captain, which term must be understood as applying to a Russian Staff Captain, a rank corresponding to the rank of Second-Captain formerly existing in the British Royal Artillery.
[7] Sixty versts is roughly forty miles, one verst being equal to 1,166 yards.
[8] This refers to the Boxer rising (see Official History, Part II., p. 16).
[9] This seems to be underestimated, as the Official History gives 4,400 yards as the breadth of the position. The author evidently means that at low water the whole breadth of the peninsula was 8 versts, which agrees with other accounts.
[10] On the Pi-tzu-wo road, but not shown on map.
[11] Official accounts state that as many as 5,000 Chinese coolies were employed.
[12] As a fact the armour of the Japanese ships built in England was as good as any of its date, all of it being hardened in accordance with modern processes.
[13] General Tretyakov was evidently still under the impression that three Russian battleships had been blown up. The Russians had in reality four first-class battleships still unharmed—Petropavlovsk, Pobieda, Poltava, and Peresviet.
[14] The 13th, 14th, and 15th Regiments were actually posted in rear of the 5th during the battle, but did little to support it.
[15] See [Note 3] at end of book.
[16] See Official History, Part II., p. 11. This news must have come from some of Colonel Rantsov’s cossacks.
[17] It seems unlikely that any of these marauding bands were assisting the Japanese. It must be remembered that the Russians had no good word for the Japanese at this time.
[18] The Russian soldiers invariably sing on the march, when the band is not playing.
[19] Battery No. 13 is situated in rear of the centre of the Nan Shan position.
[20] In our Official History (Part II.) this action is briefly described as an engagement with General Nadyein’s rearguard, but it is evident that two separate reconnaissances were made on May 8 and 16 respectively, and that no rearguard was left as indicated in that report.
[21] In Part II. of the Official History (p. 43, par. 2) the estimated losses were 150 officers and men killed and wounded. For the Russian estimate, see following page.
[22] The Official History gives General Nadyein as the commander during the battle, but General Fock himself conducted the action, General Nadyein being in command of the left flank.
[23] The attack on Chin-chou here mentioned as taking place on May 22 is not given in any of the official accounts, the first mentioned being that of May 25, which is also described here. These two may, however, be one and the same, owing to confusion of dates.
[24] See Official History (Part II., p. 20).
[26] A footnote in the Official History states that half the 10th Company was cut off by the Japanese, but evidently this was not so.
[27] See [Note No. 4] at end of book.
[28] Usual form of address to the dead.
[29] It is not stated what happened to the other company of the 13th Regiment, which was in reserve. A reference to the Official History will show that only one company out of these two is mentioned there also.
[30] At this stage the Japanese were clothed in khaki.
[31] General Tretyakov appears to have been under the impression that the Japanese were giving no quarter.
[32] See [Maps II.] and [VI.]
[33] 1 pood = 38 lb.
[34] The inhabitants of Dalny received the news of the battle of Nan Shan on the evening of the 26th, and were ordered to proceed to Port Arthur at eleven that night (see Official History, Part III., p. 12).
[35] That between Triple Peak and An-tzu Ling (see [Map VI.]).
[36] Better known as Orphan Hill; shown on British official maps as Kan-ta Shan, that being its Chinese name.
[37] Called by the Russians the Green Hills.
[38] Known by the Russians as the Wolf Hills.
[39] The Russian name is Bokovi (Side) Hill.
[40] Near Lieh-shu-fang.
[41] As its name implies, the station 11 versts from Port Arthur.
[42] Our Official History states that only three companies of the 5th Regiment were allotted to this section, but adds later that the 5th and 6th Companies were brought up and absorbed in the fighting line. They are here given as being in reserve.
[43] A village 1½ miles north-east of Hou-chia-tun.
[44] Ta-po Shan had actually been captured by the Japanese the previous evening about ten o’clock, two counter-attacks afterwards failing.
[45] Not to be confused with a hill of the same name on the Western Front of the Port Arthur defences.
[46] Probably a hill between Vodymin and Hou-chia-tun.
[47] A village midway between Vodymin and 11th Verst station.
[48] See [footnote], page 232.
[49] Millet.
[50] “The flatter the trajectory, the better.”
[51] These two forts were on the Eastern Front. The author probably refers to these here as being the only two points in advance of the main defensive line now left in Russian hands.
[52] A forceful example of the consequences of a badly worded order.
[53] Situated at the extreme left flank of the “Position of the Passes.”
[54] This plea of utter prostration from constant fighting seems to be a poor excuse for the capture of the forts by the Japanese. The resistance was, in reality, most stubborn.
[55] It may be noticed that General Tretyakov makes no mention of the disastrous sortie made by the Russian fleet on August 10.
[56] The Russian name for a knoll at the northern end of Headquarter Hill. Subsequent reference will be by the name of Advanced Hill.
[57] General Tretyakov’s immediate superior.
[58] Our Official History (Part III.) states that Headquarter Hill was captured on the 13th, and Height 426 (Bokovy) on the 15th. From this account it is evident that the former also was not occupied until the 15th.
[59] The Russian name for Headquarter Hill.
[60] The Russian name for Height 426.
[61] Commander of the Fortress Artillery.
[62] Our Official History states that “mist and rain prevented an effectual bombardment on this day,” and no real assault took place. The bombardment of 174 Metre Hill on the 15th was evidently only done to cover the attack on Height 426 (described in the last chapter), as no serious attack was made on 174 Metre Hill till the 19th.
[63] This company was on Connecting Ridge and had been sent to reinforce the 5th and 9th Companies on 174 Metre Hill.
[64] Meaning “Extinct Volcano”; situated about midway between 174 Metre and Division Hills.
[65] A blindage is a covered trench with a roofing at least sufficiently strong to afford protection against rifle and shrapnel bullets.
[66] Sent up from Namako Yama to reinforce 174 Metre Hill.
[67] Officials in Government employ in Russia have civil “rank” just as officers in the army have military rank. Hence the term “general” here.
[68] Consisting of 101 men.
[69] These shells must have come either from Golden Hill Battery or No. 7 Battery on the Tiger Peninsula, each of which had 11-inch howitzers. (See [Map III.])
[70] The average Russian soldier of the infantry of the line, with his loose jacket, loose breeches, battered peaked cap, and invariable slouch, does not look what we call smart, and this is what General Tretyakov is probably referring to.
[71] Meaning Red Hill; situated right in the rear of 203 Metre Hill.
[72] Compare with Official History, Part III., p. 31.
[73] Meaning False Hill (south-east of and closely adjoining 203 Metre Hill).
[74] This refers to the north-eastern section of the defence. The Japanese captured the East and West Pan-lung Redoubts, but obtained no other advantage for a total loss of 15,000 men. Hence the “successfully defended.” (See [Map III.])
[75] Rear part of work.
[76] A sagene is about 7 feet.
[77] Chiefly directed against the East and West Pan-lung Redoubts. (See [Map III.])
[78] These guns were taken from the ships of the fleet, and were manned by naval gunners.
[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.
[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.
[93] The author is referring to men of his own regiment, two companies of which comprised part of the garrison of 203 Metre Hill.
[94] The north-eastern section. This refers to the preliminary movements of the Japanese against Forts Erh-lung and Sung-shu. (See [Map III.])
[95] Tea-urns.
[96] The “trace” or “outline” of a work is its general shape in plan.
[97] The usual rate of advance of a sap is from 2 to 4 feet per hour, depending on the nature of the soil and the amount of excavation necessary. The latter must, of course, depend on due cover for the party being provided. The Official History states that breastworks, or, more correctly speaking, “parapets” had to be built up, 5 feet high and 4 feet thick, with sand-bags, as ordinary digging was impossible in the rocky formation of 203 Metre Hill. This accounts for the slow rate of progress. Though it is not clear from the narrative, the type of sap was probably that known as “double.”
[98] It will be remembered that regular rifle clamps were used during the South African War for firing at night.
[99] The linia is a Russian unit of measurement, and equals 1/10 inch; hence the calibre of the gun was 4·2 inches.
[100] General Fock wrote a number of “Notes” during the siege, which were published from time to time and distributed throughout the garrison. As many of them contained severe criticisms of commanders of regiments (which were read by junior officers), General Fock was charged at the court-martial, held in St. Petersburg, in 1908, with conduct to the prejudice of military discipline, and General Stessel was also blamed for allowing them to be published. Compare Official History, Part III., p. 144 (3).
[102] This refers to the repulse of the Japanese second general assault (October 26–31).
[103] The last direct attack on this fort had been repulsed on October 31, since when mining operations had continued.
[104] Commanding the Engineers.
[105] Only 40 yards now separated the assailants (see Official History, chap. xix., p. 81).
[106] About £30.
[107] The third Japanese general assault, mainly directed against Chi-kuan, Ehr-lung, and Sung-shu forts. (See [Map III.])
[108] This must refer to the missiles from the wooden mortars used by the Japanese. These Japanese wooden 5-inch and 7-inch mortars threw “mines” (really large hand grenades), weighing 4½ and 16½ lb. respectively.
[109] There is in every regiment a certain number of men not armed with rifles—transport drivers, joiners, carpenters, clerks, harness-makers, wheelers, and shoeing-smiths—and to these are added assistant-surgeons and hospital orderlies under battalion and regimental doctors. The company thus formed is commanded by the regimental Quarter-Master.
For inspection purposes these men are formed into one company, but on service the clerks and medical assistants form two separate companies and act independently, the former under the command of the Adjutant, and the latter under one who has passed the “Okolodok” (i.e. the lower standard in the Medical School of Instruction), so that the Quarter-Master has the transport drivers and joiners, etc., left in his charge.
All the men of the non-combatant companies are armed with revolvers, with the exception of the transport drivers, who are unarmed, but have to go through a course of rifle practice and instruction.
[110] The operations here described were evidently preliminary to the main assault, which, according to our Official History, opened at 8.30 a.m. on November 28.
[111] General Tretyakov speaks of “redoubts,” but according to our Official History the works on 203 Metre Hill were really of the less formidable nature of “breastworks,” which term is, therefore, substituted in this translation.
[112] Our Official History (Part III., p. 96) states that the Japanese held the summit (of the southern peak) for some time, but were driven back at 3 p.m. From the present narrative it is evident that some at least remained there till after nightfall.
[113] A Russian officer always addresses his men on parade by using two words which mean “Good morning, men”; and the men answer all together in two words signifying “We are glad to be able to serve you.”
[114] The Japanese eventually had six batteries firing from the neighbourhood of this village at the rear slopes of 203 Metre Hill and Akasaka Yama. (See [Map III.])
[115] Grenades were made in three factories, capable of turning out about 1,000 daily, working the usual hours, and about 2,500, working day and night. (A. Bortnovski, Voenny Sbornik, Jan., 1910.)
[116] December 3.
[117] This name was probably borrowed from the sailors, who called the 12-inch shell of the Japanese battleships “portmanteaus.” (See the “Battle of Tsu-Shima,” by Semenov.)
[118] Our Official History states “about 3,000,” but the author ought to be in a better position to give the correct number.
[119] Situated in the centre of the right breastwork. (See [Map. V.])
[120] The Russians always drink tea out of glasses.
[121] Of Akasaka Yama.
[122] This company had been withdrawn to the reserve at 2 p.m. on the 4th. See [preceding chapter].
[123] Admiral Wirenius, with a squadron of one battleship and two cruisers, was actually on his way to Port Arthur when war broke out.
[124] Seven were killed on the spot, and seven more wounded.
[125] This proved to be an exaggeration. The storming parties were protected by roofs of boards and scantling, and only a few casualties occurred (see Official History, Part III., p. 116).
[126] Mention of this incident is made in Official History (Part III., p. 119), where it appears that the Japanese had actually sprung their mines before this accidental explosion took place.
[127] Attacked by the 6th Brigade under General Ichinohe. (See [Map III.])
[128] Eminences flanking the Wang-tai position, probably named after the officers charged with their defence.
[129] The corresponding Russian date was December 18.
Printed and bound by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury.
Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. All other changes to the original text are as noted below.
Corrections
Page 172 – “feel” changed to “fell” (our shells fell like hail)
Other changes
The spelling of some words and place names in the original text varies. Where a consensus spelling was obvious these variations have been corrected. Hence the following changes to the original text:
Page viii – “Taku” changed to “Ta-ku” (the capture of the Ta-ku Forts)
Page xiii – “Wangtai” changed to “Wang-tai” (Capture of Wang-tai, December 31)
Page 14 – “earthwork” changed to “earth-work” (the defenders of the earth-work)
Page 19 – “inter-communication” changed to “intercommunication” (made intercommunication exceedingly difficult)
Page 33 – “earthworks” changed to “earth-works” (able to locate earth-works on)
Page 80 – “Serjeant-Major” changed to “Sergeant-Major” (Sergeant-Major Evlanov wounded)
Page 112 – “day-time” changed to “daytime” (working in the daytime whenever the)
Page 104 – “Pang-lung” changed to “Pan-lung” (immediately went to Pan-lung Shan)
Page 159 – “horseflesh” changed to “horse-flesh” (not fancy horse-flesh)
Page 159 – “horseflesh” changed to “horse-flesh” (will serve to prove that horse-flesh)
Page 164 – “sky-line” changed to “skyline” (on the skyline)
Page 167 – “re-occupy” changed to “reoccupy” (to reoccupy their trench)
Page 169 – “Akasako Yama” changed to “Akasaka Yama” (to the hollow behind Akasaka Yama)
Page 204 – “fuzes” changed to “fuses” (using time fuses)
Page 215 – “loop-holes” changed to “loopholes” (the loopholes were furnished)
Page 265 – “sandbags” changed to “sand-bags” (piles of rubbish and torn sand-bags)
Page 273 – “re-occupied” changed to “reoccupied” (whereupon our men at once reoccupied it)
Page 307 – “carcases” changed to “carcasses” (Horses, carcasses of, used for food, 159, 212, 265)
Page 308 – “Panlung” changed to “Pan-lung” (killed on West Pan-lung Redoubt, 89, 90)
The following inconsistent place name spelling of “Bokovi/Bokovy” has been left unchanged:
“Bokovi (Side) Hill”, “BOKOVY HILL (SIDE HILL)”, “Height 426 (Bokovy)”
Footnotes
Footnotes have been re-indexed using numbers and collected together into a new “FOOTNOTES” section that follows the Index.