In fact, Wen San knew that in this defense battle, the first wave of confrontations between the First Battalion and the Japs only killed a dozen Japs. The panicked Japanese soldiers retreated quickly, without achieving much success. Later it was promoted as a major victory in this defense war.
Just because the Kuomintang army has never had many impressive results. In particular, this kind of battle victory achieved with almost no casualties on one's own side must be reported in a big way, exaggerating the results of the battle. The purpose is to boost the confidence of the national army officers and inspire the determination of the Chinese people to fight against the Japanese.
The methods and motives are both correct!
But this operation made those great powers secretly laugh at them, and they looked down upon the fighting ability of the national army.
Now that Wen San is here and has the opportunity to participate in this battle, he will naturally give the Japanese a head-on blow. Let those capitalist powers see the determination and combat effectiveness of our soldiers!
Only a ruthless and fierce iron fist can truly win the respect of the world.
Those who are weak and backward will be beaten. This is an iron law that has never changed!
After about nine o'clock in the morning, the Japs' vanguard had appeared in Wen San's sight. It was the Japs' third division.
These devils are indeed very rampant. They don't even have a basic battle formation, let alone allow tanks to clear the way ahead. Obviously, the Kuomintang army was not noticed.
Seeing this scene, a smile appeared on Wen San's lips. What we were fighting was the arrogance of the Japanese. If not, how could we have achieved greater results?
The Japanese came from Guangfu Road along the north bank of Suhe River. The total number of people was about a hundred, looking like two teams. Their equipment is still the standard configuration of the squad, two light machine guns and three grenade launchers. However, Wen San saw two tanks coming up from behind, smoking black smoke, and a Type 92 infantry gun further away, as well as two heavy cannons placed far away.
According to historical records, at the beginning of the war on the 27th, the Japanese did not dare to use heavy artillery easily. Because the south bank of Suhe River was the British and American public settlement at that time. On the north bank of Suhe River, to the east of Sihang Warehouse, is the northern area of the public concession.
In order to cope with the complex situation of Sihang Warehouse and protect British and American interests in China, Eagle Army Admiral Henry Irving led a fleet of more than 40 ships headed by the cruiser USS Augusta into the Huangpu River . While demonstrating his own strength, he also warned the Japanese to maintain a certain degree of restraint.
John Bull was not to be outdone. In addition to sending the navy and army commanded by Vice Admiral Charles, they also specially transferred a battalion of the Welsh Fusiliers from Xinggang.
Deterrence from all parties!
Although the Japanese army was arrogant and overbearing, they did not dare to attack them at that time. If a heavy artillery round misses or the range is adjusted higher, it is likely to fall into the concession.
They cannot afford this consequence.
Not long after, Japanese soldiers appeared on Guoqing Road, more in number than on Guangfu Road. It's just that this group of devils is relatively cautious and advances much slower. They carry more equipment, presumably to focus on this direction.
Wen San thought that it would not be easy to lure this group of devils over. Once this side starts firing with the vanguard, they will definitely stop, and then use mortars and Type 92 infantry artillery to bombard the enemy's vanguard.
However, if you want to bombard the Sihang Warehouse along this road, the Japanese bombardment position will have to be pushed forward a lot, and it has already entered the attack range of the machine gun. If the shelling is from a distance, the shells are likely to hit the building in front first.
This was a small problem for the Japanese, but it was a huge benefit to the defenders. In the case where the Japs cannot use heavy artillery, the Japs in this direction are all Wen San's favorites, and no matter how many people come, it may not be easy to use.
When Wen San was thinking about how to defeat the Japs along the way, a voice came into his mind.
"Tanaka-kun, are we advancing too fast? The main force behind has not caught up yet."
"Lieutenant Ito, are you worried about the Chinese army attacking us? Don't worry, they don't have the guts to fire the first shot. The main Chinese army is fleeing, and the remaining remnants are defeated. What use can it do? Now is a good opportunity for us to make a contribution. ." Tanaka said matter-of-factly.
The commanders of the two Japanese squads actually came together and were chatting happily. They had received intelligence and knew that there was only one army stationed at Sihang Warehouse, and they were ready to fight to the death.
But from the Japs' point of view, the Sihang Warehouse is so big, how many troops can be put down? Even if the Sihang Warehouse was stronger, it would not be able to withstand the fierce artillery attack of the imperial army.
"That's hard to say. It is said that the elite troops of the China Army stationed here are as strong as a division." Lieutenant Ito said with some worry.
"Don't listen to those guys' nonsense. One division can't deploy its troops at all. It's probably good to have one regiment. If we put them on the plain, I can make them run away like crazy with just a small team." Tanaka was so crazy that he said, The cowhide opens its mouth and blows.
"Haha, that's right. Their so-called elite division is basically just a boast. It's good if they can hold on to this warehouse for a day..."
The arrogant conversation between the two Japs clearly reached Wen San's mind. He quickly asked the soldiers to put away their guns and hide behind the wall bars without even exposing the gun heads.
The Japs must be allowed to move forward boldly, and then the soldiers on the floor below will take the lead in firing. He was going to eat these two teams of devils in one bite!
This first wave was a surprise battle, and the casualties of just a few dozen people were not enough to fill the gap between the teeth.
Below the Guangfu Road warehouse, the three platoons of the first company were placed on the second, third and fourth floors respectively, which was exactly the tactical arrangement proposed by Wen San. Under the three levels, the Japanese within 150 meters outside the building will have no way to hide. As long as it appears in the sight of the soldiers, it will be mercilessly attacked.
At this time, Battalion Commander Yang had already visited the scene in person and was communicating with the First Company Commander on the third floor.
"Don't rush to shoot, put the enemy within fifty meters before fighting. Try to kill all the Japs, the vanguard." The battalion commander was confident, because he knew that once the Japs entered this range, they wanted to Exiting is not that easy.
The heavy machine gun on the roof is not a simple thing. It is not difficult to block the Japanese's retreat. If you retreat, you will be blocked by the machine guns of Wen San's platoon. If you stay in place, you will be the target of a continuous attack.
"Battal Commander, I'm worried that if they are too close, they will rush to the blind corner downstairs and we will not be able to hit them. Instead, the Japanese will have the opportunity to concentrate explosives to blow up the warehouse." The first company commander was still a little worried that something would go wrong.
"This warehouse is not an ordinary civilian house. It is not that easy to break into. If the Japanese rush to the blind spot below and throw grenades below, I don't believe they can withstand it." The battalion commander has already made a plan. There can be no obvious The loopholes were exploited by the Japanese.
Seeing that the battalion commander was confident, the first company commander said no more. The corresponding tactics have already been communicated to the squad and platoon level. The soldiers hid at the shooting ports and watched closely for the Japanese arrival.
