Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-04
Saved the laps at Battle
South of mukden.
Fighting Was Desperate Be-
tween Armies Jan. 1923.
Russian Losses Placed at 10000 and
Jap. at 7ooo-oyamas Report.

shal Oyama, Telegram hing, Thursday.
reports that the extreme japanese lett
holds line along the Hun river with
its extreme left established on the right
bank. The main body Of the Russians.
after their defeat at Heitoutai retired
across the Hun river and occupied
Niuyuhao, Shufangtai and portion Of
Changtan. On Wednesday the Russians
began constructing defensive works in
the neigh5ornood of Shufanta1,
Chungchiawepeng and Changtan. Rus
sian cavalry patrols were seen Wednes-
day along the line Of Tzuyuto, Pinpao-
TIE and Yuhpaotazu. The Russians
made a series Of small attacks on the
right army and the left flank Of the
left army but were repGlsed in each
instance.
Details Of the fighting from Jan. o5
to Jan. 90 which Field Marshal Oya-
ira officially desiGnates as the battle OF
Heikoutai show that the operations
were NOR extensive, the forces en-
gagged larger and the fighting more des-
perate than the first reports indicated.
The Japenese casualties totalled 1000.
According to tine japanese estimate, the
Russians lost over 10000. The armies
fought in a driving snow storm. 1t was
bitterly cold and very difficult to see. A
night attack delivered in the early
morning brought success tC the Japan
csc,
A Russian division surrounded and
attack Heikoutai. Jan. %. Field Mar
shall Oyama reports that the garrison.
though outnumbered. made n stubborn
Il ;,rhf
cover of darkness to Kuchengtzu. In
the meantime Field Marshal Oyama
warned Of the attack crdered an ad
vances for the purpose Of retaking
HeikOutai. 1t was showing and the
movements Of the troops We're delayed.
jan 26, about noon. while the attack on
Heitkoutai was developing. a report
reached the japanese headquarters that
another division of Russians advancing
from Changtan had surrounded Chen
chiehpaO and also thar an independent
and smaller body of Russians was opar-
ating west of ChenchiehTao. threaten
ing the left hlnk of the japanese force
moving against Heikoutai. which hal
deplOyed from SumapGo. westward of
HeikOutai.
1t was originally planned to deploy
from Sumapao to Taopao but it was
found that the Russians possessed
inc from Hekoutai to Taopao. The Jap
anese therefore deployed to Sumapao
and Wuchiatzu and attacked Heikoutai
and TaOpaO. The latter place was
strongly held but its capture was nee
essary before it was possible to take
Heikoutai. The heavy Russian guns
skillfuIly placed around Heikoutai en-
faded the troops attacking TaOpaO.
The nightfal OF Jan. % saw the Jap
anese still struggling to dislodge thu
RUSSIANS. On Jan. 81 the Russians,
pressing the japanese right wing tenn
porarily retreated. Tine freed force re-
inforced the Japanese center. The at
tack on Heikoutai was resumed Jan. u.
A covering force was sent to to protect
the right flank rear and also the lee.
flank of the Japanese torce operating
ut ChenchichpaO. Another covering
force protected the extreme left.
The troops attacking Heikoutai ad- |
vanced fearlessly and despite the heavy |
losses inflicted by the reinforced Rus |
slams. constantly gained step by step |
A Russian division advanced from
the direction of Niuchu and struck the |
left column on the right flank.
A force of Russian infantry and |
mounted artillery fired into the rear of |
the left column. The Japanese lost |
heavily and the extreme left wing was
compelled to retreat temporarily. The |
Russians made a series of night at
tacks. Jan. q. in all directions. They |
succeeded in catching a detachment |
stationed at Sumapao. in the front and
rear. A desperate hand to hand en-
counter followed. The Japanese final |
ly succeeded in repulsing all the at
tacks. |
A portion of the Russians remained
concealed at Sumapao and on the morn |
ing of Jan. %. fired into the rear of the
Japanese center. The Japanese turned. |
attacked and practically annihilated
the Russians. only 200 of them surren-
dering. The fighting continued through
out the day and night of Jan. %. The
Japanese who were everywhere out
numbered, decided to make general
night attack.
In his report Field Marshal Oyama
says
"Our object had not been attained
and so / encouraged all columns to
make night attacks. All columns of
the attacking force expected annihila-
ton. We attempted several attacks
and movements but suffered heavily by
the enemy's artillery, especially the
machine guns. All columns continued
the attack with all their might. The en-
envy unable to withstand our vigorous
attacks, began to retreat at $50 in the
morning. Our forces. charging into
Heikoutai occupied the place firmly
and entirely at $50 o'clock in the morn
ing"
The Russian force engaged is esti-
mated by the Japanese at seven divi-
sions with a division of cavalry. Pris
oners report that the Fourth Russian
infantry regiment was practically an
initiated.
A COMPLETE FAILURE.