Special Drama
A very small country is,
about to become a civilized nation.
"Small" is the perfect description for Japan in the early Meiji era.
Japan's only industry was farming.
The only work force were former samurais who lived a leisurely life for 300 years.
The Meiji Restoration brought modernization to Japan.
"Nation"
Japan became a nation for the first time.
Every Japanese became a citizen of a nation.
"Citizen"
All was new to the "citizens" of Japan.
They were the first to experience this history.
They were filled with exhilaration from the modernization.
People's exhilaration was so powerful that it was almost painful.
But that is the basis of history for this time period.
Children from any family of any social status now had hope.
If they possessed certain mindset and diligence for hard work,
they could be a doctor, a government official, a service person or a teacher.
The exuberance of this time stemmed from
"The Optimism"
"the optimism" of the people.
It may be laughable now.
Citizens of a nation with only rice and silk production capability
endeavored to establish a navy equal to the European nations.
The same was true for their army.
The country's finances were completely depleted.
But they just moved forward to build a modern nation.
That was the objective of the Meiji Restoration.
And it was also the pure determination of the Japanese citizens.
This story follows how this small country was led to a war against
a European superpower, Russia, and how it conducted itself in the process.
The main character could be Japan, an insignificant nation of that time.
Instead, we will follow the lives of three characters.
The three men lived in Iyo -Matsuyama in the Shikoku region.
Saneyuki Akiyama was born in this old castle town.
Saneyuki
During the Russo-Japanese War,
he formulated the tactics to defeat the invincible Baltic Fleet.
He successfully executed them.
His older brother was Yoshifuru Akiyama.
Yoshifuru
He trained the Japanese cavalry
to defeat the Cossacks, which was the world's strongest cavalry.
It was a miraculous feat.
The third man marked a new phase in Japanese Haiku and Tanka.
He was Shiki Masaoka, a poet and the founder of new literary forms.
Shiki
All three possessed the typical disposition of the Meiji era.
They only look at what was ahead.
If there were white clouds glistening in the blue sky high above a hill,
they would only focus on the clouds and climb the hill.
Cloud Above the Slope
Episode Ten: An All-out Attack on Port Arthur
"Money makes the world go around."
Korekiyo Takahashi, Vice President The Bank of Japan
"Money opens all doors."
Japan was broke.
At about the time when the Russo-Japanese-War started,
the Bank of Japan only had 117 million yen in reserve.
Not enough to support a war.
Takahashi of the Bank of Japan visited many banks and financiers in London.
But he was having no luck.
While they were sympathetic to Japan, they refused to lend money.
What we have may support the war for six more months or less.
The British government should lend us a hand.
We can't count on them.
British doesn't want to risk the unity among the Caucasian countries
just to help an Asian nation.
The British royal family is related to the Russian emperor.
Mr. Takahashi, it's Mr. Shand, the head of Perth Bank.
A financier is willing to lend 50 million yen.
What?
The whole world was paying close attention to this war.
Russia had the advantage in majority's mind.
Start fire!
Load the bullets.
Ryokitsu Arima Staff Officer, Combined Fleet
Battleship Mikasa
I'll enter.
Akiyama.
Arima is assigned to the headquarters and will leave the fleet.
Officer Arima?
Apparently he's not in good condition.
That's unfortunate.
He's distressed over the failure of the blockade operation.
But that was up to God.
Arima and all of us did the best we could.
Hayao Shimamura Chief of Staff, Combined Fleet
It's time to get the army's assistance.
Or we force ourselves into the bay of Port Arthur.
They won't come out until the Baltic Fleet arrives.
That's too late for us.
Not only will we lose access on the sea, the army in Manchuria will be stranded.
It means defeat for us.
The army doesn't have a good understanding of Port Arthur.
Russia's Pacific Fleet was waiting for the Baltic Fleet to arrive.
The Combined Fleet stood no chance of winning if the Baltic Fleet came.
When the war started, none of the army's operations had
planned to capture the fortress of Port Arthur.
If Manchuria was a palm of a hand,
the little finger would be Liaodong Peninsula.
The Port Arthur fortress was at the very tip of Jinzhou Peninsula.
The army only focused their effort on the north of Port Arthur.
They planned on building a defense along Nanshan to block the entry to Port Arthur.
Then, their main force would head north to Manchuria.
Basically, tie a string around the little finger to stop circulation
leave Port Arthur left to rot.
Therefore, the army only looked at Manchuria as their target.
They aimed to capture Liaoyang and Mukden.
Keep marching.
March northward.
June 7, 1904
Maxim machine guns are impressive.
They'd strike a blow against the Japanese army.
The maximum range is 1900m.
You can continuously shoot with a belt reload.
And it's smaller and easier to maneuver.
We'll see more piles of dead bodies with this gun.
The navy strongly requested the army to attack Port Arthur from the land.
Logistics Headquarters in Jinzhou.
For this quest, the army divided the 1st and 11th Divisions
to create the 3rd Army to attack Port Arthur.
And the 3rd Army's commander was Maresuke Nogi.
Maresuke Nogi Commander in Chief, the 3rd Army
Tsunoda, was that French?
They were discussing the Russian machine guns.
Kosuke Ijichi Chief of Staff, the 3rd Army
Russia's Maxim machine guns used at the Jinzhou fort had
shooting speed of 600 bullets per minute.
The 2nd Army fought back with all the bullets they had.
Jiro Oba, Vice Chief of Staff, the 3rd Army
They used the same number of bullets as the Sino-Japanese War in one day.
It makes no sense that we had 4,000 causalities.
Jiro Shirai Staff Officer, the 3rd Army
I understand the navy's predicament.
But if we just fall over and accept the navy's request,
we won't be able to achieve our strategy.
If the enemy gets more bullets, we just lose more soldiers.
Chief, Commander Nogi can hear you.
Captain Tsunoda.
Yes, sir.
I'll go see the remains of the Russian position in Nanshan.
Yes, sir.
Chief, would you like to go?
I have a good idea from reading this.
You accompany the Commander.
Yes, sir.
Nanshan
Nogi's oldest son, Katsusuke, was a leader of the 1st Infantry Regiment
and fought at Jinzhou fort.
But he got a lodged-bullet wound.
He died at the hospital on the next day.
Commander.
The sun is setting.
Okay.
"What is left is a desolate land with no sign of natural beauty"
"Miles of ground, still fresh with the mains of a battle"
"Horses stand motionless we remain without words"
"As we stand on a slope in Jinzhou at dusk"
The famous poem by Nogi was written on this day.
Nogi set up a command post near Dalian where the Russians had abandoned
to formulate the tactics to attack Port Arthur.
July 12, 1904
Oyama, Commander-in-Chief, and Kodama, Chief of the General Staff,
visited the Combined Fleet which was anchored off Changshang Islands.
They met Togo on Mikasa
Heihachiro Togo, Commander-in-Chief Combined Fleet
to discuss the combined operation.
This way.
Army and Navy Summit Meeting
We are aware that the army has its hands full.
The time is of the essence with the Port Arthur attack.
The navy only has one request.
We want you to chase the Russian fleet out of Port Arthur.
If you do so, we will be certain to annihilate the Russian fleet.
Once we achieve that, the Combined Fleet will return to Sasebo,
so we can prepare our ships to face the Baltic Fleet.
We completely understand the predicament you're in.
We, the army, want to help the navy as much as we possibly can.
We're very grateful.
But we haven't heard about the Baltic Fleet leaving Russia.
Iwao Oyama, Commander-in-Chief Imperial Japanese Army
That hasn't happened yet.
The 3rd Army formed for the Port Arthur attack has arrived at Dalian.
Gentaro Kodama, Chief of the General Staff Imperial Japanese Army
They'll launch the all-out attack on Port Arthur fort by the end of August.
If we capture the fortress, it'd be easy to chase the fleet out.
Not until the end of August.
That's right.
Is that soon enough?
What's your estimate of the attack?
- Akiyama. - It's fine.
It won't take us that long.
Port Arthur is not our main target.
I don't agree.
The navy assisted the army for the capture of Jinzhou fort.
That experience taught us the Russian fortress cannot be destroyed easily.
The charging soldiers were attacked by the machine guns at the fortress
and we have unthinkable number of causalities.
Time is of the essence for the navy.
If the Port Arthur attack takes longer than expected,
there's no need to take the fortress.
All we ask is for you to fire shells over the enemy fleet.
Akiyama, hold on.
Please listen.
We need you to seize this hill northwest of Port Arthur.
It's 203m high.
You have a complete view of the port.
If you position your base at this 203 Meter Hill and fire shells,
you can easily attack the enemy fleet.
Akiyama is your name?
So you're the younger brother of Yoshifuru Akiyama.
Yes, sir.
You're the brain of the navy.
The army will accept the duty to chase the Russian fleet out.
But we can't move 40,000 soldiers of the 3rd Army just for that reason.
The 3rd Army's objective is to siege Port Arthur.
Army Headquarters in Dalian
Good spirits, all of you.
Go back to your duties.
Take out the operation map.
The 1st Army has advanced to Motianling.
The 2nd Army is making its way north towards Liaoyang.
The 3rd Army is making its way to Port Arthur.
Port Arthur was an oversight on our part.
True.
Until we're ready with a battle in Liaoyang,
I said only a bamboo gate is needed in Port Arthur.
I don't like to allocate our precious soldiers to Port Arthur.
But now we must ask Nogi to expedite the siege of the fortress.
It's not a matter of whether the army wins or the navy wins.
We have no other choice.
- Matsukawa - Yes, sir.
Any word from Nogi?
Not yet.
He hasn't moved, has he?
No, he hasn't.
Kodama and Nogi were both from Choshu.
They both joined the army after the Restoration.
In 1877, they both fought in the Satsuma Rebellion against
Saigo's army in Kumamoto.
Are you tough enough to ride through Manchuria?
I'm leaving all the operations in Manchuria to you.
I don't intend to ride with the soldiers.
Liushufang
Is that Nogi?
Nogi!
It's you, Nogi.
What an honor to have the Commander to greet us.
Our plan of Port Arthur attack is...
Go ahead, Ijichi.
Russia has made a massive investment to build their fortress.
We know they spent a lot of expense.
But we don't know the detail of the expense.
It's completely different from the Sino-Japanese War time.
Russia keeps off any intelligence effort.
Usually, we do an extensive investigative work
to understand the enemy's dispositions.
We don't have time.
True.
We believe the attack from the northwest is
the best approach.
State the reason.
The railroad to Port Arthur is already under our control.
Utilize the railroad as our supply source and deploy siege-guns.
If we manage to breakthrough, we can seal the fate of the fortress.
Where's the 203 Meter Hill?
I was lectured by a navy officer.
If we capture this spot, we can easily attack the Port Arthur Fleet
as if to throw rocks at them from above.
We can't fight if we leave the railroad.
Since we don't know the enemy's positions,
we should focus on the northwest region with our full force.
Kodama.
Ijichi is doing a good job.
You don't have to worry.
Can we finish this by end of August?
End of July,
the 3rd Army blocked the Jinzhou Peninsula
and they stationed facing the Port Arthur fortress.
They took the position for the assault.
August 19th was selected as the day for the assault.
To the Commander-in-Chief.
Telegram from the patrol boat.
Smoke seen inside the port. Possible sign of enemy fleet's move.
Looks like the enemy is reacting to the army's action.
Yes.
Chief, we'll go as planned.
I wish for all ships to perform the duty at full force.
We must destroy all enemy ships.
Prepare the fighter.
Prepare the flag.
Raise 2Y.
They will fight back.
The enemy will for sure fight back.
Pull.
Over here. Hurry.
We could hear the navy's attack from here.
We all got together and cheered for them.
That was quite furious.
I heard they couldn't destroy all enemy ships.
I wonder how much of a blow it was.
Battle of the Yellow Sea
The Combined Fleet's operation ended in failure.
The Russian fleet received a serious damage
but they managed to return inside the harbor.
The Combined Fleet ended up as the guard of Port Arthur again.
It was very unfortunate. What a shame.
All those months they were waiting outside the bay
only to miss the chance of a lifetime.
You guys better watch out.
These like to sneak into things.
The navy arranged a liaison officer to be stationed with the army,
Junior Captain Danjiro Iwamura.
At least they managed to give some damage to the enemy.
Danjiro Iwamura, Navy Liaison Officer
We didn't expect they were actually making an escape to Vladivostok.
To destroy all enemy ships while they desperately make their escape is
virtually an impossible task to any navy.
Junior Captain Iwamura, there's no need for an excuse.
Whatever the case, we will siege Port Arthur.
We endure this condition in dirt for that very reason.
When the fortress falls, it'll force the fleet to leave.
The navy just have to sit back and wait until then.
Nonetheless, it was unfortunate.
So unfortunate.
August 19, 1904
On August 19th, the 3rd Army launched an assault on Port Arthur.
The First Port Arthur Assault
The main target of this operation was to attack the batteries
located between two hills on the northwest side of the fort.
Their objective was to inflict a fatal blow to this vital section
so that the army could swiftly destroy the enemy's fortress.
Charge!
Forward!
Near Banryzan Bastion
Be strong!
Commander!
Within one hour of attack, the 7th Regiment is virtually devastated.
Only in one hour?
Commander, it's dangerous here.
Good job.
Russia used more than 200,000 barrels of cement to construct the fortress,
all secured with concrete and connected with bastions.
Shooting field artillery into the fort would only scratch the surface.
It won't affect the main part of the fortress.
Captain.
Japan's 9th Division is attacking our 4th bastion.
Understood.
Japan's 9th Division has started attacking our 4th Bastion.
Let's head over there.
Get the horses. We're going to the 4th Bastion.
Yes, sir.
The fortress was surrounded by minefields
and barbed-wire entanglements.
Machine guns and quick-firing guns were also set up.
When one Japanese army troop fell, another advanced beyond the corpse.
Even if any soldiers managed to make it beyond the fortress wall,
more machine guns were waiting for them.
And even if some managed to run unhurt by those bullets,
more defense was set up to attack them.
Battle of Port Arthur might have been the first modern battle experience
for Japan to face as a newly modernized nation after the Meiji Restoration.
The fortress at Port Arthur was a symbol of modern times.
The Japanese learned that ugly truth with their own blood.
Fallen soldiers.
August 24, 1904
Captain Morishizu Ouchi of the 7th Infantry Regiment.
Infantry Major Kingo Sakuma.
Infantry Major Tamejiro Yoshida.
Infantry Lieutenant Tomoo Nomura.
Infantry Captain Hyojiro Nishida.
Infantry Major Sadao Ota.
Infantry Major...
What's this ridiculous rumor about an order to withdraw?
I hope that's not true.
We'll run out of shells by tomorrow.
It's obvious they have a lot more ammunition than us.
It's suicidal to continue!
We knew they have more ammunition.
Why did you push to attack the main wall?
The navy should stay out of the army's plan.
Then when do you plan to launch the next assault?
If the Baltic Fleet comes before the fort falls, that's the end of Japan!
What did you say?
Is the army going to let our country fall?
Iwamura!
At 4 p.m. on August24, 1904,
Nogi issued the following order to all his army troops.
Abandon the attack.
Each troop to secure and protect the current territory.
And wait for further order.
Japan faced a horrible defeat with more than 16,000 casualties.
Not only did they fail to destroy the Port Arthur fortress,
the massive fort didn't even suffer a scratch.
It was a landslide victory of the Russian fortress.
Just do it. Lower it!
Officer Akiyama, it's ridiculous to go to Dalian.
You won't return.
Just lower it.
We need the captain's permission.
Just hurry up!
- Officer Akiyama! - Hurry up!
Akiyama!
Lower it now!
Hey.
What are you doing?
I'm going to Port Arthur.
I'll talk to the 3rd Army myself.
What the hell?
I said they don't need to destroy the fortress.
The 3rd Army doesn't understand the operation's objective.
I need to tell them that!
Moron!
They're completely hurt right now.
Don't you see that?
Do you agree with what they've done?
Why would you throw our soldiers in the enemy's fort?
Cool your head!
They're not your enemy.
We've let the enemy escape in the past.
Why would the army listen to our complaints?
1st Cavalry Brigade Headquarters
Yoshifuru 's cavalry brigade received an order to go north
to investigate the enemy's movements.
They spent 20 days on the investigation.
I see someone.
Who are you?
Major Goto.
Lieutenant Kobayashi.
Welcome back.
Good job.
Report.
We discovered many bastions around Liaoyang.
We indicated their locations here.
End of report.
Get my horse.
Liaoyang
Battle of Liaoyang was approaching.
To send in a massive army and demolish the Japanese army in one fell swoop
was not only Russian army's objective, but also their determination.
Kuropatkin knew that the Japanese didn't like to move northward.
It would dampen the transport of ammunition and food supplies.
By the time the Japanese army reached north, the soldiers would be exhausted
from fighting each battle.
Our position in Liaoyang is formed with two connecting bastions
Front position at Urlungshan to Antszshan and the main position at Liaoyang.
Effective strategies or tactics are usually as simple as arithmetic.
Kuropatkin, Commander-in-Chief Russian Manchurian Army
They're concise and easy to understand even for a novice.
Kuropatkin's army had 230,000 soldiers.
But the Japanese army only had 140,000 soldiers.
Army Headquarters in Manchuria
Mr. Kodama, we must move quickly.
Russian troop gains strength by day.
We're short of ammunition.
But if we continue to collect bullets like catching raindrops,
it only diminishes the soldiers morale.
Yasukata Oku 2nd Army Commander
Toyosaburo Ochiai 2nd Army Chief of Staff
We just have to end it quickly.
We can use all the bullets we have.
Tamemoto Kuroki 1st Army Commander
We can't lose this battle.
The whole world is watching this battle.
If we lose,
no country would offer financial support to us.
That would be the end for us.
We can't be reckless by putting all our forces to this battle.
This is where we show our tenacity.
There are no easy battles.
Mr. Kodama.
Yes?
Let's do it.
Yes, sir.
Matsukawa.
- Matsukawa. - Yes, sir.
- Iguchi. - Yes, sir.
Akiyama here.
Major Goto and Lieutenant Kobayashi returned from their investigation duty.
I'm here to report.
Glad they returned safely.
I applaud them.
Get the Liaoyang area map and the pieces.
Excuse me.
The Russian position near Antszshan appears to be close to completion.
Seven machine gun positions here and four field gun positions behind them.
And three heavy artillery positions.
But in their second positions north of here in Urlungshan,
we spotted many tents and heavy artillery.
The enemy's main force seems to be stationed here, not Antszshan.
But Captain Doi who investigated in May didn't see anything in Urlungshan.
I doubt it's a major position.
But it's there now.
We'll be attacked by Mishchenko's cavalry if we're not careful.
- Ochiai. - Yes.
Get as many soldiers from the 2nd Army to Akiyama's brigade.
Are you sure?
Akiyama.
You lead and threaten the enemy from the right side
and support the 2nd Army's left wing.
Yes, sir.
"Countless corpse covers the mountains and rivers."
"A village child sells wild flowers after the war is over."
"My uncle is fighting at Port Arthur, protecting the sea of Japan."
"After the sun sets, look up at the sky."
"The North Star never moves. It's always there."
Mother asked me so I shipped lots of roasted beans to Jun.
Thank you so much.
I'm sure he appreciates them.
Does he write to you?
I think no news is good news.
Yoshifuru writes sometimes.
Do you want to see?
Are these supposed to be poems?
"Spirit of a grandmother."
"I want a peaceful life, not war."
"But war is necessary for peace."
What type of poem is this?
"Yoshiko's kindness awaits for her father's return from war."
"Kenko may be rambunctious, she only wants victory for her father."
"Nobuyoshi's bravery will get revenge if his father loses the war."
"Keeping Katsuko's name my inside pocket."
"Oops, I almost forgot Sueko and Toyoko."
Unlike Jun-san, he's horrible at writing poems.
We must write back to him.
Urlungshan, Liaoyang
Just confirmed the enemy's position at Urlungshan at 102.
That can't be true!
Keep going.
Urlungshan is not a big deal.
Let me talk to Chief Ochiai.
Hey!
Fire. Fire.
Just keep firing and we will win.
They'll run out of bullets soon.
The Japanese cavalry is attacking from our right side.
A flank attack with field guns.
Artillery attack from the right rear.
This is impossible.
Change position.
Change position now.
Change position.
On September 2nd, Kuropatkin made a very unexpected move.
All their troops started to retreat.
Retreat of All Troops
Quite an impressive bed.
Kuropatkin was lying on this bed as he planned his attack.
What a shame to trash it.
Commander, would you like to use it if you don't mind it?
Well, you know how much I like to take naps.
"Chase away the black pigeon and take a nap in its nest."
Kuropatkin held a press conference about the retreat.
He explained this was a planned retreat until the Mukden battle.
Therefore, Japan did not appear as the winner of the battle.
"Why didn't the First Army destroy the retreating enemy?"
"If they had attacked them from behind,"
"we'd be sure to defeat them in Mukden."
Headquarters has no idea!
Why didn't we chase the enemy?
If we had chased and attacked them from behind, we'd see victory in Mukden.
What are they thinking?
We can't chase them.
We have no ammunition.
Why do they dishonor our soldiers' desperate effort?
A Russian bear that should have gotten a fatal wound withdrew quietly.
The weakened Japanese made it to Liaoyang covered in injuries.
This was far from victory.
They made it only because the Russian bear withdrew.
The referee of the land battles in Manchuria might have been
The Times and Reuters.
They controlled the world's state of mind and the public opinion.
The news around the world stated Japan was at a disadvantage.
This discouraged banks in London to offer public loans to Japan.
Japan's effort to finance the war was severely affected.
Jacob Schiff, Financier
This man was Jacob Schiff, an American banker.
He agreed to offer 50 million yen, half of the loan Japan needed.
He was Jewish.
Thank you.
We truly appreciate it.
The world is very complicated.
It was a mistake to make a brat like Kuropatkin take charge.
He's a joke of the world as a retreating general.
Nicholas II
Rozhestvensky.
Yes, Your Majesty
Rozhestvensky, Commander-in-Chief Baltic Fleet
The Baltic Fleet under your wings
would crush the Asian monkey
Your Baltic Fleet will sink the Japanese navy to the bottom of the ocean.
Oyama in Manchuria will be stranded and see a miserable end.
Invade the ocean in the Far East.
Your name will never perish from your heroic achievement.
Revala Harbor
When would the Baltic Fleet set sail?
Port Arthur and its fortress were the sore spots for the Japanese army and navy.
And they continued to be.
Togo's fleet was forced to stay outside the bay to be its guard.
It's beautiful to watch.
Nogi's army to defeat the fortress as quickly as possible
was the desperate wish by all.
Tokyo Hamarikyu
This number three captive balloon lifted high above in the last Port Arthur assault.
I want to improve it to get a better view of the fortress.
Gaishi Nagaoka, Vice Chief of Staff Imperial Japanese Army
We must destroy the fortress to save our country.
We must take all measures.
Nagaoka.
We can't destroy Port Arthur with our current method.
Arisaka.
Our current artillery won't destroy the fortress.
Nariakira Arisaka, Technical Bureau Imperial Japanese Army
Nonsense!
Ijichi arid Teshima are experts in artillery.
They're doing their best.
This may be unconventional,
we should send 28cm howitzers.
A 28cm howitzer was appropriately referred to as a big gun.
It was called seacoast artillery in those days.
Nagaoka used to be an infantryman.
He doesn't know the nuisance of a 28cm howitzer.
First of all,
we need a gun platform.
It needs to withstand this huge gun.
It'll take one to two months for the concrete to dry.
That takes too long.
True.
We don't have time.
Chief Ijichi, how shall I answer?
No need to send it.
Tell them no need to send it.
They don't understand the reality of the frontline.
What we need are soldiers and bullets.
No need to send?
Is that what Ijichi said?
Yes, sir.
What about Nagaoka?
And the 28cm howitzer?
I sent it anyway.
Nagaoka ordered Artillery Captain Yokota to build a gun platform.
A team was sent to Dalian.
Russian troops were at a standstill so Kodama left the Manchuria headquarters
and headed to Port Arthur to give encouragement to the 3rd Army.
The Second Port Arthur Assault
The opinion on the 203 Meter Hill changed during the second Port Arthur assault.
The 1st Army's Chief Hoshino realized the importance of this spot
and suggested a take over at a conference at the headquarters.
But it was only considered as a compromise plan.
The army's main target remained to be the bastions that brought many casualties.
The forces were losing its unity.
Do you plan on an assault from the front?
You can't win by attacking that powerful fortress from the front.
You better rethink this.
Ijichi and Teshima only ask for more soldiers and bullets.
They sent the soldiers in the storm of bullets without any other measures.
How can they be advisors?
The great principle of a fortress battle is to attack its weak point.
Why don't you find the weak points?
Where do you think
the weak points are?
We attempted the assault without any information.
Each battery over here.
And every loophole.
We confirmed them using our human bullet.
Ijichi is not asking for bullets to take an easy way out.
Without more bullets,
we're forced to discharge soldiers as human bullets.
I refuse to dishonor the victims.
That's why for the past month
we've been digging the soil that soaked up our brothers' blood.
We've been digging mines and ditches.
Using all our forces
and destroy this main section.
I believe that's the only way to destroy the fortress.
Can you bring victory?
We must bring victory.
I'll wait for you in Liaoyang.
You must come to save us as soon as possible.
Japan may perish in Port Arthur.
Everyone had that concern.
Since the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Japan experienced an extreme struggle
to create a modernized nation.
But all that work may be lost in just 37 years.
The second assault on the fortress caused 4,900 casualties.
It ended in failure.
"Oh, autumn"
"in the boundless world, its traces"
"Oh, autumn"
"in the boundless world, its traces"
October 9, 1904
In October, the Baltic Fleet finally set out on its voyage.
The earliest the Baltic Fleet will reach the sea near Japan would be January.
Can the 3rd Army attempt another major assault?
I refuse to believe that their effort until now was all in vain.
I trust Russia is also hurt.
If they focus their last effort on the 203 Meter Hill...
We're struggling.
But Mr. Nogi is struggling even more.
Don't you agree?
Yes, I do.
We have to be patient.
This is Nagaoka.
May I enter?
Chief,
anything from the Emperor?
Don't.
Whatever happens, he will not allow replacing Nogi.
Aritomo Yamagata, Chief of the General Staff Imperial Japanese Army
Nogi will die of indignation.
With all due respect, if the 3rd Army is left with the current command,
the next assault will only cause pointless deaths.
Chief,
Japan will perish if we can't destroy Port Arthur.
I received an Imperial message to Nogi from the Emperor.
I will also issue a manifesto.
"Countless bullets as fierce as thunder that shutters the sky."
"Siege within half year or death may be eminent."
"With strong spirit, tougher than iron."
"Defeat the fortress fast and and all at once."
"Vanquish the Port Arthur fortress immediately with one stroke."
That Nogi!
Ijichi.
You don't sound good
I'm fine.
How's the preparation for the next assault?
It's going as planned.
We're on schedule to start our assault on the 26th.
That is if this headquarter exists until that day.
What do you mean?
Please watch your words.
I received the Imperial message.
"Informed of the all-out assault by the 3rd Army."
"Pleased to know the opportune time has arrived."
"My earnest wish for its success."
"All officers and men"
"take good care of themselves to put your best effort."
Commander.
Excuse me.
We advisors are at fault for putting the 3rd Army in this position.
No.
Every one of you is doing a great job.
You're doing fine.
I am the one who is responsible.
At 11 p.m. on the next day,
Nogi ordered the third assault on Port Arthur to all troops.
The plan was to attack it from the front and destroy it.
Please help Nogi.
Please make Nogi succeed.
Preview of Next Episode
Will you do all you can?
With our full strength.
Episode Eleven: 203 Meter Hill
We must to whatever we can to take the 203 Meter Hill.
Our effort will determine the fate of our country.
Do you see Port Arthur harbor from there?
Yes, I do.
I can see the whole harbor.
Original story "Sakano Ue no Kumo" by Ryotaro Shiba
Screenwriter: Hisashi Nozawa
Music: Jo Hisahi
Theme song: "Stand Alone" by Maki Mori
Titles: Ryotaro Shiba
Narration: Ken Watanabe
Masahiro Motoki as Saneyuki Akiyama
Miho Kanno as Ritsu Masaoka
Satomi Ishihara as Sueko Akiyama
Akira Emoto as Marretsuke Nogi
Takehiro Murata as Kosuke Ijichi
Koji Matoba as Gaishi Nagaoka
Teruyuki Kagava (voice) as Shiki Masaoka
Takako Matsu as Tami Akiyama
Shingo Tsurumi as Toshitane Matsukawa
Masao Kusakari as Yuzaburo Kato
Hideki Takahashi as Gentaro Kodama
Toshiyuki Nishida as Korekiyo Takahashi
Hiroshi Tachi as Hayao Shimamura
Keiko Takeshima as Sada Akiyama
Masakane Yonekura as Iwao Oyama
Toru Emori as Aritomo Yamagata
Tetsuya Watari as Heihachiro Togo
Executive Producers: Yoshihiro Kan & Yoshiki Nishimura
Producer: Satoshi Sekiguchi
Director: Taku Kato
Translation and Subtitles by Noriko Morisaki (JVTA)