The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-04
CAPTURE OF RIHLUNG.
Graphic Description of the Assault on
the Fortress.


HEADQUARTERS of the Japanese Third
ARMY in Front of Port Arthur, Dec
29. via Yinkow, via Tien Tsin, jan A.
After many weeks of patient toll by
a regiment of the center division the
making of mine tunnels under the
north wall of Rihlung mountain fort
through solid rock was completed
and the mines laid on December 2s-
Without warning seven mines con-
tanning two tons of dynamite were ex-
ploded at Z o'clock of the morning or
the 2Sth. The spectacle was mag
nificent. The entire front walls or
the fort seemed to be lifted into the
air in a trem endous Opaque curtain
of earth and debris of all kinds. There
was no preliminary bombardment to
give the Russians hint of what was
in store for them. Half the garrison
persisted as the result of the ex-
blossoms and the charge of the Jap
The force of the explosions was
tremendous. The entire hillside was
covered with earth and debris and the
moat was filed to level with the
broken walls of the fort.
In anticipation of a stubborn resist
ance by large garrison the japanese
before daylight pushed a large force
into the trenches where they remained
concealed until the explosion took
place. The moment the mines were
fired a whole park of siege guns
opened a concentrated fire upon the
fort which was obscured from view
by the bursting Shells
Under cover of this wonderful
practice, a large force in the nearest
saps charged over the filled in moat
and attacked the first line of Russian
troops, behind which were machine
guns
The Russians were then thrown
into the greatest confusion and many,
of them were killed by the explosion.
Nevertheless they fought desperately
but were not able to Withstand the
number and determination Of the
japanese who passed over the broken
walls like ants in the face of a fire
from the machine guns, and the first
line of trenches was captured after
20 minutes of awful fighting.
The fort was arranged in two
levels. In the lower level there were
infantry in the trenches and upon the
walls and in the rear were machine
gun trenches with a deep interior In
the center of the higher level there
were quick firing guns and heavier
guns in the emplacements. In the rear
of the higher level masonry were the
concerted barracks, the magazines
and the kitchens of the garrison
When the Japanese captured the low
er level in the first spirited charge they
We're not able to advance further. With
splendid courage however the black
masses of troops maintained their posi-
ton Notwithstanding an awful fire
from fortress and artillery in the forts
across the gorge of Shuishi valley, and
lnAue a lASucH line from the DIOkel
walls TO capture the machine gun
trenches and the lower section Of the
fort. Then they charged the higher
level in splendid form. going up in twos
and threes until a large body had gain
ed the crest of the northeast corner.
Before dark the walls Of the higher
level were black with men. who had
gained the interior in small parties
despite the awful fire.
In the meantime more of the Jap
anese gained the higher level of the
fort from the gorge at the west side.
The Japanese attacked in over
whelming numbers from all sides. but
the remnant of the. garrison continued
to fight with splendid spirit, contest
ing every inch Of the interior. Under