diskusbooks Chapter 177 Ordered to Retreat
Chapter 177 Ordered to Retreat
Considering that the "Eight Hundred Heroes" defended the Sihang Warehouse and repeatedly defeated the Japanese pirates, it greatly boosted the confidence of the Chinese military and civilians in the war of resistance.
At the same time, they also demonstrated China's unyielding will to fight the strong with the weak in front of international public opinion, and successfully completed the mission of "buying time and arousing sympathy from friendly countries."
10月31日上午，校长电令88师师长孙元良，命令524团于11月1日凌晨2时前撤离四行仓库。
The principal also wrote in his diary that day: "As a commander, there is a limit to how much you can cherish and sacrifice your troops. Now Xie Jinyuan has defended the Zhabei corner to the death. His mission and goal have been achieved, so I order him to retreat with honor. There is no need to make any more unnecessary sacrifices!"
At this time, the main force of the 88th Division had withdrawn to the Beixinjing and Zhoujiaqiao lines in the west of Shanghai. If the 524th Regiment, isolated behind enemy lines, wanted to retreat, it could only cross the Suzhou River and return to the team via the International Settlement.
Since the concession authorities had promised to allow the defenders of the Sihang Warehouse to pass, Sun Yuanliang sent Deputy Division Commander Feng Shengfa and Chief of Staff Zhang Baiting to negotiate with the concession authorities together with Shanghai Mayor Yu Hongjun and Songhu Garrison Commander Yang Hu.
"Everyone, our retreat this time is to preserve the vitality of the war of resistance. I hope you can give us the necessary help." Feng Shengfa said sincerely.
"Well..." The representative of the concession authorities looked embarrassed. "You also know that our concession is a neutral zone and we cannot interfere in your war."
"But we have received the guarantee from your government that we will be allowed to withdraw from the concession," Zhang Baiting argued.
"This..." The representative of the concession authorities wanted to shirk responsibility, but was interrupted by Feng Shengfa.
"Sir, I know what you are worried about, but please believe that we will keep our promise and will never fire a gun in the concession, nor will we cause you any trouble."
"This..." The representative of the concession authorities hesitated for a moment and finally nodded.
"Okay, we can agree to your request, but you must ensure that your soldiers cannot carry weapons into the concession."
"This..." Feng Shengfa and Zhang Baiting looked at each other, and they both knew that this was the bottom line of the concession authorities.
"Okay, we promise you!" Feng Shengfa finally agreed to the request of the concession authorities.
"Very good, I hope you can keep your promise." The representative of the concession authorities then showed a satisfied smile.
The two sides then discussed the coordination of actions for the Sihang Warehouse defenders when they passed through the Eagle Army's cordon, the suppression of the Japanese machine gun positions and searchlights that blocked the back door of the Sihang Warehouse, and the requirements for the military appearance when preparing to pass through the concession.
At 21:24 that evening, Zhang Baiting ordered Xie Jinyuan to lead his troops to withdraw from the Sihang Warehouse at : that evening over the phone.
"Brothers, we have completed the mission brilliantly, and our superiors have ordered us to retreat!" Xie Jinyuan's voice echoed in the warehouse.
"retreat?"
"Can we finally retreat?"
"Great!"
When the soldiers heard the news, they burst into deafening cheers.
They have held out in this isolated building for four days and four nights, experiencing countless bombardments and gunfire. Everyone is wounded, but their will has never wavered.
Now, they can finally evacuate the battlefield where they once defended with their blood.
"Quiet! Quiet!" Xie Jinyuan shouted loudly.
When the soldiers quieted down, he continued, "This time we will retreat across the Suzhou River and enter the concession from the New Garbage Bridge."
"The devils will definitely set up an ambush there, so we must be fully prepared!"
"Yes!" the soldiers answered in unison, their eyes filled with the belief that they would win.
"Captain Yang, take your men to sort out the steel plates left by the Japanese that Miss Jiang asked us to collect last time."
"When we evacuate, let the soldiers standing on the outermost side use them to block the enemy's bullets!"
"This is called giving someone a taste of their own medicine."
"Yes!" Yang Ruifu immediately took the order and left.
"Also, notify all the brothers to check their weapons and ammunition and prepare to break out!"
"Yes!"
The entire Sihang Warehouse suddenly became busy, and everyone was making final preparations for the upcoming retreat.
Jiang Shiyuan, who took care of his brother's funeral, knew very well that tonight at 24: was the time when the defenders of the Sihang Warehouse were ordered to evacuate.
She was wondering whether the Military Control Commission's Shanghai Station would receive orders from its superiors to secretly cover their retreat.
As a result, as soon as she returned to Wanguo Apartment, she received a call from Stationmaster Wang.
"Shennong, I have good news for you. The 'Eight Hundred Warriors' have completed their mission, and their superiors have ordered them to retreat tonight!" Stationmaster Wang said with a hint of excitement.
"Really? That's great!" Jiang Shiyuan was so excited that he almost shouted out loud.
"But their evacuation must take them across the New Laji Bridge into the concession, and the Japanese will definitely set up an ambush there." Stationmaster Wang's tone became serious again.
"Stationmaster, do you have any instructions?" Jiang Shiyuan understood and asked immediately.
"I order you to lead the snake catcher team to ambush around the Sihang Warehouse at 23: tonight, suppress the Japanese pirates' firepower, and cover the 'Eight Hundred Warriors' to cross the bridge safely!"
"Yes!" Jiang Shiyuan agreed without hesitation.
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Shiyuan immediately called together the snake catcher team members and began to assign tasks.
"Nezha, take two people to scout the terrain in advance and make sure you understand the enemy's firepower deployment."
"Yes!" Nezha took the order and left.
"Hou Yi, you still have the advantage and commanding heights. When the time comes, you can just shoot the Japanese in the head with one shot!"
"Sister Shennong, don't worry about me taking care of things!" Houyi patted his chest and said with high spirits.
Jiang Shiyuan turned to look at Lao Huang: "Lao Huang, go prepare the weapons and ammunition, we are going to have a big fight tonight!"
"Yes!" Old Huang rubbed his hands excitedly, then turned around to prepare.
Jiang Shiyuan also reported this action to the party organization, and Gu Fangxun asked "Yi Shui Han" Chen Qingyan to assist them in secret.
Tonight's operation will be another test of life and death.
But Jiang Shiyuan is fearless, because she wants to fulfill her brother's unfinished wish and fight her way out for those brave soldiers!
Time passed by minute by minute, and in the blink of an eye, it was 24: in the evening.
In the Sihang Warehouse, Xie Jinyuan led the remaining 300-odd soldiers, ready to go.
Each of them carried the remaining weapons and ammunition in the Sihang Warehouse on their backs, and held only the steel plates seized from the Japanese in their hands, ready to use them to block the Japanese bullets.
The Eagle soldiers in the International Settlement turned off the searchlights as a signal to allow the defenders of the Sihang Warehouse to cross the bridge under the cover of night.
"Brothers, let's go!"
At Xie Jinyuan's command, the soldiers were divided into two echelons, taking turns to provide cover and rushing towards the new garbage bridge.
At the same time, Jiang Shiyuan and Lao Huang took Nezha and ambushed at the other end of the new garbage bridge.
Hou Yi had knocked down the Japanese sniper on the roof of the Bank of Communications next to the Sihang Warehouse in advance and occupied an advantageous commanding position.
"Bang bang bang-"
At this moment, the cunning Japanese pirates actually released several high-brightness flares into the sky.
The originally pitch-black night was instantly illuminated as bright as day, and the retreating figures of the soldiers were nowhere to be seen...