Zhang Zhizhong turned his head to Jiang Guangding and said: "Brother Jingran, if there is no urgent operational tips and suggestions sent by Wen Ge last night, the 11th Division of the Japanese Army will suddenly land at Liuhe, Yanglinkou, and Qiyakou, and it will definitely catch us off guard. ”

"But now it is different, now because of the telegram reminder from Wenge, we are prepared, although it is too late to prevent the Japanese army from landing in the above-mentioned area to flank our army, but we have succeeded in keeping Zhenru. The Beijing-Shanghai Railway is still in our hands, and we also maintain smooth personnel and material contact with the 60th Division, and the 60th Division can hold on to Zhabei completely. ”

Thinking of last night's situation, Zhang Zhizhong couldn't help but feel a burst of fear.

Yesterday evening, Zhang Zhizhong suddenly received a telegram from Song Zhewu. Song Zhewu reminded Zhang Zhizhong and Jiang Guangding in a telegram that the Japanese army likes to flank and outflank in combat, and it is necessary to prevent the Japanese army from taking advantage of the advantage of the fleet to escort and cover the sudden landing of the large corps along the Yangtze River, and flank and outflank our army's rear road. At the same time, it was suggested that if the Japanese army landed along the Yangtze River, it would take advantage of the opportunity of the Japanese army's battle line to seek an opportunity to annihilate the enemy.

Jiang Guangding and Zhang Zhizhong were really startled when they looked at the map.

In order to deal with the fierce attacks of the three divisions of the Japanese army, the 19th Route Army and the Fifth Army had already used most of their forces to the front, and even the 56th Brigade of the 78th Division Weng Zhaoyuan, which had come down to rest and recuperate, was forced to go to the front line in advance. In the middle of the Yangtze River, there was only one regiment left in the possible landing sites along the coast, such as the vicinity of Liuhekou and Yanglinkou, and the defensive front was wide, and once the Japanese naval guns covered the landing of a large number of Japanese troops, this regiment would certainly not be able to stop it.

If the Japanese army suddenly outflanked the rear route, the 19th Route Army and the Fifth Army had to urgently retreat north. The Shanghai area would be completely occupied by the Japanese army, and the Shanghai War of Resistance would end in failure.

Jiang Guangding and Zhang Zhizhong immediately decided. The reconnaissance force was ordered to move north from Wusongkou. Reconnaissance posts were set up along the coast to closely monitor the situation on the river. The 517th Regiment of the 259th Brigade, which is closest to Liuhekou, was also urgently transferred to reinforce Liuhekou. At the same time, the troops were ordered to prepare for the retreat of the second-line positions.

Sure enough, as Song Zhewu expected, he didn't wait for the 517 regiment to rush to the mouth of the Liuhe River. The Japanese army not only landed at the mouth of the Liuhe River and other places, but also a whole 11th division. Fortunately, I was prepared. Except for the regiment in the direction of the mouth of the Liuhe River, which suffered heavy losses and was withdrawn only after the 517th Regiment took over, the other troops suffered almost no losses.

Zhang Zhizhong lit a cigarette. Take a hard sip.

Zhang Zhizhong also smokes. It's just that his addiction to smoking is not as big as Song Zhewu's, and he usually only smokes in his spare time, and today he is really a little too tired. Since receiving Song Zhewu's reminder telegram last night, his brain has been spinning at high speed. After retreating here in the middle of the night, he discussed the battle plan with Jiang Guangding, Cai Tingkai, Huang Qiang, Zhu Shaozhou, and others overnight. I didn't close my eyes at all that night.

"There are three other reasons why the 60th Division cannot evacuate Zhabei."

Zhang Zhizhong continued: "Now the 60th Division is fighting very well, and it is firmly holding back a brigade of the 9th Division of the Japanese Army in Zhabei. If the 60th Division retreats to Zhenru at this moment, the Japanese brigade will also follow up, which will not help the comparison of forces; Once the 60th Division withdraws from Zhabei, it is tantamount to our army withdrawing from the downtown area of Shanghai, which is very unfavorable to the morale of the army and the people, and has a very bad impact; Finally, the battle plan we formulated according to Wenge's suggestion was to annihilate at least one division of the Japanese army on the Jiading and Taicang lines and inflict heavy losses on the Japanese army. If there were no troops in the downtown area of Shanghai, at that time, the Japanese army would probably retreat to the urban area and rely on the concession to hold on to the reinforcements, so would we still have to fight street battles with the Japanese army? Then Shanghai would be completely ruined. ”

Zhang Zhizhong took a hard puff of his cigarette, put out the cigarette butt still on the ground, and said in a resolute tone: "The 60th Division can't withdraw from the city under any circumstances now. ”…,

"As for the 517 regiment? Before our reinforcements formed a strong position west of Loutang, they could not break through, otherwise they would be attacked westward by the Japanese army, not only could our battle plan not be implemented, but the Japanese army also had the possibility of cutting the defense line between Jiading and Taicang, and encircled Taicang, Zhenru and Zhabei with our army. ”

Zhang Zhizhong looked at the map and said slowly: "Zhang Shixi is my student, is the first graduate of Whampoa, he started as a platoon commander of the first division of the first army of the National Revolutionary Army, and participated in two Eastern Crusades and Northern Expeditions. After our army formed a strong position on the front line of Zhuqiao, Gujing, Pailou, and Baiqiang Village, or after reinforcements arrived, the 517th Regiment could break through to the west. ”

Jiang Guangding was not unaware of the danger of the 60th Division's withdrawal from Zhabei, he was just testing Zhang Zhizhong, after all, the 517th Regiment was the unit of Zhang Zhizhong's 87th Division, and he knew better that when Zhang Zhizhong was in Huangpu, he was the captain of the student corps, the officers below the brigade level of the Fifth Army, and even Yu Jishi, the commander of the 88th Division, were his subordinates and students, and he was very afraid that Zhang Zhizhong would destroy the battle plan for his personal convenience.

Jiang Guangding, who was relieved, waved his hand decisively and said, "Okay!" Since Wen Bai said so, let's urge all troops to speed up their march. ”

Jiang Guangding turned around and ordered Huang Qiang, chief of staff of the 19th Route Army, and Zhu Shaozhou, chief of staff of the Fifth Army: "Loutang is in danger, order all troops to speed up and move closer to Loutang." ”

After giving the order, Jiang Guangding looked at the map, and couldn't help but say in admiration: "Wen Bai, I didn't expect that you, the 87th Division, are really fierce generals!" Not only did Song Xilian dare to lead a brigade of people in Miaoxing to cross through the formation of the Ninth Division, stirring up chaos in the rear of the Japanese army, but this Sun Yuanliang was able to hold on for more than 12 hours in the face of more than six times the siege of the Japanese army with the strength of more than one regiment without a preset position! The 87th Division is worthy of being the elite of the Central Army. ”

This is Jiang Guangding's heartfelt words, Zhang Zhizhong can hear it, and it also makes Zhang Zhizhong's face tense all the time can't help but show a smile.

However, Jiang Guangding only mentioned the 87th Division, but never mentioned the Fifth Army and the 88th Division, Zhang Zhixin knew that this was because the 88th Division did not fight well in the early stage of the Battle of Miaoxing, and Jiang Guangding looked down on the 88th Division a little.

The original intention of the Kuomintang in building Whampoa was to gradually transform the old army with the Kuomintang's own new-style officers, and Chiang Kai-shek had been doing so. However, Chiang Kai-shek did not arbitrarily promote these Whampoa students, but selected and hired them according to their military exploits and talents. Like what. Now among the Whampoa students, the first batch of graduates. The military rank is basically between regiment commander and brigade commander. The only ones who can be the commanders of the division are Hu Zongnan and Yu Jishi, and there is also a deputy commander of the 88th Division, Li Yannian.

In Zhang Zhizhong's view, the commander of the 88th Division is more suitable for Li Yannian to do it, both in terms of military experience and actual combat experience. Li Yannian is better than Yu Jishi, who has served as Chiang Kai-shek's bodyguard for a long time, but who made Yu Jishi the nephew of the chairman.

Zhang Zhizhong smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Jingran." In this battle of Shanghai, I was also eye-opening, and I said that the Northwest Army could fight a tough battle. But it was a civil war. In my opinion, the 19th Route Army is the unit that can really fight tough and vicious battles, and its combat effectiveness is first-class among all domestic troops, and it is worthy of the old foundation left by the Iron Army. ”

Zhang Zhizhong's praise made Jiang Guangding feel a little proud in his heart, and he was about to be humble. Chief of Staff Huang Qiang walked over.

"Commander-in-chief, reinforcements of the units of the 517 regiment. Although it is not very far from Loutang, it will take time to reach Loutang, mainly because of the Japanese planes. ”

Hearing that it was another Japanese plane, Jiang Guangding's brows couldn't help frowning.

Since 8 o'clock in the morning, Japanese planes have been rushing into various battlefields in Shanghai and the rear lines of communication of the 19th Route Army and the Fifth Army, indiscriminately bombing all military and civilian targets. In order to maintain the psychological pressure on the squadron, the Japanese planes continued wave after wave and did not stop until it was dark. …,

Although these Japanese planes did little damage to the dispersed and sheltered troops, they posed a great threat to the troops who relied on the trenches to defend and assemble. In particular, these planes bomb and strafe their heads all day long, putting great psychological pressure on the officers and men.

In the past half a month since the 24th Brigade of the Japanese Army came to Shanghai, the 19th Route Army had already suffered thousands of casualties under the Japanese bombing and strafing.

Jiang Guangding could imagine the scene of frantically bombing and strafing the reinforcements at a low altitude near Loutang at this moment.

Because of the long-term estrangement with the Central Army, Jiang Guangding had a strong sense of alienation from the Central Army, and a thought came out of Jiang Guangding's heart at this time. "In order to reduce casualties, the troops should no longer rescue the 517th Regiment, but should immediately strengthen the positions on the line from Zhuqiao to Baiqiang Village."

But as soon as he thought that this was fighting against the Japanese army and defending against foreign enemies, the idea that had just come to him was quickly suppressed by Jiang Guangding.

Jiang Guangding straightened his face and said: "More than 1,000 brothers of the 517th Regiment are fighting bloody battles with more than 8,000 Japanese troops in Loutang, and the situation is precarious. Tell the reinforcements that the 517th regiment must be rescued. All units should not act in large groups of units, but should try their best to form squads and platoons and move in formation toward Loutang in order to reduce casualties. ”

Zhang Zhizhong also said to Zhu Shaozhou, who came over: "Order the reinforcements of the Fifth Army to rush to the area west of Loutang as soon as possible, regardless of casualties, and build fortifications on the spot while receiving the 517th Regiment. ”

Zhang Zhizhong said to Jiang Guangding again: "Brother Jingran, we must order the whole army, after the 517th Regiment withdraws from Loutang, all units must not take a step back, otherwise military law will be involved." ”

"Yes."

Jiang Guangding said to Huang Qiang: "According to the meaning of Wenbai, all departments will be ordered, and those who leave the position without permission will be engaged in military law." ”

Huang Qiang and Zhu Shaozhou went to convey the order, Jiang Guangding glanced at Gao Xingda and Zhu Guangda, who were talking in a low voice, and complained to Zhang Zhizhong: "Wen Bai, you promised to send additional planes to Shanghai for the Air Force in this way, but you were very happy to agree, and the Ministry of Military Affairs did send an additional Second Air Force and an air force in Guangzhou, but although these planes came, they were all hiding in Hangzhou. And this Song Zhewu, but he also sent planes, but he couldn't hide from Shanghai, and these planes are no different from nothing? ”

Jiang Guangding said this very loudly, obviously complaining to Zhang Zhizhong, but in fact, he was saying it to Xingda and Zhu Guangda. Including the busy staff officers, they were all peeking at the two of them. Gao and Zhu, who were talking in a low voice, couldn't help but look at each other and smile bitterly.

Of the 32 planes sent by the Central Air Force and Guangzhou, apart from 12 bombers, there were only 20 fighters and reconnaissance planes that could barely engage in aerial combat, and 6 were damaged and shot down in several air battles, and now there are only 14 fighters left that can fight, mainly the Kosai and Junkers.

Although Juncker has certain advantages over the Japanese Nakajima and Type 13 carrier-based attack aircraft in terms of flight speed, they are limited in number after all. The Japanese army has more than 300 planes in Shanghai, and if you count the Type 13 carrier-based attack planes, there are more than 250 planes, which is more than 10 times the number of planes of the Central Air Force.

At present, the Central Army Air Force relies on the Qiao Driver Field in Hangzhou, which is far away from the battlefield, and can barely fight a war and maintain its presence in the surrounding areas of Shanghai. If you really want to fly to Shanghai, you will have to be beaten by a group of Japanese planes, and the end can be imagined.

Moreover, the Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai is not safe at present, especially the Japanese army aviation unit and the more than 100 planes on the aircraft carrier Kaga have all been moved to the Japanese-funded Dagong Yarn Factory in the Hongkou area, making it more convenient to take off and attack.

With such a huge disparity in power between the Chinese and Japanese air forces, it is already very good that the Central Army Air Force dares to stay in Hangzhou, which is not far from Shanghai.

As for the planes of the Fourth Route Army in Changshu, Gao Xingda also had something to hide, and he was ordered not to reveal any information about the air force corps' operational plan before the planes of the air force corps attacked. Although he was very aggrieved, he couldn't explain it at all. …,

Zhang Zhizhong is a humble gentleman, seeing that Jiang Guangding didn't save face for Xingda and Zhu Guangda at all, he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, and coughed: "Brother Jingran, there are a large number of Japanese aircraft, and the planes of the Central Army Air Force and Wenge together cannot compare to the Japanese army, and they also have difficulties." Until the critical moment, it is better not to waste these aircraft in vain. Didn't Gao Zhihang already promise us this morning that he would go all out when our army launched an attack on the Japanese army the day after tomorrow. ”

Jiang Guangding had to complain again, the door of the war room opened, and two people walked in from outside.

The two people who came in, one was Shi Ming, the commander of the 187th Division, and the other was Sun Liren, the new commander of the ** Brigade. These two people are tall and well-proportioned, but Shi Ming has a fierce face, while Sun Liren is slightly elegant.

The 187th Division and the ** Brigade, as the general reserve of the whole army, have been sheltering and waiting for the west of the Beijing-Shanghai Railway. Although they stayed in the rear, they were always informed of the situation on the front. These days, the two have been staying in the war room, carefully studying and deliberating on the situation of the battle.

Last night, the battle situation changed abruptly, but fortunately, there was a telegram from Song Zhewu reminding that the 19th Route Army and the Fifth Army were not in a hurry, and basically retreated in an organized manner, which made Sun Liren even more admired Song Zhewu.

After the 517th Regiment was besieged in Loutang, the troops of both sides quickly assembled in Loutang