Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-31
J AP AN ESE ADV NCE
DESPERATE FIGHTING Priced
ING THE BATTLE OF LAO YANG.
Successful Midnight Attack-Pressing
Forward in the Mist and
Rain.

Details of the operations against Lao
yang from August % to August %, which
include an account of the desperate three
days battle in the neighborhood of Anping
and the abandonment of Anshanshan, have
rea ched Tokyo
The first japanese army was divided into
three columns and moved against Anpng,
where the Russians occupied a steep and
well fortified emiEence, which they had
spent months in strengthening. The Rus
sian position to the east and south of An
ping extended along a ridge north of Tai
shakou to Hundshaling through Hanpolin
and Tatientsu. The advantages were with
the Russians. The Japanese were not able
to secure good positions for their artillery
except along the LiaOyang road.
The japanese left column moved forward
August D.. driving back small force of
Russians and on the 18th took possession
and south of Pelington and prepared to give
battle the following day. The center and
right columns made their preparatory
moves before the night of the 18th.
A Midnight Attack.
At midnight of the 25th the Japanese
center suddenly rushed forward in bayo-
net charge against the Russian center,
" hich was located in the vicinity of Kug-
chengling This charge was a surprise, and
proved to be eminently successful The
Japanese captured the entire position. The
Russian forces on the second and third
lines were then strongly reinforced and or
fered determined resistance. A fierce rlne
engagement eEsued and continued without
aba tement throughout the Goth.
The Russian artillery posted at Anplng
got the range of the japanese lines and
sent in a deadly fire. The japanese aful-
lery was not able to obtain good positions
and was badly exposed. The Russian IN
to &c
ground but the Japanese held their posi-
tons and managed gradually to press the
Russians toward the valley of the Ian
river.
The Japanese right column made night
attack on Hungshallng.
Advance Checked.
The japanese left column. the principal
strength of which was In Infantry attack
ed an eminence north of Tahsikou at dawn
of the Goth The Russian artillery was In
semi-permanent Notifications north Of
Tatientisu and northwest of Kaofengsu and
in strength was superior to that of the
Japanese. This bombardment reached Its
height between and o'clock In the az
ternoon. The Russian fire had dwindled at
times, but the japanese were unable to
silence the enemy's guns. The Russian in
fantry was reinforced and pressed against
the left wing of the japanese left column:
The Japanese troops were dangerously ex-
posed and the advance of the LETT column
retired.
In the meantime the japanese center had
pierced the Russian line. completely divid-
ing it, but both the Russian wings neio
their positions firmly.
During the afternoon of the 18th great
thunderstorm broke over the battlefield.
covering the hills with mist and preventing
accurate use of the guns.
During the night of the Goth the japanese
made fruitless assaults upon the Russian
positions at Hunshakag and Tahsikou.
They finally succeeded. however, IN
getting possession of the position at
Hungshaling, where they captured eight
guns which had previously wrought havoc
in their lines.
Through Mists and Haze.
On the morning of the 9th, through mists
and haze, all three of the Japanese columns
moved forward. The Russians resisted this
advance vigorously and 1t was hightfall be-
fore the Japanese were in possession of the
long ridge. The most fierce engagements of
August 90 occurred at Hungshaling and
Kungchangling.
The moonlight revealed the Japanese
troops as they advanced. The Russian de-
tenders of these positions. besides opening a
fierce rife fire on the enemy, rolled bOuld-
ers down the hillside upon the climbing
Japanese soldiers. The Japanese reserved
their fire and climbed steadily upward, fin
ally reaching the summit and driving the
Russians out.
The Russian forces included the second
army corps, the rifle regiments attached
to the tenth corps and half Of the seven
tenth corps. They numbered In all sixty
five battalions and 100 guns