Colonel Irman, Colonel Zoobov, and others were already there. The noise of battle had become less, and for the moment the Japanese showed no signs of advancing any farther.
Our artillery ceased firing, as its targets had disappeared over the top of the hills and taken cover in the kao-liang. This was about 2 p.m.
Before undertaking anything further it was decided to make an inspection of the positions behind us on Pan-lung Shan, which General Kondratenko ordered Colonel Naoomenko and myself to do. We immediately went to Pan-lung Shan, from which our 11th Company, under Second-Lieutenant Lobyrev, had already retreated. I asked: “Who ordered you to retreat?” and he answered: “Major Katishev [commanding the 11th Company; he had been wounded in the arm and had been taken to the field hospital]. He told us to retreat, as it was impossible to remain in the trenches, for Headquarter Hill was in the hands of the Japanese.” On hearing this, I said: “You are never to retreat without orders from a senior commander. Go back again!”
Second-Lieutenant Lobyrev, a quiet, brave fellow, answered: “It is all the same to us—we will go back”; then, turning quickly to his men, he shouted out: “Company, about turn, to the old position—march!” and the company turned round and reoccupied its trenches.
Having made an inspection of these trenches, we came to the conclusion that it was, indeed, impossible to remain in them, as their left flank rested on Headquarter Hill and there was hardly any cover from fire from that side.
We informed General Kondratenko of the result of our inspection, and he decided to evacuate Pan-lung Shan entirely as far as the redoubts on the right flank of Division Hill. This was done at about 7 p.m.
Between Pan-lung Shan and Division Hill there was a position favourable for defence, and I had already had some work done on it and commenced the construction of a large lunette. We should have occupied this position with the companies which retreated from Pan-lung Shan, but as we had no tools for completing the works we had to abandon the idea of holding it, and all the companies were taken from Pan-lung Shan and placed in reserve behind Division Hill and Namako Yama. The three scout detachments were posted between 203 Metre Hill and Fort Ta-yang-kou North, where they could get some rest.
I will now give a detailed account of the fighting on each of the hills attacked.
On Triok-Golovy Hill (Three-Headed Hill) [59]
About 10 p.m. on August 13 the outposts were driven back by the enemy on to their supports. The 1st Scout Detachment was surrounded, but fought its way through at the point of the bayonet, bringing along two badly wounded men and two Japanese rifles.