The 127th Regiment of the Eighth Route Army, which served as a blocker at dusk, received an order from the army commander Xiao Ke to withdraw from the blocking position and retreat to the Xingta line. In a daytime blocking operation, the 127th Regiment paid about 200 casualties, and the losses in the first battle with the Japanese army were not large. The officers and men talked and laughed on the way back, but they never thought that the next battle would be so tragic. The Japanese army did not know the truth, otherwise the brutal battle would have begun long ago.

Shook led the army to the Hingta at about 7 a.m. The first to arrive in force has already been deployed. At this time, the commander of the 70th Division of the National Army was waiting here. "Report to the general, the contempt is Chen Anbao, the commander of the 79th Division. Your ministry arrived in time, and it was really raining in time. "Division Commander Chen, now is not the time to greet each other, our department must quickly take over your defensive position. According to the order of the Ministry of National Defense, your unit served as the first line of defense from Zhujing to Suzhou Creek on the left flank to prevent the Japanese army from outflanking on the left flank. "Honorable Order!" Seeing the well-armed Eighth Route Army, coupled with the strong combat effectiveness of his subordinates reporting to the Eighth Route Army to block the Japanese army, Chen Anbao's confidence increased greatly.

Soon the troops of the two sides began to change their guards, and at this time, a Japanese reconnaissance plane appeared in the sky, and the bright red sun sign on the fuselage was very dazzling. Everyone in the military headquarters looked at the Japanese reconnaissance plane in the sky, and the chief of staff, Zhang Shiying, said: "Army commander, it seems that our whereabouts cannot be hidden, and the Japanese army soon knew that a large army appeared in Xingta!" "It's good to know, this can make the Japanese army miscalculate, maybe we can buy a day to deploy." Xiao Ke continued: "After the Japanese reconnaissance plane flew away, the bomber will come soon and order the troops to pay attention to air defense. ”

After the officers and men of the unit took over the position, they began to build new fortifications. According to the defensive regulations of the war against Japan, it is necessary to form criss-crossing trenches, especially the cat's ear piercing, and there must not be a trace of sloppiness. When the soldiers were sweating like rain to strengthen the fortifications, dozens of Japanese bombers roared in, and indiscriminate bombing was inevitable. At about noon, Xiao Ke received a report from Chen Jun, the commander of the 127th Regiment, that the Japanese troops going north stopped pursuing, and the Japanese air raids also stopped in the afternoon. Xiao Ke immediately reported to the corps headquarters, and soon Ouyang Jian called, and the telegram gave a detailed description of the situation of the Japanese 10th Army, including the commander.

Finally, Ouyang Jian informed that at present, the national army troops are retreating to Hangzhou through the Shanghai-Hangzhou railway, and asked him to get in touch with the 67th Army in Songjiang City as soon as possible, so that it can strengthen the first-line defense of the Huangpu River. Prepare for the strength of the Japanese army on the Huangpu River. At the same time, Ouyang Jian informed that in order to prevent the Japanese army from outflanking on the west side, he had already told Commander Chen Cheng that if the Shanghai-Nanjing-Hangzhou Railway was to be safely and smoothly unblocked, the flank safety of the area west of Xingta must be guaranteed.

After receiving Ouyang Jian's telegram, army commander Xiao Ke immediately convened a military meeting, which was attended by officers above the brigade level. Facing the generals, Xiao Ke said with a majestic face: "Comrades, the situation is extremely critical. The safety of hundreds of thousands of troops on the Songhu battlefield fell on our shoulders. According to the information obtained by the Corps Headquarters, the commander of the 10th Army of the Japanese Army, which landed at Jinshanwei, was Yanagawa Heisuke, and it had jurisdiction over the 6th, 14th, and 114th Divisions of the Japanese Army. In addition, the 9th Brigade of the 5th Division, including the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments of the Japanese Reserve, the 2nd Independent Mountain Artillery Regiment, and the 6th Field Heavy Artillery Brigade, the total strength of the Japanese army is 120,000. ”

When everyone heard this, their faces were solemn and Xiao Ke continued: "Comrades, the enemy in front of us is four times stronger than my soldiers, and this will be a cruel battle. At present, the 79th Division of the National Army is serving as the first line of defense from the Huangpu River to Zhujing, and we don't have to worry about the east side. What worries us is the western side, when the Japanese army will definitely outflank us on the western side, with the intention of eating us all, this is the effective tactic of the Japanese army. General Staff Chief Ouyang informed the commander of the theater, Chen Cheng, that he asked the national army to assist in the defense on the western side. However, we cannot pin all our hopes on the national army's defense. We must not only stubbornly intercept the Japanese army head-on, but also retain a strong mobile combat force, and now ask the Chief of Staff to promulgate its military disposition. ”

A train was running on the field, and the train was full of officers and soldiers of the national army. The central train was equipped with a passenger car, and the carriage was full of officials. At this time, Chen Cheng stood in front of the car window and stared eastward. In the face of danger, Chen Cheng was appointed as the supreme commander of the Songhu Theater, and to put it bluntly, he implemented a full-line retreat in accordance with Lao Jiang's orders. The first train had already pulled the commanders of other theaters to Hangzhou, and Chen Cheng took the second train to retreat to Hangzhou, and in addition, he had to sit in Hangzhou and personally direct the retreat of the army. According to the retreat plan, the elite of the Central Army retreated first, and the miscellaneous armies were responsible for the blocking task.

"Commander, the two divisions of the Eighth Route Army have already converged with the 79th Division on the Xingta line, and the headquarters dispatched a regiment to adopt sniper tactics, which slowed down the Japanese army's movement for a day, and the combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army is really strong." Chen Cheng was speechless, if all the main forces on the Songhu battlefield were safely withdrawn, the Eighth Route Army would have to block the Japanese army on the Xingta front line for at least 5 days, and Chen Cheng had no bottom in his heart about how sure he was in the face of a 4-fold enemy. "Report! Ouyang Jian, chief of the general staff of the Eighth Route Army, urgently telegraphed! A combat staff officer reported.

After Chen Cheng took the telegram and checked it, he immediately walked to the map to find the location of Xingta and asked: "Where are the 4 divisions of the Sichuan Army?" "The 135th and 136th Divisions of the Sichuan Army were the latest to arrive at the Songhu battlefield, and they are currently on standby on the Liantang front line with the 133rd and 134th Divisions that have been withdrawn from the front line!" "Order Yang Sen to hurry south and fortify the south of Fengjing Station!" Chen Cheng walked a few steps and continued: "Chief of Staff Ouyang is right, the 15th and 16th divisions of the Eighth Route Army appeared on the Xingta line, and the Japanese army must be determined to eat the Eighth Route Army." If the Japanese army were to be outflanked from the west, the Shanghai-Hangzhou line would also be cut off. ”

"Order Song Xilian's 36th Division to get off at Jiashan Station and fortify on the spot." "Commander, do you want to report to the Ministry of Defense?" "It must be reported, the reason is to ensure the safety of the Shanghai-Hangzhou railway line!" The subordinates understood what they meant, and if it was to assist in the defense of the Eighth Route Army, the Ministry of Defense would definitely not agree. Chen Cheng looked at the fields that kept passing by and muttered: "Brother Ouyang, I can only do so much, I hope luck is on your side!" Chen Cheng knew it in his heart. The Eighth Route Army dispatched troops at a critical moment, the purpose of which was to cover the safe retreat of the main force of the national army on the Songhu battlefield, but it was ・・・・・・.

In Songjiang City, Wang Yizhe, commander of the 67th Army of the Northwest Group Army, frowned tightly and seemed to be preoccupied. After several days of hard fighting, the four divisions of the department lost half of their troops, and the total strength is now less than 20,000 horses. The Japanese army forcibly landed at Jinshanwei in Hangzhou Bay, and the tide of battle turned against them. After receiving the order, the headquarters immediately set up defenses in Songjiang Castle to intercept the northward movement of the landed Japanese troops and cover the retreat of the main force. Wang Yizhe knew in his heart that he was very likely to be wiped out in Songjiang City, but the military order must be carried out. “

"Damn, the main force of the Central Army is the first to retreat, and it is simply unreasonable to use us as a substitute for the dead ghosts!" One division commander complained, and several other division commanders also clamored. "At the time of the national crisis, we came to the Songhu battlefield to fight bloodily. We Northeast gentlemen are not bad breeds, and we must restore the reputation of the Northeast Army. Even if we all die here, we won't hesitate! Wang Yizhe swore categorically and made the generals stop clamoring.

"Report to the army commander, Xiao Ke, commander of the 5th Army of the Eighth Route Army, led the 15th and 16th divisions of the headquarters to the front line of Xingta, and got in touch with our radio station!" Wang Yizhe looked refreshed when he heard this, and hurriedly walked into the telegraph room. The generals hurriedly gathered around the map to check, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts. There is no doubt that the appearance of the Eighth Route Army on the Xingta line means that the Eighth Route Army will directly confront the Japanese army in the north, and it also means that the 67th Army has escaped a catastrophe.

About an hour later, Wang Yizhe walked out of the telegraph room with a spring breeze on his face and said: "Everyone, it can be said that it is another spring. 30,000 officers and soldiers of two divisions of the Eighth Route Army appeared on the front line of Xingta, and we were in a desperate spring. Commander Xiao Ke informed that his headquarters would intercept the Japanese army from going north, and asked our department to act as an assistant defense and intercept the Japanese army from the south. When the battle is unfavorable, we can move closer to Xingta. "The people rejoiced when they heard it." Now I order the four divisions to be reduced to two divisions, and the wounded are to be transported along the railway line to the Hangzhou side. The Eighth Route Army had a temporary field hospital in Hangzhou that would take in our wounded. ”

At this time, Ouyang Jian, who was far away in Jiujiang, Jiangxi, always paid attention to the situation in Songhu. Lao Chiang ordered the main force of the Central Army to retreat first, which meant that there would be chaos next, so he wanted to interfere with the situation in Songhu to the greatest extent. With the withdrawal of the Songhu commanders to Hangzhou one after another, it means that the Songhu battlefield will lose its effective command, and it will be better if you don't make a move at this time. Ouyang Jian wants to make the Eighth Route Army famous in the first battle, and he wants to let all the miscellaneous troops on the Songhu battlefield see the hope of survival.

"Report, Commander Chen Cheng is calling!" An operational staff officer made an urgent report. Ouyang Jian took the telegram and checked: "Commander Chen informed that the four divisions of the 20th Army of the Sichuan Army were fortified from Liantang to Fengjing Station in the south, and at least the west side of Xingta was safeguarded. Ouyang Jian took a few steps and continued: "Send a report to Liu Xiang immediately, I need the command of the 20th Army of the Sichuan Army." In addition, send a report to Zhang Xueliang, I also need the command of the 67th Army! "Chief of the General Staff, do you want to command the Songhu battlefield operation?" Su Yu asked in surprise.

"I judge that the Songhu battlefield will soon get out of control, the main forces of the Central Army have retreated one after another, Chen Cheng can no longer control the situation on the battlefield, he knows it very well in his heart. And in the telegram metaphor, it is to make me understand the possible situation. As long as we stubbornly hold on to the Xingta front, we will add confidence and hope to the troops who are still late on the Songhu battlefield. No matter what the cost, it is our duty to rescue the trapped national army troops as much as possible. ”

Soon Liu Xiang and Zhang Xueliang called separately and completely agreed to hand over the command of the 20th Army of the Sichuan Army and the 67th Army of the Northwest Army to Ouyang Jian. Under this critical situation, the Eighth Route Army threw itself into the erosive Songhu battlefield without hesitation, and the two could only pin their hopes on Ouyang Jian, hoping that he would bring the troops back safely. Chief of Staff He Long took the telegram and reported: "Chief of General Staff, Liu Xiang and Zhang Xueliang agreed so happily, I am afraid that a dead horse is used as a live horse doctor, seeking a glimmer of life." "They know in their hearts that there is a way out only if they rely on each other and unite as one!" Ouyang Jian continued: "Send a report to Xiao Ke, the 67th Army of the Northwest Army and the 20th Army of the Sichuan Army will be commanded by him!" ”

At the time of crisis, with the Xingta front line as the leader, a small war zone was inadvertently formed, which Ouyang Jian had never expected in advance. The 10th Army was successfully intercepted, and Ouyang Jian didn't know how the battle situation would evolve next. But he knew in his heart that the Japanese army would definitely aim at Xingta, and there was no doubt about it. The next brutal battle is inevitable.