Chapter 48: The Lifeline (1)

As night fell, there was silence on the entire Epiphany Temple to the Qiaoting Mansion position, the Japanese army did not attack again, and the Japanese troops on the south bank had all withdrawn to the north bank. Regarding Xue Ru's practice of never building a position, Xiang Wenbin and Lan Xun Zhou were no longer surprised. Entire troops were also not on the bank of the river to defend. Only a few observation posts remained in the positions.

More than a day has passed now, and the 133rd Division still has not moved. Xiang Wenbin and the others couldn't withdraw, and Xue Ru's Snow Fox Brigade was always on the position. Otherwise, the 802nd Regiment has more than 100 people, and it will not be able to hold here at all. Once this place is lost, the entire defense line will collapse.

This is also the reason why the Japanese concentrated a brigade on the offensive. It is as important as the large field on the left and the Tang Bridge on the right, so it was also valued by the Japanese army. The three support points form the Yunzaobang defense line, and if the Qiaoting Mansion is lost, both Dachang and Tangqiao will be attacked on the flanks.

Xue Ru didn't know why the former enemy command and the left flank corps command didn't have an order, and what did the 133rd Division do? Don't you know that there is only one company of troops here?

The situation Xue Ru has already reported to the military headquarters of the 18th Army, and Wen Bin has also reported to the 20th Army, but in a day, not a long distance, why is there no reinforcements? Do you know that this place can be defended, so you don't care? It's not like a normal command.

Xue Ru said: "Liu Quan, send a telegram to the headquarters and ask why?" ”

Xiang Wenbin was also very anxious, he had promised Xue Ru that he would take these people to join the Snow Fox Brigade and follow her, but the reinforcements of the 133rd Division would not arrive.

He already knew that Xue Ru and the others were ordered to withdraw to Kunshan to receive additional troops. Xiang Wenbin will no longer think that the Snow Fox Brigade is an escape, such an army that can fight, it is not too much to give them how many soldiers. It may be to replenish the troops, and if you go to the battlefield again after training, you will be able to eliminate more devils.

He also telegraphed to the division headquarters to ask when the reinforced 133rd Division would arrive. Just when Xue Ru and the others were anxiously waiting, Xue Yue was already anxious and angry. Wu Yizhi said: "Commander, I think Xue Ru and the others will be transferred to Dachang, and Dachang will be recaptured, and give orders to the 18th Division and obey Xue Ru's command." ”

Xue Yue knew that in today's battle at Qiaotingzhai, with a brigade of more than 500 people, he defeated a wing of the 103rd Brigade of the Japanese Army, annihilated more than half of the enemy, and not only covered the entry of the Tax Police Corps into the position of the 19th Division. It was also remarkable that the troops who successfully blocked the crossing of the river.

It was another day, and although I didn't know the details of the battle, with the strength of one brigade and two wings, I couldn't cross Yunzaohama. According to the analysis of the battlefield, the Japanese suffered heavy casualties, otherwise it would not have been possible not to attack. The attack on the Epiphany Temple turned out that the plane was also ineffective, and I don't know how Xue Ru fought. But now the Left Wing Corps is in disarray.

Today, Qiaotingzhai is fine, but the position of the 19th Division of Tangqiao has suffered heavy losses, which can withstand the Japanese attack, and the casualties of the whole division have reached more than half. Without reserve reinforcements, the 133rd Division was risked to reinforce Tangqiao, and Qiaotingzhai did not send troops at all.

But in order to stabilize the morale of the army, they had to let them stick to it and wait for help. Until the dark sky, there was no report of the loss of the Qiaoting Mansion. Xue Yue was indeed very happy, and Xue Ru did not disappoint him.

But the key point of Dachang was lost, which meant that the position on the north bank of the entire Suzhou Creek would completely collapse. Faced with the report of the Eighteenth Division, Xue Yue was right, and he couldn't even say a word of complaint.

This is the report of the deputy chief of staff of the 18th Division, and in one day today, the Japanese army dispatched a wing, a tank squadron, an artillery brigade, and the strength of a division of the puppet army to carry out a fierce attack on Dachang. Hundreds of planes flew over the battlefield, dropping hundreds of tons* on the positions of the defenders of the Great Field. A small town of several square kilometers could not find a single standing building, and it was razed to the ground by the Japanese army.

The 18th Division was a unit of the Hunan Army, known for its tenacity, holding its position to repel the devil's attacks again and again. But in the evening, the Japanese army broke through the main position, the main field fell, and the main defense line was loosened.

Rao Guohua, the commander of the 18th Division, was so angry that he committed suicide with a gun, and died on the way to the hospital after rescue efforts failed. Rao Guohua is a lieutenant general in the army, and he is the highest military officer to commit suicide on the Shanghai front so far.

After listening to Wu Yizhi's words, Xue Yue shook his head: "Dachang is a place where the Japanese army is determined to win, and there is no danger to defend, even if Xue Ru can take it back, he can't hold it, and you also know my purpose for letting her go to Kunshan." ”

Wu Yizhi knew that if any troops entered the big field, they would never be able to retreat, and Xue Yue didn't want to consume Xue Ru's Snow Fox Brigade in the big field. I just wanted to say that since this is the case, I will withdraw her from the Qiaoting Mansion, otherwise it will be the same.

The staff officer came in and handed Xue Yue a telegram, this was Chen Cheng's telegram, the Japanese army had broken through Dachang, this line of defense had lost its meaning, and ordered all troops to retreat, abandon the prominent position, and rely on both sides of the Suzhou Creek to block the Japanese army.

Immediately followed by the defense plan of the theater command, Xue Yue closed his eyes, handed the telegram to Wu Yizhi and said: "Give it to all units and implement it as soon as possible." ”

After reading the telegram, Wu Yizhi understood that Chairman Chiang still did not agree to retreat and wanted to fight with the Japanese army at Suzhou Creek, so he immediately issued an order to the left flank corps.

Xue Yue said: "Send a telegram to Xue Ru, asking her to retreat to Jiading immediately, without delay, after Jiading replenishes supplies and ammunition, retreats to Kunshan, defends against the Japanese attack, and ensures that the road to Kunshan is unblocked." ”

"Yes" Wu Yizhi agreed and said, "I think it's better to send someone forward, otherwise she may not be able to understand the commander's intentions." ”

Xue Yue was also worried that Xue Ru was ruthless enough to fight, so he didn't understand what he meant and was unwilling to retreat. Nodding his head, he said, "The telegram tells her that she is ready, the troops have all retreated, and the Qiaoting Mansion has lost its meaning." Then send someone to explain it and let him know that this matter cannot be made public, so as not to cause the morale of the army to waver. ”

"I understand, let Wu Yuzhao go."

Xue Yue knew that Wu Yuzhao was Chen Cheng's cronies and distant relatives, so he was very responsible for Chen Chengcheng, so he went to withdraw the snow fox to the back so that he could talk. At the same time, I was worried that Xue Ru was too young and a girl, and it would be difficult to suppress the officers of the Security Brigade. After all, Wu Yuzhao is the colonel and deputy chief of staff, and his position and rank are all there. Graduated from the second phase of Whampoa, his qualifications and positions are hard enough, and he nodded in agreement.

After listening to the order, Wu Yuzhao had a trace of excitement on his face, he had long wanted to personally command the battle in the next line of troops. He was in the former enemy headquarters, and as the deputy chief of staff of the headquarters, of course he knew the situation of the war. All I heard was this snow fox brigade. He actually let himself go and said excitedly: "Chief of Staff Wu, do you think I will withdraw to Kunshan with them?" ”

Wu Yizhi said: "I have already told you the details, Captain Xue has special tactics, don't interfere with her command of the battle." In Jiading, he tried his best to ensure her supplies. ”

"I understand," Wu Yu said, "can you let me take the guard company away." ”

Wu Yizhi smiled: "It's Wu Yuqiang's idea again, isn't it?" ”

Wu Yuzhao smiled embarrassedly. Wu Yizhi said: "If there is a mistake, how can I explain it to Mr. Wu?" ”

Wu Yuzhao said: "To fight to the end, sacrifice his life to serve the country, my father will not complain about anyone, this is our brother's long-cherished wish." ”

Wu Yuzhao's brother is a native of Anhui Province, the son of the local Confucian Wu Canzhou, Wu Canzhou and the father of the country, Mr. Zhongshan, are friends, once an important member of the national government, and retired and returned home in poor health. As long as they have a little seniority, they understand the weight of these two brothers, so even Xue Yue doesn't let them go to the battlefield.

But the war has reached this point, and major generals, lieutenant generals, colonels, lieutenant colonels, have sacrificed too much. On the battlefield in Shanghai, there is no one who cannot go to the battlefield, and besides, this is to withdraw to the back, Wu Yizhi agreed.

Wu Yuzhao immediately ran out to gather the guard company and rushed to Qiaoting Mansion. Wu Yuqiang is not like his brother, this kid is a gentleman in Chuxian, and he can be regarded as a little rascal. always regards himself as a hero, and he does a lot of bad things, but he thinks it's all good things.

The old man is very favored, although he can't do anything about him. When the eldest brother Huangpu graduated, he got him to the army, hoping that he would be able to make a living. This is very much in line with his appetite, with the courage to fight, not afraid of life and death, to become a company commander. It's just that he has no culture, and he wants to send him to the military academy, but the Anti-Japanese War began, so he had to put it down.

Wu Yuqiang always can't go to the battlefield, he is depressed, he can't get along with his eldest brother every day, and Wu Yuzhao can't help it. Today, I was going to Kunshan with the Snow Fox Brigade, and I was worried that he would run away, so I took him with me.

I heard that it was the well-known Snow Fox Brigade, so I was very happy to gather the guard company and set off.

"Report" Liu Quan came over and handed Xue Ru a telegram, Xue Ru read it by the light of the fire, her heart was awe-inspiring, she was very easy to understand, it turned out that the Japanese army failed to attack here, and used all its strength in the direction of Dachang, so that the 18th Division suffered huge casualties and lost Dachang.

Xue Yue asked himself to immediately retreat to Kunshan. It seems that Xue Yue is in a hurry, worried that the retreat will be blocked. Since there is no longer a need here, the 133rd Division, of course, will not come. shouted: "Chief of Staff Blue, assemble the team and prepare to evacuate." ”

No one knew what was going on in the dark, but they had just eaten some dry food brought by the Snow Fox Brigade, and everyone was half full and began to assemble.

Xue Ru didn't announce where to retreat, but just briefly talked to Xiang Wenbin. The troops left Qiaoting Mansion and retreated in the direction of Zhao Xiang. Only there can we cross Yunzaobang and rush to Jiading, and then turn to Kunshan.

Dachang was lost, and Miaohang and Qilian had become occupied by the Japanese army. The surrounding area was full of Japanese, and all the troops received orders to retreat along the line of Zhujiajing in Putuo, Xiangxiang.

On the entire front, it is here to block the Japanese attack and become a prominent position, if Xue Ru does not retreat, tomorrow morning, he will be surrounded by the Japanese army. Therefore, Xue Ru did not make his own opinion, but retreated according to the line Xue Yue said.

However, instead of retreating to the banks of the Suzhou Creek, she went north to bypass the Japanese army and retreat to Jiading, and then to Kunshan.

This is a real retreat. Xue Yue and Wu Yizhi were also worried that Xue Ru would not carry it out, so they specially sent Wu Yuzhao to explain the situation. In fact, how did Xue Yue know, Xue Ru had long known the outcome of the Shanghai battlefield, and he would not resist this kind of behavior of ensuring the way to retreat. Before the troops reached Zhao Xiang, they heard the sound of a password from the front.

The entire Snow Fox brigade was immediately ready for battle. Hearing the other party's answer to the exit order, Lan Xun Zhou asked: "The front is that part, answer the number." ”

There was laughter in the darkness: "Xun Zhou can't even hear me?" ”

Lan Xun Zhou stood up: "Are you Mo Yu?" ”

"And me, Qiangzi," Wu Yuqiang also shouted.

Lan Xun Zhou looked at the figure that appeared from the darkness and said, "Deputy Chief of Staff Wu, how can you come?" ”

The two armies will get together. Lan Xun Zhou is considered to be Wu Yuzhao's subordinates, of course he knows, and he is also familiar with Wu Yuqiang, and the relationship is not bad. Wu Yuzhao said: "What about Captain Xue? ”

Xue Ru saw that he knew Lan Xun Zhou, and called him deputy chief of staff, who should be from the headquarters, so he came over: "Who is looking for me?" ”

Wu Yuzhao was stunned for a moment, knowing that Xue Ru was not big, and he couldn't see clearly in the dark, but the sound was too quiet, right? But he still stood upright: "Wu Yuzhao, deputy chief of staff of the former enemy headquarters of the 19th Group Army, visited Captain Lan. ”

Xue Ru asked that before crossing Yunzaobang, he was not allowed to light torches and move forward in the dark. He also raised his hand in return and asked, "Does Deputy Chief of Staff Wu have any orders from the commander?" ”

"Yes," Wu Yuzhao said, "Wu Yuzhao was ordered to lead the guard company to join the Snow Fox Brigade and go to Kunshan together. ”

"Join the Snow Fox Brigade?" Xue Ru was stunned for a moment, but still said: "In that case, let's get on the road, talk as you go." ”

The two troops converged and advanced towards Zhao Xiang. In fact, Wu Yuzhao didn't have anything to say, just a few words, don't make a noise, accept the troops after arriving in Kunshan, and be on standby for training to ensure that the roads in Kunshan are unblocked.

Xue Ru didn't ask much, she knew in her heart that she understood the entire Songhu battlefield even better than Xue Yue. just knew that there would be a big rout and lose time to defend Nanjing, so she also hoped to keep Kunshan as a retreat and reduce casualties.

didn't ask much about Xue Ru, Wu Yuzhao was very strange, could Xue Ru know the commander's intentions? But he was on the march, so he didn't say much, and wanted to wait until he was resting to ask.

At midnight, the Snow Fox Brigade crossed over the Sumamohama River. When I entered Fangtai Town, it was already dawn, and further forward was the Jiading Defense Zone, which was also a place where the Japanese army had not arrived, and it was a safe zone.

Xue Ru ordered to rest on the outskirts of Fangtai Town, and then continued to Jiading.