RPAGF Chapter 31: Reorganization of the Troops, Xie Jinyuan's Fate
Chapter 31: Reorganization of the Troops, Xie Jinyuan's Fate
Just as dawn broke, Li Jianghe's breakout force finally arrived at Caojia Lane.
This was a residential area, but it was reduced to ruins in the previous Battle of Luodian.
This area was already deep within Japanese territory, and the main Japanese forces were constantly expanding their battle lines outwards.
Therefore, the troop strength is very small, and they are hiding here, so they should not be discovered in a short time.
However, there was still a Japanese company left in Luodian. But they never expected that right under their noses, there were enemy troops hiding in the Caojiaxiang area not far away.
After taking a headcount, Li Jianghe discovered that after last night's fierce battle, they still had 305 soldiers left.
Of the original 88th Division's 1st Battalion, only 38 men remained, having lost nearly half their men in fierce battles with the pursuing Japanese forces.
After taking stock, Li Jianghe discovered that in addition to accumulating a full 30,000 merit points, they had also captured a large amount of Japanese equipment and supplies during this operation.
These weapons and equipment are enough for him to arm an additional reinforced battalion.
As for his current merit points, he can directly summon a regiment of troops.
However, they are currently surrounded by the Japanese army, and summoning thousands of people would make them too conspicuous and easily discovered by the Japanese.
It would be better to wait until the necessary time to summon the army, thus catching them off guard.
Just like when they rescued Yang Ruifu, the troops they summoned quietly maneuvered to the flanks and rear of the Japanese army, and together with the frontal counterattack, they defeated the Japanese army in one wave of attack.
At this moment, Yang Ruifu walked over, saluted Li Jianghe, and said:
"Battalion Commander Li, before the breakout, the regimental commander told me that from now on, all of us brothers would follow you."
Last night's battle made Yang Ruifu fully realize that Li Jianghe was loyal and righteous, not only did he not abandon his brothers, but his command of the battle was also an art.
In the Japanese-occupied city of Shanghai, they were able to completely outmaneuver these Japanese soldiers.
The Japanese army's main search force is currently focused on the city, but they did not expect that Li Jianghe had already led his soldiers to the Luodian area.
"What are your plans for the next step?"
Yang Ruifu asked.
Li Jianghe smiled calmly and said:
"No rush. The only thing to do these next two days is to wait."
The main force of the Japanese army is still in Shanghai and has not moved westward.
If we try to break out now, we'll definitely be caught by the Japanese.
Therefore, Li Jianghe waited for the main force of the National Revolutionary Army to retreat. At that time, the Japanese army's attention would inevitably be tied up by the main force of the National Revolutionary Army, and naturally no one would care about their few hundred men.
Yang Ruifu didn't ask any more questions. He knew that no matter which direction they went, they would be surrounded by Japanese troops, and any reckless breakout would be suicide.
At this moment, Long Wenzhang ran over and said to Li Jianghe:
"Battalion Commander, the troop reorganization is almost complete."
Upon hearing this, Li Jianghe brought over the compiled list.
The entire Third Battalion currently comprises three companies.
The first company is an infantry company, commanded by Lin Yongzhi, and includes seven upgraded infantry squads and three assault squads.
The Second Company is an assault company, commanded by Wang Dayong, and consists of 10 assault squads and two engineer squads.
The Third Company is a fire support company, commanded by Wang Chengzhu. It consists of four anti-tank gun squads and four heavy machine gun squads.
He now has more than 300 men under his command, plus Yang Ruifu's battalion, bringing the total strength to around 400 men, which can barely be considered a reinforced battalion.
After reading these telegrams, Li Jianghe said:
"By the way, Lao Yang, have the communications squad send a telegram to the higher-ups saying that we have successfully broken through and are resting, but don't say where we are."
"yes!"
After Yang Ruifu answered, he immediately instructed the communications team to send a telegram.
Just then, Li Jianghe called out to him:
"By the way, when we broke out earlier, we got a piece of intelligence from the backpack of a Japanese communications soldier. It said that Japan had a new landing force that might land in the direction of Hangzhou Bay."
"Hangzhou Bay?"
Yang Ruifu was taken aback, but upon further thought, if the Japanese army were to actually land in the Hangzhou Bay area at this time, it would be fatal for the Nationalist troops in Shanghai.
"I understand. I will send this information over as well."
Commander Chen was quite surprised when he saw the telegram he had just received.
Last night's feint attack was actually very short-lived; not even the artillery was fired.
He never expected that Li Jianghe would actually lead his men and break through the Japanese army's encirclement.
"Does this Li Jianghe know how to fly or teleport?"
Looking at the contents of the telegram, Commander Chen couldn't help but admire it.
Commander He was also looking at the contents of the telegram.
"This young man is extraordinary. I think the war zone command should also award him some commendation."
He was overjoyed that Li Jianghe had actually managed to break through, which surprised and delighted him greatly.
Well...
As Commander Chen spoke, his gaze fell on Commander Li Zongren.
"Li Jianghe is considered part of the Guangxi Army, so I think it would be more appropriate for Delin to issue this commendation order."
Officer Li, who had been sitting silently to the side, was actually just as happy.
After all, Li Jianghe was one of their Guangxi Army's men, even if he was a local soldier, he still brought honor to their Guangxi Army.
"Hehehe, gentlemen, this battle not only dealt a blow to the arrogance of the Japanese, but also made a name for ourselves internationally. I see that the British and American newspapers are praising it. It shouldn't be too much to promote him to regimental commander."
Li Zongren seized the opportunity to speak.
"Let's do as my neighbor says."
Commander Chen continued, "..."
"By the way, there's also intelligence in this telegram saying that the Japanese army might land in Hangzhou Bay today. What do you all think?"
Everyone looked at each other, their eyes all falling on the map on the wall.
They were all soldiers, so they naturally knew that if the intelligence was true, then the Japanese troops in Shanghai would be in danger.
Commander He said:
"This matter is urgent and should be reported to the Chairman as soon as possible."
If the intelligence is true, then the troops in Shanghai must retreat immediately.
After some discussion, several commanders in the command center felt that this was a possibility.
Especially recently, the Japanese troops in North China seem to have been mobilized, which may be the landing force that is about to land.
"We cannot retreat."
The chairman's attitude was unusually firm.
"With only a few days left until the Nine-Power Treaty signing conference, and with public opinion already on our side after the Battle of Sihang Warehouse, wouldn't retreating now mean allowing the Japanese army to complete the de facto occupation of Shanghai?"
After saying that, he added:
"Moreover, this intelligence was only obtained by him during his breakout, and it may also be false intelligence spread by the Japanese army. The Japanese have used similar tactics in Shanghai more than once or twice."
In the end, Commander He could only say:
"Well... at least we should strengthen the defenses in the Hangzhou Bay area."
After thinking for a moment, the Chairman said:
"That's fine."
Looking at the rope that stretched from the rooftop to the back of the Sihang Warehouse, Yoshizumi Ryosuke stood with his hands behind his back and sneered:
"How ridiculous! How utterly ridiculous! Are you a bunch of idiots? Being completely fooled by the enemy!!!"
As he said this, he knew that Xie Jinyuan was very likely still alive.
After the fuse was lit, the Japanese soldiers on the rooftop fled in panic, completely unaware that Xie Jinyuan had ultimately pulled himself down the rope from the south side of the Sihang Warehouse.
What Xie Jinyuan had to do next was even simpler: he just needed to jump into the Suzhou River and swim to the other side.
At the time, the Japanese army's attention was all on the rooftops, and they had no time to notice whether anyone was crossing the Suzhou Creek to reach the concession on the other side.