In the dark night, the attacks of the Japanese and puppet troops were as fierce as waves. Wave after wave, it was almost impossible for the officers and soldiers of the penetration regiment to withstand it.
These Japanese troops received a fatal order: they must regain control of the South City Gate in the shortest possible time!
This is the latest order issued by Ushijima Sadao, the commander of the 18th Division.
After all, the order he received a few days ago was to defend Wuhu and prevent reinforcements from the Chinese army from passing through Wuhu in order to reinforce Nanjing.
Ushijima Sadao would never ask for support before reaching the point of running out of ammunition and reinforcements, but necessary reports are still required, but not now, at least after the city gate is recaptured!
"Nakajima-kun, your cavalry brigade should also prepare for battle! Wuhu County is the west gate of Nanjing, and there must be no room for failure. Now, Commander Matsui Iwane and Prince Asaka Palace Hatuhiko are about to enter the city in Nanjing. If If Wuhu is lost, it will be a slap in the face of the entire Central China Expeditionary Force!" Ushijima Sadao said seriously. He naturally knew that at this moment, unless the 18th Division was about to be wiped out, Otherwise, it would be impossible for the Central China Dispatch Army Headquarters to send reinforcements!
"Hai!" The captain of the cavalry brigade, Nakajima Gogo, responded. Logically speaking, cavalry should not be used in the city, but can't the cavalry fight after they dismount? This is no.
The situation is critical now. It is impossible for the 55th Regiment far away in the Sanshan area to carry out reinforcements in the shortest time, and the brigade in Bujiadian cannot be moved. These puppet troops have poor fighting will and poor combat effectiveness. Well, at the critical moment, they have to be the regular Japanese troops, even if the cavalry is dismounted.
You know, the 114th Regiment, which was already disabled, and the brigade with the largest number of troops was dispatched to Bujiadian, actually the 114th Regiment stationed in the city did not have sufficient troops. ah……
Even if the troops directly under the 18th Division are included, there are only more than 3,000 troops. The 55th Regiment and the 124th Regiment, which are relatively complete in strength, have been transferred from outside. They suffered heavy losses twice in Chunhua Town. The 56th Regiment is still licking its wounds in Chunhua Town. (Note: Two groups suffered heavy losses. One was a battle with the 51st Division of the 74th Army before the attack on Nanjing, resulting in heavy casualties; the other was caused by Zhang Tianhai and other officers and soldiers of the penetration regiment.)
"Your Excellency, Division Commander, the situation in Wuhu City is currently unclear. Should we transfer the division headquarters first and then make a decision?" Chief of Staff Yamamoto Akiki asked.
"Absolutely not. The largest office in Wuhu County is already here. The other places are almost in ruins. If the division headquarters is moved, it means that our army is about to abandon Wuhu! My city defense headquarters Right here, we must not retreat unless it is absolutely necessary!" Ushijima Sadao said sternly, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Hai!" Yamamoto Qingmu responded loudly. This is something that the division commander has already decided and cannot be changed.
"Order, the 55th Regiment of the Sanshan District immediately sends a brigade to reinforce the county!" Ushijima Sadao ordered.
"Hai!" Yamamoto Qingmu responded again. This time he really felt the pressure. Even when he attacked the very difficult Chunhua Town or the strong and walled Wuhu County, he never saw the division. The leader of the group, Ushijima Sadao, had such an anxious moment!
…
Compared with Ushijima Sadao's anxiety, Zhang Tianhai and Zhou Fangjie's difficult situation was relieved because reinforcements from the Cantonese army finally arrived.
"Captain Zhang, you did a great job this time, capturing the city gate so quickly." Deng Longguang walked to the side of Zhang Tianhai and Zhou Fangjie and said. At this time, the main force of the Guangdong Army, the 154th Division, was already under the command of the division commander Li Jiang. Under the leadership of the enemy, they entered the city, and fierce street fighting was already underway.
When Zhang Tianhai was on the city tower just now, the person responsible for commanding the battle below the city was deputy commander Zhou Fangjie. He was worthy of being an elite of the Sixth Phase of Huangpu. At least his commanding ability in battalion-level battles was first-rate.
"If it hadn't been for the help of Commander Li Guomin, I'm afraid these puppet troops wouldn't have been able to open the city gate so quickly. This must be credited to Commander Li Guomin. By the way, Commander Deng, who just came from the garrison at the south gate Shi Weikang, commander of the Fourth Regiment of the Puppet Army, learned from his mouth that the division headquarters of the Japanese Eighteenth Division was located in the office building of the former Wuhu County Government. He wanted to lead a death squad to attack. What do you think?" Zhang Tianhai said seriously. , the location marked on the military map he "rescued" was pretty good, and Shi Weikang didn't dare to lie.
Deng Longguang thought for a moment and said: "Yes, in addition, I can also draw two hundred death squads from the 156th Division to support you. The premise is that I must see the combat map. The Japanese defense must be empty now, but We don’t know how many troops they still have near Wuhu. If the enemy forces gather heavy troops here, then this battle must be decided quickly, otherwise things will change later.”
"Yes! This military map is here. I will gather the officers and soldiers of our penetration regiment now. I will leave the defense of the city gate to you, Commander Deng." With that, Zhang Tianhai took the map from Liu Houming's hand. The military map was handed to Deng Longguang.
"Yes." Deng Longguang took the military map and opened it while saying to Wu Jianxiong beside him: "Deputy Commander Wu, immediately ask your 156th Division to take over the city defense and select two hundred death squads to support Zhang Tuan. A long battle!"
"Yes, military seat!" Wu Jianxiong responded.
At this time, Liu Houming had already run to carry out Zhang Tianhai's order. All officers and soldiers of the penetration regiment should assemble immediately!
In the arch of the city gate, under the dim light of the kerosene lamp, Deng Longguang looked at the military map captured by Zhang Tianhai very seriously.
About two minutes later, Deng Longguang finally understood the situation around Wuhu. He said to the Chief of Staff Chen Wenfu beside him: "Chief of Staff Chen, please immediately send a report to the Military Commission in Wuhan - Wuhu will be restored tonight. Please Be sure to send reinforcements!”
"Yes, military seat!" Chen Wenfu responded.
"Captain Zhang, you and your suicide squad must advance to the city within two hours. The 154th Division and the 156th Division will cooperate with your troops in fighting. As long as Ushijima Sadao is defeated, The division headquarters has no worries about not being able to recapture Wuhu!" Deng Longguang said fiercely, "Commander Zhang, whether we can recapture Wuhu tonight depends on your death squad. You will be the captain of this death squad, I am rest assured!"
"Yes! Guaranteed to complete the mission!" Zhang Tianhai responded loudly. In his opinion, maybe Wuhu was recovered. The Japanese army was afraid that their flanks would be exposed, so they sent troops to guard the west. Will this reduce the extent of the massacre? What's up?
Regarding the formation of a death squad, Zhang Tianhai did not think it was a difficult task. In a word, it was done.
As long as they can break into Ushijima Sadao's headquarters, then the battle will be won.
As for the Japanese troops in Bujiadian in the southwest, Zhang Tianhai can't take care of them now. He believes that the brothers of the 156th Division can also keep these Japanese troops out of the city. Whether they can conquer Wuhu depends on what he can do in these two hours. We can no longer lead our troops to attack the original county government in the city!
…
PS: The first update is here!
Thanks to Qidian book friend Lemon Without Ice_ for giving me a monthly pass!
