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184 THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR
part of the Japanese in this direction. In the
night came a counter-attack, which was repulsed.
The Japanese casualties were about 150. The
hill was not very strongly fortified, and did not
form any very important part of the Russian
defences, but it was of some value to the Japanese,
because it was situated next to the two Panlung
forts which they had captured in August, thereby
making the gap in the foremost Russian lines
bigger. However, as I have already pointed out
in a former chapter, the Russian counter-move of
strengthening the defences of the Chinese wall
considerably lessened the value of any of these
positions to the Japanese.
After the capture of these outworks, the saps
could be carried right up to the foot of the glacis
of the forts, and though the difficulties increased
and the Russian counter-attacks waxed ever fiercer,
the approaching trenches steadily wound their way
closer and closer to the enemy’s stronghold. A
few days more, and the Japanese would be in
position to attack the last of the outworks in front
of the forts, the infantry trenches at the foot of
the glacis of Erhlung and Sungshuh forts.
On October 25th we were summoned to General
Nogi’s headquarters, and passing on our way
there the stationary hospital of the 9th Division,
we knew at once what was to happen. The tents
and Chinese houses constituting the hospital were
completely empty, all the inmates having been
sent down to Dalny. A thorough cleaning had
been effected, and the courtyard strewn with
lime. The all-pervading smell of carbolic acid
told us clearly enough that the medical staff had
prepared everything for a big fray.
On reaching headquarters. Major Yamaoka,
who met us, explained that a general attack would
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