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70 THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR
right with orders to attack East Panlung, while
the left marched against “ P ” hill and made a
strong demonstration against this position in order
to prevent it from taking part in the defence of
the principal point of attack ;
the 3rd battalion
was to follow and support the right battalion.
In the course of the night a detachment of
sappers had succeeded in cutting several open-
ings in the double row of wire entanglements in
front of East Panlung, though with very consider-
able losses, the whole force being practically
annihilated under the withering fire from the
enemy’s rifles and machine guns. Shortly before
five, in the deep gloom preceding dawn, the first
assault was made. From the exit of the donga
the ist battalion streamed forth; but up the
coverless hill-sides, and especially when they tried
to advance through the narrow openings in the
wire entanglement, they were exposed to a terrible
fire from the ramparts of the forts, and from both
sides the fire from Erhlung, West Panlung, and
North Kikuan swept in over them, literally shatter-
ing the battalion, of which only a small number
of men reached as far as the foot of the glacis,
where they found a scanty cover in some aban-
doned trenches. Colonel Ouchi then placed
himself at the head of the 3rd battalion, and led
it, with regimental colours flying, against the fort.
The troops charged with the greatest gallantry
and an absolute contempt of death ;
but against
the furious concentrated fire nothing could stand.
The colonel himself was killed with many of his
officers, and few escaped scatheless from the
terrible carnage ;
not a man had gained beyond
the wire entanglements.
The battalion which operated against “P” fort
had in the meantime advanced close to the hill,
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