A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

After a long silence, Gui Shuaizhen said, "These days, the various units of the brigade in Tangshan, Zijinshan, and Mufushan have been carrying out defensive fortification construction and reverse slope tactical training. Commander Bai and Deputy Commander Luo were very impressed after inspecting the Zijinshan position. You have also led several live-fire simulation exercises. What are the shortcomings?"

Song Hongfei said, "Based on the results of the exercises at Tiger Cave in Zijin Mountain and Mufu Mountain, all units of the brigade are now quite familiar with the reverse slope tactics, and the coordination between the units is also quite tacit. In mountain defense operations, the reverse slope can indeed effectively make up for our army's firepower disadvantage, greatly reduce casualties under the enemy's absolute firepower advantage, and is very beneficial to our army's defense."

"The biggest problem remains the lack of artillery firepower. Overall, our army is in a passive defensive posture. The reverse slope tactic requires strong fire support from the rear positions. However, with our artillery firepower, we cannot effectively strike and block the enemy's frontal attacks on the slope and flanking maneuvers. Once the Japanese army gains control of the slope and mountain ridge, our rear firepower will be suppressed, and it will be difficult to stop them from flanking maneuvers."

"The Japanese army is very keen on flanking maneuvers. We must pay attention to deploying corresponding forces and firepower on the flanks to prevent the enemy from flanking us. However, this also indirectly weakens the deployment of forces on the front and back slopes. Furthermore, it requires that each unit and position must have a strong ability to coordinate. Each regiment of the brigade must continue to strengthen its drills in order to achieve proficient coordination."

Song Hongfei sighed again: "Our army has no air power. The entire brigade only has one mountain artillery battalion. The regimental infantry guns have a short range and are easily suppressed. The firepower is far from enough. I feel like I can't cook without rice."

Gui Shuaizhen said with a wry smile: "Our country is weak and poorly equipped. This is the current situation of our army. Although the artillery battalion of the brigade has been expanded into a regiment, it is actually only one battalion. It has to support the operations of three brigades and is constantly on guard against the counterattacks of Japanese aircraft and heavy artillery."

"A Japanese regiment could be equipped with an artillery battalion during combat, and their artillery firepower was equivalent to that of our entire brigade," Chief of Staff Qiu Yu'an sighed helplessly. "We have a battalion, which is considered the best in the National Revolutionary Army. A few days ago, the 87th Division, 88th Division, 36th Division, and 74th Army came to observe and learn from us. They all thought that the reverse slope tactic was a good way to deal with the Japanese army, but the lack of firepower was also a big headache for them."

Song Hongfei said, "After conducting a sand table exercise with the commanders of these units, we realized that firstly, the terrain is a limitation for defense, and secondly, without sufficient firepower, easily abandoning the forward and backward slopes would not be enough to hold the reverse slopes either. Not only would we fail to achieve the goal of holding the position and killing the enemy, but we might even invite the enemy into our territory, cutting off our reinforcements and trapping us. Therefore, we must make reasonable and meticulous deployments, and the front, rear, and flank positions must work together seamlessly and flexibly to achieve the tactical effect of the reverse slope."

Qiu Yu'an smiled wryly: "Their commanders, Sun Peimin, Song Yingguo, and Yu Liangzhen, are very envious of us. We are a model division with a complete mountain artillery battalion, and each regiment also has infantry and artillery companies and mortar companies."

Song Hongfei said quietly, "If even the adjustment division is like this, it is even more infuriating. The whole country has gathered the strength of only one training brigade. The vast majority of soldiers can only fight against the Japanese army's overwhelming modern heavy equipment with their flesh and blood."

After a short while, he added, "In any case, flexible defense and reverse slope fortifications can greatly reduce our casualties. This is the best way to deal with Japanese aircraft and artillery given the current situation where the enemy is strong and we are weak."

“日军来势汹汹，第10军、沪上派遣军南北并进，三路合击。”桂率真在地图上划过，“右路第11、第13、第16师团，沿京沪铁路向西进犯；中路第3、第9师团,循京杭公路攻击；左路第6、第18、第114师团和国崎支队, 向广德、宜城一线西进迂回, 包抄金陵我军西去的退路。”

"The Jinling Garrison Command's defensive deployment is as follows," Gui Shuaizhen continued, "constructing a three-tiered defensive perimeter: the outer perimeter, the outer circle, and the inner circle. The outer defensive perimeter is formed by the line from Dasheng Pass, Niushou Mountain, Fangshan, Chunhua, Qinglong Mountain, Qixia Mountain to the Wulong Mountain fortress."

"With the city walls of Jinling as the inner perimeter, and the outer perimeter formed by the line from the high ground of Yuhuatai, Xiaolingwei, Zijin Mountain to the fortress and artillery positions of Mufu Mountain, the inner and outer perimeters constitute a double perimeter defense. And strong core support points were built at key high grounds such as Beijige and Qingliang Mountain within the city."

Song Hongfei stared at the map, deep in thought.

He knew that in the past, after the Japanese army broke through the outer perimeter positions, our army retreated hastily, and the Japanese army took advantage of the situation to pursue. Many troops retreated into the outer perimeter positions but had not yet established a firm foothold before being broken through by the Japanese army, which greatly reduced the role that the outer perimeter positions should play.

As early as September, while training troops going to Shanghai to participate in the battle, he took the opportunity to prepare for the future Battle of Nanjing by sending training troops to build defensive positions.

Along the key points outside Jinling City, such as Tangshan, Qilinmen, Zijinshan, Yinkongshan, Yangfangshan, Hongtushan, Mufushan, Wulongshan, Gaoqiaomen, Chunhua, Fangshan, Niushoushan, and Yuhuatai, a deep defense system was constructed.

In accordance with the requirements of flexible defense tactics, the deployment of troops in depth and tiers has been strengthened, and a large number of shelters and tunnel fortifications have been arranged on the reverse slopes and flanks. This allows for both troop deployment and mobile counterattacks, and has initially formed an overall multi-layered defense system.

But in the end, it was just a simple civil engineering project.

Furthermore, after the retreat from Shanghai, the Nanjing garrison was replenished with a large number of new recruits, most of whom had not received any relevant training. He was unsure how effective they would be in actual combat.

"After the Battle of Shanghai, the Japanese army's understanding and response to flexible defense will not stagnate; we'll only know for sure when the fighting starts," he thought to himself.

Song Hongfei said, "Overall, our army is in a disadvantageous position, surrounded on three sides and fighting a desperate battle. Not only is our firepower extremely inferior, but our troop strength is also at a disadvantage. The three-tiered defense deployment seems tight, but the outer perimeter lacks depth, and the deployment of each unit lacks coordination, with each fighting independently and passively holding its own line. Once the Japanese army breaks through one of the outer perimeters, I'm afraid the entire line will crumble, and the inner defense line will also collapse rapidly. Our previously planned objectives..."

Gui Shuaizhen raised her hand to stop Song Hongfei and gestured to the left and right.

Song Hongfei understood his meaning and said to everyone at the command post, "Everyone, get out of the way." He then instructed Gao Muyu, the special operations company commander, "Set up a perimeter; no one is allowed to approach within 20 meters."

"Yes!" Gao Muyu replied, and then ordered the guards to set up a cordon outside.

"This concerns high-ranking officials, so it wouldn't be good for it to get out. Let's keep it to ourselves and the three of us," Gui Shuzhen said.

"Understood." Song Hongfei nodded.

Song Hongfei continued, "Our army plans to hold out for a short period of time, that is, to hold out for a period of time and then withdraw as appropriate. Although this strategic objective was only communicated to senior generals, it is not difficult for discerning people to see."

He added, "I think the Japanese army could easily figure that out as well."

"Oh?" Gui Shuaizhen and Qiu Yu'an couldn't help but be curious.

“If we want to hold the city for a long time, we must prepare for street fighting,” Song Hongfei said calmly. “But our army has not built a large-scale street fighting fortification in the city using streets and buildings, nor has it built an underground fortification system. We have only made deployments at key high points in the city such as Jilong Mountain, Beijige, Qingliang Mountain, and Shizi Mountain. This is clearly not an intention to prepare for street fighting.”

Gui Shuaizhen gave a meaningful wry smile, then sighed softly, "Alas, Commander Tang..."

Song Hongfei also sighed, "The strategic decisions of the Military Commission and high-ranking officers are not something I, at my level, should be able to criticize. But as a commander, I really can't bear to see these brave and loyal soldiers make unnecessary sacrifices. They could have made greater contributions to the country and the nation on the battlefield."

Gui Shuaizhen pondered for a moment, then nodded silently and said, "Please continue. There's no harm in talking between us."

Qiu Yu'an also solemnly said, "Hongfei, you don't need to worry. I swear on my life and integrity to guarantee this."

Song Hongfei looked at them and said, "Brother Yu'an, you flatter me. I am deeply grateful for your trust."

Song Hongfei said, "To be honest, our army's overall defensive deployment is unremarkable. It relies too much on fixed positions, holding their ground and fighting independently. Once the main outer positions are breached, we will have no mobile defense capabilities and will be unable to stop the Japanese army's flanking maneuvers. The deployment of holding the inner perimeter along the city wall is not suitable for modern warfare. The city wall cannot withstand aircraft and heavy artillery. If one point is breached, the entire line will likely be shaken."

Song Hongfei added, “Other units are powerless, but our brigade’s defensive deployment at Zijin Mountain, Zhongshan Gate, Taiping Gate, and Mufu Mountain must pay attention to several key points: First, it must have sufficient depth; second, it must establish multiple mutually coordinated and solid defensive support points, with safe mobile passages in between.”

Song Hongfei looked at them and said solemnly, "Thirdly, if our army can repel the Japanese army, then there will be no need for this. But it seems that we have no choice but to do so now—that is, to retreat. We must prepare a detailed retreat plan and retreat route."

Gui Shuaizhen and Qiu Yu'an were both taken aback.

Song Hongfei continued, "There are only two main directions, north or south. Now that the 'Ryokaze' and 'Atake' ships have capsized and blocked the waterway, the Japanese naval fleet is stuck at the Jiangyin blockade line and cannot go up the river in the short term. This is an excellent opportunity for us to make corresponding deployments and contingency plans based on this enemy situation."

Gui Shuaizhen pondered. He had already learned the strategic intentions of the highest level, which was to hold the capital Nanjing for a period of time and then retreat as appropriate.

As for the retreat, he could only sigh helplessly. The Nationalist army's retreats had always lacked thorough prior plans and had always turned into a mess.

After the Battle of Shanghai, they understood even more deeply that retreating in front of the enemy was a dangerous and complex operation, and that without careful planning and deployment, it would certainly lead to near-disastrous consequences.