Rising Sun And Tumbling Bear (W&N Military) by Connaughton R. M

Author:Connaughton, R. M. [Connaughton, R. M. ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781474616805
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2020-02-06T00:00:00+00:00

Orbeliani’s cavalry led the advance forward while the guns were left to move down into the kaoliang to find fire positions to cover the advance of the infantry. The cavalry screen found Wutingshan heavily defended and, like a curtain on a stage, exited to the left and right exposing the hapless infantry. The accompanying guns had become lost in the kaoliang while those left on the Yentai position were soon neutralised by the Japanese.

For the ‘townies’ the entering of the tall, humid, dark depths of the millet forests where unseen creatures slithered away from under their boots was in itself a daunting experience. Light percolated through as they made their noisy way southward. Drenched in sweat they paused frequently to catch their breath while their inexperienced officers endeavoured to relate their compasses to the indifferent maps and features which they could not see. Their problems had only just begun, for Kuroki’s response to his belief that a Russian retreat had resumed was to order northward the crack Twelfth Brigade from Wutingshan. Both brigades advanced at the same time and were on a collision course in the depths of the kaoliang forest.

Soon the advance guards met, the Japanese falling with enthusiasm upon the reservists. Faced with no artillery support and the evaporation of many of his soldiers into the depths and safety of the millet, Orlov was forced to call forward four of his five reserve battalions. By 1 p.m. Orlov was in a hopeless position. His main body was being subjected to effective, professional attrition while his left flank was about to be turned. Amidst all this mayhem and slaughter there came a messenger from headquarters telling him of the reverse suffered by Seventeenth Corps and that he was to ‘act with caution’. At 1.10 p.m. he replied: ‘As I am unable to effect a junction with either the First Siberian or Seventeenth Corps, I am falling back on Yentai Station.’ On this occasion, the Japanese did not neglect to pursue their by now terrified opponents in what developed into a panic-stricken rout.

Stakelberg’s weary First Siberian Corps was advancing in two columns and the forward elements had arrived at Hsiaotalienkou. Here they met Orlov’s rabble on their flight westward. The corps endeavoured to stabilise the position and rally the reservists by sending forward a regimental-sized attack towards Fangshen. Orlov was sent for and was brought in front of the very tired and unwell Stakelberg. He was told his fortune in a very heated dialogue which concluded with Orlov being ordered to remount and lead his one remaining battalion back into the kaoliang forest towards the Japanese guns. Obedient to the last, Orlov, supported by the brigade commander and the remaining battalion, advanced. The Japanese waited until the group was within a few yards range before opening fire. The battalion was destroyed, the brigade commander killed and Orlov hit five times in the head and stomach. The remainder of the unfortunate brigade arrived in dribs and drabs back at the Yentai

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