Chapter 148: The First Battle Raging Fiercely
Regarding Zhou Wenhua’s reply, he can return to Shanghai at any time by airplane or cruise ship to visit relatives and friends. After being shocked, Zhou Weiguo felt very satisfied, so he quickly sent a thank-you telegram, indicating that he would select a return date.
At this moment, the battle at Lugou Bridge finally fired the first shot, and it was the Japanese Army that fired the first shot. The Lugou Bridge Incident erupted as the Japanese Army attempted to replicate the victory of the September 18th Incident with repeated tactics. Lugou Bridge is an important stronghold in Pingjin, 10 kilometers southwest of Beiping. Once Lugou Bridge is taken, Beiping will be in the Japanese Army’s pocket. The troops guarding Wanping County Town and Lugou Bridge are the 219th Regiment’s 3rd Battalion of the 29th Army.
Their first batch of combat opponents were the 8th Company of the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of the Garrison Army stationed in North China by the Japanese Army, the Japanese Troops led by Captain Shimizu Setsuro, who departed from the Fengtai barracks fully armed and headed to the area between Huilong Temple and Dawayao about 1 kilometer northwest of Lugou Bridge for exercises. They suddenly sneak attacked the 11th Company of the 29th Army’s 3rd Battalion, and the 11th Company Commander thought the Japanese Army was conducting exercises and demanded they stop, but they were met with a fierce offensive from the Japanese Army. All officers and soldiers of the company were killed in action, and Dragon King Temple was occupied.
Subsequently, the Japanese Army split into two routes to invade Lugou Bridge and Wanping City, and they destroyed all communication lines in Wanping City. The officers and soldiers in the city were temporarily unable to seek external aid and could only resist to the death. That night, both sides engaged in intense firefights.
“This is bad! Japanese Troops have already successfully seized Huilong Temple by sneak attack ahead of us, and they are now attacking the Lugou Bridge area. The battle situation of the troops we deployed there is very unfavorable now!”
“The troops guarding Lugou Bridge and Wanping City are commanded by Regiment Commander Ji Xingwen of the 219th Regiment and Battalion Commander Jin Zhenzhong of his 3rd Battalion!”
“Platoon Leader Shen Zhongming of the 10th Company reserve team of the 219th Regiment’s 3rd Battalion, who conducted the first batch of interception, has been seriously wounded. As for their company commander, he has already been killed in action, and nearly all the officers and soldiers of his company have been annihilated!”
“They are requesting support!”
“Additionally, the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of the Japanese Garrison Army is using trucks to transport the artillery unit to conduct support operations, with the aim of artillery bombardment of Lugou Bridge and Wanping City!”
This was the last telegram contact and communication information content received by Division Commander Feng Zhian and Brigadier General Zhao Dengyu from Lugou Bridge.
“Damn Japanese Army! They have really started launching offensive operations!”
“The battle at Lugou Bridge has now begun. I’m afraid once Lugou Bridge is lost, our entire Wanping City will be completely surrounded by them! These damn bastards, using peace talks as a pretext to deceive us repeatedly. They are simply harboring wolf’s ambitions, and their target is definitely Beiping!”
After reading the contents of these urgent frontline war reports,
Brigadier General Zhao Dengyu immediately flew into a rage and cursed the Japanese Army.
“So what do we do next?”
“Should we immediately dispatch troops to support the Lugou Bridge side? And should we continue to reinforce the defensive works on this Wanping City side? I’m worried that Japanese Aircraft Groups will come for air strike bombing, as well as the Japanese heavy artillery unit and artillery unit’s artillery bombardment!”
“Especially the destructive power caused by the artillery bombardment of the Japanese heavy artillery unit, which cannot be ignored!”
Division Commander Feng Zhian anxiously inquired.
Although he was the division commander with considerable operational command authority, he was well aware that their army commander still wanted to conduct peace negotiations with the Japanese Army and held unrealistic illusions about them.
“Immediately find a way to restore communication contact. If not possible, immediately dispatch a communication team there. You must notify garrison battalion commander Jin Zhenzhong to make good use of his mortar company to concentrate firepower against the Japanese tanks and artillery unit, especially the Japanese infantry units. We must achieve success in the first battle and blunt the Japanese Army’s offensive momentum!”
“The battle at Lugou Bridge absolutely cannot be lost easily! Additionally, find a way to dispatch at least one company for support operations, ultimately a battalion’s worth of troops. As for the negotiations with the Japanese above, I will take responsibility for all consequences!”
“Here in Wanping City, we must quickly reinforce the anti-aircraft defensive works and combat defensive works. We absolutely cannot let the Japanese Aircraft Groups easily bomb and destroy all the defensive works in the city. We have no anti-aircraft guns or anti-aircraft machine guns for these anti-aircraft weaponry to conduct anti-air operations, so air raid shelters must be arranged for the citizens to take cover! And the air raid alarms must be sounded at any time!”
“We must also prepare to meet all incoming Japanese Troops at any time. Not only can Lugou Bridge not be lost on our watch, but the Wanping City we are now holding must be even less lost. Once this place falls, Beiping City will be in peril next!”
“As for reinforcement troops, I will immediately go communicate with Army Commander Song! I hope he can dispatch some reinforcements for me! Otherwise, holding here will probably not be easy! Once the Japanese Army launches their long-prepared conspiracy war, they won’t stop so easily and will likely pursue final victory at all costs!”
Brigadier General Zhao also concurrently served as the 132nd Division commander, so his authority was slightly greater.
Thus, he immediately responded decisively.
“Alright! We’ll do as you say! I think we can also quickly report to Deputy Army Commander Tong!”
“He is the same as us, a firm anti-Japanese faction!”
“He will definitely find a way to give us reinforcements!”
Division Commander Feng of the 37th Division quickly nodded in agreement.
Thus, they immediately began further combat deployment to counter the aggressive Japanese Troops.
In short, the first battle at Lugou Bridge finally erupted in full swing.
On this cool and breezy night, the sounds of guns and cannons, shouting and killing, various shrill screams of agony, and the sounds of those killed in action continuously echoed through the night sky.
