At this moment, another signal soldier suddenly ran over in a hurry, and saluted Matsui Ishine and Tsukada Tsukada: "Generals, the reconnaissance sentry warns that an enemy armored unit of unknown origin suddenly came from Songjiang towards the downtown area of Shanghai. ”

It turned out that after easily breaking through Songjiang City and killing all the devils inside, Xu Wen, Zhou Weiguo and others immediately crossed Songjiang County non-stop and went straight to downtown Shanghai to kill!

In order to catch the devil off guard!

Although Xu Wenwen's goal was to force the 9th and 11th Divisions and other main Japanese forces to come back to help, mobilize and contain them, so that they could not continue to attack Nanjing.

However, if the fighter plane appeared, it could directly recover Shanghai and destroy the general headquarters of the Japanese army in Central China, and Xu Wen was of course willing to give it a try.

This news surprised Matsui Ishone and Tsukada Tsukasa and others.

"Nani? The Chinese army moved so quickly? Matsui Ishine was shocked and angry, and immediately asked Tsukada: "How many troops do we have in Shanghai now?" ”

Tsukada immediately replied: "Since the 9th and 11th Divisions and other units were transferred north to Suzhou, and the 114th Division and other units attacked Hangzhou, only the 3rd Division and a few newly formed garrison brigades were left in the Shanghai area.

However, the 3rd Division suffered heavy losses in the previous Songhu Campaign, and several major officers, including the division commander Fujita Shin and the chief of staff, were all killed in ambushes. ”

After hearing this, Matsui Shigen hurriedly asked: "Then with the current strength in our hands, do you think we can resist the attack of the independent brigade of the Chinese army?" ”

Tsukada and Iinuma Mamoru glanced at each other, and Iinuma said: "If the 3rd Division is in a state of full victory, or if the 3rd and 4th fleets of the Imperial Army have one in Shanghai Port, we should be able to resist it."

But now, the 3rd Division is incomplete, its vitality is greatly damaged, and the 3rd and 4th fleets of the Navy are again participating in the attack on the Jiangyin fortress.

With all due respect, the Imperial Army's defensive strength in Shanghai alone may not be able to withstand the attack of the Independent Brigade of the Chinese Army. ”

"Didn't the Independent Brigade be heavily damaged by the Imperial Army in Suzhou? Their strength must have suffered a lot, right? We have nearly a division of troops, can't we stop them? Matsui questioned.

Tsukada said: "General, judging from the fact that the Chinese army broke through Songjiang County in less than half an hour and completely annihilated the defenders in the city, although the independent brigade suffered heavy losses in Suzhou, its strength still exists.

Regardless of whether the 3rd Division and a few newly formed garrisons can stop them, we must draw reinforcements from other places.

The reason is very simple, Shanghai's special economy and international status are here, and our Japanese Empire mobilized hundreds of thousands of elites and took three months to take this place.

Once recaptured by the Chinese army, it will have an extremely serious impact on the reputation of the imperial army and the face of the empire.

In addition, the Central China Dispatch Army Headquarters is in Shanghai, and you must not afford to lose anything in Shanghai! Otherwise, the consequences are unimaginable! ”

Mamoru Iinuma nodded with a solemn expression and agreed: "Yes, Your Excellency the Chief of Staff is right, Prince Hatohiko of Asakanomiya had an accident before, which had a great adverse impact on the imperial army.

General, you can't have any more surprises! ”

After saying that, Iinuma Mamoru said: "General, it is recommended to immediately order the 9th and 11th Divisions and other divisions to return to Shanghai, in addition, General, you should also leave immediately and take the navy ships to the sea, which is safer." ”

Tsukada immediately nodded and said, "Yes, what Iinuma-kun said is right, general, please leave the command headquarters immediately, and we will contact the navy to send ships to meet your retreat." ”

Of course, Matsui Shigen did not want to follow in the footsteps of Prince Hatohiko of the Imperial Palace, but as soon as the Independent Brigade came, he was so frightened that he, the commander-in-chief of the dispatch army, fled Shanghai, and he couldn't hold his face.

Therefore, Matsui Shigen was very stubborn and snorted coldly: "How can this be reasonable, as the commander of the dispatch army of the Great Japanese Empire, how can I abandon the troops and retreat before fighting?" ”

"Also, the 9th and 11th Divisions must not be withdrawn at this time, the imperial army finally captured Wuxi, and is about to continue to go north to capture Nanjing!

At this time, let them withdraw, and everything will be wasted? ”

"General, it is more important to defend Shanghai and your safety than to capture Nanjing, the capital of China!" Tsukada attacked the bitter persuasion.

"No, now that the Kunisaki detachment and the 1st Division are in a state of strength, they are about to hit the Yangtze River, and they are one step away from us capturing Nanjing and forcing the government of China to surrender, and we must not give up halfway at this time!" Matsui Ishone's attitude was resolute.

"However, if the 9th Division and other units are not transferred back, I am afraid it will be difficult for Shanghai to hold it!" Mamoru Iinuma said with a look of embarrassment.

Matsui Ishine pondered for a while and said, "Then send a telegram to Yanagawa Heisuke and order him to lead the 114th Division and the 6th Independent Heavy Artillery Brigade to rush to reinforcements!"

The 3rd Division and several garrison brigades can't even hold up the reinforcements from the direction of Hangzhou, right? ”

Tsukada and Mamoru Iinuma looked at each other again, and of course the two understood that what Matsui Ishine said was very right, and if the 9th Division and other attacking troops were transferred back at this time, the fighters would definitely be delayed.

The two estimated that with the existing defenders in the Shanghai area, they should be able to hold out until the reinforcements in the direction of Hangzhou arrived.

Therefore, after pondering for a while, Mamoru Iinuma suggested to Matsui Ishine again: "General, we agree with your proposal not to transfer the 9th and 11th divisions back to help, but you must withdraw to a safer place!"

Because you are in Shanghai, we will face a double risk, namely the loss of Shanghai and your safety!

Only when you are safe, can we let go of our hands and feet and fight to the death with the independent brigade of the Chinese army! ”

In fact, Matsui Ishine also knew that now was not the time to be reckless, just now he couldn't hold it on his face, and now Mamoru Iinuma gave him a good step and reason.

He didn't have a psychological burden, and immediately nodded and adopted the suggestion of the two: "Well, I can withdraw, but Shanghai can't be lost, we must block the attack of the Zhina army, at all costs!" Do you understand? ”

Tsukada took the lead and said: "Hai, the general can rest assured, the humble and Iinuma-kun will definitely do their best to hold Shanghai and hold on until reinforcements arrive!" ”

"Well, after dawn, I will also order the Navy carrier-based aircraft to take off and come over to reinforce you in the war!" Matsui Ishine solemnly said to the two: "Tsukada-kun, Iinuma-kun, please!" ”

"Hay!" Tsukada and Iinuma Mamoru shook their heads violently and led in unison.