Under Zhang Boting's quiet attention, the defenders of Sihang Warehouse were carrying out everything in an orderly manner in accordance with Xie Jinyuan's military orders.
Zhang Boting also finally understood why the main battalion under his command was so confident to continue to compete with the Japanese army here. They actually had regiment-level support firepower Sulotong machine guns, and the number was as high as six, and the number was far more than 542
The mortars that the regiment should have. Although the caliber of the mortars made in France is different from the 81mm copied from the Third Reich, its ammunition reserve is enough to fight a medium-sized battle.
Although he was very confused about the origin of these heavy firepower weapons and equipment, Zhang Boting was smart enough not to ask. Perhaps this was specially sent by the theater so that this lone army could persist here longer? Perhaps, this also represents the wishes of some big shots.
What about expectations?
As the chief of staff at the division level, the Army Major General is even more unlikely to be familiar with the first-level officers of the company and platoon. The entire Sihang Warehouse garrison, except for Xie Jinyuan and the other two school officers, may have some impression of Zhang Boting, that is, he has been in power for several years.
Captain Lei Xiong, the fighting and stabbing champion of the 88th Division.
Although Chen Yunfa and the six soldiers under his command were completely unfamiliar faces, they did not attract the attention of the Army Major General. Out of appeasement to the warehouse defenders, the Army Major General deliberately lowered his status and took the initiative to find Captain Lei Xiong, who was covering the entire army and staying behind.
I gave a few words of encouragement.
The meaning revealed in his words is very simple. As long as he evacuates to the concession smoothly, Captain Lei Xiong's promotion to Army Major is basically certain. This should be a great temptation for every soldier.
The promotion of military positions means that they can command more troops; the promotion of military positions, especially entering the ranks of school officers, also means that they, who were originally ordinary farmers' children, jumped over the dragon gate and officially entered the "official" level.
Ranking in the ranks can become a shining lintel for the ancestors; promotion in the military position means higher military pay, and more money can be earned to support the family.
The Army Major General also believed that no one could refuse such a temptation.
It is true that the Army Major General was right. In China, where the official position has been prevalent for thousands of years, not many people can resist this temptation.
But there are always some people in this world who do not participate in wars for the sake of promotion, and there are always some people who do not become officials just to glorify their ancestors. Their original intention of coming to the front line and risking their lives is just to protect their families. Because their homes are at the rear.
, if the war is defeated, not only will the family be lost, but the family members will also be arbitrarily bullied by the Japanese invaders. As soldiers, they are well aware of the heinous crimes committed by the Japanese invaders in the occupied areas.
When the Army Major General left, he didn't even notice the firmness flashing in the Army Captain's eyes.
At 2 o'clock in the morning, when the flashlight lights on the other side flashed three times in a row, it showed that the concession garrison had made all preparations to assist the Sihang Warehouse defenders to cross the Suzhou River Bridge and withdraw into the concession. In order to show their sincerity, the concession garrison even attacked the Japanese troops south of the Suzhou River.
Three illumination bombs were fired from each wing position, and the area from 300 meters to 700 meters on both wings was illuminated brightly. This time, the Japanese army kept their promise and did not deploy any heavy machine guns.
In fact, what Jiro Wakiba, who has become completely honest, wants most now is not to sneak attack the Chinese defenders who have beaten him black and blue, but to hope that they get out of the house quickly and wait until they get to the concession to deal with them. As for now, there is a future
After one night's lesson, he no longer had any thoughts of sneak attacks. The most likely result was that the few heavy machine guns would be severely beaten by Chinese mortars again, and the Chinese defenders would once again shrink into warehouses.
Here, what should he do?
That was really embarrassing. With the lessons learned during the day, he would not dare to attack again anyway. The heavy casualties during the day were not only that he was scolded bloody by the division commander, but also the group of majors and lieutenants under his command.
The look in his eyes was already a little unkind. That was extremely rare in the hierarchical Imperial Army, unless the boss was so stupid that he was boycotted by almost all his subordinates.
Obviously, the defeats in the past few days have brought him to the point where Colonel Jiro Wakiba is about to reach this point.
Therefore, even if the concession garrison fired flares onto their positions in an almost provocative manner, the Japanese officers at all levels pretended not to see it. At the meeting at the wing headquarters in the evening, they had learned that the Chinese might be there tonight
Run away, but this time no one jumped out and shouted that this enemy army must be completely annihilated for the honor of the Imperial Army and the regiment.
The consecutive days of defeats have made it clear to Japanese officers at all levels that the Chinese army relying on strong fortresses is like a porcupine covered with thorns.
They couldn't swallow it, and the cold arrows shot from time to time could leave them covered in wounds.
The honor of the empire is worthless, but your life is yours. If it’s Baga’s, let them leave as soon as possible! Your Excellency, the captain’s plan to resolve this battle without any bloodshed is brilliant!
This is also the characteristic of the Japanese nation. When they are weak, they become strong, and when they are strong, they become weak. This has been the case for thousands of years. It is a very normal psychological reaction.
The Japanese were weak, the concession authorities had shown enough sincerity, and the 88th Division Major General Chief of Staff was personally in charge. No matter how unwilling they were, the Sihang Warehouse defenders had no choice but to prepare to retreat under the command of Xie Jinyuan.
A brief mobilization ceremony was held in the warehouse. In accordance with Xie Jinyuan's military order, the Second Company took the lead, using the cover of night, to climb out of the warehouse building first, and carried the equipment across the Suzhou River. Shangguan Yunbiao and Yang Ruifu took the lead.
The school officer personally led the team.
After the Second Company all entered the concession, the Third Company carried the bodies of the soldiers who died during the day and the injured soldiers to cover the machine gun company carrying heavy machine guns and mortars. The First Company also quickly crossed the Suzhou River. Because of Zhang Boting's arrival,
Xie Jinyuan was careful not to use the tunnel. He also knew that the underground emperor of Shanghai did not support him through those big shots but came here personally to give him this little guy. I am afraid it was also because these weapons and equipment could not see the light and could risk their lives.
Huge risks were given to help him and his brothers, so how could he add to the trouble? Fortunately, there were enough medicines in the warehouse, and it would be no problem for the seriously injured to last for one night.
Zhang Boting and Xie Jinyuan, the two highest-ranking officers in the entire garrison, did not follow the large troops into the concession first, but chose to stay until the end, which also reflected the unique temperament of the Imperial Guard commanders. Even though the Japanese army did not deploy heavy machine guns, the crisis
Still exist, maybe they will use artillery to block the bridge? Or maybe, when the main force of the defenders enters the concession, when the warehouse defenders are extremely small, they suddenly blockade the Suzhou River, leaving very few troops to vent their anger.
Woolen cloth?
The defensive strength of the Sihang Warehouse with hundreds of defenders and the defense strength of the Sihang Warehouse with only more than a hundred defenders are completely different concepts. The one left at the end must be the one with the greatest risk.
But the Army Major General and the Army Lieutenant Colonel still chose the one with the highest risk. Based on this alone, the lone army left behind at the Sixing Warehouse is highly admired from top to bottom. This is also the far greater combat effectiveness of the most elite Imperial Forest Army under the bald man.
One of the characteristics that distinguishes it from other ordinary divisions is that it does not just rely on equipment and training from the military advisors of the Third Reich.
"Let's go! Captain Lei, leave an infantry platoon to continue to monitor the Japs. The rest of the people, follow us." Zhang Boting saw that the two infantry companies and the machine gun company had all arrived safely in the concession, and Xie Jinyuan was replaced by Xie Jinyuan.
Order.
It's not that he is afraid of death, but that as long as the last infantry company crosses the Suzhou River Bridge, the military order entrusted to him by the theater headquarters will be completed. Soldiers take obedience to orders as their bounden duty. For Xie Jinyuan, this is the case for him.
The same is true for Army Major General.
"Yes!" A trace of strangeness flashed across Lei Xiong's face that the Army Major General could not detect in the darkness. "Squad 1, responsible for the safety of the two officers, send them across the river first!"
Zhang Boting didn't think much about it. He, a dignified army major general, had held on until the last infantry company evacuated. Now even if he left first, no one could criticize him.
The two of them, together with their personal guards and the unlucky Military Investigation Commission agent who had been beaten in vain, and under the cover of an infantry squad of ten people, ran quickly across the 30-meter-wide Suzhou with their waists bent.
Heqiao enters the fortifications of the concession.
However, before he could even take a breath of complete relaxation, he saw the infantry squad that escorted them to the concession saluted him and Xie Jinyuan solemnly. Without waiting for the two to return the salute, the ten infantry squad members
Under the leadership of the leading sergeant squad leader, he quickly turned around and ran towards the warehouse.
What are you trying to do?
While Zhang Boting was stunned, an unpleasant feeling vaguely emerged in his heart.