Traveling through 1937, starting from the Battle of Songhu

Chapter 199: Battle of Zhonghua Gate 3

After the two finished chatting, Lu Feng went to the soldier hiding cave to wait.

There is no need for so many people to defend the city at this time. The people are too dense. The Japanese will just be eating their cakes if they bombard it. It is totally unnecessary.

The soldiers of the 568th Regiment came here early just to prevent the Japanese from breaking through the defense line.

To be honest, Gu Changfeng didn't feel much pressure whether facing two or three Japanese regiments.

He was high up on the city wall, with a range longer than that of the Japanese, and it was at night, so his only worry was the Japanese artillery fire.

Small cannons were useless against him, so the Japanese could only use mountain cannons, field cannons, or large-caliber howitzers.

"Old Zhao, please keep an eye on things later. I have a feeling that the battle tonight won't be that easy." Gu Changfeng found Zhao Ziqing and reminded him.

"Changfeng, what are you worried about?"

Zhao Ziqing was a little surprised. Why did Gu Changfeng suddenly say this?

"Nothing." Gu Changfeng shook his head, thought about it, and then explained.

"The Japanese are mobilizing so many troops, it seems they are quite confident. If so, they must have something to rely on, otherwise they wouldn't be so anxious."

You know, if the Japanese attack during the day, they will have at least one more advantage, the bombing by the air force.

However, this advantage would be lost if they fought at night. If they didn't have something to rely on, they would never choose to attack the city at night.

"We'll see what happens. This wall doesn't have to be defended."

Zhao Ziqing was now following Gu Changfeng down the same path. What was the overall situation? Was his own team more important?

Gu Changfeng sighed in his heart. If Zhonghua Gate was not defended, the 88th Division of Yuhuatai would be completely isolated.

Half an hour later, the Japs gathered again.

Under the cover of mountain artillery, the Japanese began to advance towards the city gate.

This time, Obou brought everything out of the brigade's home, and also applied for some other things from the division, ready to use at critical moments.

Soon, the Japs arrived at the firing positions of each company.

Bang bang bang!

Da da da!

Heavy machine gunners and snipers opened fire at the same time, and a large number of charging Japanese soldiers fell in an instant.

With the Japanese mountain artillery supporting them, the heavy machine guns of each company became much more cautious, and they allowed the Japanese to get within 600 meters.

Gu Changfeng and the other two fired continuously after opening fire.

"Bagayaru, why haven't the artillery fired flares yet?"

The Japanese squad leader was lying in a bomb crater, feeling a chill on his back and the shadow of death looming in his heart!

The bullet just flew past his ear. If he hadn't reacted quickly and tilted his head, the bullet would have almost taken his life.

The Japs' words seemed to be very effective. As soon as they finished speaking, several flares flew past from behind, and a few artillery shells fell on the city wall in between, followed by another round of violent explosions.

When the illumination bullets came out, the Japanese naturally had a target. They rushed forward roaring and bullets began to be fired at the soldiers from various companies on the city wall.

Da da da!

The heavy machine guns of each company continued to fire their weapons, causing terrible suffering to the Japanese soldiers in the front row.

At this time, people on the city wall kept falling down. Although this group of Japanese devils belonged to the Type C division, their combat effectiveness was still not comparable to the large number of new recruits on the city wall.

Most of the Japanese soldiers were fed with a lot of bullets before they came out, and many of these new soldiers were hastily sent into the battlefield, so don’t even think too much about their accuracy.

Gu Changfeng naturally knew this flaw, but he had no good solution.

Things like this take time, and under the current circumstances we can only grit our teeth and persevere.

Fortunately, with the help of veterans from each company, the effect is not too bad.

The battle was fierce on their side, and the Yuhuatai position not far away was also not willing to be outdone. The continuous artillery fire from the Japanese caused heavy casualties to the soldiers of the 88th Division on the front line!

The Japanese 6th Division also became angry. After being frustrated for so many days, they finally found this opportunity to avenge their previous humiliation.

At one o'clock in the morning, when the Japanese sent in their third battalion, the soldiers of the 568th Regiment began to change shifts.

It’s not because they can’t continue fighting, but mainly because Gu Changfeng’s men were very tired after fighting for a whole day.

Since someone has changed, they must take a break and eat something.

"Captain Gu, you fought well, leave the rest to us!"

Lu Feng was full of admiration. With only a thousand people, they were able to withstand the attacks of several large groups.

When it came to his reinforced battalion, he felt unsure.

"It's just that weapons have the advantage."

Facing Lu Feng's boasting, Gu Changfeng seemed very calm. He thought for a while and continued.

"Captain Lu, it seems these devils won't stop until they take over Zhonghua Gate. If you can't hold on any longer, please call me."

At this point, Gu Changfeng became angry and started to act recklessly.

Lu Feng nodded slightly, then looked towards Yuhuatai and said.

"The Japanese troops at Yuhuatai are also attacking overnight. It seems they want to break through these two lines of defense in one fell swoop."

It has to be said that the situation on both sides is not very good.

Even if Gu Changfeng's men were more lethal, it would only cause more casualties to the Japanese, and the result would still not be optimistic.

Gu Changfeng was silent for a moment, then said, "If you can't hold it, retreat to the city. I've said before that this matter must be decided early, but..."

He now had a direct sense of the hesitant attitude of the upper echelons, which completely delayed the opportunity to fight.

If you want to fight, then fight with all your might. If you don't want to fight, then plan your retreat as soon as possible.

As a result, a sudden retreat order later led to the total defeat of the army. What can we say about this?

"It's not easy to defend the city either!" Lu Feng smiled bitterly. The failure of this battle to defend Nanjing was inevitable.

Gu Changfeng didn't want to say anything more at this moment. He shook his head and led the team to rest.

Instead of going to the soldier's hiding cave, he returned to the camp's air-raid shelter.

Zhou Qianli was not asleep at this time. As the team's steward, he still had a lot to do with the battle on the front line.

Seeing Gu Changfeng coming back, Zhou Qianli asked, "Changfeng, why are you back? How is the battle on the front line?"

Gu Changfeng said, "The 88th Division has taken over. Let the brothers rest for a while. I'm afraid there will be more fighting tonight."

"I estimate that if the situation continues like this, Zhonghua Gate will fall tomorrow or the day after tomorrow."

Zhou Qianli said: "Since this is the case, we should have made preparations earlier. All weapons and ammunition have been dispatched by now."

"If we continue fighting street battles until tomorrow, we probably won't have a chance."

Gu Changfeng pondered for a while and asked, "Brothers, count the casualties. If you can't fight, don't fight. Look for an opportunity inside the city."

"Well, you decide. There is something I want to ask you how we should handle it?" Zhou Qianli said hesitantly.

"Say it directly!"

"Li Jie sent word that some civilians had already gathered in Pukou. He asked if we should transport them out first."

Seeing that this was the matter, Gu Changfeng felt relieved and said with a smile.

"Notify Li Jie and transport them overnight. The Japanese are so cruel and ruthless that problems will definitely arise. As many civilians as can be transported now, let them go."

He knew that Nanjing was under martial law and it would be difficult for people to leave the city.

Judging from his thoughts, he will definitely walk as much as he can.

With Liao Lei's face, at least the defenders over there won't say anything, after all, there are not many people.

Once the order to retreat comes, that will be the most chaotic moment.