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68 THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR
The two Panlung forts are situated on two
separate hills, and they are the most advanced
forts to the east of the railway. They were really
nothing but strong infantry earthworks, armed
with but a few field guns, and of a more semi-
permanent character than the other forts. They
had not, like Erhlung for instance, trenches or
advanced works in front. There was nothing but
some thin steel wires to break the surging swell
of an attack, that could strike with all its force
directly against the walls of the forts. On the
other hand, their possession by the Japanese
would give a strong foothold right in the Russian
front line, and form an appui from which further
attacks could be carried on.
North Kikuan fort is situated a few hundred
yards to the south-east of the East Panlung fort,
separated from it by a small entrenched hill,
called by the Japanese “P” fort, though it is
really only an ordinary hill defended by ordinary
field trenches. North Kikuan is a permanent
fort, and, though not very large, exceedingly strong
and well defended, and is surrounded by a wide
and deep moat. As later on some of the fiercest
fighting during the whole siege took place here, I
shall defer a closer description till then.
General Nogi’s plan was, as already stated, to
pierce the Russian lines at the Panlung forts, the
weakest point in the enemy’s front line, and
simultaneously to make a determined attack on
North Kikuan fort. Even if the attack here
should fail, it would draw the attention of the
Russians in this direction, and make the task
easier for the troops that were assaulting the
Panlung forts. The attack on the latter he left
to the 9th Division, while to the nth Division
was entrusted the capturing of North Kikuan.
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