Matsui Iwane held a combat meeting for the attack on Jinling, and all those attending the meeting were senior officers above the division level.
Sitting to the left of Matsui Iwane is the emperor's uncle, Asaka Palace Hatohiko, who succeeded the commander-in-chief of the Shanghai Expeditionary Force. He is now fifty years old and has the rank of lieutenant general. Like Matsui Iwane, he is a dry and thin old man.
, graduated from the Military Academy in his early years and served as an instructor at the Army University, brigade commander, division commander and other positions.
A year ago, he was demoted by the emperor due to his involvement in the army mutiny incident. However, he has outstanding military talents, especially his practical strategic and tactical theory, and is well-known in the Japanese military circles. After Japan occupied Shanghai, it planned to attack Jinling.
, lacking a corps-level commander, the Emperor suddenly thought of him and was reactivated.
King Jiuyan of Chaoxiang Palace was withdrawn and taciturn, and one of his legs was broken due to a car accident and he walked with an obvious limp. This time, Chaoxiang Palace was ordered to attack Jinling and command an army composed of 6 divisions and 13 brigades.
Including the 3rd Division commanded by Susumu Fujita, the 9th Division commanded by Yoshizumi Ryosuke, the 11th Division commanded by Yamamuro Munetake, the 13th Division commanded by Ogisu Tatehei, and the 16th Division commanded by Nakajima Imago.
regiment and the 101st Division commanded by Masaki Ito.
Among the 6 divisions, the 3rd, 9th, 11th, 12th, and 16th are all Class A divisions.
Chaoxiang Palace had just taken office and was not familiar with the commanders of these troops. Moreover, these troops had suffered considerable losses in the attack on Shanghai. Therefore, he was worried when he received the mission.
Sitting on the right of Matsui Iwane is Lieutenant General Yanagawa Heisuke, commander of the 10th Army.
Yanagawa Heisuke is in his early 60s and only 1.39 meters tall. He is a native of Saga Prefecture. He went to the non-commissioned officer school and then furthered his studies at the Army University. Yanagawa Heisuke is proficient in cavalry command and has served as a brigade commander and division commander in the field force.
He served as the president of the Army University and was good at studying military theories and offensive strategies. He was called an offensive strategist by the Japanese military circles.
This time, in order to attack Jinling, Yanagawa Heisuke was sent, which was even more powerful.
Yanagawa Heisuke's official career was quite bumpy. In 1936, he participated in the activities against Emperor Hirohito and was demoted to the reserve force by the president of Army University. During this attack on Shanghai, he was reinstated due to the lack of commanders.
He had suffered enough of being demoted, so when he was given the command of the 10th Army, he almost shed tears of excitement.
Before leaving, he said to his wife Hideko: "Well, I will have my day. I said that gold will shine sooner or later. Look, my piece of gold buried in the ground shines again overnight.
, I can swing my sword and kill people again."
Hideko said worriedly: "I heard that there are many Chinese people, and they often enter the waves of the sea. Don't become a mud cow and enter the sea. There will be no return."
Yanagawa Heisuke comforted his wife and straightened his low chest, "I am gold, not a cow. Don't say any depressing words. You wait for me at home. This time I go to China, I will make some achievements.
In honor of the day when I will shine again.”
Although Yanagawa Heisuke's troops are small in number and far less numerous than the Shanghai dispatched troops led by Asaka Palace, their combat effectiveness is very strong. These troops were transferred from North China. They have experienced the fierce battles of Baoding and Zhengding. Chapter 2
The 9th Brigade originally belonged to Sakagaki's 5th Division. In the battles at Pingxing Pass and Laiyuan, although they fought against the Eighth Route Army, the losses were not too great. Especially Hisao Tani's 6th Division, all of them were very vicious.
Matsui Iwane, Asaka Miya, Yanagawa Heisuke, etc. are all reactivated soldiers. They cherish this opportunity extremely, have greater ambitions, and have more cruel methods.
They suspected that they wanted to recreate glory and meritorious deeds amidst the piles of bones and bones, and become late-blooming Japanese military strategists.
When Matsui Iwane saw that everyone had arrived, he announced the meeting, "The Imperial Japanese Army has captured Shanghai and has made great achievements. The next target is Jinling. According to multiple aviation reconnaissances of various aspects, the Chinese army is fighting in Shanghai.
Its elite troops were basically lost, and their combat power was consumed hugely. In fact, the defensive deployment of the second and third lines was not completed. Most of the troops that retreated from Songhu were defeated. Some were on foot, and some were by boat. Due to the narrow road and the limited capacity of the ferry, most of the troops that retreated from Songhu were defeated.
They were too small to form an orderly retreat, and their retreat was already chaotic."
His unique cold eyes scanned the generals in the conference room: "It is difficult for a chaotic army to form effective combat effectiveness. We must take advantage of the chaos of the Chinese army to attack Jinling."
When the Japanese officers who participated in the combat meeting heard that they were going to attack Jinling, China, they were all in high spirits and listened carefully to Matsui Iwane's detailed deployment.
Matsui Iwane stood up, picked up a wooden stick, clicked on the huge combat map, and arranged the combat deployment.
The Japanese army's attack on Jinling was divided into three routes, attacking Jinling from different directions.
Just as the meeting was being held, the Japanese army's pursuit troops quietly approached Jinling. The Japanese army had no plan to attack Jinling. However, after the meeting ended, the Japanese army in Shanghai began to gather and approach Jinling.
The first unit was on the south bank of the Yangtze River, traveling westward along the Yangtze River. They landed at Baimaokou in the northwest of Shanghai, swarmed into the Yangtze River Delta, and then advanced along the Shanghai-Nanjing Railway. At this time, the Japanese Air Force blew up most of the bridges along the railway.
The fleeing national army in Shanghai had no way to escape, and the pursuing troops became even more fierce, charging forward and massacring the fleeing national soldiers along the way.
This unit was led by Nakajima Kongo, who had been a member of the Japanese Army's intelligence service in France and later became the head of Emperor Showa's secret police.
This guy is a typical pervert, an expert in intimidation and torture. On the way to Jinling, he even carried gasoline for burning corpses and burned corpses along the way for fun.
The second force is preparing to cross Taihu Lake between Shanghai and Jinling to conduct a daring waterway amphibious assault. This force sets off from Shanghai and marches westward. Its marching route is on the wrong south side of Zhongdao. Command this force to fight
It was Iwane Matsui who was physically weak, short in stature, had a mustache, and suffered from tuberculosis. Unlike Nakajima, Iwane Matsui came from a scholarly family and was a devout Buddhist.
After the Jinling Massacre, Matsui Iwane took away some soil stained red with blood and later made it into a statue of Guanyin.
The third force marched towards Jinling from the south of Matsui, then turned and attacked Jinling from the northwest.
The leader of this force was Lieutenant General Yanagawa Heisuke.
On the way to Jinling, the Japanese army encountered many villages. People in some villages fled, leaving some elderly people behind, and others in some villages did not leave.
This is the Japanese army marching from Songhu to the mainland of China. Facing the unarmed villagers, these Japanese devils will use wooden sticks or bayonets to kill the people in the village. They are definitely not what the national army thought. This time,
The Japanese army invaded China with an extremely cruel and perverted mentality.
Many of the newly added troops are new soldiers. These villagers are good targets. Every time they pass through a village, they will take control of the village, tie the villagers who have not fled in the village to wooden stakes with ropes, and then let them go.
Having never seen blood and having just returned from Japan to participate in the jihad, I held a bayonet and practiced bayonet fighting.
Only soldiers who have seen blood will not be afraid on the battlefield.
It's not just villages and towns that have been affected.
Pingjiang is located on the east bank of Taihu Lake. As one of the cities with a long history in China, Pingjiang is famous for its exquisite silk embroidery and elegant gardens and temples. The ancient canal bridges in the city have earned it the reputation of the "Venice of China".
But in the early morning of November 19th.
It rained heavily.
A Japanese vanguard troop entered Suzhou City. They wore turbans to prevent them from being recognized by the Chinese defenders. After entering the city, the Japanese soldiers burned, killed, and looted for days. They committed all kinds of crimes. They burned cultural relics and historic sites and captured thousands of Chinese people.
Women served as sex slaves. According to the Miller Review, the Japanese invasion caused Pingjiang's population to plummet from 350,000 to less than 500.
Along the way from Songhu to Jinling, the Japanese army encountered corpses everywhere they passed.
It can be said that since the beginning of the Battle of Songhu, the Japanese army has shown a cruel and bloody state. Such an army that burns, kills, loots, and commits all kinds of evil will really abide by the rules when it enters Jinling?
December.
Xia Yuan heard more and more news.
The Japanese army has been at war with the Chinese army.
Sometimes, Japanese planes kept flying over the sky. They did not drop bombs on Jinling City, but went to bomb the Chinese defenders.
Since the fighting broke out, a lingering haze has enveloped the sky over Jinling City.
At noon, gunpowder smoke drifted in from other directions. It was gray and smelled quite pungent.
"It's not peaceful these days, so don't go out to work and stay at home." Wu Youhua went out and bought a lot of food and put it in the cellar. Then he took Xia Yuan and Wang Sangou to explain. Wang Cui didn't go out either.
I stay at home with my children all day long.
"Brother-in-law, how is the situation outside? Will the Japanese invaders come in?"
Wang Sangou was very concerned about this matter.
He had just returned from Songhu and knew how terrifying the Japanese were, and he agreed with Xia Yuan's views from the bottom of his heart.
It's just a matter of time before the Japanese invade.
So many troops in Songhu were defeated by the Japanese. How many defenders were there in Jinling?
"It's not clear yet, but the current situation is favorable to us." Wu Youhua worked in the government department and was quite busy during this period. After buying some food, he left in a hurry.
"You two, don't worry. Even if the Japanese invaders come in, we will hide in the cellar. There is a lot of food in the cellar, enough for us to eat for a while. We can just wait for the storm to pass and then we can come out."
Wang Cui opened her mouth to comfort Wang Sangou.
"Sister, I think we should listen to Brother Yuan." Wang Sangou muttered for a while before speaking.
"Don't talk dirty. Where can we go after we leave Jinling?" Wang Cui glared at Wang Sangou. She found that since her brother came, he didn't listen to her words very much, but he was quite interested in what Xia Yuan said.
Attentive.
Even if the opponent is the fiery God of War some time ago, there is no need to be so concerned.
Whether it is soldiers or gods of war, everything has become a thing of the past. The Battle of Songhu failed, and the retreat was like the current of the ocean. Even the God of War, who was all-powerful in Songhu, fled to Jinling for refuge. From now on, more and more soldiers will flee.
.
Xia Yuan listened to the conversation in the room, leaned against a ginkgo tree planted in the yard, and looked up at the smoke floating in the sky.
Counting the time, it has only been a few days since the Japanese army captured Jinling City.
The envelope he wrote to the newspaper seemed to sink into the sea without even a wave rising. He could vaguely guess something.
"It can't be avoided and it can't be changed. This is what I have to go through again and it will be unforgettable."
The smart Xia Yuan basically guessed why Jinling was lost and what method the national army took.
Baldhead will not surrender to Japan. If he really surrenders to Japan, he will definitely lose the morale of the people and the military, and the end will not be as miserable as usual. Therefore, Jinling must be defended, but how to defend it? Looking at the smoke drifting over, combined with this
understanding of a period of history.
Fake resistance, real retreat.
Mobilize the hearts of the people and defend Jinling to the death.
When the Japanese troops gathered together and fought, they could easily find a reason to fool people and retreat to the rear.
In this way, we not only held on to Jinling without losing popular support, but also reduced troop casualties.
"Brother Yuan."
Wang Sangou came up from behind and interrupted Xia Yuan's thoughts.
"What's wrong?" Xia Yuan turned around and asked, holding his hands.
"Come in, it's too cold outside." Wang Sangou looked up at the smoke in the sky and waved to Xia Yuan.
After entering the room, Wang Cui heated up tea for the two of them and put it on the table.
"It's cold outside, but it's warm inside. Don't catch a cold and drink tea." Wang Cui smiled, remembering what her husband said.
After escaping from the front line, Xia Yuan, as the God of War, could not see such a thing.
The God of War, who was once worshiped by others, escaped in disgrace. This must be the case. Otherwise, according to his performance on the battlefield, the government will definitely reward him in the future. But this guy followed the three dogs and escaped together.
their homes.
Apparently he was a deserter.
The Red Party is in need of talents right now. This man's performance on the battlefield is outstanding, and his escape from the front line is nothing to mention. If he can be allowed to join the Red Party, it will be even more powerful for the Red Party. This is what the Red Party currently lacks most.
Recruit talents who are good at fighting.
Wu Youhua had already reported this matter to the organization and received high recognition from the organization.
Winning over Xia Yuan became the task of Wu Youhua and his wife.
Wang Cui tried to persuade Wang Sangou, but never tried to persuade Xia Yuan. Public is public and private is private. Public and private should naturally be distinguished.
Xia Yuan was still unclear about Wang Cui's motives, so he sat on a stool, poured a cup of hot water to warm his body, and then said: "Sister-in-law Wang, stop being so busy, take a rest."
"It's okay. I'm going to cook first. Your elder brother will be back later." Wang Cui wiped his hands and ran to the kitchen to work again.
"Is your sister looking for us for something?" Xia Yuan looked at Wang Cui's back, pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Wang Sangou.
"Maybe it was about the war." Wang Sangou said, "Brother Yuan, if my sister said something unpleasant, don't take it to heart."
"Yeah." Xia Yuan expressed his understanding, thinking back on what he had done during this period, he had not done anything extraordinary and spent most of his time wandering outside.
I think the reason why Wang Cui came to chat with me was not about the Kuomintang.
He thought about it carefully, and the only possibility was that Wang Cui and Wu Youhua had known his identity for a long time.
As a member of the underground D, he was always cautious. He and Wang Sangou came to Wang Cui's house without any warning. How could they not check the details of him and Wang Sangou.
It's not surprising that his identity was revealed, but he just doesn't know whether they will drive him away.
Xia Yuan thought about it for a moment and thought, maybe he wants to join the underground party.
If not, why he and Wang Sangou were allowed to stay at home for so long is unreasonable.
"Brother Yuan, Jiangyin won a great victory. Do you know that maybe Jinling City can be defended?"
Wang Sangou was very interested in the Battle of Jinling. During this period of time, he would go to the streets to listen to the battle situation on the front line or buy a newspaper.
A few days ago, Jiangyin won a great victory, which boosted the morale of the defenders of Jinling.
I guess it was the beginning of the Battle of Jinling.
The victory in the Jiangyin battle was not fought by the army, but by the Chinese navy, and it was a very beautiful fight.
The Navy Minister of the National Army is named Chen Shao Kuan. He graduated from the Nanyang Naval Academy. He is an ideal and ambitious man, proficient in business, and capable. In 1928, he served as the Administrator of the Navy, and in 1932, he served as the Commander of the Second Fleet.
, and became Secretary of the Navy the following year.
Not only can he operate and command various warships in combat, he can also formulate my country's navy development plan based on the characteristics of the latest warships in developed countries.
On the basis of planning, Chen Shaokuan paid close attention to training and had to conduct two exercises every year. He once repeatedly emphasized a sentence in the training of naval officers and soldiers: "The most important thing for soldiers to win is their skills."
Personal skills are the key and are the magic weapon for soldiers to win.
For this reason, Chen Shaokuan won the trust of the bald head and praised Chen Shaokuan in many meetings: Our navy has had a new look every year since Chen Shaokuan became the Minister of Navy. Our navy is also a place where dragons and tigers are hidden. In the future,
There must be more military genius coming out of the navy.
The government's navy also began to take shape under Chen Shaokuan's painstaking management. The 1st Fleet, 2nd Fleet, Practice Fleet, Torpedo Fleet, Xiamen Port Command, Mawei Port Command, and the 1st Independent Marine Corps were successively established.
Brigade and the 2nd Independent Brigade, with a total strength of 100,000.
Under the leadership of Chen Shaokuan, the navy was booming. With the outbreak of the Battle of Songhu, in mid-August, Baldhead ordered Chen Shaokuan to block the water surface of Jiangyin. If the Japanese army wanted to attack Jinling, there were only two ways.
Attack from land and attack by water.
Blockade of Jiangyin City is inevitable.
On November 30, five enemy ships approached Liuzhu Port in Jiangyin. Chen Bingqing of the Jiangyin Artillery Team of the Navy ordered to fire. Four naval guns located on Wushan Mountain that were removed from the damaged and sunk warships fired at the same time. One of them hit
The enemy ship raised a puff of smoke.
The enemy ship's artillery fire was also quite fierce. Wushan's No. 1 gun position was damaged and No. 3 gun position was destroyed.
At 11 o'clock in the battle, the two enemy ships retreated first. The naval artillery team concentrated its fire and attacked again. One of the shells hit an enemy ship. The enemy ship burst into flames. Many Japanese sailors jumped into the water to escape.
An enemy ship quickly came over to rescue him, and fled downstream with the injured ship.
Then in early December, the Japanese army attacked from the shore and approached Jiangyin. There were also enemy reconnaissance activities under Wushan Mountain. The naval artillery team used two guns to cover the retreat of the ground troops.
The Japanese believed that there were no obstacles in Jiangyin and immediately ordered five warships to attempt to rush through the Jiangyin area.