Special Drama
Shaho in Manchuria
Colonel Akiyama.
What is it?
We received a news that a large gold mine was discovered in Miyagi.
Is that true?
That's good.
It's coming from Prime Minister Katsura.
He said it'll pay for the war.
Everyone at the headquarters is ecstatic.
I have my medicine right here.
It's very effective.
Even if the gold mine discovery is a true story,
it's going to cost a lot to mine gold.
Iwao Oyama, Commander-in-Chief Japanese Imperial Army
They're only trying to lift our spirit.
Gentaro Kodama, Chief of the General Staff Japanese Imperial Army
Mr. Katsura's attempt to entertain us with a comical story.
I doubt Nogi would laugh at this.
He can't accept a joke like this.
He's hardheaded.
That's why he's not good at fights.
A very small country is
about to become a civilized nation.
This story is about three men from Iyo-Matsuyama in Shikoku.
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 the new literary forms.
Shiki
All three possessed the typical disposition of the Meiji era.
They only looked 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 Eleven: 203 Meter Hill
November 26, 1904 The Third Assault on Port
We will launch an attack at 8 a.m. today as scheduled.
Launch an assault with all troops.
For this third assault, a charge by a large suicide squad was arranged.
They would later become famous as part of a desperate fight at Port Arthur
as the white sash troop.
The enemy is expanding their forces on land
at a very rapid speed.
The Baltic Fleet is also making their way.
Our nation's safety
now depends on our troop's effort in the battleground.
You fight for your country.
Today is the day when every one of you will devote
your life to your nation.
Maresuke Nogi Commander, The 3rd Army
I hereby pray
you put your best effort.
The strong spirit of this special troop will capture the Port Arthur fortress.
Satoru Nakamura Captain, White Sash Troop
The word "retreat" must be destroyed during this battle.
We're ready.
1 p.m.
Ignite.
Charge! Charge!
Nogi's troops made their advance.
The fate of Japanese army in Manchuria
depended on the work performed by troops in Port Arthur.
If the state of their continued assault were to get any worse,
Japanese military's tactics would end up in complete failure.
And that jeopardized the fate of Japan.
Three hours into the attack,
the headquarters received reports that assaults at all lines hit a setback.
From Officer Nomura to the Commander-in-Chief.
Battleship Mikasa
I'm delivering a telegram.
From Officer Iwamura to Commander-in-Chief.
The 3rd Army launched a brave attack at 4p.m. as scheduled.
Regrettably we haven't achieved our goal. Our troop's damage is unknown.
Our troops continue to fight and launch an attack
Hayao Shimamura, Chief of Staff, Combined Fleet
in order to achieve our goal.
We are proceeding with firing at the target.
This is the telegram, Commander.
Heihachiro Togo Commander-in-Chief, Combined Fleet
And Chief of Staff.
They cannot continue this way.
If this assault ends in failure,
that'd be the end of the 3rd Army.
They must stop attacking from the front.
All they need to do is to take the 203 Meter Hill.
Is the army worried about losing face if they follow our idea?
That's not it.
Mr. Nogi doesn't command worrying about losing face.
Every man in the 3rd Army is fighting desperately right now.
We know exactly the struggle they're going through.
Russia is also struggling.
They must be struggling.
I trust Nakamura will
make it happen.
Make way for us.
Move over.
Lower him right here.
Captain!
Nakamura was attacked.
But he fought until the end.
He fulfilled his duty.
At 2 a.m.,
the headquarters received the news that the white sash troop was wiped out.
Commander,
Nakamura's troop received a severe damage.
They're forced to retreat.
That Nakamura!
Who said to destroy the word "retreat"?
You should show more compassion.
What did you say?
The white sash troop is using their bodies as human bullets against the fortress.
They don't have enough weapons or effective tactics.
The one who's killing the soldiers...
The one who's killing...
Tsunoda, stop it!
I apologize.
The ones
killing our soldiers are us.
What if we switch our target to the 203 Meter Hill?
That is...
Commander,
that is a wrong tactic.
We're so close to the enemy's throat at Sung-Shu and Erh-Lung.
If we switch our target right now,
our effort until this point will be completely wasted.
Capturing the 203 Meter Hill doesn't stop the life of the fortress.
Our objective is to siege the fortress, bring down the enemy and go northward.
Our assault of the front failed!
And the enemy's fleet
continues to be unhurt in the bay.
With no results, we're dishonoring the dead soldiers.
We must do what we can.
We must put what we have left
to capture the 203 Meter Hill in whatever way we can.
Connect me to the 1st Division.
Yes, sir.
This is the headquarters.
Attack from the front is no longer working.
But we must do anything to take the 203 Meter Hill.
Can you do that?
Captain.
They want to know if we can switch our target to the 203 Meter Hill.
We will switch now.
We'll change now, but do we have all forces?
Are we taking 203 with all forces?
Yes, we will.
With all our forces.
Inform Commander Oyama in Manchuria and Commander Yamagata immediately.
Our army must regrettably abandon the current assault and
switch our target to the 203 Meter Hill.
We direct our effort to provoke the enemy's fleet in the bay.
Yes, sir.
Get the new operational map.
Yes, sir.
Nogi himself had finally rectified all the tactics up to that point
and decided to gamble by switching the assault target to the 203 Meter Hill.
203 Meter Hill
The 203 Meter Hill stood 2km north of the City of Port Arthur.
It looked as if the earth had created a meandering bulge.
Antu Shan and Itse Shan stood connected by a valley.
Akasakayama and Namakoyama also surrounded the 203 Meter Hill.
All these ridges linked to form a very tight iron net.
Even a mouse would be blown by the crossing gunfire.
November 27, 1904
The people became part of a nation after the Meiji Restoration.
Under the constitution of universal conscription,
the people, who never fought in wars before the Restoration, became soldiers.
A modern nation provided welfare to the citizens, but it also demanded
dying at a battleground for the country.
For the first time in Japanese history the citizens were feeling
the weight of their own nation.
A nation's power in this time period, from the 19th century to the early 20th century,
referred to a nation's military power.
Within 30 years after the Restoration, the Japanese would end up
putting its military against that of the global empire of Russia.
Matsukawa here.
Chief, did you need me?
What's the matter?
We will lose
all our soldiers.
Matsukawa, listen.
I'll head to Port Arthur.
What do you mean?
We're in dire straight.
If our troops in Port Arthur continue like this,
our whole army in Manchuria will crumble.
But why does Chief of General Staff have to go encourage the 3rd Army?
I'm not going to just check.
If left untouched, the soldiers under Nogi will eventually all die.
I'll take command of the 3rd Army in place of Nogi.
But that is...
Chief, that doesn't make sense.
You'll violate the right of command and disrupt the military order.
Let's say I obey the military order.
But what good would that do if that makes our country fall?
Takasakiyama Observing Station
This place is hell.
If we can get to the peak,
we can overlook the Port Arthur harbor.
Mr. Osako.
The 7th Division men must be thinking what a place they came to.
Naoharu Osako, Captain, The 7th Division
What do you mean, Mr. Matsumura?
The 7th Division was the last to leave Japan.
We were getting impatient.
Japan is fighting a major war against Russia.
When Japan wins
and if our division from Hokkaido didn't get to deploy,
Hokkaido residents wouldn't be able to face Tsugaru Channel.
We won't let that happen.
If we send all my men in there risking all their lives,
we'll take that 203 Meter Hill.
Are you going no matter what?
Yes, sir.
I'm sorry to leave the duty here to you.
Will you replace Nogi?
Is it your plan to go to Port Arthur and take the 203 Meter Hill in place of Nogi?
Yes, sir.
What if Nogi doesn't accept?
You realize you may face a trial.
I'm well aware.
But we must do what we can now.
I must go and help Nogi.
Even if I die fighting against that monstrous fortress.
This is the time when Nogi and I both devote our lives.
I understand.
"In your place,"
"I am dispatching Captain Kodama."
"Whatever Captain Kodama states,"
"you must take as your own statement."
How does this look?
Tanaka.
- Are we ready? - Yes.
November 30, 1904.
This is 28th Regiment. We're severely hurt and have no power left to charge.
We wait for our bombardment on enemy's position.
Murakami's 7th Division headed toward the northeast peak of the 203 Meter Hill.
But they faced enemy's fierce attack which stopped their further attack.
Understood.
The 28th Regiment can't advance due to enemy attacks.
They're waiting for our bombardment.
They don't have that luxury. They must advance immediately.
Yes, sir.
The 1st Infantry Regiment headquarters was in command of the new operation.
Nogi's second son, Yasusuke, was stationed there.
I'll go check outside.
The phone line got cut.
Masamichi Murakami, The 7th Division
We need their support now!
Try calling them again.
This is Murakami Regiment.
Do you copy?
Captain.
Captain!
I'm here.
Our phone line is destroyed.
We need to send a messenger.
We must do it right away.
Murakami's regiment can't move.
We can't let them die under our eyes.
Please let me go.
Not you.
Why not?!
Is it because I'm the commander's son?
Captain.
We have no other choice.
What are you saying?
All of us are severely injured.
Nogi is the only one who can physically perform this duty.
I will go.
Telegram from the Manchuria headquarters.
Thank you.
Read it to me.
Yes, sir.
"Dispatching Chief of General Staff Kodama to your army."
"He's scheduled to arrive in Changlingji at 7:38 a.m. on December 1, 1904."
I wonder why Chief Kodama is coming.
There's also an order from Commander Oyama.
Addressed to you.
Go ahead and read it to me.
To Commander of the 3rd Army. From Commander-in-Chief.
Order One.
"The unclear situation of a battle at the 203 Meter Hill has proven"
"that better control of command is necessary."
Again!
We know what the rest says.
They say our quarters are too far from the frontlines.
Or the position of the reserve corp is not good.
I'm sure it lists critiques of those who don't know what's going on here.
Yes.
Order Two
The headquarters is located to far from the reserve corps.
Therefore, the support against the enemy's counterattacks...
What do they know?
We're doing everything we can.
According to what we saw from the sea,
Russian searchlight kept lighting the 203 Meter Hill last night.
I also saw occasional artillery fires.
Russia's counterattack was ferocious.
Officer Akiyama.
You should get some sleep tonight.
Too many overnighters can affect you when the Baltic Fleet arrives.
We don't have such luxury.
The 3rd Army is finally focusing on the 203 Meter Hill.
How can I rest when they're struggling?
I'm only saying this because we need you to stay healthy for us.
All of the 7th Division joined the 3rd Army.
That means there's no soldiers in the reserve left.
Within one week of the assault, they have no reserve soldiers left.
Knowing the trend, the 3rd Army will soon issue a stop on the assault.
Fool!
Even if we have to lose 40,000 or 50,000 soldiers, we must take that hill.
That's not like you.
What did you say?
I thought your tactics were to keep the casualties as little as possible.
Do you put different values to the lives of the army and that of the navy?
Say that again!
Officer Akiyama!
That's enough, Akiyama.
Kiyokawa, you, too.
Akiyama.
Our effort will determine the fate of our country.
That's what I mean.
We mustn't criticize like it's someone else's problem.
That's what I mean.
The 203 Meter Hill is not only a decisive battle of Port Arthur,
but it's the crucial battle of this whole war.
Our enemy will do everything in their power to fight back.
The Port Arthur fortress will fall if we capture the 203 Meter Hill.
And Russia will lose this war if we capture the hill.
This operation is that crucial.
Excuse me.
Both Nogi and Kodama were from Choshu.
"The holy spirit stands, it remains eternally unvaried."
Nogi was trained and educated by his relative, Bunnoshin Tamaki.
As a true samurai, Tamaki was also a teacher and uncle to
Shoin Yoshida, a famous warrior.
"The rules on this Earth is to take the path of honesty."
"The purpose of a man..."
Kodama was from a well-to-do samurai family that served
the Tokuyama Domain in Choshu.
After his father's passing: his sister's husband succeeded the family.
But he was killed by supporters of the shogun in front of the family.
Kodama was only 13 years old when this incident took place.
But he maturely dealt with the clean up of his brother-in-law's dead body.
Nogi and Kodama grew up in the chaotic time in history.
Their personal circumstances were closely tied to the birth of a new nation.
And when this nation's fate was on the line,
one was a Chief of General Staff
and the other was the commander leading the siege on Port Arthur.
Commander.
I'm awake.
Excuse me.
We received a news from Lieutenant-Colonel Yoshioka.
According to his news, shortly after 4 p.m. today...
the aid to Captain Tonoyasu, Sublieutenant Yasusuke Nogi was
hit by an enemy bullet on his head and was killed in action.
I do not know what to say.
He fulfilled his duty.
What's happening at the 203 Meter Hill?
As a result of the repetitious suicidal charges by the Japanese soldiers,
a miracle happened on the night of the November 30th.
The 203 Meter Hill was finally captured by the Japanese army.
Prepare for counterattack!
All to take positions.
Prepare for counterattack!
How many soldiers are left?
We started with 100, but now less than 40.
Murakami Regiment succeeded in capturing the northwest position!
Murakami Regiment successfully captured the northwest position of the hill.
The Japanese took the northwest and southwest corners
of the 203 Meter Hill.
Dismissed.
The northwest and southwest corners of the 203 Meter Hill
was captured by the Japanese.
A war is like breathing.
There's a time to breathe in and breathe out.
We'll send three troops to the hill to counterattack.
We'll get navy's special companies from Bayan and Peresvet.
And send a company from our Third Bastion.
Understood, sir.
We know how to win a war.
Don't give needless rest to the soldiers.
Motivate the frightened soldiers.
Chief.
We captured the 203 Meter Hill.
Where are we now?
Jinzhou station.
The headquarters called us here at the station.
We captured it.
Yes, sir.
Where is the back up?
Those 40 soldiers were true winners.
But they were the most miserable winners.
No bullets to shoot. And no water to drink.
This small company of 40 soldiers were protecting the northwest corner.
Once the day broke, the Russians would know there were only 40 of them.
Chief.
Lieutenant Colonel Oba of the 3rd Army is here to greet you.
Excuse me, sir.
Oba.
Good job.
You saved Japan.
Early this morning the 203 Meter Hill got
recaptured by the enemy.
What?
Two troops attacked the northwest and southwest comers of the hill
and they captured the peak at 10 p.m. last night.
But we couldn't supply them with more ammunition and food...
Idiot!
Why did you say you captured it?
Do you even have a clear understanding of the battlefield?
Of course we do.
Did you see it?
If you use your own eyes, you know if it's a true capture or not.
Yes, sir.
The Baltic Fleet is making its way towards Japan as we speak.
- I know. - No you don't!
Because your tactics aren't working!
The tactics we plan are responsible for tens of thousands of lives.
Think about that first!
Chief.
Oba.
Yes, sir.
Are those headstones of the 3rd Army?
The soldiers joining the 3rd Army see those headstones from this train.
What would they think?
How careless can you be to line the main path with those headstones?
What are you all doing?
What's going on?
You left those soldiers stranded. They put their lives on the line.
And left them motionless while the enemy recaptured our target.
Please sit...
What?
Please sit on that chair.
Do you have neuralgia?
Help him.
We couldn't send reinforcements because we have no ammunition.
What did you say?
Have you ever met my request for ammunition?
You're also responsible for letting our soldiers die without reinforcement.
Isn't that true?
It's your job to do something about it.
Impossible!
If you want to blame someone else for you responsibility,
go see Stessel of the Russian army and blame him.
Tell him it's because his army is too strong for us!
Please stop joking.
Every troop is dealing with lack of ammunition.
Do the best you can in the situation.
What I mean by that is to use your own eyes to understand the situation.
Use your own body and do your job!
Stand up!
Where's Nogi?
He went to check the frontline hoping to catch you along the way.
He was hoping to meet you on the frontline.
He was concerned about the distance of this headquarters from the frontline.
Chief.
What now?
Commander Nogi's second son was killed in action yesterday.
Thanks.
Is that you, Nogi?
Your beard has gotten greyer.
Is there a place we can talk in private?
Commander and Chief
This is good enough. Isn't this good, Nogi?
- Tanaka. - Yes, sir.
Don't let anyone come in until I call you.
Yes, sir.
Leave us.
Hey, Nogi.
I'm very sorry to hear about Yasusuke.
You not only lost Katsusuke, but now Yasusuke.
I've already killed 12,000 officers and men.
So what my sons died in action?
I plan on charging into the 203 Meter Hill sooner or later.
I'm sorry. Forgive me.
I appreciate your hard work.
No other commanders could have done what you did.
You know,
I didn't take the fortress seriously enough.
I didn't have a proper understanding on how many soldiers we'd need.
I came this way
because I want to state my opinion on the 3rd Army's tactics
as a good friend to you.
But if Ijichi and others refuse to listen to my opinions,
my trip would be wasted.
Therefore,
I wonder if I could temporarily borrow your authority
to give command to them.
Tell them to treat me as you.
Please.
I wrote a will before I left the headquarters.
I have no regret.
The Satsuma Rebellion.
What?
You paid a visit to me during that battle.
Remember that?
I remember.
The regimental flag I was granted by the Emperor was taken away.
I decided to die.
But you told me
to entrust my life to you.
I said that.
Since that time, my life has been entrusted to you.
Kodama.
I beg you.
Nogi.
If you take the command of the 3rd Army,
that gives me such comfort.
That leaves me no regret and
I can focus on the assault of the 203 Meter Hill.
Chief.
We're going back.
Gather all officers.
- Why not meet tomorrow? - We must do it today.
Get the horse!
This shows our current situation.
And heavy artillery positions.
What I state now is an order.
Following Commander Oyama's order, I will be advising Commander Nogi.
I request the change in the assault tactics.
First.
To capture the 203 Meter Hill, reposition the heavy artillery troops
to Takasakiyama immediately.
Take over Itse Shari to stop the enemy's recovery attacks.
It's impossible to immediately reposition heavy artillery.
Do you understand that we will lose this war if you cannot make it happen?
I command
to complete the reposition of heavy artillery in the next 24 hours.
Yes, sir.
Secondly,
after capturing the 203 Meter Hill, fire the 28cm howitzer constantly
at 15-minute intervals to fight the enemy's counterattacks.
You instruct us to fire the 28cm howitzer constantly every 15 minutes
into the 203 Meter Hill.
That's what I said.
There's a risk of shooting our own men.
It's not a risk. It's a strong probability.
Do what you can.
We cannot shoot the Emperor's men with the Emperor's artillery.
Then who killed those Emperor's men because of the ineffective tactics?
I demand the change in tactics so we will put a stop to useless deaths.
Using artillery as covering fire has good and bad.
But the lives lost from this would be much less than
the lives lost from the hellish situation of continuing on the current path.
The infantrymen have charged and reached the peak.
But they were counterattacked and killed.
We will stop the counterattack.
The only way to stop is to use the heavy artillery as covering fire.
You've been following the belief of covering fire being dangerous.
But how many soldiers have you lost already?
You all may the experts of the past, but you don't specialize in the future.
This war is at a point where the tactics need to be changed.
Mr. Osako.
Chief, you're visiting...
I hear Hokkaido's soldiers are brave.
You're right.
They were very brave.
We had 15,000 soldiers but now only 1,000 are with us.
Advance!
What a fierce attack...
This is 203 Meter Hill.
Get me Major General.
When the morning sun rises in the east,
our troop's honorable flag will flatter proudly in the air and shine.
I respectfully express my farewell wishes.
We will start our charge now.
Farewell.
This is the only word I have to say.
We will leave our remains in this battleground!
Charge!
Don't shoot us!
We're almost to the top.
Go!
Move. Make the way.
Don't stop.
It's connected.
This is the peak of 203 Meter Hill.
Takasakiyama, do you copy?
We're connected.
Can you see the Port Arthur harbor from there?
Yes, we can!
We can see everything!
We have a clear view of all of enemy's ships.
Order!
Each howitzer artillery troop to start shooting at enemy's ships immediately!
Take shelter.
Don't create any panic.
Don't panic.
We got the enemy battleships!
Their damage is severe!
Don't let our guard down.
Some ships may make desperate escape out of the bay.
Yes, sir.
The blockade operation that lasted for ten months was about to come to an end.
So you're not coming with me.
Sorry, but I woke up with a stomachache.
Take care of yourself. I'm off.
Thanks for doing this.
- Tanaka. - Yes, sir.
Can you go get me a dentist?
I have a toothache.
I thought you had a stomachache.
I have both.
Tanaka, listen.
Inspection of the captured territory is the commander's responsibility.
I'm no longer needed here.
I thank you for the job well done.
Sir.
We lost many courageous soldiers.
True.
The 203 Meter Hill was in the hands of Japan.
Nogi's diary for December 11th stated,
"windy, intensely cold at -10 degrees."
As Nogi headed for his inspection, Shigetaka Shiga walked out with him.
It was a cold and snowy morning.
Nogi first stopped by the garden and came back to Shiga.
He handed a piece of paper to Shiga.
On it was a famous poem about the 203 Meter Hill by Nogi.
"Ni-rei-san (203), erects vertically, not impossible to climb."
"Men conquered their obstacles and achieved a great feat."
"Their blood and weapons have changed the shape of the mountain."
"One and all to respect the souls on this Ni-rei-san."
Ni (you) Rei (soul) San (mountain)
Nogi assigned letters that phonetically corresponded to the hill's altitude, 203.
This was Nogi's attempt to comfort the countless souls lost on this hill.
He started his poem by calling out "mountain of your soul."
That's how he concluded his poem as well.
In the afternoon of December 11th,
the ashes and articles belonging to Yasusuke Nogi was delivered.
Nogi stated this event in his dairy simply as
"Yasusuke's ashes and his belongings were delivered to me."
Russia was gathering a million soldiers in preparation for a battle in Mukden.
At the same time, Russia was facing another serious problem.
Colonel Motojiro Akashi was conducting a major espionage within Europe
in an attempt to destroy Russia from within.
He instigated the rebels of the countries that were pressured by Czarist Russia.
Just before the fall of Port Arthur,
Akashi succeeded in organizing a coalition meeting in Paris.
Revolutionaries from various factions united for the first time.
The pride of Czarist Russia was very much alive.
The Baltic Fleet had passed the Cape of Good Hope in Africa,
steadily making its way to the Far East.
How would the Combined Fleet engage in a battle with the enemy fleet?
That would depend on the tactics by a navy strategist, Saneyuki Akiyama.
Preview of Next Episode
They're here! They're here!
The fate of the Empire depends on this action.
We will win.
We must protect this place until the end.
We have a visual of the Russian Fleet on the left!
Episode Twelve: Enemy Fleet Arrives
"The weather is serene with high waves."
Which way are we going to fight?
Prepare the flag signal.
Raise "Z"!
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
Starring
Masahiro Motoki as Saneyuki Akiyama
Hiroshi Abe as Yoshifuru Akiyama
Akira Emoto as Marretsuke Nogi
Takehiro Murata as Kosuke Ijichi
Shingo Tsurumi as Toshitane Matsukawa
Hiroshi Katsuno as Masamichi Murakami
Hideki Takahashi as Gentaro Kodama
Hiroshi Tachi as Hayao Shimamura
Masakane Yonekura as Iwao Oyama
Tetsuya Watari as Heihachiro Togo
Executive Producers: Yoshihiro Kan & Yoshiki Nishimura
Producer: Satoshi Sekiguchi
Director: Taku Kato
Translation and Subtitles by Noriko Morisaki (JVTA)