Chapter 138: Battle of Songjiang: Battle of Songhu (III)

On the street at the entrance of the brigade department, there were a group of soldiers wearing blue military uniforms and ragged clothes. They were wearing straw sandals on their feet, hats on their backs, and various rifles on their shoulders. The better Hanyang made, most of them were old sleeves, and there were even singles from the Qing Dynasty. Many people either hung their arms or had blackened bandages soaked in blood and sweat on their heads, and carried many stretchers. The chaotic eyes of the seriously injured on the stretcher were lifeless.

A lieutenant general who looked in his fifties saw Huang Qixiang and Shen Xiuwen coming out, quickly walked out of the team, saluted Huang Qixiang, who was also a lieutenant general, and spoke a strong Sichuan accent: "Sir Huang, the Forty-three Army was ordered to report."

The person in front of him was Guo Rudong, the commander of the Forty-third Army of the Sichuan Army, undoubtedly. Huang Qixiang quickly returned the salute and pointed at the soldiers behind Guo Rudong and said in surprise: "Captain Guo, is this?"

Guo Rudong smiled embarrassedly and said, "To be honest, our 43rd Army has just retreated from the position on the south bank of Suzhou River, and everyone is here."

"There are only these left in your 43rd Army?" Huang Qixiang looked shocked.

Guo Rudong shook his head and smiled bitterly: "The orders came in a hurry. Our 43rd Army only had one 26th Division out of Sichuan this time. We guarded Yunzaogang for seven days. The south bank of Suzhou River lasted for ten days. Now there are only these left for more than 9,000 brothers." As he said that, Guo Rudong patted his chest and said: "But please don't worry, our 43rd Army has not many people, but there is nothing to say to fight the Japanese."

Huang Qixiang's eyes suddenly blurred. He was not very familiar with the situation of the troops on the Songhu battlefield, but the five troops with the largest number of Neon troops and the best performance were eliminated on the Songhu battlefield, including the 20th Independent Brigade, the 11th Division, the 36th Division, the 88th Division, and the 26th Division of the Sichuan Army. They defended Yunzaogang for seven days and seven nights, not only defended their positions to repel the 3rd Division and the 101st Division of the Neon Army's 3rd Division, but also recovered some of the positions that the former 21st Army had failed in counterattack and lost.

Huang Qixiang turned his head and said to Shen Xiuwen, who was also shocked, "Liberation, the brothers of the Forty-Three Army have just retreated and have not had time to rest, look."

Before Huang Qixiang finished speaking, Shen Xiuwen hurriedly said, "Don't worry, Chief Huang, I will arrange the brothers of forty-three years." After that, he immediately ordered Zheng Huaishan, the logistics officer standing aside, and said, "Director Zheng, you can arrange for the brothers of forty-three to have a meal and rest immediately, and order the brigade hospital to quickly treat the injured brothers of forty-three."

"Yes." Zheng Huaishan, who was also feeling, immediately responded.

Then, Shen Xiuwen walked to Guo Rudong, stood attentively and saluted: "Captain Guo, the captain of the 20th Independent Brigade Shen Xiuwen reported to you."

Guo Rudong quickly replied with a military salute and said, "Brig Commander Shen, I dare not be, I dare not be. I have long heard of the reputation of Brigade Commander Shen and the 20th Independent Brigade. It is a blessing to see him today. Thanks to Brigade Commander Shen for helping him when the 43rd Army was in a downturn. On behalf of all the brothers of the 43rd Army, I would like to thank Brigade Commander Shen for his help."

At this time, Zheng Huaishan had already contacted Guo Rudong's adjutant and took the 500 remaining soldiers of the 43rd Army to rest and cure his wounds. Seeing these down-and-out Sichuan soldiers walking past him, Shen Xiuwen's nose felt sour. In the eight years of the War of Resistance Against Japan, Sichuan Province, as the rear, made great contributions and sacrifices to the War of Resistance. The Sichuan Army had 3 million people left Sichuan, with 640,000 casualties! The number of people participating in the war and the number of casualties ranked first in the country!

The old man who was wearing tattered straw sandals, wearing a shabby military uniform, a local rifle on his shoulders, and a Sichuan-made "twig grenade" was hung. The elderly may still remember the representative image of the three million Sichuan troops back then. With these inferior equipment that could only "kill local chickens and rabbits", the Sichuan people who came out of the hinterland of Sichuan had suffered heavy casualties at the forefront of the war, but they were not afraid.

"There are all, salute to the heroes of the War of Resistance and all the Sichuan Army brothers of the Forty-Three Army." Chen Xiuwen stood on the steps at the door and ordered loudly.

"Salute to the heroes of the War of Resistance!" The soldiers in the guard camp at the door and the adjutant of the staff behind them solemnly raised their right hand to salute the hero's troops. Crystal tears flashed in many people's eyes.

"Salute to the heroes of the War of Resistance!" Huang Qixiang stood in front and saluted the soldiers solemnly.

Obviously, it was the first time these soldiers from the miscellaneous troops who had just walked out of the Bashan River and Shu River that had received such courtesy. They all seemed at a loss and timidly replied to the unstandard military salutes.

Guo Rudong, the commander of the slick Forty-three Army, also returned to Huang Qixiang and Shen Xiuwen with tears in his eyes and said, "Thank you, thank you, Chief Huang, thank you, Brigade Commander Shen, and thank you brothers from the 20th Independent Brigade."

In the evening, Chen Xiuwen held a banquet to entertain Huang Qixiang and Guo Rudong. During the meal, amid the surprised gazes of Shen Xiuwen and Huang Qixiang, Guo Rudong killed two braised horns alone.

"See you, laugh." Guo Rudong wiped his mouth and returned to his old and smooth nature. He smiled and said, "This is the first time in more than half a month that I have eaten such delicious hot soup and hot rice. Thanks to the hospitality of Brigade Commander Chen." As he said, Guo Rudong said in a bit of danger again: "However, there is still a reluctant request to ask Brigade Commander Chen to help."

"Captain Guo, please say bluntly that being able to serve the Forty-three Army is also a privilege to Xiuwen." Although Guo Rudong is more than 20 years older than Chen Xiuwen, it is not an exaggeration to be the uncles and uncles of Chen Xiuwen in terms of age. However, his humorous and cunning personality made Chen Xiuwen, who had always been used to being in contact with the rigid Central Army general, quite acquainted with him, and he quickly said with a smile.

"It's my more than 500 brothers who have almost run out of ammunition. Seeing that the Japanese are about to come, you can't let the brothers work with the Japanese with bayonets. So, I would like to ask Brigade Commander Chen to borrow some ammunition for us first."

"Captain Guo, I think the brothers of the Forty-three Army carry Hanyang and old sleeves, right?" Chen Xiuwen smiled slightly.

Guo Rudong nodded awkwardly. It was an indisputable fact that the Sichuan Army's equipment was poor. He just saw that the guard battalion of the 20th Independent Brigade was either the expensive Thomson submachine gun or the large rifle that he didn't know. They were all first-class equipment, and their own troops could not compare.

"Our department is equipped with medium-term rifles, and the ammunition distributed is also 7.92mm pointed bullets. These ammunitions are not universal to your department's weapons at all." Chen Xiuwen then said with a smile.

Guo Rudong was stunned. He had already treated them with delicious food and drink, and the wounded were also well rescued. He was embarrassed to ask them for weapons again.

However, Chen Xiuwen's answer just now was enough to express the arrogant tone of the Central Army's direct troops towards the local army, which made Guo Rudong look embarrassed. Even Huang Qixiang, who was sitting in the middle, couldn't help but frown. But it was indeed the case. When Huang Qixiang was about to open his mouth to fight and smooth things over, he heard Chen Xiuwen continue to say: "Although there is no ammunition matching your department, our department still has some daily weapons seized from the warehouse of Huishan Wharf last time, including three hundred 38 rifles, ten Dazheng 11 light machine guns, and four 92 heavy machine guns. In addition, there are three base ammunition and some Type 92 grenades. If Commander Guo doesn't dislike it, I will send someone to your department later."

When Guo Rudong heard this, he immediately grew up. You should know that although the 26th Division is the main force of the Forty-Three Army, each company below only has a light machine gun and fifty or sixty old rifles at most. Some new recruits only have mohua grenades and big knives. Facing Chen Xiuwen, he was a little embarrassed, and asked him not to dislike these weapons and ammunition, which could be equipped with a reinforcement battalion.

"Don't dislike it, don't dislike it. Brother Shen is so generous and generous, I don't know what to say. I didn't say anything. When the Japanese arrived, our 43rd Army will definitely take the lead. At that time, Chief Huang will give orders just by issuing orders." Guo Rudong said hurriedly.

Guo Rudong, who had been in Sichuan for more than 20 years of warlords, still had no reason in the surprises. There was no free lunch in the world. Especially in the current battlefield of Songhu, the troops were catching their ties, otherwise he would have only so many people left, and he would not have been allowed to reinforce Songjiang. Compared with other direct troops, Chen Xiuwen was obviously much more kind, not to mention that he had paid several times the wages in advance, so of course he should have taken the initiative.

Huang Qixiang didn't say anything at this time, which seemed normal in his opinion. However, when Chen Xiuwen heard this, he knew that Guo Rudong was obviously wrong and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Captain Guo, your brothers in your army have been fighting for more than half a month and need rest. Our army has already set up defense lines outside Songjiang. After your army recovers, we will fight together again."

As soon as these words were said, not only Guo Rudong was stunned, but even Huang Qixiang was surprised. The two of them looked at Chen Xiuwen in surprise.

"Brother Shen, I won't say anything else. I'll write down this favor. As long as we can use the place where the fourth and third armies are, I'll just give it to you." Guo Rudong said with a grateful look. To be honest, Guo Rudong has never seen Chen Xiuwen's generous and generous behavior. Even if he is a slick old warlord like him, he would sincerely express his gratitude at this time.

Huang Qixiang didn't say anything, but just nodded at Chen Xiuwen's appreciation.

The Neon Army has landed in Hangzhou Bay today, and it is only in the past two or three days that the reinforcements of the Forty-third Army have basically lost their combat capabilities. Chen Xiuwen sent them these weapons without expecting them to play a role. He just expressed some respect for this brave Sichuan Army unit and helped them as much as possible.

"Report, according to the report of the front reconnaissance team, after the Neon Army landed today, part of the 6th Division of the Neon Army had been dispatched overnight tonight, and the troops were divided into two groups, reaching our Songjiang. Neon Army."

Before Chen Zuiwen could finish the report, Chen Xiuwen suddenly walked quickly to Chen Zui and asked excitedly: "Did you just say it was the Sixth Division?"

He was stunned and said quickly: "It is part of the 6th Division of the Neon Army that has already advanced to Songjiang in two directions. According to their route, one route will be directly inserted into Mishidu from the front, and the other route will be able to detour to the Litahui and Shihudang areas and launch two sides of the attack on Songjiang. It is estimated that the Neon Army on the front will reach the north bank of the Huangpu River tomorrow morning."

"Okay! The 6th Division of the Neon Army, OK! I'm telling him that he can't come back." Chen Xiuwen paced back and forth in the room, gritting his teeth. Nanjing killed innocent people indiscriminately, and the 16th Division was the culprit, and it was also the beast army that killed the most Chinese people. Chen Xiuwen didn't expect that the first attack on Songjiang was the Sixth Division.

"Villain, do you know this Sixth Division?" Chen Zui asked in surprise.

According to the information he had, the 6th Division, also known as the Kumamoto Division, was the 17th year of the Republic of China when the Neon Army committed the "Jinan Massacre" in Jinan. Since the September 18th Incident, it has confronted the Chinese national team in the Rehe area of ​​North China for a long time, and defeated Shang Zhen's 32nd Army during the Great Wall War of Resistance.

"I know so much. I still have to pay back the blood debt of the Sixth Division." Chen Xiuwen said excitedly. Then he ordered: "Call the Chief of Staff immediately."

Chen Xiuwen thought that Chen Xiuwen was referring to the "Jinan Massacre" created by the Sixth Division that year, so he hurriedly responded to notify Chief of Staff Qiao Zhen.

The lights of the 20th Independent Brigade were bright, and Chen Xiuwen and Qiao Zhen were nervously responding to their subordinates. At this time, Huang Qixiang, the deputy commander-in-chief of the Right-wing Corps who had already rested, also rushed to hear the news.

"Luan Restore, the Neon Army rushed to Songjiang overnight?"

"Yes, Chief Huang." Chen Xiuwen quickly reported the enemy situation of the reconnaissance team to Huang Qixiang.

Huang Qixiang nodded, and said with a glee: "Fortunately, your 20th Independent Brigade built an outer defense fortification as early as possible, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable." Then he frowned and asked with some concern: "The vanguard of the 67th Army will not arrive until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. There are tens of thousands of vanguards attacked by the Neon Army this time. Can you persist until the reinforcements arrive?"

"Report to Chief Huang, there is no problem at all." Chen Xiuwen pointed to the map and explained to Huang Qixiang: "Our army has already built two defensive positions in Mishidu and Litahui. In the Mishidu area, our army has already pulled all ships on the other side to the south bank, and the Neon Army can only use its own ferry equipment to force the ferry. The Forty Regiment defended the river and had no problem persisting for a day. As for the other Neon Army, their purpose is to circumvent the areas of Litahui and Shihudang, and then advance east along the Shanghai-Hangzhou Line, forcing me to Songjiang Xiguan. I have ordered a battalion of the 42nd Regiment to seize the No. 30 Bridge of the Shanghai-Hangzhou Railway in Shihudang area and establish a bridgehead to block the Neon Army. Litahui and Shihudang are only a few miles apart, and they can reinforce at any time on both sides. In addition, when it is absolutely necessary, they can blow up the No. 30 Bridge to block the Neon Army's attack."

After listening to Chen Xiuwen's report, Huang Qixiang let out a sigh of relief and said, "Everyone said that you are independent and 20 brigades are good at guarding you. I hope I can witness it with my own eyes. After the 67th Army arrives, I will ask you to withdraw."
Chapter completed!