A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

As they approached the Meipu Highway Bridge, the advance company sent back a message: the bridge ahead was blocked!

Song Hongfei immediately led several men from the regiment to ride forward. From a distance, he could see many large trucks parked on both sides of the road. As he got closer, he could clearly see that the trucks were pulling cannons.

"Those idiots, are they giving the Japanese planes target assignments?!" Song Hongfei cursed inwardly.

Upon closer inspection, the crowd was in a state of chaos and disorder.

"What's going on? Why aren't you leaving?" Liu Zishu, the deputy commander, dismounted and quickly stepped forward to ask.

"There are landmines buried on the bridge," someone told Liu Tuanfu.

Liu Tuanfu looked around and noticed that the landmines on the road had been marked, and many soldiers were carefully avoiding them as they crossed the bridge. He said, "Isn't it still possible to cross? Why are we all stuck here?"

"People can get through, but vehicles and artillery can't!" an artillery major glanced at him and said irritably.

It turned out that the retreating troops had laid many landmines at both ends of the bridge and on the bridge surface to prevent the Japanese army from pursuing them. However, due to disorganization and poor communication, many troops behind had not yet completed their retreat.

The infantry in the rear were relatively easy to deal with; they could wade across the river from both sides or cross the bridge to avoid the landmines. But the artillery had no such option.

炮10团2营和从浦东撤退的炮2团1营2连被堵在这里，无法过桥，急得一个劲骂娘。

Most of the 10th Artillery Regiment had already withdrawn to Wuxi and Changzhou. Regimental Commander Peng Mengji had also led the regimental headquarters to Suzhou. Upon hearing a report from the 2nd Battalion that landmines had been planted on the bridge and the artillery could not pass, he rushed back to check.

But even Commander Peng was helpless in the face of landmines covering the road, and he broke down in tears: "This is the only heavy artillery regiment in the whole country that can fight!"

For dozens of miles around, this is the only road bridge, but the current situation of the Japanese army is unclear, so there is no way to detour.

The only solution was for engineers to clear the mines and allow the artillery vehicles to cross the bridge.

Otherwise, they would have to destroy all the cannons, which the artillerymen were naturally reluctant to do, and their eyes were red with anxiety.

But all the infantry units were eager to retreat, their hearts set on returning home, and no one paid any attention. Even the few who understood the greater good were powerless to help, because they were not engineers and did not know how to clear mines.

In the National Revolutionary Army at that time, technical engineering units were even rarer than artillery units.

"Is Regiment Commander Liu from the 3rd Training Regiment? Where is your Regiment Commander Song?" Peng Mengji asked eagerly when he saw Regiment Commander Liu Zishu's badge.

Peng Mengji had already learned that Song Hongfei's 3rd Training Regiment was tasked with covering the rear.

"Commander Song, I am Peng Mengji, commander of the 10th Artillery Regiment." Seeing Song Hongfei approach, Peng Mengji said anxiously, "What are we going to do? If we can't clear the landmines, one of my battalions hasn't even crossed the bridge yet!"

"Didn't the artillery withdraw first? How did they fall behind?"

"The Japanese planes were keeping a close watch on us. Because we were trying to avoid the bombing and the roads along the way were severely damaged, the 2nd Battalion, which was the last to retreat, had to stop and start along the way. There was also a mountain artillery company from the 2nd Artillery Regiment, which was also stuck here."

The artillery major who had just stepped forward saluted and said, "Regimental Commander Song, this is Major Guo Wenhe, the company commander of the 2nd Company of the 2nd Artillery Regiment!"

宋鸿飞已看到路边停了两列拉着8门sFH18德制150毫米榴弹炮的亨舍尔T33G1牵引炮车，还有拉着4门博福斯75毫米山炮的骡马车。

He felt his head was spinning.

Do not abandon, do not give up!

He had been instilling this belief in the brigade.

Regardless of whether they were infantry or artillerymen, they were all members of the National Revolutionary Army and comrades-in-arms. He would never abandon his comrades or stand steadfastly in the face of trouble.

Peng Mengji's next words seemed to hit Song Hongfei's nerves, striking right to his heart: "These precious weapons and equipment, what a huge price the country paid to get them back, how much effort did so many people put in! Commander Song, you also deserve a lot of credit for this!"

Looking at these modern heavy artillery pieces, Song Hongfei exclaimed, "These are the nation's most important weapons!"

During the days and nights of the Battle of Shanghai, countless soldiers fought valiantly under heavy enemy fire, resisting the enemy's steel and fire with their own flesh and blood. How tragic and fierce it was! Wasn't it because we were backward and lacked such national weapons that we fought so hard?

All our efforts over the years have been for the sake of becoming stronger and possessing more of our nation's most important weapons!

These are vital national assets! How can we so easily abandon them!

Moreover, we are not yet at our wits' end; we still have an engineering company at our disposal.

At the same time, Song Hongfei couldn't help but secretly praise, "Commander Peng Mengji, you have such a nice way of speaking!"

"Fortunately, there is an engineer company attached to our regiment," Song Hongfei said.

Peng Mengji felt as if he had met a savior. He tightly grasped Song Hongfei's hands and was so excited that he was incoherent: "Commander Song, thank you so much! I really don't know how to thank you for your great kindness. You are the great benefactor of my 10th Artillery Regiment!"

"Commander Song!" Guo Wenhe, the company commander of the 2nd Artillery Regiment, burst into tears. He was so excited that he couldn't speak. He stood up straight like a javelin and saluted!

"It's just my job, there's no need for this!"

"It depends on whether the engineers can clear these mines," Song Hongfei said.

Song Hongfei thought to himself that if the engineers said they couldn't assemble them, then they would be exaggerating. He looked around and said, "However, the Japanese planes are powerful, so we must be prepared. The artillery vehicles must be properly concealed for air defense!"

"Yes, yes!" Peng Mengji and Guo Wenhe snapped out of their daze and quickly ordered the artillery vehicles to disperse and take cover.

"Commander Liu! Order the rearguard battalion to halt its advance and organize a defense on the spot! Other battalions, take up a guard post! Notify the engineer company commander to come immediately!"

After carefully inspecting the minefield, the engineering company commander said, "It can be cleared. Fortunately, they marked the mines, but it will still take time, about three hours."

Song Hongfei felt a little relieved and asked, "Can you hurry up?"

The engineering company commander hesitated, "Regimental commander, I can't guarantee that."

Song Hongfei nodded, then thought for a moment: "Try our best. We don't need to eliminate them all. If necessary, just detonate them! Just open a passage that the artillery vehicle can pass through!"

"Yes! Got it!"

"The engineers can clear the mines with peace of mind, while I lead the infantry brothers to hold off the Japanese army from the rear."

Everyone knows what that sentence means.

Once they crossed the river, the road ahead would be safe. But turning back to fight ambush would mean another head-on confrontation with the Japanese army, where their fate would be uncertain.

All the officers and soldiers of the 3rd Training Regiment had no objection to Song Hongfei's decision, and they were absolutely obedient to him. This was not only because Song Hongfei had great prestige among the officers and soldiers.

The officers and soldiers all knew Commander Song's belief of never abandoning or giving up. If Commander Song would not abandon even friendly forces and wounded soldiers, then he would certainly not abandon his own soldiers!

I know perfectly well how Commander Song treats me!

What's the most important thing for a soldier? The most important thing is to follow the right officer! Following an officer like the regimental commander, there's no question, I'd be willing to die for him!

Moreover, after fighting battle after battle, the officers and soldiers of the 3rd Training Regiment have even developed an almost blind worship for Song Hongfei. They firmly believe that no matter how great the difficulties, the regimental commander can lead them to victory!

Song Hongfei looked towards the opposite bank of the river and asked, "Which unit is guarding the other side?"

Someone replied, "The riverbank is a battalion of the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division of the 1st Army of the 17th Army Corps. The regimental headquarters is in the village ahead."

"Commander Hu's troops from the 1st Army?"

Looking at the map, Song Hongfei said, "The Japanese 6th Division on the right flank is launching the fiercest attack. We must be wary of them advancing directly from Baihegang. Liu, the regimental commander, contact their regimental commander immediately and request assistance from friendly forces. We must strengthen the defenses on the right flank!"

"Order the 1st Battalion to move back 1 kilometer and form a blocking position with the 3rd Battalion."

"The Second Battalion constructed fortifications and deployed defenses on the spot."

"The infantry and artillery company selects a suitable location and constructs a firing position, while the mortar company moves forward to reinforce the firepower of the 1st and 3rd Battalions."

"The regimental headquarters and its subordinate units dispersed and deployed here, concealed and awaiting orders. The artillery company and anti-aircraft machine guns deployed an anti-aircraft fire network to cover the engineers and friendly artillery."

"The regimental command post will move forward with me to give orders."

"Do you understand everything?"

"Understood!" the members of the 3rd Training Regiment answered in unison.

With swift and decisive action and immediate response to orders, the excellent work style and strong combat effectiveness of this unit are fully demonstrated.

The officers and soldiers of the 10th and 2nd Artillery Regiments couldn't help but admire them secretly, thinking that the National Army's model division truly lived up to its name!

Everyone's morale was boosted.

Company Commander Guo Wenhe of the 2nd Artillery Regiment stepped forward and said, "Regimental Commander Song, we still have plenty of shells. The Bofors 75mm mountain gunboat is small and easy to turn around, so we can fire and collect quickly to provide artillery support for our infantry brothers!"

Song Hongfei was overjoyed: "That's wonderful! This is a timely help!"

Guo Wenhe said, "At most, it's just icing on the cake. Today, Commander Song is a real lifesaver for us!"

Song Hongfei asked, "Is there a problem with indirect aiming?"

Guo Wenhe answered confidently, head held high: "No problem!"

Song Hongfei said, "It's estimated that there are still two or three hours before it gets completely dark. The mountain artillery company should set up firing positions nearby and not leave the cover of anti-aircraft fire."

"Understood!" Guo Wenhe nodded. "My Bofors 75mm mountain gun has a maximum range of 9 kilometers. I dare not say anything else, but within 5 or 6 kilometers, it can hit exactly where you point it!"

Song Hongfei said happily, "Then send out observation soldiers, calculation soldiers, and communications soldiers to accompany my command post to build a fire control network and form an observation and guidance team!"

Guo Wenhe replied, "No problem, I'll go myself!"

Song Hongfei laughed loudly: "This is called sincere cooperation and coordinated infantry and artillery operations!"

Peng Mengji, commander of the 10th Heavy Artillery Regiment, suddenly spoke up: "I am somewhat envious. I have long heard that the infantry-artillery coordination of the Training Corps is unparalleled in the National Army. Today, however, I cannot fight alongside Commander Song. I am deeply ashamed!"

Song Hongfei laughed heartily: "The 10th Heavy Artillery Regiment is a national treasure, how can it be used lightly! With Commander Peng's words, I am very satisfied! In the future, when my infantry urgently need fire support, I hope Commander Peng's heavy artillery will give it a few more shots!"

Peng Mengji solemnly said, "It's a deal! I, brother, am already eagerly anticipating that day!"

Song Hongfei never expected that what they said would become a reality in the near future.

What Song Hongfei could not have imagined was that his act of helping the artillerymen escape today would play a crucial role in the Nationalist army's operations and his final breakout in the Battle of Nanjing not long afterward.

The butterfly quietly flutters its wings, and the effect is astonishing!

Whenever Song Hongfei recalled it afterward, he couldn't help but marvel: the world is mysterious and unpredictable!

The incredibly accurate Bofors long-range artillery fire swept across the enemy lines like a storm, and like a thunderbolt, engulfing the enemy in a sea of ​​fire.

The flames roared, like an angry god wielding raging fire.

The booming of cannons was the roar of the Chinese nation against the invaders.

With the three armies fighting bravely, the Japanese invaders were defeated and forced to retreat.

Song Hongfei stood on the flat ground on the riverbank, looking back at the Shanghai-Songhu battlefield that was gradually fading into the distance on the horizon.

Song Hongfei knew that the Battle of Shanghai was only a fragment of the long war, and he still needed to continue fighting for the country and the nation. His long campaign was far from over.