20 October 1904 Liaoyang, Manchuria
The Trans Siberian railway had been officially completed some 24 days hence, helping greatly the problem of logistics for the Russian armies. General Kuropatkin had needed a victory and he had finally achieved one.
The battle began on 5 October 1904, with the Western Detachment moving 25 kilometres South across open terrain within minimal opposition, reaching the banks of the Shli River on 7 October. The Eastern Detachment also moved South through mountainous terrain 36 kilometres, reaching the hamlet of Bianyupusa on 8 October. Kuropatkin gambled that the Japanese general Oyama would perceive that the Western Detachment moving down the plains was the main thrust against Liaoyang, whereas his main strike force was actually the Eastern Detachment moving in the concealment of the hills. The ruse worked all too well.
The Eastern thrust under Lt General Baron Georgii Karlovich Stackelberg attacked the Japanese 12th Division near the Yantai coal mines, and by nightfall had taken 5000 casualties. The IJA 12th Division had lost even more men, but on attacks being renewed on the 12th broke, it's fire slackening away with what was later shown to be ammunition shortages.
Stackelberg's forces were able to break through, capturing a large concentration of Japanese artillery on Sankaisekisan (called "One-Tree Hill" by the Russians) and pushing on and recapturing Liaoyang on the 19th. The Japanese had retreated mainly in good order, but had lost over 2,000 men that had been too slow to retreat. Overall, the Russian had lost 4,500 killed and 24,000 wounded, as opposed to Japanese losses of 9,000 killed and 21,000 wounded.
The balance, however, had tipped. Whilst the Russians were now more able to reinforce, the Japanese were less able to do so. With winter coming supply, particularly of fuel and foodstuffs, would be all important. The war would be come more static and artillery would also rise in importance. If one had the ammunition to fire it.
