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36 THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR
four lunettes connected by trenches, and, a little
further to the east, the small but strong Lungyen
redoubt. Further to the south, across the lower,
narrow part of the valley, connecting the eastern
and the western sections, were two lines of bomb-
proof trenches, defended by a double row of wire
entanglements, and two old Chinese camps which
had been considerably strengthened and provided
with guns.
I shall later have an opportunity of giving a more
detailed description of the defence-works which
were exposed to attacks from the Japanese, but
already this bare enumeration will show that the
Russians had utilized most admirably the six
months’ respite after the outbreak of war.
Although the fortifications and still more the
armament of the works at the beginning of the
siege were in a very incomplete state, the natural
strength of the position was such that the task
confronting the Japanese was an exceedingly
difficult one. The town of Port Arthur, their
ultimate goal, is situated at the bottom of a basin
formed by a wide stretch of hills and mountains
which surround it and shelter it from all sides.
On these hills the Russian defence-works had
been constructed. In positions so chosen that each
one supported the other ;
if one of them was
attacked, others could join in the defence and
make its capture extremely difficult ;
and if, in
spite of all, the Japanese did succeed in taking a
position, the fire from the neighbouring forts could
be turned against it and make its retention im-
possible, or at least so fraught with heavy losses
that Its possession would be valueless for offensive
purposes. In front of the positions was a zone of
comparatively level ground which, closer up towards
the defence-works, went over in steep, coverless
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