latelenovela Chapter 990: Sichuan Army Commander Fan's Martyrdom
Chapter 990: Sichuan Army Commander Fan's Martyrdom
Headquarters of the 4th Infantry Division of the 72nd Army.
"Last night was another sleepless night. The Japanese mobilized nearly 6,000 men, divided into three groups, to attack Guo Shaoqiu's position. Although we crushed their attack, the position was breached at one point. More than 400 of Sichuan Army Commander Fan's men fought the Japanese with swords, and they managed to hold out. However, more than 300 of them, including Commander Fan, died for their country."
When Li Shaoyi opened his eyes, Wang Manli reported to him what happened last night.
"Since the Sichuan Army brothers went to the battlefield, they have been doing transportation work because they are not familiar with various military equipment. Xiao Guo also said that transportation is actually the hardest job on the battlefield. They have to dodge the Japanese artillery fire and endure the limits of their own physical strength. If it weren't for the help of the Sichuan Army brothers these days, we would not have won. We have always emphasized firepower output. When the Japanese rushed in with bayonets, some soldiers didn't know how to fight hand-to-hand. Fortunately, it was Lao Fan's men who blocked it."
Ma Leizi was also sighing when he said this. When they had just formed the army, Li Shaoyi did not train them in hand-to-hand combat. According to what Li Shaoyi had thought at the time, do we need hand-to-hand combat?
Each infantry squad has a light machine gun and two submachine guns, and the rest use semi-automatic rifles. Even if they are incompetent, they still have a pistol on their waist. Why should they engage in hand-to-hand combat with the Japs?
However, on a real battlefield, some situations are unexpected. For example, there are always visual loopholes at night. Last night, the Japanese squadron exploited this loophole. When they rushed to the position, some of us were dumbfounded.
After some soldiers had used up all the bullets in their guns, they still wanted to change bullets, but the bayonets were already in front of them, and they completely forgot that they still had pistols.
It's one thing during normal training, and it's another thing on the battlefield. If Lao Fan hadn't led his brothers to rush over, something really bad would have happened.
"Inform the Military and Political Department to commend all of Captain Fan's men for merit. Those killed in action will receive compensation according to our standards, and each will receive an additional 100 yuan."
Li Shaoyi knew better than anyone how cruel the Pujiang war was.
The death of Captain Fan and his brothers was just the beginning. In the coming period, the Japanese attacks would definitely be stronger. Last night's attack had already made them realize that they should try not to cause trouble during the day. In such an environment in broad daylight, they had no advantage at all.
But it was different at night. No matter how many flares the 72nd Army released, there would always be some places where they could find loopholes. Once they found a loophole, as long as their men moved fast enough, there was definitely a chance of breaking in.
So during the day today, the Japs only carried out some small-scale attacks, with a scale of no more than 1,500 people, and most people have had some time to rest, including us.
"Go inform Guo Shaoqiu that during the day when the Japanese aren't attacking, we'll set up a small training ground in the rear. Make sure our men remember they still have a pistol. Also, all the troops coming to help us will be given a pistol, and try not to engage in hand-to-hand combat with the Japanese."
Li Shaoyi had said earlier that our soldiers' physical strength cannot be compared with that of the Japanese. Even though we have eaten well in the last one or two years, can you make up for all the losses you incurred in the past?
Moreover, the Japanese have been specially trained in hand-to-hand combat. In addition to physical training, they also have a spirit of dedication. If we fight hand-to-hand combat with them, we will definitely lose money.
"I'll do it right away. I'll add the pistol to the next airdrop."
For this kind of thing, our advantage lies in our ability to airdrop supplies. Li Shaoyi is giving orders in the island city right now, and our brothers will be able to get them in Pujiang in three hours.
"These are newspapers from all over Jinling. The people are calling for you to be appointed commander-in-chief of the Pujiang War Zone."
Wang Zihan compiled eight newspapers, all of which have a very strong foundation in the Jiangnan region. In addition to some ordinary people, many scholars also believe this, and there are even some senior generals in the army. The number of co-signers, all of whom are major generals or above, has exceeded five.
"Don't worry. Don't you understand the Nanjing Nationalist Government? If these people want me to be the commander of the Pujiang War Zone, it must be when the situation is completely irreversible. Luodian is still in our hands, and the surrounding positions are still in theirs. This is not the worst time yet. Once they have lost all the surrounding positions, it will be time for me to go to Pujiang."
Li Shaoyi snorted coldly, then lit a cigarette for himself. Li Shaoyi knew very well how to fight next. Just like in Tianjin, he had to trick some of the Japanese in Pujiang.
Originally, we were planning to retreat inland along the Yangtze River. According to Li Shaoyi's idea, we would at most retreat to Wuhan. There was no need to retreat further because the Japanese might not be able to take Wuhan. Based on their current losses, they no longer had the strength to do so.
While Li Shaoyi and others were discussing this matter, Nanjing also held a supreme military meeting. Everyone in the supreme military meeting finally understood that apart from Li Shaoyi, there would be no one else who could turn the tide and let us continue to fight Pujiang. It was estimated that there would not be more than a month left.
Some people have already suggested that Li Shaoyi should lead his troops south. If you still don't agree now, by the time we give up Pujiang, perhaps only a part of Pujiang will be left, and the entire Nanjing National Government will become a historical sinner.
But at this moment, the top leaders of the National Government did not give up. They still thought that they could win and prevent the large number of troops of the 72nd Army from moving south, otherwise all their previous efforts would be in vain.
What's more, they still have the illusion that Western countries will interfere in this war. Pujiang is an international metropolis. Once the fighting continues, it will infringe on the interests of all countries. Western countries may see our determination to resist and come forward to mediate the war.
If we hold on until that time, the Japanese army will have no choice but to retreat, and we will have survived. We don't have to let the 72nd Army go south, nor do we have to hand over Pujiang to Japan.
Of course, this is just their wishful thinking. In the coming period, the Japanese will crush their dreams step by step and let them know how outrageous their mistake is...