A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

"We received a report from the Songhu Operation Command that Japanese planes bombed the railway to the South Station, and trains can only go as far as Xinzhuang Station. After arriving at Xinzhuang, we will rest and await further orders. The advance team has already gone to the 67th and 58th Divisions to take over. After clarifying the situation, the brigade will take further action," Gui Shuaizhen said to Qiu Yu'an and Song Hongfei.

Gui Shuaizhen glanced at his watch: "It's getting late. You can still get a few hours of sleep before dawn. We expect to arrive at Xinzhuang around daybreak. Japanese planes are rampant, so the troops need to be well-prepared for concealment and air defense."

The two nodded: "Yes."

Song Hongfei returned to his command post and conveyed the brigade's operational plan to the regimental commander and several battalion commanders. He instructed them, "The brigade's deployment plan is largely in line with our expectations. All units should go back and implement it as soon as possible. The staff office will issue specific orders later."

At dawn, the train, which had been running all night, arrived at Xinzhuang Station. The Training Corps evacuated around the station according to the pre-arranged plan, and then concealed themselves and waited for orders.

After daybreak, Japanese reconnaissance planes flew over the area, and unusually, they lowered their altitude and circled around Xinzhuang to conduct reconnaissance.

"It seems the Japanese have obtained intelligence?"

Upon seeing this, Song Hongfei, who was studying the battle map at the regimental headquarters, instructed the battalions of the Third Regiment to strictly adhere to the requirements of concealment and readiness, refraining from firing guns or cannons, lighting fires, moving around, and exposing themselves.

The Training Corps was easily distinguishable by its appearance. Although it wore the same Type 25 uniform as other Central Army units, the quality of the uniforms was more refined, and the colors were different. All soldiers wore German-made M35 steel helmets and German-style high-top suede combat boots, which were quite conspicuous and unique. Even the three major reorganized divisions only had rubber-soled cloth shoes.

"Japanese reconnaissance planes." Battalion Commander Wang Jingxiong told his company commanders, "Pass down the order that every platoon and squad leader must keep a close watch on their men and stay obediently in their shelters. No one is allowed to wander off! Even if they need to defecate, they must do it in their pants!"

The 2nd Company Commander asked, "What if bombers come and straf or bomb us?"

"Take it with your head." Wang Jingxiong glanced at him, then tapped his M35 helmet and said, "What are you worrying about? Just remember, don't worry about the sky falling, just obey the commander's orders."

"Yes!"

Several anti-aircraft gun companies of the brigade were concealed and camouflaged near the woods around the station. The gunners were itching to shoot down the slow-moving Japanese reconnaissance plane, but the brigade headquarters ordered that the target should not be exposed, so they had to give up.

The Training Corps was well-prepared and well-hidden, and the Japanese reconnaissance planes circled back and forth for a long time without discovering anything unusual.

The advance liaison group, led by Chief of Staff Wan Chengqu, returned and reported on the situation along the south bank of the Wusong River in western Shanghai. The operations staff marked the situation on the enemy and friendly forces map:

The Nationalist troops responsible for defending the Wusong River were assigned to the Central Operational Army. The battle line extended westward from key points such as the western end of the Shanghai International Settlement, Fahua Temple, Beixinjing, Qujiaqiao, and Yaojiadu, all the way to the western front, bordering Jiangqiao and Nanxiang, which were defended by the Left Wing Operational Army.

The Japanese offensive forces included the elite 3rd and 9th Divisions, which served as the main force, as well as the 101st Division, which had completed its frontline rest and replenishment. It was also equipped with a heavy artillery brigade and part of another brigade, along with two independent heavy artillery regiments and several field heavy artillery battalions, with a large number of 150mm and 105mm howitzers.

Due to the limited operational area along the Wusong River defense line, more troops could not be deployed, and the National Revolutionary Army did not have much of an advantage in terms of frontline troop strength.

Some Nationalist Army units had to withdraw and reorganize due to heavy casualties, and were replaced by second-line units, with one division after another being rotated in.

Gui Shuaizhen summoned officers of regimental rank and above who had participated in the battle, as well as several battalion commanders directly under his command, to the headquarters of the Xinzhuang Railway Station for a meeting on the enemy situation.

万成渠介绍战况：“先前税警总团于北新泾镇以东的周家桥-金家渡一线，激战整日，在88师和36师支援下击退了日军第3师团34、18、68三个联队的强渡攻击，并予敌重创。”

“日军突然改变主攻方向，在北新泾以西集中了优势兵力和火力，左翼以第9师团第18旅团第19、36联队为第一梯次，正面以第6旅团第7、35联队为第二波梯次，猛攻我军第1师、第78师、第61师防线。”

"At the same time, the Japanese 3rd Division on the right flank launched a strong attack on Zhoujiaqiao and Liujiazai on the south bank. Several companies crossed the river, but under the stubborn counterattack of our army, they were unable to control any key points and were suppressed along the riverbank."

Wan Chengqu pointed to the map and said, "The left flank of the entire Wusong River defense line is the most critical."

"The 61st Division, which had suffered heavy losses in the early stages, was relatively weak. The Japanese army broke through its position, and the 36th Regiment occupied Zhangjiazai and Caijiazai on the south bank. Wang Pingzhi, the commander of the 71st Army, called in the 87th Division to reinforce it. The 87th Division repelled the Japanese army in the Tianduoli and Xujialong areas. The 87th Division replaced the 61st Division with the 46th Division. At the same time, the newly arrived 154th Division of the Guangdong Army came to reinforce the second line, which finally stopped the Japanese offensive."

"In Yaojiabao, north of Yaojiadu, the 58th Division fought fiercely for many days, fighting house to house and room to room, and repeatedly contesting the area. The 46th and 67th Divisions came to reinforce the area one after another and repelled many attacks by the Japanese army. The two sides have been fighting fiercely ever since."

"The Japanese 7th and 35th Regiments captured Yaojiabao and the north side of Zhangxiang, establishing bridgehead positions. The 19th and 36th Regiments were stubbornly resisted by our army at Xujialong and Qujiaqiao and were unable to advance. The 101st Division has been transferred to reinforce the 9th Division. Judging from the momentum of their next attack, they will continue to attack south of Zhangxiang, Xujialong, and Qujiaqiao, attempting to expand the breakthrough and attack our rear."

Wan Chengqu added, “The 46th and 67th Divisions on the front have been fighting hard for many days and have suffered heavy losses. Fortunately, the 154th Division came to the rescue and held the position, but the 154th Division has also suffered considerable losses. When I went to make contact, the 46th and 67th Divisions were urging the brigade to come to their aid immediately.”

Inside the headquarters, everyone wore solemn expressions, staring intently at the enemy and friendly situation map.

In Wan Chengqu's enemy situation report, the Japanese army's heavy artillery firepower left a deep impression on everyone. Someone exclaimed, "The Japanese army has two or three divisions with more heavy artillery than all of our country combined."

Someone chimed in, "Yes, with heavy artillery and aircraft, the divisions at the front have held out for so long, suffering heavy casualties. It's truly remarkable."

The regimental commander asked Lou Dishan, the artillery battalion commander, "Artillery God, can the artillery battalion engage in artillery battles with the enemy and support my infantry?"

The artillery battalion of the Training Corps was equipped with 12 Bofors 75mm mountain guns, which were the best-performing mountain guns in the National Revolutionary Army. After the outbreak of the Battle of Shanghai, the artillery battalion of the Training Corps was transferred by the Military Commission to participate in the battle in Shanghai.

Under Lou Dishan's command, the 75mm mountain guns of the artillery battalion dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese army with their superb artillery tactics, displaying great power and leaving the Japanese army helpless. They were hailed as "divine guns", and Lou Dishan himself was called "God of Artillery" by his colleagues in the training corps.

Lou Dishan slowly shook his head and said helplessly, "The caliber, range, and power of the 75mm mountain gun cannot compare with the enemy's heavy howitzers. The Japanese planes are always on standby on the ground. As soon as our artillery fires, they immediately take off to find our artillery positions and bomb them. Their heavy artillery also quickly suppresses and counterattacks. As a result, in order to avoid being destroyed by the enemy, our artillery in Shanghai can only operate in single or double gun teams, dispersed, quickly attack and retreat, and move at any time, and cannot make full use of concentrated firepower."

Everyone spoke up and discussed the matter in depth.

Chief of Staff Qiu Yu'an said, "The situation at the front is critical right now, and it seems we may be called upon at any moment. Each regiment must earnestly carry out air defense and artillery defense in accordance with the key points of the recently issued defensive operations guidelines."

Gui Shuaizhen nodded and said, "Does anyone have any new opinions? Please continue to offer them quickly."

After a brief pause, seeing that no one else brought it up, he continued, "If there are no new suggestions, then proceed as Chief of Staff Qiu has said."

Gui Shuaizhen continued, “The situation is critical. Although we haven’t received formal orders yet, they could come at any time, and the brigade could be deployed at any moment. The 2nd Regiment has been engaged in the war since August and is exhausted from prolonged fighting; it is currently resting. Order—except for the 2nd Regiment, which serves as a reserve force, everyone in all units must remain at their posts, ready for action. I have decided to make the following deployment—”

brush--

Everyone sat up straight to listen.

"The 3rd Regiment will lead the charge and immediately prepare for battle. Once the order is given, we will depart immediately!"

Song Hongfei answered loudly, "Yes!"

"The 1st Regiment followed, and the brigade advanced in combat readiness. After returning, everyone made their own preparations."

"Yes!"

Song Hongfei immediately issued a combat preparation order to the 3rd Regiment by telephone from the headquarters.

At the 3rd Regiment headquarters, the regimental adjutant received a call from Song Hongfei: "Yes! I understand! Prepare for battle immediately! I will relay this to all battalions right away!"

All the officers and soldiers of the 3rd Regiment immediately sprang into action as if facing a formidable enemy, keeping their guns close at hand, even taking them with them to the toilet, and running back and forth as fast as they could.

The sound of air raid sirens blared in the distance, and the residents and pedestrians near Xinzhuang were thrown into a panic as they hurriedly tried to avoid the planes.

Not long after, a large flock of enemy planes appeared on the horizon like crows. After entering the flight path, they dropped bombs one after another.

"Boom—rumble," "Boom—rumble," "Boom—rumble"

The explosion rang out violently, and huge plumes of thick black smoke rose into the distance, billowing and expanding into the sky.

The liaison group, which had been bombed so many times in the past few days, looked into the distance and said, "It's the south bank of the Suzhou Creek. The Japanese army has launched a new attack. First, they sent planes to bomb, and then they bombarded it with heavy artillery."

The intensity of the Japanese bombing was felt even in Xinzhuang, more than 10 kilometers away.

Everyone in the training brigade knew that their turn to take the lead was coming.