Chapter 38: Preparing for Battle

  On the evening of July 10, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an ultimatum in the name of the Chairman, demanding that Japanese troops immediately cease fire and return to their positions on July 7 within four hours, otherwise war would be unavoidable.

  On the 11th, in the morning, both China and Japan negotiated on the issue of ceasefire.

  On the 11th afternoon, the Japanese army did not withdraw troops as agreed, but instead increased its forces and bombarded Wanping and surrounding areas.

  On the evening of the 11th, Chinese representative Chang Tso-chung and Japanese representative Matsui signed a ceasefire agreement; at the same time, Sung Che-yuan returned to Tianjin from Shandong.

  On the night of November 11th, Tian Dai Wei, the commander of the Chinese garrison in Tianjin, died suddenly. Xiang Yueqing immediately took over; Tian's sudden death became a historical mystery.

  At 12:00 on the dawn of the day, the enemy army continued to invade and shell our territory.

  At noon on the 12th, at the invitation of the Chinese government, British Ambassador Hugessen proposed to the Japanese side that both sides' troops should cease fire and stop mobilization immediately, which was rejected by the Japanese government; meanwhile, one unit from each of the 1st and 6th Divisions of the Kwantung Army entered the Shanhai Pass and advanced northward towards Beiping.

  At noon on the 12th, at the invitation of the Chinese government, German Ambassador Todenmann asked Japan to demand that both sides' troops cease fire and stop mobilizing, which was also rejected by the Japanese government; meanwhile, the main force of the 20th Division of the Korean Army marched south from Yu Guan and approached Tianjin.

  "Big brother, big sister-in-law, the chairman wants me to move into the official residence, so I'll leave Yunyan in your care."

  "Third brother, take care of yourself!"

  "Don't worry, go ahead! Yunyan has me!"

  I gently hugged Yunyan again, "Goodbye!"

  "Don't cry!" Yunyan whispered in my ear, but her own big eyes had also turned red.

  "Stealing my lines again!" I forced back tears and smiled strongly in retort, rushing to the government office under their watchful eyes.

  Late afternoon, an official residence meeting.

  "Tell Song Zheyuan, do not yield, do not expand, and resist the Japanese army's attack on the spot; as for Hirohito himself, hum! He does not value trustworthiness, don't be deceived by him again!" Old Chiang took a sip of water and said: "Tell Liu Ye, the troops will concentrate in Baoding, Sun Lianzhi and Guan Linzheng's two divisions will prepare to go north to reinforce, the rest will deploy along the Yongding River and the Cangzhou-Baoding line, using the 'Field Fortification Construction Method' to build multiple layers of fortifications to prepare for a defensive battle. Hmm, there are still... until the final deadline."

  "Report to the Chairman, the Japanese government has ordered a comprehensive evacuation of Chinese nationals, with an estimated 30,000 people involved, excluding Shanghai."

  Chiang Kai-shek was calm and composed at this time, "Hmmm, although there are still three hours before the final deadline, things have already become clear! Jianji, go prepare the Declaration to All Soldiers of the Anti-Japanese War and other documents, they will be used tomorrow morning!" After Chen Bulei left, "Wenbai!"

  "Mr. Chairman, our army's first echelon, consisting of the 36th, 87th and 88th Divisions and five regiments of heavy artillery plus one battalion, is now ready; the second echelon, comprising the 55th, 56th and 57th Divisions and two regiments of field artillery, has been concentrated and will set out as soon as the first echelon begins to move; the third echelon, consisting of the 11th, 61st and 98th Divisions, has also begun to assemble and await orders. In order to maintain secrecy, the Shanghai Garrison's 20th Brigade and the Jiangsu Security Regiment have not yet received mobilization orders."

  "Very well! Let the officers have a last dinner together, and wait for the order to depart."

  "Yes!" Zhang Zhizhong bowed and turned to leave.

  "Good luck."

  "Air Force Combat Order No. 1", all air force units will prepare immediately after receiving the order, and enter first-level combat readiness tomorrow at dawn. The Second Brigade will be stationed at Guangde and Changxing airports, the Third Brigade at Dajiangshan and Jurong airports, the Fourth Brigade at Hangzhou Jianqiao Airport, the Fifth Brigade at Yangzhou Airport, the Sixth Brigade at Suzhou Airport, the Seventh Brigade at Chuzhou Airport, the Eighth Brigade at Dajiangshan Airport, the Ninth Brigade at Caojiabao Airport, and the Temporary Brigade at Jiaxing Airport. The reserve unit will be the First Brigade at Nanchang Airport; all other squadrons' fighter jets are also ready to take off.

  When the Anti-Japanese War broke out, the air force was mainly equipped with and organized into

  Hawk 2 fighter jet, maximum speed 304 km/h, maximum altitude 8,600 meters, maximum range 460 kilometers, 2 machine guns, can carry 100 kg bombs.

  Hawk 3 fighter, maximum speed 387 km/h, maximum altitude 7,700 meters, maximum range 625 kilometers, 2 machine guns, can carry 250 kilograms of bombs. Main force fighter for the air force, equipped with squadrons 3, 4 and 5.

  Boeing 281 fighter, maximum speed 378 km/h, maximum altitude 7,800 meters, maximum range 625 kilometers, 2 machine guns, can carry 200 kilograms of bombs.

  Shenyang A-12 attack aircraft, maximum speed 283 km/h, maximum altitude 4,600 meters, 5 machine guns, can carry 200 kg bombs.

  Douglas O-2M light bomber, maximum speed 238 km/h, maximum range 524 km, 2 machine guns, can carry 200 kg of bombs.

  Northrop 2E light bomber, maximum speed 365 km/h, maximum altitude 7,400 meters, maximum range 580 kilometers, 3 machine guns, can carry 500 kilograms of bombs.

  Fiat BR.3 light bomber, maximum speed 240 km/h, maximum altitude 4,800 meters, maximum range 1,192 kilometers, 2 machine guns, can carry 600 kilograms of bombs.

  The Savoia S-72 heavy bomber has a maximum speed of 293 km/h, a maximum range of 2,880 km, is equipped with four machine guns and can carry up to 2,000 kg of bombs.

  Martin B-10 heavy bomber, maximum speed 344 km/h, maximum altitude 7,600 meters, maximum range 2,200 kilometers, 3 machine guns, can carry 2,300 kilograms of bombs.

  Kawasaki V-92C reconnaissance aircraft, maximum speed 322 km/h, maximum altitude 4,200 meters, machine gun 1.

  Chairman of the Aviation Committee Chiang Kai-shek, Secretary-General Soong Mei-ling, Director Commissioner Zhou Zhi-rou

  Former Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force General Headquarters Zhou Zhi-Rou, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Mao Bang-Chu

  The 1st Large Formation had 18 light bombers stationed in Nanchang.

  The 2nd Wing had 27 light bombers stationed in Guangde.

  The 3rd Wing has 26 fighter jets stationed in Jurong.

  The 4th Large Team has 28 fighter jets stationed in Nanchang.

  The 5th Air Group has 28 fighter jets stationed in Nanchang.

  The 6th Large Unit had 9 fighter planes and 34 light bombers stationed in Nanjing.

  The 7th Reconnaissance Squadron has 27 aircraft stationed in Xi'an.

  The 8th Heavy Bomber Squadron with 12 light bombers and 12 heavy bombers is stationed in Nanchang.

  The 9th Brigade has 20 attack aircraft stationed in Bengbu.

  The aviation school temporarily assembled 9 fighter planes, 9 light bombers and 9 reconnaissance planes, stationed at Shenqiao.

  Independent 13th Squadron, 7 light bombers, based in Xuzhou.

  Independent 18th Squadron, 9 light bombers, 3 reconnaissance planes, stationed in Guangdong.

  Independent 20th Squadron, 9 light bombers, stationed in Hankou.

  Independent 29th Air Squadron, 12 fighter jets, stationed in Guangdong.

  Independent 31st Squadron, 9 light bombers, based in Xi'an.

  Independent 33rd Air Regiment, 9 fighter aircraft, based in Sichuan.

  Air Force High Gun Troops

  The first division is stationed in Nanjing, and the second battalion departs with the first echelon.

  The second battalion is stationed in Wuxi, and the first battalion is stationed in Jiangyin.

  The Third Regiment is stationed in Nanjing, and the Second Battalion departs with the First Echelon.

  The 4th Regiment is stationed in Hangzhou, the 1st Battalion is stationed in Ganqiao, and the 3rd Battalion departs with the 2nd echelon.

  Chiang Kai-shek glanced at the list of arrangements and smiled, asking naturally: "How's Hou Fu's preparation going?"

  Why hasn't the scandal of embezzlement of huge air force funds appeared? Although Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi have not yet arrived in Nanjing as they did in history, Feng Yuxiang can sit down. I looked at the big officials around me with a familiar and indifferent expression, it seems that reading all books is not as good as...

  In a moment of distraction, Chen Shaokuan spoke: "The Navy is also fully prepared, the submarine fleet has set sail, the mine-laying fleet can start laying mines at any time, and the main fleet has withdrawn to the inner reaches of the Yangtze River. Last night, the covering forces in various mine-laying areas downstream of the Yangtze River, as well as the Jiangyin blockade line, can be launched immediately; the old battleship's artillery reinforcement of each fortress has already begun; only the situation at the torpedo school is unclear."

  Seeing Chen Shaokuan's anxious look, Old Jiang smiled and said, "Don't worry, Hou Fu. I've already instructed Jiuyan about it, and everything has been deployed according to your plan."

  Dianlei School Ouyang Ge. Jurisdiction: Torpedo Fast Boat Squadron

  Yue Fei Squadron: Yue 22, Yue 253, Yue 371. German-made medium torpedo boats.

  HMS Thorn (N 73), HMS Tetrarch (N 75), HMS Thunderbolt (N 79), HMS Trusty (N 68).

  Wen Tianxiang Corps: Wen 42, Wen 88, Wen 93, Wen 171. Same as above.

  Yan Gaoqing team: Yan 53, Yan 92, Yan 161, Yan 164. Same as above.

  "What about the Northern Line? Who is suitable for being the commander-in-chief?"

  Chiang Kai-shek asked this question, and it's a morale booster for everyone!

  Someone immediately proposed: "It's unacceptable if it's not a non- mainstream!"

  Someone else suggested: "Song Yun can take on this important task!"

  "The northern line has many northwest troops, and Huan Zhang is the most suitable!"

  "The two Guangs have already decided to go through national difficulties together, what about you, virtuous neighbor or healthy life?"

  Among the discussions, "Zi An, what's your opinion?" Old Jiang surprisingly turned his head and asked me.

  Why is it always me? This is sending me to be roasted in the fire! It's better to add a bucket of water and make a muddy mess! "General He has the military affairs department to take charge, can't leave; Generals Cheng, Li, and Bai are still commanding on the southern front, more suitable for displaying their skills; General Feng has been away from the army for too long, I'm afraid the frontline commanders won't even recognize him, it's not convenient to command? I think Mo San, Ci Xiu, and Bo Ling are all possible."

  As expected, although I didn't recommend He Yingqin, I recommended his good friend Gu Zhutong, which made the big shots of the He family breathe a sigh of relief. Chen Cheng and others also looked at me with new eyes, but Feng Yuxiang almost jumped up and cursed when he heard me say that. Haha, this is exactly the effect I wanted!

  Chiang Kai-shek looked at me, thought for a moment and said: "Let Huan Zhang go up instead! Aren't Song Zheyuan, Han Fuju, Sun Lianzhong all old subordinates of Huan Zhang?"

  I despise! It's precisely because they're all 'old subordinates', and they're all 'old subordinates' who have betrayed Huan Zhang, that it would be strange if the 'rebellious generals' could still be commanded!

  Seeing Old Chiang nod in agreement, everyone else fell silent. Only He Yingqin still wouldn't give up and asked: "What about the southern front?"

  "Songjiang is close to Nanjing now, it's still a small fight, we can directly command Wen Bai and them! Let's talk about it later! Now, let's go eat!"

  The chairman's meal is very hard to eat, especially dinner, the dishes are all boiled and tasteless, and there is no wine, only plain water; looking at the dignitaries' reluctant appearance, I sneaked away to my sister's place to have a Western-style meal.