Chapter 86: The Outbreak Of War Shocks Shanghai
The Japanese Army’s aircraft carrier “Noto-ro,” along with the other aircraft carriers “Kaga” and “Hōshō,” were also fully prepared to set off under the escort of the Japanese Fleet’s destroyers “Naka,” “Yura,” and “Abukuma,”
One seaplane after another was ready to take off at any moment for bombing operations,
The flagship cruiser “Yūzaki” led the 22nd, 23rd, and 30th Destroyer Squadrons, with 12 destroyers also preparing nearby to assist in the operation,
As for the Japanese Marine Corps, they were waiting for the order for war to break out at their respective assembly points.
Night gradually fell over the land,
Shanghai was still bustling and lively, especially in the Foreign Concession, which remained a paradise of song and dance; wealthy people were still enjoying eating, drinking, and entertainment, along with their favorite shows,
Including wealthy ladies, who were also playing mahjong at home.
Dance halls, cinemas, and other entertainment venues, as well as food stalls, were bustling with people coming and going, very lively.
Almost as prosperous and lively as during the daytime.
The Brigade Commander of the 156th Brigade of the 78th Division ordered the Zhabei garrison’s 6th Regiment to maintain high vigilance against possible attacks by the Japanese Marine Corps at their garrison,
“The city center is still so lively today, enviable! If only we had money, we could go enjoy it!”
“Unfortunately! We’re poor, we can only serve as soldiers here and watch those Japanese Marine Corps to prevent them from starting the war!”
“Our lives are worlds apart from those of the rich people in the city center!”
“A paradise for the rich and a world for the poor—simply two different worlds!”
“One heaven, one earth!”
Li Bin, deputy company commander of the 2nd Company of the 1st Battalion of the 6th Regiment, unhappily complained to his company commander Zhou Dafa beside him.
“Good or bad, we have to stay alive and live our own lives!”
“Fate is sometimes truly destined by heaven!”
“We can’t change too much, so just face it with a normal mindset!”
“Right now, I just hope those damn Japanese won’t start the war, at least not on this night we’re on duty; otherwise, whether we survive to see tomorrow is unknown!”
“So let’s keep our attention focused on guarding against the Japanese Troops launching a sneak attack!”
“Otherwise, once war breaks out and we die on the battlefield, the prosperity and liveliness on the Foreign Concession side will have nothing to do with you for the rest of your life!”
“If you survive, maybe one day you’ll have the chance to realize your wildest dreams, like going to the Foreign Concession to find the most beautiful dancers, eat the best food, and buy the things you like most.”
Regarding his good comrade’s complaints,
Company Commander Zhou Dafa cheerfully responded.
“Yeah! You’re right, only if you’re alive is there hope!”
“By the way, do you think these damn Japanese Marine Corps will sneak attack us tonight?”
Upon hearing this,
Deputy Company Commander Li Bin also smiled slightly and nodded in agreement,
“Very likely! Didn’t you see they’ve already started assembling?”
“This is pre-war preparation; we just don’t know when they’ll make their move!”
“Whether tonight or tomorrow morning!”
“Or maybe in a day or two, suddenly breaking out into war!”
“Anyway, I’m absolutely sure these damn Japanese will attack us; war will definitely break out—it’s just a matter of time!”
Company Commander Zhou Dafa said frankly.
“Yeah! I think the same; these damn Japanese, I wish war would break out right now—I’ve wanted to kill them for a long time!”
“They’ve occupied so many places in our Northeast and still won’t stop, ambitiously preparing to attack Shanghai?”
“Hmph! We’re the 19th Route Army, not the fleeing Northeastern Army!”
“If these damn Japanese Troops dare to mess with us, we absolutely won’t let them off; we’ll beat them until they flee in defeat and panic, rolling out of Shanghai!”
Deputy Company Commander Li Bin also strongly agreed.
“Huh! The Japanese are actually deploying tank troops over here?”
“Hiss! Look, there are more than 20 of them!”
“This is trouble! We don’t have anti-tank weaponry; quickly go tell the Regiment Commander!”
“Once war breaks out, we’ll probably need to organize a Suicide Squad to blow up these Japanese tanks!”
At this moment,
Company Commander Zhou Dafa suddenly changed color dramatically and exclaimed,
Because he saw on the distant Japanese Army position,
Suddenly, one Japanese tank after another rolled in,
More than 20 in number,
“These damn Japanese really do want to start the war! Otherwise, they wouldn’t dispatch so many tanks to our side for no reason!”
Deputy Company Commander Li Bin also changed color dramatically and said,
And he extinguished the cigarette he had just lit and taken a puff from, threw it on the ground, stamped it out, and cursed the Japanese,
At the same time, he immediately ran to find their Regiment Commander for an urgent report.
And at this time,
Zhou Wenhua’s reconnaissance Security Team deployed in the nearby areas also discovered the more than 20 tanks deployed by the Japanese Marine Corps.
And they quickly had the signalman send the collected frontline battle situation intelligence to Zhou Wenhua at the fastest speed,
Soon, Zhou Wenhua in the Western Guangdong Region also received the pre-war situation from Shanghai,
And he also instructed his Security Team left to garrison Shanghai and prepare for operations to continue reconnaissance properly,
And to be ready to enter combat status at any time,
Shanghai Garrison Headquarters,
“What! Japanese tank troops have been deployed to the area around the Zhabei garrison’s 6th Regiment?”
“Damn Japanese, do they plan to throw them into battle at any moment?”
“Everyone, keep a close eye on every move of these damn Japanese; tonight will probably be a sleepless night!”
“It might even break out into war tonight!”
“Damn Japanese! Their wolf’s ambition truly won’t die!”
Commander Dai Ji also quickly received news from his subordinates about the deployment of the Japanese armored car troops,
Immediately feeling that something was wrong, he loudly issued combat instructions.
“Yes! Commander!”
Dai Ji’s subordinate Li Zhimin also quickly agreed.
He then hung up the telephone, led his Security Team, and continued to closely monitor every move of the Japanese Marine Corps and their more than 20 tanks.
Late night, 11:30 p.m.
“Thud! Thud! Thud!”
“Boom! Boom! Boom!”
“Rumble rumble rumble! Rumble rumble rumble”
While Shanghai was still immersed in a prosperous and lively night of song and dance,
The Japanese Marine Corps’ Artillery Unit had already locked onto and targeted the positions of the 6th Regiment of the Zhabei garrison of the 78th Division’s 156th Brigade of the 19th Army, launching the first round of artillery barrage bombing sneak attack operation.
In an instant, a series of deafening artillery bombardment sounds echoed through Shanghai’s night sky,
This night shocked all of Shanghai,
Whether people who were sleeping or entertaining were all awakened.
