Chapter 165: The Resolve That “while The City Stands, We Stand; While The City Falls, We Fall”
In Yuanping City, the entire city was under martial law. Deputy Army Commander Tong, who had just arrived, also had a stern expression and immediately convened an emergency operational meeting.
“What is the current battle situation? I heard that the commander of the 219th Regiment, Ji Xingwen, said that the Japanese Army has already surrounded our Yuanping from three directions? Is that right?”
“Was it at Northeast Sand Ridge of Wanping that the Japanese Army fired the first shot of their attack on the city?”
Deputy Army Commander Tong scanned Division Commander Feng Zhian of the 37th Division and Commander Zhao Dengyu, who was also the brigade commander of the 132nd Division, and asked.
As for Ji Xingwen, the commander of the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division of the 29th Army, who was leading the troops of the 29th Army in holding fast at Northeast Sand Ridge of Wanping, he did not come to the meeting.
This was because only the three high-level individuals were engaged in a secret discussion in the entire conference room.
“Yes!”
“We have already repelled the first wave of the Japanese Army’s attack!”
“But I am worried that the second and third waves of the Japanese Army’s attack will continue today!”
“There is even a high possibility that the Japanese Army will deploy heavy artillery units and Japanese aircraft groups for air strike bombing and artillery barrage bombing operations against us!”
“Because our observers on the city walls have already spotted the Japanese Army’s heavy artillery units deployed in their rear defenses, ready to participate in artillery bombardment operations at any time!”
“I have also personally gone up to the city walls to observe and confirm this!”
“Therefore, without heavy firepower weaponry operations and anti-aircraft operations, we are likely to have a difficult time ahead!”
Brigadier General Zhao responded with worry first.
“And you? What do you think?”
“Zhian!”
Deputy Army Commander Tong then scanned Division Commander Feng Zhian of the 37th Division and asked.
“Fight!”
“Fight to the death with the Japanese!”
Division Commander Feng Zhian of the 37th Division responded loudly without thinking.
“Good! This is the fighting will I want!”
“Then let us fight to the death with these Japanese!”
“As for anti-aircraft operations and guarding against the Japanese Army’s heavy artillery bombardment, we really need to discuss it carefully!”
“We must not let the innocent civilians in the city get hurt. If we can evacuate them!”
“Including those student armies, find a way to let them leave safely!”
After hearing Division Commander Feng’s decisive response,
Deputy Army Commander Tong immediately applauded him.
He then also cautioned him to be sure to prepare for anti-aircraft operations and to guard against the Japanese Army’s heavy artillery group’s bombardment.
“It is probably difficult to evacuate them now, because our city is already surrounded by the Japanese Army on three sides outside. If we let them out of the city now, they might be slaughtered by the Japanese Army!”
Regarding the evacuation of civilians and student armies within the city, Brigadier General Zhao shook his head and responded with a hint of helplessness.
“Since that is the case, then we can only fight to the death with the Japanese Army in Yuanping City!”
After hearing this,
Deputy Army Commander Tong remained silent for a moment, then decided.
This was the only option left.
“Fight to the death!”
“Fight to the death!”
Division Commander Feng and Brigadier General Zhao echoed.
At this moment, the three of them had already decided to live and die with the city.
After making the decision, the meeting ended.
Deputy Army Commander Tong then immediately went to express condolences to the student armies and the civilians in the city.
As for Division Commander Feng, he immediately reinforced the defensive works for anti-aircraft operations and personally monitored the every move of the Japanese Army’s heavy artillery units.
Brigadier General Zhao immediately went to Northeast Sand Ridge of Wanping to inspect and provide support operations.
He was preparing to meet the second wave of the Japanese Army’s attack.
The Japanese officer in charge of the attack here was Colonel Mutaguchi Renya, the regiment commander of the 1st Infantry Regiment,
He was dispatching the 3rd Battalion of Infantry to prepare for the second wave of the offensive operation.
