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236 THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR
As at all previous attacks, the Japanese com-
menced operations by a long and heavy bombard-
ment. Although their many experiences must
have made it clear to them that this introductory
bombardment was of very little effect against the
Russian fortifications, and, as a matter of fact,
only served as a kind of warning to the enemy to
have everything in readiness for their reception,
they did not think of changing their tactics. In
matters military the Japanese are very orthodox.
Though not so crushingly heavy as in October,
the preliminary bombardment was very violent,
and lasted from dawn until about i p.m., when
the infantry advance began. During the last two
hours nearly all the firing was shrapnel ;
the
“ Big Babies ” played only a very subordinate role
compared with what they had done during the
second general attack.
The third general attack commenced on No-
vember 26th with an attempt to carry the etueinte
forts in the eastern section. It was repulsed
after fifteen hours of continuous fighting of the
fiercest description, with very severe losses, the
heaviest the Japanese ever suffered in a single day
before Port Arthur. At the two previous attacks,
though they were repulsed, the Japanese had
retained certain minor advantages. At the first
they had captured the two Panlung forts, at the
second they had got possession of “P” fort and
Kobu fort ;
but at the third general attack they
were beaten back everywhere without gaining a
single step forward in any direction. And yet,
such was the strategical situation, with the Baltic
fleet throwing a threatening shadow, that the
Japanese had to continue. The capture of the
fortress at the present juncture became of secon-
dary consideration ;
the destruction of the fleet
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