Chapter 187: The Battle of Defense of Nanjing (11)

"Boom boom boom boom..." The sound of cannons rumbled on the General Mountain. In addition to the attack on the General Mountain head-on, the 6th Division, which had occupied Jiangning Town, also sent a unit to attack the flanks of General Mountain. In the morning, the artillery fire extended by the Japanese even hit the division entrance of the Honorary First Division.

The line of General Mountain and Niushou Mountain is not only the last defensive position on the southern line of Nanjing's outer position, but also the place where it is necessary to break through from the southern line in the future. In any case, it must be defended. The 114th Division set out a driving that was determined to win from the beginning. The two brigades of its subordinates came out in full swing and launched a fierce attack on General Mountain and Niushou Mountain respectively. The defense of Niushou Mountain was Rong 2 and Rong 3, which had just been withdrawn from Moling Pass, and was commanded by Teng Donglin, deputy division commander and commander of Rong 1 Brigade. Yuan Hua's Rong 4th Regiment and Huang Likui's supplementary regiment were responsible for the defense of the front of General Mountain. The four regiments carried a division, and the Rong 1st Division was at a disadvantage in terms of equipment and number of people. However, with its condescending advantages and permanent fortifications of reinforced concrete on General Mountain and Niushou Mountain, they barely defended their positions and tied with the 114th Division, which was attacking wildly.

However, it was much more difficult to support the Second Regiment on the flank. The Sixth Division, which attacked the flank, sent a full corps. However, the Second Regiment had a serious shortage, and then some of the defeated soldiers gathered were not trained. In addition, there were many casualties during Fangshan defense. In one morning, it could not stand it. After receiving Wang Shaoping's request for help, Shen Xiuwen hurriedly sent a company from the Engineer Battalion and a fire battalion directly under the division headquarters to reinforce.

The artillery battalion removed from Fangshan is placed on the main peak on the right side of General Mountain. There is a special artillery position there. It not only can it be conspicuous, but it can also provide fire cover for the defensive positions on the front of General Mountain and Niushou Mountain. Its location is hidden and not easily covered by artillery fire at the foot of the mountain.

The fire battalion was divided into three and strengthened to three positions. Since the guard battalion was taken into the city by Sun Wenhua and assisted the police department in evacuating civilians, Rong Yi Regiment and the Bailout Battalion were secretly transferred to Gaochun. Now Shen Xiuwen has only one special agent battalion left in the reserve team.

Through the window, you can see fireballs constantly exploding on the hill not far away. Shen Xiuwen just called Sun Wenhua in the city and it would take at least two days to evacuate all the civilians in the city, which means that his troops will have to support them for two days here. Shen Xiuwen was not sure whether they could defend them, and even if he could defend them, he didn't know whether other troops could resist them, and would not allow the Neon Army to break into Nanjing City within two days.

"Bang" A glass cup was smashed hard on the floor. The sudden incident scared Chen Cheng, who had just been appointed as the chairman of Hubei Province and the commander of Wuhan garrison.

I saw Chiang Kai-shek holding the telegram that had just been sent in by Qian Dajun, the director of the attendant room, with an angry look on his face, waving his arms and shouting loudly: "Despicable! Shameless! At this time, he was still thinking about intrigue and shirking responsibility. What's the use of asking him, the commander-in-chief of the garrison?"

"Commissioner, what happened? Can't Nanjing troops retreat?" Chen Cheng knew as soon as he heard this, Chiang Kai-shek was scolding the Nanjing garrison commander Tang Shengzhi. At noon, Chiang Kai-shek finally decided to give up Nanjing in front of He Yingqin, Bai Chongxi and him.

"You can take a look at it yourself." Chiang Kai-shek handed the telegram in his hand to the subordinate he trusted the most.

The telegram was sent by Gu Zhutong, deputy commander of the Third War Zone. After browsing the telegram quickly, Chen Cheng knew why the Supreme Commander was so angry. The situation was so critical. Not only did Tang Shengzhi not actively respond, but the first thing he thought of was how to shirk responsibility, and he also had to put this responsibility on the head of the Supreme Commander. No wonder Chiang Zhongzheng made some big anger.

"Ci Xiu, if you were the commander-in-chief of this garrison, how could this happen today? The situation would not be so deteriorating. But you just like Bai Jiansheng, you refused to take the post. Alas!" Jiang Zhongzheng sighed.

Chen Cheng looked embarrassed. In fact, he opposed defending Nanjing to the death and refused to take office as the commander-in-chief of Nanjing garrison. He had long expected such a situation. However, he did not expect the defeat to be so fast. During the Battle of Songhu, the 18th Army faced the attack of the two divisions of the Neon Army in the uncovered Luodian, and could hold on for half a month. Although Nanjing is easy to attack and difficult to defend, there are still permanent defensive fortifications on the periphery. In just two or three days, the Neon Army broke through the outer positions and some reconstructed positions by the Neon Army in succession.

However, Chen Cheng certainly would not use these words to stimulate Chiang Kai-shek, but said earnestly: "Committee, the most urgent task now is to withdraw the troops from Nanjing. After all, these troops are the backbone of your efforts in the future, and the future backbone of the anti-Japanese war. Today's retreat is for tomorrow's counterattack."

"Yes, the head of the Neon Army is now progressing rapidly on the periphery of Nanjing. If you do not retreat early, you will be in danger of being surrounded. Stay with green mountains and don't be afraid of burning firewood. As long as you can withdraw the troops and make no unnecessary sacrifices, we can continue to fight against Japan under your leadership." Qian Dajun, who was standing by, couldn't help but persuade. At the beginning, the attendant's opinion also gave up Nanjing, but unfortunately Chiang Kai-shek did not accept it. As the director of the attendant's office, his actions could only reflect the will of the supreme commander.

"Oh!" Looking at the advice of the two subordinates, Chiang Kai-shek sighed deeply and said, "Give Tang Mengxiao a call: If the situation cannot last for a long time, the camera can retreat and use the intention to organize and counterattack."

Seeing that Chiang Kai-shek finally issued a retreat order in person, the expressions on Chen Cheng and Qian Dajun's faces suddenly relaxed. However, they did not know that Chiang Kai-shek was cursing in his heart at this time: "Tang Mengxiao, Tang Mengxiao, if the troops can retreat smoothly, everything will be over. If they cannot withdraw, don't blame me, Jiang for turning against him."

Late at night on August 11, the sound of gunfire outside Nanjing was still shocking. Since receiving Chiang Kai-shek's telegram, Tang Shengzhi locked a man in his study. Even the mayor Xiao Shanling, who was responsible for the evacuation of citizens, asked for a meeting. Chiang Kai-shek had clearly ordered that the Nanjing troops be given up and retreated, and the original street fighting was impossible. At this time, he had no intention of caring about the evacuation of citizens.

Tang Shengzhi was very conflicted at this time. The telegram signed by Jiang Zhongzheng in his hand was his shield, but it was also a double-edged sword. Once the troops could not withdraw, what was waiting for him was very clear. He even regretted that he should not ask Chiang Zhongzheng to directly order his retreat. This was equivalent to pushing Chiang directly to the bar.

Tang Shengzhi frowned, and his days of hard work and lack of sleep made his body thinner. Although the cup on the coffee table next to him was his favorite Dahongpao, he had no intention of tasting tea at this time, and just smoked in big mouthfuls. Suddenly, he threw the cigarette butt and called the adjutant who was waiting outside the door: "Call the Transport Commander."

The transport commander Zhou Aoshan was Tang Shengzhi's old subordinate. When Tang Shengzhi was in charge of Hunan, Zhou Aoshan served as the director of education and worked as an aide by Tang Shengzhi for a long time. When he heard Tang Shengzhi call him at this time, he understood a little bit in his heart. Commander Tang might be ready to retreat to Jiang Beiche.

"The situation in Nanjing is already like this. How are your transportation preparations?" Tang Shengzhi's thoughts really made him guess.

"I should do my best to meet my needs." Zhou Aoshan quickly answered.

"I'm asking how much transportation force you control in your hands." Tang Shengzhi asked dissatisfiedly when he heard Zhou Aoshan's vague answer.

"There are more than 2,000 sailboats available on the river and 13 small steamers. It is no problem to transport 6,000 people at a time. But..." Zhou Aoshan said this and stopped talking and looked at Tang Shengzhi's face.

"What do you think I'm doing? Let's continue!" Tang Shengzhi's dissatisfied expression was overwhelming, and he frowned and raised his tone.

"Although you have ordered to collect all the ships, not all of these transport tools are under my command. Some of them are controlled by each department, so it is difficult to mobilize them." Zhou Aoshan said with a bitter face. The various departments of the Nanjing defenders, especially the generals of the direct troops, did not take him as the transport commander seriously at all, and they had hidden many ships openly or secretly.

"I will ask Song Xilian's troops of the 36th Division to assist you in managing the transportation tools. Go and handle it quickly!" Tang Shengzhi frowned and ordered.

"Yes." Zhou Aoshan responded and hurriedly prepared to go out. However, before he could reach the door, he was stopped by Tang Shengzhi again.

"In addition, the family members of the municipal government and police who are responsible for the evacuation of civilians will be given priority to retreat to Jiangbei tomorrow morning." This was what Tang Shengzhi promised Xiao Shanling in person. At this moment, he finally remembered it temporarily and had not forgotten it yet.

Looking at Zhou Aoshan's hurriedly leaving, Tang Shengzhi frowned and lit a cigarette. In fact, Tang Shengzhi was not sure whether this order could work. Most of the troops under his command were not his, and they were often discounted when orders were taken. For example, the order issued last time was ordered to confiscate the ships, and some troops were slapped. While smoking a big mouthful of cigarettes, Tang Shengzhi thought hatefully: If all his troops were replaced by his old Hunan Army troops, they might not have been defeated so badly.

Tang Shengzhi picked up the telegram on the table and looked at it. Finally, he sighed and ordered the adjutant to call Luo Zhuoying and Liu Xing, the two deputy commanders and chief of staff, Zhou Lan.

The order was passed around in the hands of the three. Luo Zhuoying was silent. In fact, he had already received a telegram from Chen Cheng, knowing that Chairman Jiang had ordered the order to give up Nanjing and the defending troops to retreat at the camera. He just didn't understand why Tang Shengzhi had only taken it out now. Zhou Lan didn't say anything. He was used to taking Tang Shengzhi's will as his will. Although Liu Xing was also Tang Shengzhi's old subordinate, he was still a pure soldier. He held this telegram: "What kind of battle is this? I won't retreat sooner or later, but I retreat at this time."

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Tang Shengzhi's face. He knew that Liu Xing also agreed to give up Nanjing at the time. He persuaded Liu Xing to become the deputy commander-in-chief of Nanjing garrison and assist him in defending Nanjing, otherwise he, the commander-in-chief, would not have a unit under him.

"Captain Liu, since the commissioner has clearly ordered it first, the most important thing for us at present is how to withdraw the troops and preserve these more than 100,000 troops, and stop making unnecessary sacrifices." Luo Zhuoying advised on the side. Although Liu Xing and him were both deputy commander-in-chief, Liu Xing was higher in terms of qualifications and military rank, so he still respected Liu Xing more.

"I came to you just to discuss it. The commissioner asked us to retreat at the camera, which was to preserve the blood of the future anti-Japanese war. If everyone had no objection, please ask Chief Zhou to formulate a retreat plan as soon as possible. Since we are determined to give up the capital, we must protect all the troops as much as possible and counterattack in an attempt to organize." Tang Shengzhi said slowly, and finally he quoted the last sentence in Jiang Zhongzheng's telegram. It is obvious that he once again emphasized that he was following the clear order of the Supreme Commander, not that Tang Mengxiao wanted to retreat.

"Liangfu, how is your situation here? Hold on, you must hold on!" Sun Yuanliang's almost begging sound came from the phone.

"Military, don't worry, I can still withstand it here." Shen Xiuwen comforted with a wry smile.

The first line of defense of Yuhuatai's position has been lost. Gao Zhisong led the remnants of the 264th Brigade to retreat to the second line of defense and Zhu Chi's 262nd Brigade to withstand the crazy attack of the Niujima Brigade. However, the Hasegawa Regiment of the 11th Brigade of the 6th Division took the opportunity to bypass Yuhuatai and sneak attack Zhonghua Gate. Sun Yuanliang personally led the division headquarters to block the Hasegawa Regiment. The pressure on the 88th Division was already very high. If the General Mountain and Niushou Mountain, who were responsible for Shen Xiuwen's Rongyi Division, were lost, the 6th Division and the 114th Division were united, the consequences were imagined. It is no wonder that Sun Yuanliang was so anxious and angry.

However, the Rongyi Division was also under great pressure. Faced with the crazy attack of the 114th Division, regardless of casualties, in the evening, the first line of defense of the three lines of General Mountain and Niushou Mountain were also lost. In particular, it had been blocked for two days at Moling Pass. The additional group of Zhou Suping's Rong3rd Regiment and Huang Likui who had just retreated the day before had more than half of the casualties.

The phone was just put down, and then the phone ringing rang again. The call came from the phone with a crying voice: "Teacher, the troops are suffering too much. Reinforcements, request reinforcements, even if it is a company."

Although Wang Shaoping was responsible for the attack on the flank defense line, their defensive power was the weakest. After the original number of the 13th Regiment was cancelled, the newly added 11th Regiment didn't know what was going on. It was like a chicken blood attack when attacking, and its combat effectiveness was even better than that of the enemy 13th Regiment that was wiped out in Songjiang.

"Wang Shaoping, I'll tell you whether there is any reinforcement. If you want reinforcements, only I will come up with you personally. I don't want to hear your complaints. There is only one, you must defend the position. If you can't defend, come and see you." Shen Xiuwen hung up the phone heavily.
Chapter completed!