Chapter 152: Urgent Materials Request
September 2, 1938, Shanghai Central China Expeditionary Army Logistics Headquarters.
Rainwater washed over the copper plaque on the outer wall reading “Imperial Japanese Army Central China Expeditionary Army,” and Lieutenant Colonel Takahashi Takeo’s sedan came to a screeching halt in front of the heavily guarded building.
He couldn’t wait for the guard to hand him an umbrella, clutching his briefcase as he rushed into the lobby, leaving conspicuous mud stains on the gleaming marble floor.
“Urgent telegram from Division Commander Matsuura!” Takahashi showed the guard captain the official document stamped with the chrysanthemum emblem. “I must see Minister Sato immediately!”
In the third-floor meeting room, Central China Expeditionary Army Headquarters Logistics Minister Major General Sato Buntai was verifying the materials list with several leaders from various levels of the Logistics Department.
He had his hair combed back meticulously, and the gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses was stern as ice: “Gentlemen, the Empire has only launched a large-scale war against China for one year, yet material consumption has reached such a terrifying level.”
“Headquarters now has new regulations regarding material consumption. Materials lists submitted by divisions at all levels must undergo strict review, and no…”
Before he could finish speaking, the door was flung open, and the steel pen in his hand immediately scratched a long ink mark across the account book.
“Baka! Are frontline officers all so lacking in rules?”
Takahashi Takeo quickly stood at attention and saluted, rainwater dripping from his forehead onto the exquisite Persian carpet: “My deepest apologies, Your Excellency Sato. The battle situation at Wanjia Ridge has changed. On orders from Chief of Staff Kitahara, I request emergency material allocation!”
Sato furrowed his brow and waved for the staff officers to leave. Then, leisurely, he removed his glasses and wiped them: “Material applications should be submitted two weeks in advance as written reports, approved through three levels: Quartermaster Section, Transportation Section, and Logistics Headquarters.”
He tapped the 《Central China region material allocation regulations》 he had just been reading. “This is the latest directive from the homeland Military Department, the material replenishment ordinance personally signed by Commander Hata Shunroku.”
Takahashi spread the battle map on the conference table, his finger tracing an arc over the Wanjia Ridge area: “Please take a look at this, Your Excellency.”
“We are currently in direct confrontation with Xue Laohu’s main force. On August 28, 3rd Air Group reconnaissance pilots discovered an undefended mountain path.” His fingernail heavily poked the blue line marked “Route B-23,”
Takahashi said gravely: “Chief of Staff Kitahara held a meeting, and after discussion, everyone agreed that adding just 250 barrels of gasoline and 4000 rounds of mountain gun ammunition would enable a flanking breakthrough!”
“Straight from the center of Mount Lu into the enemy rear—this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I hope Your Excellency Sato can support us.”
“Support? How do you expect me to support you?” Sato walked to the safe, pulling out a thick stack of documents: “Do you know how many troops in the entire Central China theater are waiting for supplies?”
He pulled out the top one and slammed it on the table. “101st Division crossed Poyang Lake to support your operations but was blocked by 25th Army and 66th Army. Colonel Iizuka Kunigoro perished gloriously, and they now urgently need a large supply of ammunition to blast open the Mount Lu defense line.”
“9th Division Brigade Commander Maruyama Masao requests increased material aid to break through from the Minshan defense line and assist your attack on Dean.”
“All of this is to support your offensive, yet your 106th Division hasn’t even met the Military Department’s requirements to capture Dean in a short time. Why should you receive special treatment?”
Takahashi took a personal letter from Matsuura Junroku out of his briefcase and handed it over with both hands: “Your Excellency Sato, this is a personal letter from General Matsuura. Please review it…”
“Our division’s Special Affairs Office has intercepted Chinese army secret communications, confirming their main force is assembling at Wanjia Ridge. If we don’t strike while they’re unsteady, waiting for them to complete their fortifications…” His voice suddenly lowered. “Commander Hata Shunroku’s ‘October Offensive’ plan will be stalled across the entire front.”
Sato suddenly grabbed the telephone: “Connect me to Jiujiang depot. Check 106th Division’s current material inventory.” While waiting for the connection, he smirked coldly at Takahashi: “Division Commander Matsuura liked to ‘go rogue’ in Nanjing last year, and now he wants to recreate that ‘glory’?”
A report came from the other end of the line: “Your Excellency Sato, comparing current material loss rates and previous allocations, we estimate 106th Division’s fuel usage at less than sixty barrels.”
“Interesting.” Sato hung up the phone, eyeing Takahashi coldly, his fingers tapping the desk as he berated him angrily: “You dare formulate a surprise attack plan without even leaving basic operational reserves?”
“Are you planning to act first and report later?”
Takahashi’s Adam’s apple bobbed: “Your Excellency sees clearly. It’s because Chinese guerrillas have been frequently attacking the transportation lines.”
“Enough!” Sato suddenly slammed the table, startling a flock of pigeons outside the window into scattering. “Per the 《battlefield material emergency allocation ordinance》, I’ll approve at most 120 barrels of gasoline and 2000 artillery shells for you.”
He pulled out a liability waiver and pushed it over. “Division Commander Matsuura must sign to confirm ‘voluntary assumption of operational risks.'”
As Takahashi took the document, the tassel on his military saber trembled: “This amount of materials is only enough for half a regiment.”
“Take it or leave it?” Sato had already picked up the next document for review. “The representative from 18th Division is due in ten minutes.”
The heavy rain pounded the windows. Takahashi finally gritted his teeth and signed, deliberately knocking over the ink bottle while folding the document.
Black ink spread across the battle map, perfectly covering the key coordinate points.
“Signing complete. We need to get the materials as soon as possible.” To Sato, Takahashi’s dissatisfied gesture seemed like a child throwing a tantrum.
Sato Buntai took the liability waiver, picked up the telephone, and said leisurely: “Inoue-kun, come in.”
Knock knock knock. Secretary Inoue pushed open the office door and bowed to Sato Buntai: “Your Excellency Sato, what are your orders?”
Sato Buntai pointed to the documents on the desk: “Photocopy the new meeting minutes in three copies, and send them to Quartermaster Section, Inspection Section, and my safe.”
“Have someone come clean the office.”
Finally, he handed the material request form to Inoue: “For 106th Division’s supplies—arrange it quickly.”
“Hai,” Inoue quickly took the request form.
Takahashi Takeo hurriedly said: “Your Excellency Sato, the material request is urgent. Can it be processed as soon as possible?”
Sato Buntai’s gaze sharpened: “Takahashi-kun, I’ve already arranged for the material warehouse to allocate the supplies quickly. For transportation, coordinate with Southern Transportation Department.”
“Understood, Your Excellency Sato. Sorry for the trouble. I’ll go to Southern Transportation Department right away…” A flash of displeasure crossed Takahashi Takeo’s face, but he quickly switched to a respectful tone.
Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department, Third Section Chief’s office.
Chen Yang was buried in documents at his desk, revising them. Knock knock knock. Li Ningyu pushed open the office door: “Sir, Minister Oshima wants you upstairs immediately.”
“106th Division Staff Officer Lieutenant Colonel Takahashi Takeo has an urgent material request that needs your coordination…”
