Show BLOODY FIGHT ON HIGH HILL japanese were mowed down in squads but on they came for ferocity and sustained despera derpera tion on both bides sides the struggle tor for the possession of high hill was probably the most remarkable in the history of the siege of port arthur a siege noted for slaughter according to ad vices from russian sources corn com mander Mizzen eoff who was wound ed in the leg during the battle of high hill said the japanese were compelled to clamber up the slopes of the hill in ln many cases without firing in the face of one of the most murderous deluges ever poured from rifles and machine guns I 1 was there and it seemed to me that flesh and blood would be un able to stand our fire for a minute the enemy went down in squads and companies but always there were others grimly coming forward their bravery was beyond praise as was that of our own men sometimes the fighting was hand to hand with the muzzles of the rifles at the breasts of the contestants the bayonets being used as swords the sides of the hill were strewn with bodies and the snow was crimsoned with the blood of the wounded some of whom had crawled into it seeking in its coldness sur dease for their dying agonies eventually as in similar instances which were to follow we ret bettrell trell leaving the work of driving the enemy from the summit to the resistless guns of the neighboring forts notably those of lilaoti mountain one incident of this assault will remain forever impressed on my mind when the japanese standard bearer reached the summit and plant ed his flag a gigantic russian cor left his retreating comrades and rushing back seized the japanese flag which he was tearing with his hands and his teeth when he toll fell pierced with several bullets |