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

Immediately afterwards, all Japanese troops on the Korean Peninsula received orders to retreat from headquarters.

Before Kamezo Otaka could issue the order to retreat to his troops, the vanguard of the Northeast Area Army had already crossed the Chongchon River and arrived outside Sinanju Castle.

Kamezo Odaka was amazed by the rapid advance of the Dragon Flame Army.

He knew very well that even if the remaining troops of the 19th Division abandoned the city and fled immediately, they would probably be caught up by the enemy in no time.

So he ordered his troops to resist with all their might while simultaneously convening an emergency meeting with his subordinate regimental commanders.

The meeting had only one topic: Kamezo Otaka proposed that in order to retreat smoothly without being caught up by the Dragon Flame Army, a force was needed to block them.

This was done to slow down the advance of the Dragon Flame troops, giving other troops time to retreat.

After Kamezo Otaka finished speaking, the Japanese regimental commanders looked at each other, and none of them stepped forward to express their willingness to take on this important task.

To put it bluntly, everyone understands that leaving behind troops to hold off the enemy is a sure way to their deaths.

Time ticked by, and seeing that no one was stepping forward, Kamezo Odaka realized that he could not delay any longer and had to make a decision immediately, or the entire army would be wiped out.

Just as Kamezo Odaka was about to forcefully issue the order, Colonel Kikushi Shimizu, the commander of the 73rd Regiment of the 37th Brigade under his command, suddenly shouted loudly.

"General, my 73rd Regiment is willing to stay behind to block the Chinese army's attack."

"Good job, Colonel Shimizu! You are a warrior of the Empire and a role model for all Imperial soldiers."

Shimizu Kiku was extremely devoted to the locust king and was also a fanatical militarist.

He was now prepared to die, so he made a request to Otaka Kamezou.

"General, I have a request. Please hand over all the explosives in the division to my regiment. We will use our lives to stop the Chinese army's advance. We will fight to the last moment and pledge our loyalty to the Chinese with our lives."

Kikushi Shimizu's statement moved Kamezo Otaka, who stepped forward, reached out and grasped Shimizu's arms, and nodded affirmatively.

“Alright, I promise you, you can hold off the Chinese army near Pyongyang and the Taedong River. Also, I must pay tribute to your courage and that of the 73rd Regiment.”

Immediately afterwards, the 19th Division withdrew from Sinanju and Kacheon and quickly retreated southward.

After Chen Yiding entered Xin'an Prefecture, he ordered the entire army to suspend the offensive and rest on the spot.

Chen Yiding's idea was that the troops were exhausted after a day of rapid advance and should get a good night's rest before splitting into several groups and advancing together the next day.

We should take Pyongyang in one fell swoop, followed by Nampo, Sariwon, Wonsan, Haeju, Kaesong, and Seoul, and occupy half of the Korean Peninsula first.

Shimizu Kiki received a report that the Chinese army had stopped advancing as it was getting dark.

He knew this was a rare opportunity to catch his breath, so he ordered his troops to build fortifications north of Pyongyang, with their backs to the Taedong River.

Meanwhile, within the territory of China, the Southwest Army launched a swift and decisive attack on the Japanese garrison in Henan, originating from Hebei and Shanxi.

At first, the Japanese troops in Henan tried their best to resist, especially those stationed in Zhengzhou who attempted to put up a stubborn resistance by relying on the city's defenses.

Just as they were about to breach the defenses of Zhengzhou, the attacking troops discovered that the Japanese defenders had abandoned the city and surrendered.

Upon receiving the report, Liu Anqi ordered the immediate capture of Zhengzhou, and then the entire army continued its rapid southward advance.

By nightfall, Dengfeng, Xingyang, Zhengzhou, Xinmi, Zhongmu, Kaifeng and other places had all been liberated.

Liu Anqi thought to himself that at this rate, the entire territory of Henan could be recovered in two more days, so he ordered his troops to rest on the spot.

However, the Southeastern Army that Long Fei followed encountered resolute resistance from the Japanese in Anhui and Jiangsu.

Despite having an absolute advantage in weaponry and equipment, enough to crush the Japanese invaders.

However, the Japanese army's desperate resistance prevented the Southeast Area Army from making progress so smoothly.

Seeing that Long Fei kept receiving reports of victories from the other two army groups, Ding Zhipan felt that he was losing face.

The commander-in-chief was personally overseeing things on his side, but his troops were performing poorly. How could Ding Zhipan not be anxious?

"Order all units to take Suqian, Muyang, and Suzhou by nightfall, or they will be dismissed on the spot."

Long Fei understood Ding Zhipan's feelings. To soothe him, Long Fei offered him a cigarette and lit it for him.

"Commander Ding, the Japanese troops in Henan didn't hold out for long before retreating, but you've encountered such fierce resistance. What do you think is the reason?"

Ding Zhipan glanced at Long Fei, then at the map, and after a moment of contemplation, replied.

"Commander Long, is it possible that the Japanese troops on my side are putting up such a desperate resistance to cover the retreat of the Japanese troops in other areas?"

Long Fei smiled and nodded in approval, saying, "That's right, Commander Ding hit the nail on the head."

"Now the Japanese only have one way to retreat back to their homeland by sea, so the Japanese in Jiangsu must hold out until the troops in Hunan, Anhui and even Hubei withdraw into Jiangsu."

Ding Zhipan hurriedly added, "Commander Long, I will immediately order the troops to intensify the attack. We must not let the Japanese plan succeed."

Long Fei shook his head: "The Japanese are fighting desperately. Although we are not afraid, there is no need to fight them head-on."

"Why don't we order the troops to halt the attack and let the Japanese plan succeed?"

Ding Zhipan was taken aback: "Ah, pause the attack? Commander Long, is that necessary?"

Long Fei nodded firmly: "I'm just using this as a pretext. After all the Japanese troops from other places have withdrawn into Jiangsu..."

"Your Southeast Area Army plus part of the Southwest Area Army will surround the entire Jiangsu province and force all the Japanese devils toward Shanghai."

Ding Zhipan didn't understand Long Fei's true meaning and shook his head blankly.

"Commander Long, what do you mean by doing this?"

Long Fei picked up a red and blue pencil, and used the red end to draw a large circle around Jiangsu on the map, and then drew a small circle over Shanghai.

"Commander Ding, what I mean is that we should have a second Battle of Shanghai with the Japanese."

"what……"

Upon hearing this, Ding Zhipan's eyes widened even more.

Long Fei continued, "Two years ago, China suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of Shanghai. This time, I'm going to get revenge and avenge the martyrs who sacrificed their lives."

Ding Zhipan was previously the commander of the 41st Division of the National Revolutionary Army. Although he did not participate in the Battle of Shanghai, he was still very familiar with the ferocity of the battle.

Now that Long Fei has made his decision, how can he object?

Moreover, Deputy Commander Sun Zhen and Chief of Staff Jiang Yunqing, who were in the command post, gathered around and said in unison.

"Commander Long, we support you. The National Army suffered too much in the Battle of Shanghai. The Japanese, relying on their naval guns and aircraft, caused us to lose 300,000 elite troops. This revenge must be taken."