The Iron-Blooded Army of Beacon Fire

Chapter 228 Retreat to Xiaguan

Wait until He Wei finished reading the battle reports and battle briefings of each unit brought by General Xiao.

He Wei secretly thought for a moment that the current battle to defend Jinling was actually changing in a positive direction. At least, the current peripheral battles had caused a lot of losses to the Japanese army.

Now, the form of fighting has changed from peripheral field operations to defensive operations relying on the city wall. This combat mode is more beneficial to the Chinese army guarding Jinling. It can rely on the city wall and the established fortifications around the city wall to resist. The firepower efficiency of the Japanese army will also be greatly reduced in the face of tall city walls, nearby moats, and various prefabricated fortifications. It can be said that this combat method is more beneficial to the defenders.

However, this benefit is only compared to the peripheral operations.

As for how long the Chinese defenders could hold on during the city wall defense operations, He Wei really couldn't estimate.

But He Wei concluded.

Now that the peripheral battle has quietly changed under his own influence.

It’s unclear what kind of butterfly effect will occur in the defensive battle that relies on the city wall.

Of course, this city wall defense battle is not the key at all, it can only be said to be used to delay time.

What is really important is the rear route of the garrison, that is, the front line of Xiaguan.

The only way for the troops guarding Jinling and the people in the city to survive was to evacuate to the other side by boat from the dock near Xiaguan.

If an orderly retreat can be achieved, more effective forces can be preserved for the long-term battle to come. Of course, if a disorderly retreat like the original Jinling defense battle or even a large-scale defeat occurs, then the dozen or so people guarding Jinling will still be defeated. I'm afraid the division's troops will have to be reimbursed to the tune of half a million dollars.

In view of this, the rear guard near Xiaguan is the next focus. If it is done well, each unit of the Jinling garrison will have a way to survive. If they escape, they will all be driven out by the Japanese. The rivers and docks It can be directly converted into a mass cemetery.

"Sir, I wonder how the defense situation is near Xiaguan?"

He Wei asked worriedly.

General Xiao said with great confidence: "Now the defense fortifications near Xiaguan have been completed. The migrant workers recruited before the war worked overtime to build a large number of cement fortifications and basic field positions nearby. The deployment of the positions is also in accordance with Your arrangement proposal before the war formed a semi-circular defensive circle. According to your proposal, after the frontline troops withdraw, they can just enter these established positions for defense. A few days ago, the garrison headquarters sent people to After checking it out, we are all very satisfied with it, and greatly praised the fortification positions you designed, and also designated predetermined garrison zones for each unit."

"At present, Song Xilian's 36th Division has entered the designated position. The maintenance of order at Yijiang Gate, various wharves and roads along the river, and the transportation of people across the river are all the responsibility of our military police force's three regiments and two battalions. You don't have to worry. , the road ahead is relatively stable at present.”

"The Navy sent an artillery team and a mine team, and they are all deployed now. The artillery team brought a group of large-caliber heavy guns disassembled from warships, and the mine team is responsible for controlling the mines on the river. They are all deployed now. .”

Speaking of the river, He Wei suddenly remembered the advice he gave to the navy before the war started. In order to prevent Japanese warships from swaggering up the river, He Wei simply asked the navy to mix real mines and fake wooden mines and throw them into the river. , I don’t know how this matter has been implemented?

"Sir, is there any movement from the Japanese troops on the river?"

General Xiao shook his head: "Your trick of mixing real and fake mines really worked. When the Japanese army attacked the outskirts of Jinling, the naval warships on the river also began to move up the river, and there were many small gunboats rushing along the river. Fighting, all the fortress positions along the river were already engaged with the Japanese warships. At the beginning, the Japanese warships were very aggressive. They ran rampant on the river regardless of the situation. As a result, several small gunboats were sunk by mines. There is no such momentum anymore, and now they are all moving forward steadily on the river to clear mines. In addition, the navy has sunk several warships on the waterway. In a short period of time, the Japanese warships should not be able to come over. If they really rush up, Several fortresses can hold up one with their fortress cannons."

Hearing what General Xiao said, He Wei breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the Jinling garrison's retreat was relatively stable now. However, He Wei was still uneasy and wanted to go to the defense circle position near Xiaguan as soon as possible.

In addition, he was still thinking about the huge sum of money he had obtained from Wang Zhaoming. This money must be crossed the river as soon as possible. Staying in the city would be a long night, not to mention the fear of being exposed. You must know that Japanese planes need to cross the river every day. If a Japanese plane drops a bomb during the bombing, the cooked duck will fly away. In short, this batch of property must be transported across the river as soon as possible.

When he thought about his middle joint, He Wei no longer wanted to stay in the hospital.

He Wei stood up again and said: "Sir, I have almost recovered. I want to lead the secret agent battalion to retreat to Xiaguan as soon as possible. Firstly, I want to enter the position early and strengthen the defense. Secondly, I also want to see the defense circle there. Are there any mistakes?"

Xiao Shanling glanced at the gauze on He Wei's body and said, "You are still injured, so you should rest more."

He Wei couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Sir, I can't stay in the hospital even if I want to. The Japanese are about to invade the city. Am I just waiting to die here? Besides, it's just a skin injury. It doesn't matter. I'll take on the task as soon as possible. The defensive deployment near Xiaguan can also reduce some pressure on you and the military police brothers."

General Xiao thought for a moment and then said: "In that case, let's do what you said. To be honest, the pressure here is not small now. The strength of my three military police regiments plus two independent military police battalions seems to be too much." , but our military police force is still responsible for the evacuation of people across the river. Nearly 100,000 people have gathered near Xiaguan, and the number is increasing every day. People in peripheral villages and suburban towns are running into the city to rebel. The military police force There’s also a lot of pressure to maintain order.”

"Sir, you can send me any tasks at any time."

"Then I won't be polite to you. It's not a difficult mission or a combat mission, it's just a containment mission. I also serve as the city's air defense commander. The city's air defense force has more than a dozen companies and platoons, and the numbers are very confusing. , all drawn from various anti-aircraft artillery regiments. There are a total of twenty-seven anti-aircraft guns, large and small. Now the outer defense line has collapsed. In order to preserve their strength, I have ordered them to retreat and assemble in the direction of Xianguan. In addition, the garrison headquarters belongs to The artillery unit has also withdrawn to the city. There are not many troops, but they are also mixed. I want to leave the task of containing these troops to you."

"Bring down these scattered anti-aircraft artillery and artillery units, and then retreat to Xiaguan. It just so happens that the car troops previously assigned to you have just withdrawn into the city. I will also assign them to your special agent battalion to help you contain them. Transport these troops.”

When he heard that it was a containment mission, it would be a piece of cake. He Wei immediately agreed.

Afterwards, General Xiao told He Wei a few more words about the number and size of the troops he was taking in, and then left the hospital. He Wei, who couldn't stay any longer, planned to leave the hospital immediately, but couldn't resist the urging of his officers, so he had to go again. Spent one night in the hospital.

It wasn't until early the next morning that He Wei left with the wounded soldiers from the secret service battalion who were also living in the hospital. At the same time, he began the next step of the secret service battalion's actions in the city.

The next day, after He Wei was discharged from the hospital, he immediately assigned tasks to various departments. The task of containing the anti-aircraft artillery and artillery units was carried out by He Wei personally leading the second and third infantry companies and the special agent platoon.

The artillery battery and communication platoon equipped with artillery took the lead and rushed to Xiaguan with the wounded soldiers of the special agent battalion. Fu Chen, deputy battalion commander of the special agent battalion and commander of the first infantry company, took the first company and military supplies Li Youcai and Ge Guicai. The baggage train took some cars to transport the yellow and white things to Xiaguan.

The next morning, He Wei stood on the front compartment of his German-made Mercedes-Benz SUV, holding a telescope high and looking around. The rumble of cannons and intensive gunfire could not be heard. The city was filled with flames and dozens of thick black streaks. Smoke rose into the sky.

There were also smoke and fire in the direction of several city gates, especially in the direction of Zijin Mountain. He Wei remembered that Zijin Mountain, where he taught the garrison to defend, had fallen under the fire attack of the Japanese army, but the position had been lost for such a long time. Zijin Mountain There were still flames blazing into the sky, showing how fierce the fire was. "It's really a bloody battle."

He Wei put down the telescope, sighed, and sat back in the car.

The street where he was was also in chaos. A dark crowd, including wounded soldiers and civilians, were scrambling on the street, pushing forward and swarming, running towards the city crying for their fathers and mothers. There were many corpses on the ground.

Several Jiangnan Automobile Company buses were driving slowly among the crowd like old scalpers. Inside and outside the bus, and even on the roof, they were filled with wounded soldiers of the national army wearing gray military uniforms. Of course, most of the wounded soldiers had no transportation. They could only be carried back by the health teams of each army and the soldiers of the baggage company on stretchers and manpower. People, refugees, troops, wounded soldiers, stragglers, all kinds of teams were huddled together.

If He Wei's soldiers hadn't stepped forward to maintain order, there would have been even more chaos.

He Wei looked at this miserable and miserable situation and could only sigh. He only hoped that these people could rush to Xiaguan as soon as possible and board the boat to leave. Under his multiple operations, at least 300,000 to 400,000 people came from near Xiaguan. Crossed the river and left Jinling.

Until now, tens of thousands of people leave this city every day. Now in Shimonoseki, the price of a ferry ticket has been reduced to five cents. In fact, this fare is only symbolic. Whether it is the military police or the rear It can be said that the participating naval forces have made a lot of profits from selling shipping tickets.

Nowadays, the five-cent ferry ticket is actually just symbolic.

The military police currently guarding the Xiaguan Ferry will accept the refugees who want to cross the river if they pay. If they encounter those who have no money or refuse to pay, they will let them pass. At this juncture, No one would kill someone else for just a few cents.

For the hundreds of thousands of people who had evacuated, He Wei could not say that he had changed their fate.

But at least these hundreds of thousands of people were temporarily safe from death at the gunpoint of the Japanese army.

As for the people in front of him, He Wei couldn't guarantee that he could take them all out.

All I can say is to stick to Xiaguan for a little longer and try our best to buy them more time.

After that, it's not up to him to decide.

"Battal Commander, Battalion Commander, Company Commander Fang is here."

Suddenly, Tao Heiwa, the messenger sitting in the second row, pointed to the corner ahead and shouted.

He Wei looked over and saw Fang Jing, commander of the Second Infantry Company, sitting on the side seat of a motorcycle, loudly giving orders to the troops behind him. A group of soldiers from the Second Infantry Company of the Special Agent Battalion also followed suit and commanded the troops. Marching on the road, and behind the second company of infantry, there was a huge marching column.

In this marching column, almost all the officers and soldiers were wearing British-made steel helmets and carrying rifles. Some were disgraced and some were covered in blood. He Wei knew at a glance that they were anti-aircraft artillery troops.

In the marching column at the back, there were Swedish Bofors 75mm anti-aircraft guns and German-made Flak 37mm anti-aircraft guns pulled by cars, as well as large-caliber anti-aircraft searchlights, as well as Su Luo being pulled by mules and horses. Equipped with 20mm anti-aircraft guns and Maxim anti-aircraft machine guns, as well as various air observation equipment, listening devices and altimeters, the team was relatively chaotic and crowded, but it was still orderly.

This is also another change created by He Wei. In the original history, almost all the anti-aircraft artillery units of the Jinling Garrison, more than 20 large and small, were lost to the Japanese army. Now, thanks to the butterfly effect caused by He Wei, this The patchwork anti-aircraft artillery unit was also temporarily preserved.

When the marching column of the anti-aircraft artillery troops passed by, they were followed by the ground artillery troops. At the beginning were four Bofors 75mm mountain guns painted with camouflage, behind the marching column of the Bofors mountain artillery troops. There are four Japanese-style 38-type 150mm howitzers. This artillery unit equipped with Japanese howitzers all wear gray cotton military uniforms without helmets, which is completely different from the Bofors Mountain artillery troops in front who wear British steel helmets.

He Wei watched the marching column move forward slowly. Fang Jing, the commander of the second company, quickly rode a motorcycle to the side of He Wei's car. After getting off the car, he took a list and checked it while reporting to He Wei.

"Battal Commander, all the troops have been received. There are about seven or eight companies in the anti-aircraft artillery unit. The numbers are too complicated for me to remember, but I checked and they are all connected. There are two ground artillery units, and one is from the artillery school practice team. A company and a howitzer company from the 8th Artillery Regiment are all here.”

He Wei nodded and said: "Okay, just get them all together. Let them hurry up. After they are all gathered, we will retreat and let them go first. They are all heavily equipped. We will give them the rear and cover their retreat to Xiaguan." .”

He Wei was studying the marching formation and retreat route of the troops with Fang Jing. Suddenly, about seven or eight disgraced officers came over. He Wei looked up and saw that he really knew the leader. He was in Tangshan. During the battle, he was assigned to himself and cooperated with Captain Chen of the anti-aircraft artillery company of the 66th Army.

"He is the commander of the battalion, he is the commander of the battalion."

Company Commander Chen ran over as if seeing a relative and kept calling He Wei. He Wei was very happy after recognizing him. When fighting in Tangshan, this company played a lot of roles. He Wei now sees Company Commander Chen was still alive, and he was very happy. He immediately asked: "Company Commander Chen, is your company okay?"

"Fortunately, I fought the Japanese hard for a few times in Tangshan, but I lost one platoon and two guns, but it was a damn good time."

He Wei smiled and exchanged greetings with Company Commander Chen, and then met several other officers. These officers were either the company and battalion commanders of the anti-aircraft artillery unit, or the chief officers of the mountain artillery and howitzer artillery units.

Among them, several officers of the mountain artillery unit and the howitzer unit have some connections with He Wei. The mountain artillery unit and the howitzer unit actually only have one company each. The mountain artillery unit is a Bofors 75mm mountain artillery company from the Army Artillery School. It is equipped with Four Bofors 75 mountain guns, and the howitzer unit is a howitzer company of the Eighth Army Artillery Regiment. This company is equipped with four Japanese-style 38-type 150mm howitzers made by Shenyang Arsenal.

It turned out that the Eighth Artillery Regiment was actually the artillery unit of the former Northeast Army. They were all troops of the Northeast Army. The artillery was also made in Shenyang. The company commander turned out to be from Shenyang, and He Wei was also from Shenyang, so he was from the same hometown.

The cadres of the mountain artillery company also have some relationship with He Wei. The two second lieutenant platoon leaders of the mountain artillery company and the second lieutenant observation officer of the company headquarters are both He Wei's classmates in the 11th phase of Huangpu. However, He Wei is in the infantry department, and they are artillery. After talking for a while with these cadres and officers who were somewhat related to him, he also gained a better understanding of the battle conditions outside the city.

After all, the battle report that He Wei read was only based on paper. After hearing several people involved describe the fighting conditions in the forward positions, He Wei realized that the fighting outside the city was many times more tragic than he imagined, and it also made him realize He Wei, a time traveler, has a more realistic understanding of this battle to massacre a city and destroy a country. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood.

Looking at the flow of people slowly heading into the city, He Wei stood beside the car and said to the little messenger Tao Heiwa beside him: "Heiwa, let's go, let's set off."

Watching He Wei quickly get into the passenger seat of the off-road vehicle, Tao Heiwa also followed and asked: "Batalion Commander, where are we going?"

He Wei patted the driver beside him on the shoulder, cheered up and said, "Let's go to Xiaguan and continue to fight with them! I'm going to break two more of his teeth."

(End of this chapter)