The War of Resistance Against Japan: Special Operations Battalion Traverses Shanghai and Slaughters

Commander Gui was shocked when he heard Zhou Zhengqiang's report.

"Brigade Commander Zhou, is everything you said true? Regiment Commander Long led his troops to annihilate the 9th Regiment of the 19th Brigade of the 16th Division of the Japanese Army at Tiger Cave."

"They also rushed to Qixia Mountain, where they not only rescued the surrounded 41st Division and the 1st Reserve Regiment of the 87th Division, but also annihilated the 30th Brigade, the 33rd and 35th Regiments of the Japanese 16th Division, killing two regimental commanders and the brigade commander."

"Then, Commander Long led you to Zijin Mountain overnight. Just now, he used the Japanese poison gas bombs to wipe out the 20th Regiment of the 19th Brigade of the 16th Division of the Japanese Army, as well as the 22nd Field Artillery Regiment directly under the 16th Division of the Japanese Army."

Zhou Zhengqiang nodded solemnly and affirmed, "Commander, everything I said is true. We have now recaptured the third peak of Zijin Mountain."

Ding Zhipan and Zhou Weiguo also testified from the side.

“Commander Gui, what Brigade Commander Zhou said is true. I, Ding Zhipan, and all the officers and soldiers of my 41st Division can testify to this.”

“Commander Gui, I, Zhou Weiguo, and my First Reserve Regiment can also testify.”

Now, Commander Gui has no choice but to believe it.

"Commander Long, after we retreated from Shanghai to Nanjing, I heard about your Dragon Flame Unit, but I never expected you to be so brave and skilled in battle, achieving such brilliant results."

"Commander Gui, you flatter me. In fact, although the Japanese are very strong, they are not invincible."

"It's just your Nationalist army..."

Seeing that Long Fei seemed hesitant to speak, Commander Gui pressed him for an answer.

"Commander Long, we're all soldiers, not politicians. Speak your mind. What do you think of our National Revolutionary Army...?"

Long Fei then said seriously, "Commander Gui, don't you think there are problems with the strategies and tactics formulated by the National Government and the General Headquarters?"

Commander Gui did not agree with the Nationalist government's decision to defend Nanjing to the death.

Moreover, he disagreed with the tactics adopted by the Nationalist government when he participated in the Battle of Shanghai.

However, he never had the opportunity, nor did anyone discuss this in depth with him.

"Please speak frankly, Commander Long. I am all ears."

Long Fei nodded: "Commander Gui, the Battle of Shanghai is over, everything has settled, so I won't offer any hindsight advice."

"Let's talk about the ongoing Battle of Nanjing."

"Do you think it's a wise move for the Nationalist government to defend a capital city with no strategic value, with its defeated and exhausted troops retreating from the Battle of Shanghai, all for the sake of so-called face?"

"Let's talk about another aspect. China has a vast territory with great strategic depth and room for maneuver."

"Warfare requires flexibility and mobility, and it is even more important to avoid the enemy's strength. However, the Nationalist government's tactics are foolish and brutal. Despite the fact that their weapons and equipment and soldiers' tactical skills are far inferior to those of the Japanese, they either demand that the troops launch blind attacks or passively defend."

"I believe that in the face of the current harsh reality of the enemy being strong and us being weak, we should not be concerned about the gains or losses of a single city or town, but should instead use time to buy space and prepare for a protracted war of resistance."

"Therefore, we should abandon Nanjing and leave an empty city for the Japanese. The more places the Japanese occupy, the more troops they will station in various places, and the fewer troops they will actually be able to commit to the front line."

"The National Army should adopt flexible and varied strategies and tactics to maneuver against the Japanese and continuously deplete their manpower."

After listening, Commander Gui nodded in approval with great appreciation.

"Commander Long's words are very insightful. Although I also disagree with defending Nanjing to the death, soldiers must obey orders."

"Since Commander Tang has ordered my troops to defend Zijin Mountain to the death, I will lead the Training Corps to hold out until the last soldier."

Long Fei deeply respected Commander Gui's oath.

“A general must be prepared to die, and a soldier must not be tempted to live. Since Commander Gui is determined to uphold the duties of a soldier, I, Long Fei, am willing to lend you a hand.”

"Oh... how does Commander Long plan to help me?"

Long Fei walked to the battle map, looked at it, and turned around to speak.

"Commander Gui, according to the enemy and our situation marked on the map, the Japanese 16th Division has been decimated, and the remaining remnants are not a threat."

"Therefore, I want to set the next target as the 68th Regiment of the Japanese 3rd Division."

After listening, Commander Gui asked doubtfully, "Commander Long, tell me your reasons."

A hint of murderous intent flashed in Long Fei's eyes as he spoke in a deep voice.

"The 68th Regiment was the vanguard of the Japanese 3rd Division. During the Battle of Shanghai, this 68th Regiment fought against the 3rd Battalion of the 583rd Regiment of the 292nd Brigade of the 98th Division of the National Revolutionary Army in Baoshan for seven days and nights."

"In the end, Yao Ziqing, the battalion commander of the Third Battalion, and his entire battalion of 500 officers and soldiers were all killed in action due to the enemy's superior numbers, and died heroically for their country."

"I will annihilate the 68th Regiment to comfort the spirits of Battalion Commander Yao and the officers and soldiers of the Third Battalion."

Commander Gui was impressed by Long Fei's imposing manner and asked anxiously.

"Commander Long, how do you plan to fight?"

Long Fei turned around again, pointed to the map, and began to explain it to everyone in detail.

"Now, the Japanese 68th Regiment, under the leadership of its regimental commander Takamori Takashi, is eager to make a name for itself and wants to be the first unit to enter Nanjing."

"Therefore, the 68th Regiment has been advancing fiercely all the way and has already approached the Tongji Gate and Wuding Gate line."

"We just wiped out the Japanese 22nd Field Artillery Regiment and captured dozens of cannons. I still have four thousand poison gas shells left."

"I plan to lead my troops to the rear of the Japanese 68th Regiment immediately and wipe them out with the Japanese poison gas and artillery."

Commander Gui had no objection to Long Fei's plan to use poison gas, after all, the Japanese had used poison gas against the Training Corps on the Shanghai battlefield.

If the training brigade hadn't been equipped with gas masks, they probably would have been wiped out by then.

Now that Long Fei is going to use poison gas to wipe out the Japanese 68th Regiment, Commander Gui is secretly pleased.

"Commander Long, I fully agree with your battle plan. Just tell me how many troops you need, and I will cooperate fully."

Long Fei shook his head: "Thank you for your kindness, Commander Gui, but my Dragon Flame troops are enough for me."

"The other units have received orders from Commander Tang to assist the Training Corps in defending Zijin Mountain."

Seeing that Long Fei spoke so easily and with such confidence, Commander Gui did not insist.

"Alright then, Commander Long, take care. I wish your unit a great victory."

"Thank you."

Long Fei saluted everyone and then turned to leave.

In addition to the 259th Brigade of the 87th Division, the Ninth Company of the Third Detachment of the Nanjing City Security Police was also responsible for defending Tongji Gate and Wuding Gate.

At this moment, the Japanese 68th Regiment had launched several attacks on the outer positions of Tongji Gate and Wuding Gate.

Under the command of Brigade Commander Yi Anhua, the 259th Brigade fought bravely and repelled the Japanese attack, but suffered heavy casualties. The unit has now been reduced from more than 5,000 men to less than 4,000.

What worried Yi Anhua the most was that less than half of the ammunition was left, and if they did not receive supplies, they could only last until nightfall at the latest.

"What do we do after dark? Should we retreat and abandon the position?"

Taking advantage of the Japanese soldiers' rest break, Yi Anhua lit an "Old Knife" cigarette and smoked it hard with a worried expression on his face.

"No, I'll use bayonets to keep the Japanese devils out of the city gates."

After making up his mind, Yi Anhua stubbed out his cigarette and loudly encouraged his subordinates.

"Brothers, you are all great. The Japanese will only be able to get into the city by stepping over the corpses of our 259th Brigade."

The officers and soldiers responded and shouted in response.

"Commander, don't worry, even if we die, we'll take the Japanese devils down with us."

"Commander, as long as there is one person left alive in our 259th Brigade, we will never let the Japanese devils pass."

"Commander, we are a German-equipped division. Let the Japanese devils taste our power."

"Commander, the German-equipped divisions only fight to the death, never surrender. We will fight the Japanese to the bitter end."