The Defences of 203 Metre Hill

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLVIII, Issue 12365, 3 December 1904, Page 5

The Defences of 203 Metre Hill

A Stubborn Defence

Importance of tfteJPo^ititfla

Great Gallantry of the Japs

Russian Reserves Deserting

Received December 2, 11.31 p.m

LONDON, December. 2

The Two. Hundred, .and Three Metre Hill Battery contained several 47 ml'ixmetre quickfirers and- several! 15 centimetre Canet guns. The north-eastern and south-weiitem central defences were buijlt, of earth and rock. The western summit was very strongly defended by armoured covers eiicircling ■Khe appnoaches. ; ■ "i- . * Bennet Biirleigh wires that the first division of the stormers suffered' heavily. Simultaneousll'y the L fifeh and 11th Divisions of'St&rniers advanced and menaced the Erlangsbsan and Keekman. Forts. The Japanese casualties during the 24 hours were 15,203. The position won commands the Itzushan, Antzushan, and Taiyangkow forts, besides tho town and; eastern harbour. The "Express" statea that a terrific fire during the four successive charges mowed down the Japanese literally in companies. After reinforcement, a fresh advance was made, and the Russian fire perceptibly slackened. Finally the Japanese reached! thei trenches, dlubbing and!:t bayonoting the Russians, who bravely stood their ground. The Japacneis>9:> officers wialdiad the aammiai with terrible effect.

The newspapers at St. Petersburg confess that the reserves* are deserting in hundreds and thousands.