You were tasked with guarding the Sihang Warehouse, and you ended up with a German-equipped division

Chapter 67 No Retreat!

On the city wall of Zhonghua Gate, the soldiers of the 88th Division, who had been holding back for two days, decisively opened fire, pouring bullets at the Japanese troops attacking the flank of Yuhuatai.

The Japanese troops on the march were caught off guard by the sudden attack from the flank.

After all, when they attacked the flanks before, the enemy on the Zhonghua Gate city wall didn't fire a single bullet from beginning to end.

The Japanese troops didn't hesitate either, immediately calling in artillery positions to suppress the Zhonghua Gate city wall with fire.

However, this did disperse the Japanese firepower and also caused greater casualties to the attacking troops.

The 114th Division's frenzied attack lasted from 1 p.m. until after 5 p.m., when the sky was gradually darkening.

Shigeharu Suematsu's eyes also dimmed as the sky gradually darkened.

This was indeed a war of attrition, but he had a vague feeling that the enemy was not afraid of being worn down, while his 114th Division was struggling to hold on.

"Where did they get so many troops? Is there a secret passage on Yuhuatai that allows them to continuously replenish their forces from Nanjing?"

Saburo Isoda said through gritted teeth.

Shigeharu Suematsu didn't know if it was true, but one thing he was clear about was that, even now, their 114th Division was still unable to maintain stable control over any of the enemy's positions.

This was a huge failure in his military career, and also a failure of the entire 114th Division's offensive.

"What is the current situation regarding troop casualties?"

Suematsu Shigeharu asked.

Saburo Isoda whispered:

According to current statistics, the afternoon's attack resulted in over 870 deaths and over 2,000 injuries.

If we include previous losses, our total casualties have exceeded one-third.

Suematsu Shigeharu's heart sank. Looking at the outer positions of Yuhuatai, which were still being fought repeatedly with the enemy, he knew that continuing to fight would only increase the casualties of his troops.

"Go call Tani Hisao and have the 6th Division take over the fighting from our troops."

Shigeharu Suematsu said in a heavy tone, waving his hand weakly.

Saburo Isoda was about to turn around when he saw Shigeharu Suematsu suddenly collapse to the ground.

"Division Commander! Your Excellency Division Commander!!!"

····

As the Japanese soldiers retreated, it grew dark.

The number of Japanese troops eliminated this time was not too large, but their own casualties were also not significant. Overall, they still gained a considerable amount of merit points.

With the resources he had accumulated, Li Jianghe had even greater confidence in the upcoming street battles.

This can at least hold out for a while longer, buying time for the people to be evacuated.

Judging by the timing, it seems that it's time for the Chairman to start his micromanagement.

According to Li Jianghe's recollection of history, the Chairman initially issued the order to retreat, but after Tang Shengzhi relayed the order to all units and even arranged the retreat tasks, the Chairman suddenly regretted it and ordered them to continue holding their ground.

However, morale had already collapsed, making it virtually impossible to organize a defense.

In the darkness of night, in the command post of the 88th Division, Sun Yuanliang smoked a cigarette while coldly looking at Gao Zhisong and said:

"Brigadier Gao, did you order the firing?"

After Gao Zhisong saluted, he said:

"It was my order, Commander. Please dismiss me from my post."

Sun Yuanliang smiled calmly and said:

"I understand your feelings of being eager to attack the Japanese army when you see your friendly forces being attacked, so I won't blame you."

However, I have another task for you, which you need to carry out well, consider it as redemption for your past mistakes.

Seeing that Sun Yuanliang hadn't pursued the matter, Gao Zhisong became cautious. This mission was probably not some death trap.

Sure enough, Sun Yuanliang spoke up:

"Since you want to fight the Japanese, then the task of guarding Zhonghua Gate is entrusted to you."

However, headquarters has ordered the main force to retreat to Jiangbei. I can only leave you with a small force, just one battalion.

After he finished speaking, he looked at Gao Zhisong.

"What? You want to live now?"

In fact, Sun Yuanliang still wanted to take him away, as long as Gao Zhisong would give in.

To his surprise, Gao Zhisong stood tall and saluted, saying:

"If I can die for my country, it will be a great honor. Commander, one battalion is one battalion. I will definitely buy time for the main force to retreat."

These words startled Sun Yuanliang. He looked at Gao Zhisong with a complicated expression, but then he remembered the year he first entered Whampoa Military Academy.

But it's better to live a miserable life than to die. As long as the green hills remain, there's no fear of running out of firewood. Sun Yuanliang could only comfort himself that he was alive this time so that he could kill more Japanese devils in the future.

Gao Zhisong then asked:

"By the way, Commander, do the brothers on Yuhuatai know about the evacuation?"

Sun Yuanliang stubbed out his cigarette and smiled calmly:

"No need to notify them. Having them stay there will buy the main force more time, won't it?"

"This... even if it's a fight to the death, shouldn't we at least give them a heads-up?"

Gao Zhisong asked somewhat hesitantly.

"Obey orders."

Sun Yuanliang's face turned cold.

"yes!"

After Gao Zhisong finished speaking, he left the command post.

In the middle of the night, around 1 a.m., only one battalion of more than 300 men remained in the city from the 88th Division. The rest of the troops were taken away by Sun Yuanliang and retreated to the riverbank.

In fact, Sun Yuanliang's order was not to retreat now, but to wait until Yuhuatai was breached.

Other units also received orders to retreat or break out on the 14th.

Seeing Sun Yuanliang leave with his men, Gao Zhisong immediately said:

"Open a crack in the city gate and send a message to the Yuhuatai position."

Inside Li Jianghe's command post, looking at Zhu Chi and the communications soldier sent by Gao Zhisong, he didn't show much surprise.

Xu Dingguo slammed his fist on the table and said:

"They said they'd hold out for at least half a month, but now they want to retreat. This constant changing of orders is unacceptable!"

Hua Pinzhang spoke in a thick Sichuan accent:

"Isn't this just messing with me?"

Zhu Chi looked at Li Jianghe and said:

"Jiang He, what do you think?"

His words had two meanings: besides asking Li Jianghe what he thought of the retreat order, he was also asking Li Jianghe whether he wanted to retreat.

Undoubtedly, retreating would offer a glimmer of hope, but if the Japanese army pressed forward, they would be in a more passive position. They might survive, but many, many more would die.

If they do not retreat and fight to the death, they will almost certainly die.

All troops from other directions will retreat, and they will be surrounded on all sides, how can they not be defeated?

But Li Jianghe's answer surprised everyone.

No refunds!

Li Jianghe said with an icy gaze.

"Not only should we not retreat, but we also need to extend our defenses to multiple blocks of Nanjing city."

We don't need to defeat the Japanese army, but at least we can buy more time for the fleeing civilians.

"No refunds..."

Zhu Chi silently repeated these two words, his gaze hardening, and slammed his hand on the table.

"Fine, we won't back down! We'll stick by you no matter what, if you don't back down, we won't back down either!"