at noon on august 13, 1904, general nogi launched a photo reconnaissance balloon from the wolf hills, which the russians unsuccessfully attempted to shoot down. nogi was reportedly very surprised at the lack of coordination of the russian artillery efforts, and he decided to proceed with a direct frontal assault down the wantai ravine, which, if successful, would carry japanese forces directly into the heart of the city. given his previous high casualty rate and his lack of heavy artillery, the decision created controversy in his staff; however, nogi was under orders to take port arthur as quickly as possible.