Several men dashed forward—an officer and some non-commissioned officers.
“Now, God with you!” said I to myself. “At last they have pulled themselves together and are swarming over the parapet.”
The yellow-peaks showed for a moment over the crest of the parapet, then they were hidden by our fellows, and with a wild “Hurrah” our companies poured into the trench. Then all was silent.
“They’ve got it,” said Colonel Irman.
“Yes, we had it once before,” I answered, “but nothing came of it, as their artillery drove us off again. I reported Major Zimmermann’s success that time; but now we will wait and see.” I had scarcely finished speaking, when the Japanese began to sweep the top of the hill with fire from their heavy artillery.
We felt that nothing could be achieved until these cursed guns were destroyed. But, forced to husband their ammunition, our artillery hardly put up any fight against the hostile batteries.
Shells of every calibre literally covered the top of the hill, but our men did not come out of the trench. It seemed strange indeed, as there were no splinter-proofs in the small trench, and such a fire must destroy all the defenders.
Ten minutes passed and there was no sign of movement. Another ten minutes and no retreat.
At last the enemy’s artillery ceased fire.