A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

While the Japanese planes were focused on bombing the Wusongjiang defense line and reconnaissance planes were returning, Song Hongfei's 3rd Regiment spread out their marching intervals by battalion, and each company also spread out their marching intervals, rushing to Qujiaqiao at full speed.

Every soldier was strictly instructed that once Japanese aircraft were spotted, they must immediately disperse and take cover, using the drainage ditches and rows of trees on both sides of the road as cover as they moved forward.

Along the way, many houses along the road were destroyed. The closer to the front line, the worse it was. Later on, there were hardly any intact houses left. Most of them were bombed by Japanese planes and blockade artillery, leaving only ruins.

After another round of intense shelling, the Japanese army released smoke bombs and launched another attack.

In the thick fog, the roar of huge engines and the creaking of metal tracks over the ground became increasingly clear as the Japanese army used tanks to cover their infantry assault.

"Brothers, we're going all out today. I'm determined to die. Do you want to retreat and escape, or do you want to fight the Japanese to the bitter end with me?"

The burning gaze of the company commander of the 1st Company at the forefront of the 397th Regiment of the 67th Division swept over the remaining soldiers on the position; there were not many left.

"Let's fight the Japs!"

"As long as we're here, we'll hold the position!"

The soldiers were all filled with fervor, raising their arms and shouting.

"Alright! Let's fight! Follow me and kill the Japanese devils! We've fought enough today, and when we get down here, I'll still be your company commander!"

"Little Bean, I'm giving you a task." The company commander's gaze turned to his messenger, the youngest soldier in the company, who was only 16 years old and still looked very young. Everyone called him "Little Bean".

"Report our company's combat situation to the regimental commander at the regimental headquarters, and tell him that we have not disgraced the Chinese people or the 67th Division."

Sixteen-year-old Xiaodouzi burst into tears: "No! Company Commander, I want to fight the Japanese devils with you."

The company commander had always treated him well, and he had long been determined to follow him no matter what. How could he not know at this moment that the company commander was giving him a chance to live?

"Little kid, why are you crying?" The company commander smiled, affectionately wiping away Xiaodouzi's tears and straightening his military cap. "Wear our company flag. This is your mission, and you must complete it! Remember, as long as there is one person left, the company flag will remain, and our company will always be here!"

Little Bean left crying.

Everyone knew that this was the company's seed.

The company commander and the remaining soldiers shouted that they were loyal to the country and launched a counterattack against the Japanese army until they all sacrificed their lives.

Under heavy artillery bombardment, the Japanese 35th Regiment gradually eroded the positions south of Zhangjiazhai.

Commander Qin Daoshan of the 397th Regiment launched repeated counterattacks with company-level troops, holding firm and refusing to retreat. He also organized a suicide squad, which first used machine gun fire to block the Japanese infantry formation, and then the suicide squad rushed forward to blow up tanks with cluster grenades and engage in close-quarters combat with the enemy. The seesaw battle on the position was extremely fierce.

The 397th Regiment withstood three fierce attacks from the Japanese army. Of its three battalion commanders, one was killed in action and another was seriously wounded. Even clerks, orderlys, and cooks took up arms and joined the fight. Even Regiment Commander Qin himself was wounded, but he still held his ground and commanded the troops, inspiring the entire regiment.

Division Commander Huang Wuwo was extremely anxious. The 67th Division had been fighting bitterly in Shanghai for more than two months and had held out for three days on the Suzhou River. Now they were exhausted, and all four regiments had suffered heavy losses, with more than half of the soldiers killed or wounded.

Huang Wu made one phone call after another to the Central Route Army Command and the Training Corps: "Why haven't the reinforcements arrived yet?"

"The Vanguard Regiment has been urgently reinforced! They are on their way! To avoid enemy reconnaissance, please hold on! The Training Corps will be there soon!"

Disappointed and helpless, Huang Wu put down the phone and said to the chief of staff, "Send another reserve battalion to take over."

Despite their valiant resistance, the Japanese troops crossing the river continued to expand their advance. Part of the 35th Regiment had already crossed the road and occupied most of Zhangjiazai, leaving the 67th Division to hold out desperately on its flank, relying on Caijiazai.

The rapid outflanking maneuver of the Japanese 7th Regiment on the left flank was extremely effective, and they launched a fierce attack into Caijiazhai. A tank squad even penetrated to the vicinity of the headquarters of the defending 398th Regiment. Fortunately, the guard platoon and a company that arrived in time destroyed a tank and an armored vehicle by means of explosives, which repelled the Japanese army.

Subsequently, the Japanese army used 150mm heavy artillery to bombard the 398th Regiment's position to dust, burying hundreds of officers and soldiers alive in the rubble. By 11:00 AM, the 398th Regiment had only one battalion left, including the regimental commander.

Meanwhile, an infantry battalion of the 35th Regiment on the right flank bypassed the Caijiazai position and was launching a fierce attack along the Suzhou River toward Qujiaqiao. The 401st and 402nd Regiments defending the right flank organized their troops to fight off the Japanese army step by step, taking advantage of the terrain.

Huang Wuwo, the commander of the 67th Division, was already stretched thin, and he had no more complete reserves at his disposal.

Song Hongfei, who was rushing towards Qujiaqiao, poked his head out of a road culvert and saw a Japanese reconnaissance plane flying in the distance. He was also extremely anxious. He had already encountered three reconnaissance planes along the way, and in this vast open field, he had no choice but to stop and disperse to take cover.

"How are the infantry and artillery companies doing? Have they caught up?"

As Song Hongfei asked questions, he unfolded the map.

He knew that the anti-tank gun company had disassembled the Austrian-made "Berro" 47mm anti-tank guns and was carrying them by manpower, so he followed behind the regimental headquarters' column.

The regimental adjutant replied, "The 75mm infantry guns are transported by mules and horses. They are large targets and move slowly, so they follow behind the 2nd Battalion. The 20th artillery company is still hidden in a small grove of trees behind Lijiazhuang."

"Have the communications company set up the communication lines with friendly forces as soon as possible," Song Hongfei nodded, wondering if he should replace the infantry guns with Schneider 75mm light infantry guns. These guns could also be disassembled and carried by manpower when necessary.

Song Hongfei glanced at the smoke in the distance, checked the map, and realized that he had already simulated the pre-set plan countless times in his mind.

"We will insert ourselves at the junction of the 7th and 36th Regiments. There is a small river at this junction, which naturally separates the two regiments. The 3rd Battalion will launch a feint attack on the left to contain the 36th Regiment, while the 1st and 2nd Battalions will flank the 7th Regiment. Together with the 67th Division, we will launch a pincer attack and repel the Japanese offensive against Caijiazhai and Qujiaqiao."

"Tell the 1st Battalion of the Vanguard to first go to the southwest of Qujiaqiao to set up a guard post, make contact with the 67th and 46th Divisions, and then proceed with the next step after the regimental headquarters arrives."

"Yes!"

The Japanese offensive was fierce, and they advanced step by step.

Fu Xizhang, the commander of the 398th Regiment, once again pleaded for reinforcements from his division commander, Huang Wuwo: "Commander, the enemy's offensive is too fierce! My regiment is almost wiped out. If reinforcements don't arrive soon, we won't be able to hold out!"

Huang Wu shouted sternly, "Once the soldiers are all out of battle, you fill in the gaps yourself. Once you've filled in, I'll fill in the gaps. Hold out to the death! Anyone who dares to retreat will be killed without mercy."

After hanging up the phone, Huang Wu sent the guard company to reinforce the 398th Regiment. The special service company had already been sent to support the 401st Regiment on the right flank. If the fighting continued, he would organize the division's supply and miscellaneous personnel to take up arms and fight.

"Luckily, there are many rivers and ponds here, which forced the Japanese tanks to constantly detour and slowed their movements. Otherwise, I would have really been thrown in," Huang Wuwo thought to himself.

Fu Xizhang, commander of the 398th Regiment, put down the phone, turned around and picked up his submachine gun: "In this battle, we have no way to retreat. Guard platoon, follow me to the front!"

Song Hongfei led the 3rd Regiment to the rear of Qujiaqiao, where artillery fire was raging.

After carefully observing the battlefield situation through his binoculars, he made up his mind: "The Japanese army is keen on flanking maneuvers, so I will counter their flanking maneuvers."

He connected with the headquarters and reported to Commander Gui Shuaizhen, who approved his operational plan.

Song Hongfei issued a series of orders:

"Communications Company, set up the communication line between the 67th and 46th Divisions!"

"Everyone, take this time to rest and prepare for battle!"

He decided to launch a surprise attack on the Japanese army before they were prepared, but he needed to wait for the infantry artillery company to arrive before he could retaliate against the overconfident Japanese army with more intense firepower.

This also allowed the soldiers who had been marching for nearly 3 hours to get a good rest. After all, they had been carrying more than 20 kilograms of weight for more than 10 kilometers, and the gunners and machine gunners had even heavier loads. They couldn't keep up without rest.

The 1st and 2nd Battalions have quietly moved to the left flank and rear.

"Anti-tank artillery company, assemble your guns, set up positions, and take precautions to camouflage and conceal yourselves!"

Around noon, several hundred Japanese troops and several tanks broke into the 398th Regiment's position from the left flank of Caijiazai, and most of the defenders were killed.

The second line of defense of the 67th Division was thus torn open, and then a large number of Japanese troops surged into the rear like a tide, and the position was about to fall.

Fu Xizhang led the regimental headquarters personnel and the guard company reinforced by the division headquarters in a desperate resistance, but they still could not stop the fierce attack of the Japanese army and retreated step by step.

"Da da da da da"

The Japanese tanks swaggered around, their tracks crushing our positions in pursuit, while their machine guns spat fire at our retreating soldiers.

The enemy tanks are getting closer and closer.

"Zheng Sanpao, it's your turn now! Show us what you've got and fire a shot!" the anti-tank artillery company commander roared.

Anti-tank gunner Zheng Sanpao was nicknamed Zheng Sanpao because he often claimed that he could hit any target in no more than three shots.

"boom!"

At a distance of 400 meters, Zheng Sanpao fired a shot!

The 47mm anti-tank shell penetrated the side armor of the Japanese Type 89 tank, sending armor fragments flying. The once menacing steel monster came to a sudden stop as if struck by a heavy hammer, emitting a plume of black smoke.

Immediately afterwards, another heavy hammer blow landed!

The thick smoke from the Type 89 tank turned into a secondary explosion, followed by flames!

"Fire!"

"Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!"

The Japanese tanks, caught off guard by the sudden attack, frantically tried to evade and search for the attackers. By the time the Japanese tanks had completed their turn, the anti-tank gun battery had already fired three salvos.

Amidst a series of deafening roars, six side-fired anti-tank guns opened fire simultaneously, hitting multiple Japanese tanks almost at the same time, reducing them to piles of scrap metal and campfires.

"Mortars and heavy machine guns, fire! Separate the enemy infantry and armored vehicles!"

"Infantry artillery fires at enemy follow-up echelons!"

Song Hongfei gave the order.

In an instant, the roar of our army's guns and cannons resounded through the sky!

Shells whistled in and crashed into the Japanese ranks, exploding violently.

The heavy machine gun roared "rat-a-tat-tat-tat," spitting out scorching flames.

The dense hail of bullets wove together a deadly net of fire above the Japanese soldiers' heads, stirring up bursts of flames and blood mist.

Caught off guard, the Japanese troops were thrown into chaos and suffered heavy casualties in the hail of fire.

The arrival of the 3rd Regiment of the Training Corps was like a shot in the arm for the 67th Division, and it also changed the battlefield situation. The fierce flanking attack went straight into the rear of the Japanese army.

"Da da da da da"

The general-purpose machine guns were used to their fullest extent to provide tactical firepower accompanying infantry assaults.

The invading Japanese troops were suppressed and unable to organize an effective counterattack.

"Reinforcements are coming!"

"Is it time for us to counterattack?"

"kill!"

The morale of the officers and soldiers of the 67th Division was greatly boosted.

Soldiers from the 397th and 398th Regiments who had been scattered or withdrawn, along with survivors who were still able to fight, were inspired to join the counter-offensive.

"Sound the bugle call! Counterattack!"

As the bugle call of our army sounded, all units and positions organized counterattacks. The 46th and 154th Divisions on the left flank were also greatly encouraged and launched a coordinated attack.

The soldiers shouted in unison to launch a counterattack, their battle cries shaking the heavens, as they pounced on the Japanese army like tigers descending from the mountain!

The 67th Division and the 3rd Regiment of the Training Corps, which were defending Qujiaqiao, attacked from both sides. The Japanese troops, who had not yet established a firm foothold, were thrown into chaos. After attacking for a whole morning, they were exhausted and suffered heavy casualties. Unable to continue, they finally retreated one after another.

Our troops were in high spirits and fought bravely against the enemy, finally defeating the Japanese army and leaving behind piles of Japanese corpses on the battlefield.