General-leytenant Roman Kondratenko, commander of the 7th East Siberian Rifle Division, provided the heart and soul of the defense of Port Arthur. A dynamic front line leader, he installed the will to fight among his troops. He was often in forward positions, directing repairs and organising counter-attacks. He was an irreplaceable commander.
On the afternoon of 15th December Kondratenko and his staff went to Fort No. 2 to inspect the condition of the garrison after it had been badly damaged by Japanese howitzer fire. Shortly after 2000hrs, the Japanese began to again shell the fort. Kondratenko and his staff took shelter in one of the fort's casemates but soon after a shell hit and penetrated the casemate, killing Kondratenko and seven other officers, while seven were wounded.
With Kondratenko and so many staff killed, Russian front line morale plummeted and resistance would collapse in less than two weeks.

From Osprey Publishing's: Port Arthur 1904-05

PRICE: £550.00 (unframed)
SIZE: Image approx. H 34 cm x W 50 cm (H 13.5 x W 19.5 inches)
MEDIUM: Watercolour and gouache