Chapter 5: Defend Nanjing, Rebel?

  Zhang Mingyu's independent regiment, due to the priority of replenishing weapons and equipment by the Military Affairs Department, now has more than 500 people in the entire regiment, with 20 heavy machine guns, 60 Czech-style light machine guns, more than 400 Zhongzheng rifles, with an average of 100 rounds per person, 10 hand grenades, each squad is equipped with three light machine guns and one heavy machine gun. In addition, there is also an artillery company composed of more than a dozen mortars and war-defense cannons. This firepower was probably quite terrifying in the National Army at that time! Such firepower would make even the Japanese devils' elite regiments pale in comparison. Remembering the Kamei squad that was annihilated earlier, they only had two Type 96 light machine guns! It's worth noting that the Kamei squad belonged to the 20th Division of the Japanese Army and was an elite unit.

  As the Jiangyin Defense War began, the Nationalist government also started organizing the Nanjing Defense War! Tang Shengzhi was appointed as the commander of the Nanjing Garrison Command, commanding 150,000 national troops to defend Nanjing! The troops participating in the Nanjing Defense War were all elite units of the National Army! They were all elite units that retreated from the Shanghai Campaign! There were the 36th Division, the 87th Division and the 88th Division, as well as the Central Military Academy students who formed the Central Instruction Corps! Among them, the 36th, 87th and 88th Divisions were German-trained and fully equipped with German-style equipment, making them elite units. In addition, a rare tank regiment was also deployed at that time! As for Zhang Mingyu's unit, which was a special unit, Tang Shengzhi kept them in the command headquarters as a reserve force!

  December 1, 1937, the Japanese General Headquarters issued "Operation Order No. 8": "The commander of the Central China Area Army must cooperate with the Navy to capture the enemy's capital, Nanjing."

  On the same day, Nanjing Garrison Commander Tang Shengzhi held a press conference and solemnly declared, "Coexist with Nanjing! Swear to defend Nanjing City to the death! Defend the Mausoleum of the Father of the Nation!" 150,000 National Army soldiers were determined to fight to the last man and would never retreat.

  On December 8, the Japanese army occupied all the outer strongholds of Nanjing, forming a three-sided siege of Nanjing! The next day, Japanese commander Matsui Iwane airdropped a letter of surrender to Nanjing City! Demanding that the Nanjing garrison surrender to the Japanese army before December 10! But the Nanjing garrison didn't take him seriously at all!

  "Headquarters Order No. 36: The current occupation of the fortified positions is the last battle to defend Nanjing, and all units must defend them with a determination to survive or perish together. It is strictly forbidden to abandon any position or shake the entire army. Those who disobey orders and retreat without permission will be dealt with severely according to military law. (2) All ships captured by the various armies are to be handed over to the Transportation Command for safekeeping, and private detention is not allowed. The commander of the 78th Army, Song Xilian, is responsible for commanding this. Along the Yangtze River, it is strictly forbidden for scattered soldiers to privately take boats across the river. Those who violate this will be arrested and severely punished. If they dare to resist, they will be suppressed by force."

  The Japanese army launched a general attack on Nanjing on December 10 when the Nanjing garrison refused to surrender. During this period, Zhang Mingyu repeatedly asked Tang Shengzhi to lead the troops out of the city, but Tang Shengzhi rejected him each time, saying he had other important tasks for him.

  The Japanese 6th Division launched an attack on Guanghua Gate, which was relatively easier to defend! The Guards Division was responsible for defending Guanghua Gate! Guanghua Gate was breached several times by the Japanese army, but it was quickly retaken by the Guards Division! The 88th Division and other units also put up a stubborn resistance, blocking the Japanese advance.

  Independent team department!

  Zhang Mingyu is back. Zhang Biao and others asked, "How's the captain? Has he agreed?"

  "No! Continue to wait!" Zhang Mingyu weakly replied after taking a drag on his cigarette.

  "Captain! You said those little devils are almost at the gates of Nanjing, other troops are fighting to the death with them, but we're just standing here watching! It's really unbearable! I don't know if Tang Shengzhi's brain was kicked by a donkey!" Zhang Biao complained and cursed.

  "Yes! Captain, the brothers have never frowned upon fighting the little devils since childhood. Give the order and we'll go out of the city and fight them directly!" Zhang Haisheng said.

  "What's today's date?" Zhang Haisheng's question was met with no response! Zhang Mingyu countered.

  Today is December 12! " Zhang Biao replied.

  December 12th, in history, Tang Shengzhi gave a verbal promise to withdraw first tonight! As a result, the 150,000 National Army became headless and chaotic, and the retreat turned into a rout. The Japanese army then entered the city, causing the shocking Nanjing Massacre that stunned China and the world!

  "No way! I must stop all of this from happening!" Zhang Mingyu furiously exclaimed in his heart.

  "Brothers, now there's another very dangerous thing that needs to be done, and it may cost us our lives. Are you daring or not?" Zhang Mingyu said to Zhang Haisheng and the others in front of him.

  "Squad leader, just say what's going on! If the brothers frown, they're cowards! I believe our independent squad doesn't have a single coward, right?" Zhang Biao said.

  "Just give orders to the squad leader!"

  "According to the intelligence I have received, Commander-in-Chief Tang will escape tonight and Nanjing will fall. The 150,000 National Army brothers and several million Nanjing civilians will be slaughtered by the Japanese army! We want to stop all this, we must keep Tang Shengzhi here! Dare you or not?"

  "Damn it! Tens of thousands of brothers are fighting with the devils in front, and this commander-in-chief is going to be a deserter. Battalion Commander, you give the order, I'll go kill him!" Zhang Biao roared.

  "Then quickly assemble the troops!"

  The independent squad has assembled!

  Zhang Mingyu issued the combat order: "Commander Zhang leads one battalion to quickly control the headquarters with me, Hai Sheng you lead two battalions to quickly control Nanjing Newspaper and Radio Station!"

  "Yes!"

  Zhang Haisheng led the second battalion quickly towards the newspaper office and radio station! Zhang Mingyu, on the other hand, led the first battalion towards the headquarters! As they walked down the main street, they arrived at the Nanjing headquarters. At that moment, Tang Shengzhi was burning documents with his secretaries and preparing to escape! Zhang Mingyu rolled up his sleeves, holding a submachine gun, and led the way towards the headquarters! The guards at the headquarters discovered Zhang Mingyu's troops and immediately raised their guns, shouting: "Halt, or we'll open fire!" Zhang Mingyu didn't respond, and with a burst of gunfire, he shot at the guards who were shouting. As soon as Zhang Mingyu opened fire, his comrades behind him also started firing, and the guards fell to the ground one after another! Zhang Biao held a Czech-style machine gun and fiercely fired at the guards. After taking care of the guards at the entrance, the soldiers of the first battalion quickly rushed in!

  The Nationalist Army generals who were holding a meeting inside were shocked by the sound of gunfire. Tang Shengzhi asked, "Where did the gunshots come from? What's going on?"

  Bang! The conference room door was kicked open, and a group of armed soldiers rushed in. "Nobody is allowed to move, put down your weapons!" Zhang Mingyu walked in with an assault rifle in hand.

  "Commander Zhang, what are you trying to do? Are you going to betray the country?" Tang Shengzhi asked with a stutter.

  "Get out of here, you traitor!" Zhang Mingyu cursed.

  "From now on, none of you are allowed to leave the headquarters for a single step!" Zhang Mingyu said coldly to Tang Shengzhi and others.

  "Report!" Zhang Yingchang has already taken control of the newspaper office and radio station! A soldier from the Second Battalion ran over to say.

  "Alright! I understand."

  "Immediately order our troops to strictly defend their positions and not to retreat without orders!" Zhang Mingyu said to Tang Shengzhi.

  "But the order to retreat has already been given! And this is a personal order from the Chairman himself, Zhang Mingyu, you'd better think carefully about what you're doing now! You are disobeying the Chairman's orders!" Tang Shengzhi threatened.

  "I knew the consequences of doing so, if what I did today could save the lives of tens of thousands of Nanjing soldiers and civilians, even if Chairman Chiang would shoot me dead tomorrow, Zhang Mingyu wouldn't mind!"

  "What did you say? What tens of thousands of lives?" Tang Shengzhi asked.

  "Do you know that after you arbitrarily ordered the withdrawal, the Japanese army will launch a massacre in Nanjing!" Zhang Mingyu roared. Thinking of the lives of more than 300,000 soldiers and civilians hanging by a thread, Zhang Mingyu pulled out his pistol and pointed it at Tang Shengzhi's head, his eyes blazing with anger as he bellowed: "Order the troops to stay put immediately, or I'll blow your brains out!"

  Tang Shengzhi was so frightened that he almost died, and the order to retreat was sent out by the communications officer. At this time, most of the commanders of various units knew about the retreat order and abandoned their troops to escape on their own. Only the 87th and 88th Divisions defending the Zhonghua Gate and Yuhuatai, as well as the Instructional Corps defending the Guanghua Gate, received the order. The rest of the units, except for a small number that were fighting bloody battles with the enemy, lost their commanding officers and retreated into the city in disarray, rushing towards the Jiangkou Gate.