Chapter 90: Preparing To Go To The Small Arsenal
After the remaining troops of the 19th Route Army’s 156th Brigade 6th Regiment suffered bombing from the Japanese aircraft group, Zhou Wenhua’s German-equipped Company and Security Team also quickly carried out air defense concealment in the street block where they were located,
while Brigade Commander Liu Kun of the 19th Route Army’s 156th Brigade was also constantly calling Commander Jiang and Deputy Commander Cai on the telephone, requesting reinforcements to come as soon as possible.
After finishing the call, he immediately commanded his troops again to conduct air defense operations,
waiting for the Japanese aircraft group to finish bombing, then immediately counterattack the Japanese Marine Corps’ offensive, especially needing to organize even more Suicide Squads to destroy all the Japanese tanks.
One Japanese aircraft after another continuously bombed,
“Boom! Boom! Boom!”
“Rumble rumble rumble! Rumble rumble rumble! Rumble rumble rumble.”
With the continuous bombing of the Japanese aircraft group, one civilian house and building after another were destroyed and collapsed on the ground on the spot, becoming ruins,
and the aerial bombs dropped by the Japanese aircraft group even destroyed the Commercial Press Main Plant and the Oriental Library, these two large libraries, together in a raging fire,
numerous ancient books and rare editions, as well as over 300,000 books, were all burned to ashes by the massive fire caused by the explosions.
At the same time, over a thousand Japanese troops from several other routes, under the cover of powerful and dense artillery fire and tank armored car troops from the Japanese Army, continuously launched wave after wave of fierce attacks toward Baoshan Road, Qiujiang Road, and other intersections,
the objective of the Japanese Marine Corps was to quickly occupy North Shanghai Railway Station.
Because this North Shanghai Railway Station was the land transportation hub of Shanghai, once occupied, it would mean controlling all transportation in Zhabei, thereby putting the 19th Route Army’s 156th Brigade stationed here into a huge operational crisis.
19th Route Army Command Post,
“The battle situation is not good!”
“Brigade Commander Liu Kun of the 156th Brigade has already requested support operations from us for the third time!”
“Because the Japanese aircraft group and tank troops were deployed in large numbers, for them without air defense operations, the casualties are still quite heavy!”
“Fortunately, the main force of the 156th Brigade did not suffer many casualties and remains relatively intact in organization, so after the Japanese aircraft group finishes bombing, they can press forward to the battlefield and deal with those attacking Japanese Marine Corps!”
“However, regarding Brigade Commander Liu Kun of the 156th Brigade’s proposal for reinforcements, I think we should grant it!”
“To guard against subsequent reinforcement troops from the Japanese or some battle situations we cannot foresee!”
“We absolutely cannot lose North Shanghai Railway Station and all of Zhabei!”
“Especially now that the Japanese Marine Corps’ combat objective is very clear, they intend to occupy our North Shanghai Railway Station!”
“Once they successfully occupy it, they can cut off all transportation in Zhabei, and then we won’t be able to transport reinforcements there or evacuate!”
Deputy Commander Cai, with a solemn expression, walked into Commander Jiang’s Operations Command Room and said in a very solemn tone.
“Mm! Handle it as you think!”
“In this battle to resist the Japanese invaders, we must achieve victory!”
“I can give reinforcements to Brigade Commander Liu Kun of the 156th Brigade, but he must have his main force recover all lost ground for me and completely rout the Japanese Marine Corps! Even annihilate them all!”
Commander Jiang, who was studying the operations map, also looked up and said seriously and earnestly.
“Mm! I know how to handle it!”
Deputy Commander Cai nodded in agreement.
Then, after Commander Jiang nodded in response, he quickly turned around to handle the deployment of troops and generals.
And at this time,
Zhou Wenhua was in the Western Guangdong Region,
inspecting his rubber plantation,
“The war in Shanghai has erupted just as you said, Boss, and it was also provoked by the Japanese Marine Corps, launched in the middle of the night!”
“This morning, the Japanese Army also dispatched a large Japanese aircraft group, taking off from their aircraft carrier for attack operations!”
“The troops of the 19th Route Army’s 156th Brigade 6th Regiment guarding the Zhabei positions suffered the heaviest casualties, but the main force of the 156th Brigade did not suffer much loss, and their combat power is still very strong!”
“As long as the Japanese aircraft group’s bombing is finished, with the operational capability and troop strength of the 156th Brigade’s main force, they can still rout the Japanese Marine Corps!”
“Because the Japanese Marine Corps participating in the battle doesn’t have many troops, just a few thousand main force!”
Security Regiment Commander Wu Baoshan, formerly a Navy Company Commander in the Navy Department, following beside Zhou Wenhua,
also continuously reported to Zhou Wenhua.
At this moment, Wu Baoshan had completely sided with Zhou Wenhua and no longer planned to return to being his Navy Company Commander.
Moreover, Zhou Wenhua’s promotion and heavy use of him were also very good,
so he was also very satisfied,
and what impressed him most about Zhou Wenhua was that Zhou Wenhua had actually predicted the outbreak of the Battle of Shanghai,
so Security Regiment Commander Wu Baoshan was also extremely impressed with Zhou Wenhua’s intelligence capabilities,
of course, this admiration was his own imagination of Zhou Wenhua’s intelligence collection capabilities,
“Mm! Have the German-equipped Company and our Security Team left in Shanghai act according to the situation, kill some Japanese troops at any time, especially those Japanese troops slaughtering unarmed civilians, and be sure to annihilate them all!”
“Also include rescuing those National Revolutionary Army plainclothes teams that went to reconnoiter the Japanese troops, don’t let these plainclothes teams resisting the Japanese invaders be completely slaughtered by the Japanese Army!”
After Zhou Wenhua heard the report,
he continued nodding and issuing instructions.
“Got it!”
“I’ll go right away!”
Security Regiment Commander Wu Baoshan quickly nodded in agreement.
“Mm!”
“Additionally, the small arsenal we deployed in the Western Guangdong Region, come with me to inspect it later!”
“Although they only manufacture rifles, light and heavy machine guns, and hand grenades!”
“But we still need to supervise the manufacturing situation and the confidentiality situation!”
“If it leaks out, I’m afraid I’ll be in trouble! Although the workers and masters there don’t know my background at all! But it’s still better to be cautious!”
Zhou Wenhua added.
Because he already regarded Security Regiment Commander Wu Baoshan as his trusted confidant, he planned to take him to inspect the small arsenal he had set up.
“Everything follows Boss’s instructions!”
“Moreover, I have already deployed a group of loyal Security Team to guard there, if enemies come or troops approach, they will blow it up!”
Security Regiment Commander Wu Baoshan nodded again.
Zhou Wenhua nodded satisfactorily and continued to inspect his rubber plantation.
Meanwhile, Security Regiment Commander Wu Baoshan hurriedly went to relay Zhou Wenhua’s instructions to the German-equipped Company and Security Team on the Shanghai side.
