203 Meter Hill overlooks Port 
Arthur, both the town and the 
harbor.  It served as a key to 
the Russian defense of the area, 
as artillery sited on the hill 
could reach as far the Russian 
fleet stationed in the harbor. 

As the siege of Port Arthur 
dragged on throughout the last 
months of 1904, Japanese 
commander Nogi pressed the 
Russian defenses at Hill 203.  
The first Japanese assault was 
launched on September 20th, and 
was repulsed with a loss of 
2,500 casualties.  

Another assault on Hill 203 was 
launched in early November, 
which degenerated into medieval 
style siege warfare.  Tunnels 
and counter tunnels was dug on 
both sides, and the weapon of 
choice was clubs, knives, and 
fists.  The fierce hand to hand 
fight left many dead and 
wounded, literally scattered 
all over the hill side. 

The Russians eventually 
withdrew, covered by two 
counter-attacks. 

The Russians lost a total of 
3,000 casualties in defense of 
Hill 203, while the Japanese 
lost about 12,000.  As a result 
of the Japanese victory, they 
were able to place artillery 
pieces on top of the hill.  
Through these pieces, the 
Japanese were able to virtually 
wipe out the entire Russian 
Pacific fleet, harbored in Port 
Arthur.