THE BATTLE OF WAFANGKAU.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8043, 22 June 1904, Page 3

THE BATTLE OF WAFANGKAU.

A STUBBORN FIGHT.

JAPANESE MARKSMANSHIP.

TJniied Press AiSßooiati<«i--®y Electric Telegraph— Ccpyrigiht. (Received June 22, 8.10 ahnj LONDON, June 21. Nanchialing is sixteen miles westward of Telesae, Tafangshin is five and a half miles sfcuth-west of Telesze, Lungwangao is four miles south of Telesze, Lungliatun is three and a half miles south-west of Lungwangao, and Yuhotun is ten miles south-west of Telesze.

A Russian officer, who was wounded at W&ifangkau, declares that the Japanese artillery fire was marvellously accurate and effective. The Russians fought stubbornly and desperately, but were unable to withstand the enemy's dashing persistency.

Russian correspondents, describing th* engagement at South. Wafangkau, state that the Russian left was thrown forward, with reserves, clear of a hill where the Japanese were entrenched with artillery, and was compelled to cross a mile of mostly open country under a decimating fire. Some got within twenty yards, planting themselves undfip the trenches, the occupants of which were unable to fire, owing to the convexity of the hills, without exposing themselves. Assailants and defenders occasionally got hand to hand, and the "butts of rifles and stones were used in the encounters. The majority of the Russians gained the shelter of a neighbouring ravine, 'but shells and shrapnel «xpelted them. The retirement took place after the guns were smashed, as caibled.