Chapter 157: Defend to the death (2)

Yanagawa Heisuke stood in front of the map with his brows locked and looked at the small Songjiang marked on the map. Today is June 10th, and it has been five days since the 10th Army landed, but under the attack of the Sixth and 18th Divisions, this small Songjiang City is still firmly in the hands of the Chinese national team, blocking his 10th Army's intention to encircle the rear wing of the Songhu Army.

In the past two days, the telegrams in front flew to the 10th Army Command, which was still located in Jinshan County next to Hangzhou Bay. Although the 16th Division, which landed from Baimaokou, was progressing smoothly, it was obviously unlikely to independently cut off the retreat of the Songhu army. Under the strong defense of the 15th Army of the Chinese National People's Republic of China, the 16th Division suffered heavy casualties. Lieutenant General Nakajima Imao sent six telegrams in two days, requiring the 6th Division and the 18th Division to be in place in time according to the troops before the war.

Yanagawa Heisuke was under great pressure. Not only did Major General Tokutaro Sakai be killed, but he also lost nearly one-third of his troops. More importantly, due to the unfavorable attack of the 10th Army, the Chinese national team began to retreat two days ago, allowing the military headquarters to wipe out the main force of the Chinese army in the Songhu area, and forcing the Nanjing government to surrender to the Nanjing government. These not only caused great dissatisfaction with the commander of the Shanghai Expeditionary Army, Matsui Ishione, but also the Japanese military headquarters also questioned him.

At only 60 years old, Heisuke Yanagawa, who was an important figure in the "Imperial Doctrine Sect", was dismissed after the "226th" Incident and was assigned to the reserve service. This time he came out of the mountain and served as the commander of the 10th Army. Heisuke Yanagawa was originally full of confidence and was preparing to attack Nanjing directly with his 100,000 troops while defeating the Songhu army. What a glory it would be to be able to capture the capital of the enemy country. But the small Songjiang City in front of him actually blocked the 10th Army's advance. After receiving another request from the leader of the 6th Division, Heisuke Yanagawa, the last reserve team, the Guoqi Detachment, was sent on.

At this time, Songjiang City was shrouded in smoke, and several fires were caught in the city. The police in the county were extinguishing the fire points caused by artillery fire.

On June 10th, it was still cloudy. Under the smoke, it was dark as if it was like the dark sky, and the burnt smell kept rushing to people's nostrils. The sound of gunfire at Xiguan and the South Gate was very close, and streets and alleys were full of street fighting fortifications. In addition to the fortress, there were machine gun bunkers at every entrance, especially the entire street, and the fortifications were made special. The stone slabs on the ground were all dug up and built into stone lanes that were taller than people. The stone alley was curved and connected in countless zigzags. The soldiers of the Independent Twenty Brigade Engineering Battalion were busy, carrying stone slabs and stones everywhere, and building the zigzag fortifications to the entrance of the county middle school in the center of the county town.

It has been defending for two days. The south gate of the Independent 20th Brigade has been defending the stable defensive position and the strong fire support of the fire battalion set up in the southeast corner of the county, which has repeatedly set off the attack of the 6th Division, and has also prevented the Neon Army from detouring to the east gate.

But the situation of the 67th Division was not optimistic. First, Xiguan suffered an attack from a whole division of the 18th Division. Second, the German-armed Division unit of the 67th Division had already lost all its elite troops in the Luodian defense battle. Now most of them are supplementary recruits, lacking combat experience, and their equipment is far inferior to that of the Independent 20th Brigade. They were broken into Xiguan several times by the 18th Division. Although they finally relied on the tenacious counterattack of the 67th Division officers and soldiers and timely reinforcements of the Independent 20th Brigade, they barely defended their positions. However, the 67th Division suffered heavy casualties, four regiment commanders, two were killed and one was seriously injured. At the most critical moment, Huang Wei even personally led the guard battalion to charge.

Wang Guilin, in his early fifties, was a juren during the Xuantong period of the former Qing Dynasty. Now he is the deputy commissioner of the Third Administrative Zone in southern Jiangsu and the county magistrate of Songjiang. He is wearing a black Zhongshan suit and a national emblem with a blue sky and a sunny day on his chest. However, he is wearing a box cannon cross-body, but he looks a little out of character. At this time, he is wearing several subordinates and hurried to the Urban Defense Command headquarters located in the county middle school.

Since the Independent Twenty Brigade entered Songjiang, he, as the county magistrate, has not been worry-free for a day, especially the Independent Twenty Brigade forcibly adapted his security team, which has made his relationship with Shen Xiuwen very tense.

However, when the evacuation was evacuated before the war, the county magistrate, who was once praised by Chen Xiuwen as a vulgar face, did not evacuate to Suzhou with the Third Administrative Office in Southern Jiangsu, but chose to stay and actively provide various logistics services for the defenders, and at the same time won the respect of Chen Xiuwen.

When he walked to the commander's office, Wang Guilin happened to meet Zheng Huaishan, the logistics director of the 20th Independent Brigade. Zheng Huaishan has been in charge of contact with the local government. The two have a good relationship. Wang Guilin pointed to the fortifications that were being built at the commander's office and asked in surprise: "Don't you retreat tomorrow? It's like this that the peripheral positions are tight. Can the Japanese still fight to the commander's office?"

Zheng Huaishan looked around and whispered: "According to the latest information, the Japanese have increased their troops again. What's impossible?"

Wang Guilin nodded, greeted Zheng Huaishan, and walked into the headquarters silently.

The headquarters was busy and the phone kept ringing. Huang Wei and Shen Xiuwen, the two highest commanders of the Songjiang City Defense Command, were also standing in front of the map with several commanders discussing Songjiang's defense.

Seeing Wang Guilin coming in, Huang Wei and Shen Xiuwen came up together.

"County Magistrate Duochengwang took the police to help, and the fire was put out. However, I advised County Magistrate Wang to take it as soon as possible. It has not been accepted yet, but it cannot be delayed." Huang Wei pulled Wang Guilin down and said.

Wang Guilin quickly raised his butt and said modestly: "Teacher Huang, although I am not a soldier, I am the county magistrate of Songjiang and I am also a person who is responsible for defending the territory. Now Commander Huang and Brigade Commander Shen are as steady as Mount Tai to guard the city. It seems that I should not go away as a county magistrate."

Huang Wei and Shen Xiuwen both advised Wang Guilin to lead the police and the county government to organize the support of the civilians to retreat first, but Wang Guilin refused every time. But this time it was different. First, according to the order of the Songhu Front Command, after completing the three-day blocking mission at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning, they would give up Songjiang and retreat. Second, according to the latest intelligence, the Neon Army reinforced the Guoqi detachment, and the defensive pressure has increased again, and cruel street fighting may break out at any time.

At this time, the sound of gunfire outside the south gate became dense again, and several violent explosions seemed to be close at hand. This was the shells of the Neon Army's heavy artillery landed directly in the city.

Hearing Wang Guilin's emphasis, Chen Xiuwen couldn't help but say, "Mr. Wang, listen. Maybe there will be street fighting tonight. You, your subordinates, and many policemen are not fighters. You stay here, not only will you not be able to help us, but you may have to increase our concerns. County Magistrate Wang, you have fulfilled your responsibilities, so it's better to listen to Commander Huang and take your people away quickly."

When Chen Xiuwen first arrived in Songjiang, he was not interested in this old master who spoke all day long, but in the past few days, Chen Xiuwen has completely changed the view of this seemingly obscene county magistrate. When facing life and death, the old master resolutely chose to stay. This is much better than those who sang high-profile all day long and "let the leader leave first" in dangerous moments.

Wang Guilin was silent for a while. Although Chen Xiuwen's words just now were as rude as usual, when he saw that Chen Xiuwen's face did not show any contempt for him, but showed respect, he nodded and said, "Teacher Huang, Brigade Commander Chen, to be honest, part of the reason why I chose to stay in the city was due to my duty, and the other part was moved by Commander Huang, Brigade Commander Chen and the fallen Army Commander Wu. If you can stay in this way, even if you don't care about your own life, why can't we? Life is a hundred years, you will inevitably die. What's the point of staying in the city? It's just a death. Besides, death is glorious, so I decided not to leave. But now that Brigade Commander Chen says this, I can consider it."

Huang Wei waved his hand and smiled and said, "County Magistrate Wang's ambition is commendable. Yue Wumu said, "Civil officials do not love money, and military officials do not hesitate to die. That is a good official." But if you can do something for the country and the public, it is good if you don't die. In this way, it is also glorious if you don't die. At most, it will reduce the glory a little and you will never stand on the side of being unhonest."

Chen Xiuwen was not as good as Huang Wei, but he felt that there was no need for a person like Wang Guilin to make unnecessary sacrifices. He raised his hand and looked at the watch and said, "County Magistrate Wang, take advantage of the fact that the devil has not been found in the north gate, you should retreat immediately. There is no time for you to consider now."

Speaking of this, Chen Zui hurriedly walked in from outside the door and saw Huang Wei and Shen Xiuwen talking to Wang Guilin, standing aside and waiting.

When Wang Guilin saw it, he immediately stood up and nodded to Huang Wei and Shen Xiuwen and said, "Okay! I accept this instruction from Commander Huang and Brigade Commander Shen. I took the police and my subordinates to retreat from the north gate immediately. The time of the two commanders is precious, and I will not waste the time of the two commanders."

When shaking hands and saying goodbye, Wang Guilin held Chen Xiuwen's hand and said hesitantly: "Brig Commander Chen, Wang had many tiger powers that offended the brigade commander in the past. I hope Brigade Commander Chen will not mind."

Chen Xiuwen smiled and said, "Everyone, each other. County Magistrate Wang, I didn't scold you behind your back. Take your people away quickly. I will call and order the troops from the North Gate to cover your safe retreat."

Wang Guilin nodded deeply, then turned and left. At this time, his eyes were crying with tears. If he hadn't been forcibly suppressed by his identity, he would have fallen long ago.

"The supplementary regiment reported that the Neon Army had detoured to the east gate, with no less than one registrar." Intoxication brought bad news.

"Dtour to the East Gate? Didn't the firepower camp find it?" Chen Xiuwen was shocked.

"This group of neon troops drove directly from Huayang Town. In other words, they did not detour to the east gate through Songmi Highway, but crossed Jinhebang from Mishidu, detoured Huayang along the rural path, and then detoured to the east gate. Their movements were very hidden, and even our reconnaissance team did not notice it." Chen Zui frowned and replied.

The Japanese detoured to the East Gate, which means that three sides of Songjiang were about to be attacked by the Neon Army at the same time. After two days of defensive defense, the casualties of the 67th Division reached one-third, and the Independent 20th Brigade was also more than 20%. The offensive in Xiguan was the most fierce. In addition to the 67th Division, the 40th Regiment of the Independent 20th Brigade also reinforced Xiguan. Cheng De'an's 38th Regiment and Zhang Zhengjie's 42th Regiment were barely supported at the South Gate. Now no less than one regiment of Japanese appeared at the East Gate, and only one supplementary regiment would not be able to hold on until 8 o'clock tomorrow morning.

"Luan Restoration, it seems that it's time to make the worst plan." Huang Wei frowned and said slowly. Although Huang Wei was the deputy commander of Songjiang City Defense who acted as the commander, the 20th Independent Brigade is now taking the lead. Moreover, after these two days of getting along, Huang Wei has a deeper understanding of Chen Xiuwen. If Chen Xiuwen had not adjusted his subordinates in time several times, he would have probably been defeated by the Japanese. Therefore, Huang Wei talked to Shen Xiuwen more in a negotiated tone.

The worst plan is that once the periphery cannot be defended, the main force will retreat outside the city, leaving some teams to engage in cruel street battles with the Japanese in the city, and use the tactics of adding fuel to hold on until 8:00 a.m. on June 11th.

"Senior, I am responsible for the command of the city. You will withdraw to the outside of the city and be responsible for the overall dispatch." Chen Xiuwen nodded and said.

"No, I am the deputy commander of the city defense. The street battles in the city must be commanded by me. In this way, your independent 20th Brigade will first withdraw from the city from the north gate. The 67th Division will be the first force to stay in the street battles in the city." Huang Wei waved his hand and said.

Seeing Huang Wei's appearance of becoming a good man if he failed, Chen Xiuwen was moved and said with a smile: "Senior, you should retreat outside the city to preside over the overall situation because you are the deputy commander of the city defense. Besides, it's not that I, Chen Xiuwen, are not as greedy as me, you are not as good as me when fighting street fights. Senior, don't argue."

Huang Wei was not a pretentious person, frowned and pondered for a moment. Chen Xiuwen's command ability is unquestionable. Whether it was the Asama Regiment of the 11th Division in the Luodian Defense Battle, or the defeat of the 6th Division's attack in Nancheng two days ago, and the 6,000 vanguard troops led by Tokutaro Sakai, all showed Chen Xiuwen's command ability was brave and crafty in street battles. Huang Wei felt inferior to himself.

"Okay, I'll retreat outside the city and get rid of you in the city." Huang Wei gritted his teeth and said, holding Chen Xiuwen's hand tightly.

Huang Wei led the remaining troops of the 67th Division, the 40th Regiment of the 20th Independent Brigade, the 42nd Regiment and some directly affiliated troops of the brigade first retreated to the outside of the city through the north gate. The artillery battalions of eight Krupp mountain artillery and the remaining five Bufus mountain artillery of the 67th Division were also retreated at the same time, forming a group of artillery groups to support the city at any time.
Chapter completed!