Chapter 5 4. The Lonely City Wails

I don't know whether it was Chiang Kai-shek who really didn't know that Nanjing would fall sooner or later, or whether he deliberately put on a showdown with Japan.Since the defeat in Songhu, everything in the capital city of Nanjing has fallen into extreme chaos.The Japanese army invaded Nanjing on three fronts. Although we also had three lines of defense, and the soldiers on the front line did fight bloody battles, but in the end, the weapons and equipment and combat effectiveness were far from comparable, and the main force did not completely press on. Everyone knew that Nanjing fell. thing.It's just that Chiang Kai-shek, as the lord of a country, has no face to confess to the people of the country and the world. At the same time, the loss and fall of the capital of a country actually means the failure of a country to some extent.For this reason, Chiang Kai-shek and his national government had to grit their teeth and support them until the last moment.

It took only one month from the fall of Shanghai on November 12, 1937 to the fall of Nanjing on December 13, 1937.During this month, Chiang Kai-shek and his colleagues didn't put any real effort into defending Nanjing? Clearly some work has been done, but definitely not real work.After the July 7th Incident, Chiang Kai-shek clearly told his colleagues: Prepare for a deep and protracted battle, and pointed out that the place to retreat is the Sichuan area. "I see that you are deliberately throwing me in Shanghai!" "Calling you is light! Idiot! Idiot!" "You don't have to come back! Just die on the Bund with the guards!"

This series of curses all came from Chiang Kai-shek's office specially set up by Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing.During the tight days in Shanghai, Lao Jiang scolded every day: "You can't stand it, so I'll go to Shanghai to fight with Matsui Iwane myself! My mother is so rare, I don't believe I can't beat that old thief!" This day is November 13th, address: Chiang Kai-shek's office in Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum.Only Chiang Kai-shek and his closest staff were present: He Yingqin, Bai Chongxi, Xu Yongchang, and Liu Fei, director of the Operations Department of the Military Command.Chiang Kai-shek was still standing in front of the window beside him, sulking angrily.

"...Since in Shanghai we have not implemented the strategic spirit of consuming the enemy's vitality for a long time, nor have we achieved our goal of adjusting the front line and preserving the troops, then we should not be stalemate with the Japanese army for too long in the Yangtze River Delta where the enemy's sea, army and air force can easily coordinate operations. Let's look at the so-called "Nine Nations Pact" again. Those countries that have always shown us goodwill don't really want to help us, which has caused us to be extremely passive today. In this case, from the humble point of view, our army should continue to implement the Commander-in-Chief's order The principle of the strategy of protracted attrition should no longer be competitive for the gains and losses of a city or a place, but should focus on the overall strategy and start a comprehensive and protracted war with the enemy. If it is delayed until Japan has to send out a company or even If a battalion of troops defends the position, even if Japan has some tactical victories at that time, it must collapse in the entire war!" Liu Fei finished speaking eloquently.

"I think Director Liu's opinion is reasonable." Bai Chongxi pointed to Liu Fei and said, "According to your opinion, tell us how we handle the war in the capital Nanjing. This is what the commander-in-chief asked us to discuss today." Liu Fei received Bai Chongxi's support, so he continued to cheer up, and said: "In view of the above judgment, I think Nanjing is the capital of our country. Of course, it is impossible and inappropriate to give up without any resistance. But it should not be too much. Troops fight for the gains and losses of a city and a territory, only use symbolic defense, and retreat after making appropriate resistance. In terms of force use, 12 regiments, at most 18 regiments are enough, too many troops will make it difficult to maneuver , that would consume more of my new strength..."

"Director Liu's idea is still reasonable. It seems that this is the only way to go about the battle of Nanjing. It just hurt the defenders and the citizens of Nanjing!" He Yingqin sighed, then turned to ask Chiang Kai-shek, "Commander-in-Chief, what do you think of this idea? " Chiang Kai-shek seemed to be still on fire, and did not answer right away. At that moment, the entire Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum seemed to be silent—because the fate of this ancient and famous city, as well as the hundreds of thousands of unarmed citizens in the city, will be decided by this bald Mr. Jiang—"I think it can only be like this But, listen carefully to everyone: you can’t say to everyone that we don’t stick to Nanjing, and we won’t be able to explain it to you. To the citizens, to the army, and to the prime minister who stays here—” Chiang Kai-shek said here and turned his eyes away. The white Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, which is very close at hand, said, "It's hard to explain."

After saying this, Chiang Kai-shek seemed to be in a state of grief for a while.In the end, it was He Yingqin who said: "Listen up, everyone, the last sentence of the commander-in-chief just now is very important. Remember it?" Bai Chongxi, Xu Yongchang and Liu Fei nodded in unison: "Remember it!" On November 15, the second senior staff meeting was held again in Chiang Kai-shek's office in Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. There were a few more people in this meeting. In addition to the first few people, Tang Shengzhi, director of the Executive Department of the Military Commission, and Gu Zhenglun, the commander of the Nanjing Municipal Police, attended the meeting.The topic is still discussing the problem of Nanjing.After Liu Fei repeated the opinions from the previous meeting, Chiang Kai-shek asked everyone to express their opinions.

"I don't think so. Nanjing must stick to it!" Tang Shengzhi first responded to Liu Fei's words. He was a little excited when he spoke. Why do the revolutionaries of the Prime Minister care about the Prime Minister? I don’t agree with Director Liu’s opinion, I strongly disagree!” After he finished speaking, he stared at Chiang Kai-shek, implying what is your old Chiang’s attitude. No one spoke anymore, because apart from Gu Zhenglun, the others already knew what Jiang was thinking. Chiang Kai-shek said: "Meng Xiao's opinion is correct and worth considering. Let's study it!" Meng Xiao is Tang Shengzhi's nickname.

On this day, the staff meeting did not finally decide on a formal plan. The next night, the staff meeting was held again in Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum.Tang Shengzhi's opinion actually gained the upper hand, because it seems that whoever proposes not to defend Nanjing is somewhat sorry for the spirit of Prime Minister Sun Yat-sen!Who is Tang Shengzhi?Readers may not know that Tang was actually an old enemy of Chiang Kai-shek in the past. He once participated in the "challenge against Chiang".After Tang Shengzhi lost his military power for many years, he has always been brooding about it, wishing to regain his military power.He serves as the director of the Executive Department of the Military Commission. Although he is at the core level, he is actually just following orders.Some people said that the "sick ghost" Tang Shengzhi was so impassioned to stick to Nanjing that he wanted to regain some military power from Chiang Kai-shek.Whether it is true or false, Chiang Kai-shek knows it well.

Well, Old Tang, don't you want to stick to Nanjing, so it's up to you.Before the third staff meeting, Chiang Kai-shek had already made up his mind.However, Chiang Kai-shek is Chiang Kai-shek after all. At the beginning of the meeting, he still asked several senior colleagues: "Have you thought about your opinions?" Tang Shengzhi was the first to speak, and his tone of sticking to Nanjing was even firmer than the day before.Chiang Kai-shek looked at He Yingqin and the others, and asked, "Where are you?" No one responded to him. Chiang Kai-shek said thoughtfully: "I think brother Meng Xiao's opinion is correct." Suddenly, he turned to ask: "Then—who should be responsible for defending Nanjing?"

Who will stick to it? Everyone looked at He Yingqin. He Yingqin sneered and said nothing, thinking: I am the chief of the general staff, so it would be inappropriate to stay here, right? Xu Yongchang shook his head, but did not speak. Gu Zhenglun straightened his neck, wanting to stand up, but felt that he might not be the material, so he shifted his gaze to Liu Fei.Liu Fei knew in his heart that he was a "principal retreat", and the chairman and commander-in-chief would definitely not let him stay. "Tell me, who is the most suitable to stay and stick to it?" Chiang Kai-shek asked again. Continue to be silent. Chiang Kai-shek got angry and said: "If no one is guarding, then I will guard it!" Tang Shengzhi couldn't sit still anymore, he stood up: "Chairman, you are the head of a country and the commander-in-chief of an entire army! This time you can't take the lead and defend a lonely city alone. If no one else is responsible, I am willing to do what I can, and I would like to ask the committee and Guarantee everyone: I will stick to it firmly and live and die with the city of Nanjing!" When Chiang Kai-shek heard this, he seemed really excited and walked up to Tang Shengzhi. He patted the shoulder of this old opponent who once wanted to cut him into pieces with his right hand, and said, "It's commendable! Brother Meng Xiao's spirit is amazing." Jia! Very good, your brother Meng Xiao will be in charge!" Turning around, Chiang Kai-shek said to He Yingqin: "Just do it like this, if there is anything to prepare, do it right away, let Meng Xiao see things first, and the order will be issued immediately." "Understood." He Yingqin said.He thought to himself: Old Tang, you, a sick horse, is really suitable to be the commander of the Nanjing garrison. First, we have a reason to tell the diplomats. It has not really hurt the vitality of our army and our country. This is how the major event of Nanjing's defense and non-compliance was decided.A few days later, Tang Shengzhi's appointment as the commander-in-chief of the Nanjing Garrison was announced in the army and in the "Central Daily".In fact, at this time, the city of Nanjing was already in chaos. The reason was that, in addition to the bad news from Shanghai, the "Central Daily" had already published an editorial article "To the People of (Nanjing) City" after the fall of Shanghai. The news that the central government moved to Chongqing was officially announced to the world.The editorial said: The reason for the government's move to Chongqing this time is to adapt to the war situation, to coordinate the overall situation, and to control the enemy rather than to coward the enemy. This aspect has been explained very clearly in yesterday's editorial of this newspaper.The Beijing Municipal Party Headquarters and all walks of life's anti-enemy support associations issued a letter to the compatriots in this city yesterday, hoping that everyone will gather their will, not to be disturbed, to rise up for national rejuvenation, and to fight for national independence. We especially need to clarify here . First, the government is the highest organ that handles the country's government affairs. It must have the greatest freedom to exercise its powers without any threats or constraints. Therefore, the location of the government must adapt to the environment and cannot stand on the front line of the war of resistance.As for the Nanjing area, in addition to the original municipal government and military and police agencies still serving their due diligence, the government has also appointed a commander-in-chief of the Nanjing Garrison to lead the civil and military agencies and the people of the city to defend the territory and self-defense. This has brought great comfort and encouragement to the people of the city excited. Second, the long-term war of resistance does not need to pay too much attention to the advance and retreat of a corner and the gains and losses of the moment, but the final victory or defeat of the war of resistance often depends not on the military actions in the front but on the lasting power in the rear. What the soldiers are responsible for is more important.Nanjing is the rear of the front, and we know very clearly the needs of the front. As for the assistance to the rear, we occupy an important position in the centralized response. Therefore, what we care about at present is not our own safety, but how to get the front line. It is strengthened and encouraged by the aid of the people. Third, since the capital's guards have a dedicated agency, the security of the market can also be maintained very well. For example, there is sufficient food and a steady stream of daily necessities. These are the most stable and good phenomena during the War of Resistance.The Anti-Japanese War has reached this juncture. The support of national strength depends entirely on the backing of the people. If the people can contribute more mental and material resources, the government can not only respond to the enemy calmly, but also have the confidence to turn defeat into victory and turn weakness into strength. This is also our people's service to the country. Best chance.Now, the citizens of the whole capital should set an example for the people of the whole country to see the responsibility they feel and how to fulfill it.The sum of all of us concentrating our will and striving for our country is absolutely inviolable. We look forward to the bright future brought out by this power. Lao Jiang is gone, isn't it a dead end for us to stay in Nanjing? !As soon as the news of the capital move was confirmed, people in Nanjing were panicked and there was serious chaos. "The war hasn't been fought yet, and the Japanese haven't come yet. Is it okay for the capital of a dignified country to be in such a mess?" Chiang Kai-shek was very angry after hearing the report from the spy organization Dai Li and others. "I want to tell the outside world!" Chiang Kai-shek decided to hold a press conference to express his attitude towards Nanjing and the current situation.So on November 25, Reuters at the time reported that: Nanjing Telegraph: Tonight, when Chairman Jiang met with foreign journalists, he stated that we firmly believe that justice will eventually defeat power, and that the war of resistance will end to the last inch of land and the last person. This is our fixed policy cloud.Chairman Jiang and his wife entered the reception room with the spirit of trust and determination, and there is no dejected image of a loser.Chairman Jiang continued to say that China intends to maintain the policy of determination to resist the war. We will defend Nanjing, but do it from a distance. The lives and properties of outsiders should be protected. If Nanjing is in danger of falling into the enemy's hands, it is rumored that it will be burned. , is only a rumor cloud.After talking about the possibility of an armistice, Generalissimo Chiang said that the matter was up to the Japanese side.Generalissimo Jiang later said that the Japanese plane had recently dropped a box containing a letter, saying that the letter did not contain the surname of the sender, and that the content of the letter hoped for an early ceasefire, and stated that Japan did not want to impose strict conditions, but only wanted China's cooperation in defense of the Communist Party. , Such remarks are contrary to the facts.The reporter asked how the peace talks could be held. Chairman Jiang said that it is not the time to discuss this matter, and Japan must wake up to the cloud.The reporter also asked whether he wanted the support from the Soviet Union. Chairman Jiang replied that what I wanted was the support stipulated in the League of Nations.The reporter replied that since the Nine-Nation Conference would not help China, whether China could hope for assistance from others, Generalissimo Chiang replied that he was sure that the signatories of the Nine-Nation Pact would assist China, and that without such assistance, all treaties would be invalid , and the act of breaking the treaty will be rewarded. When is it, Chiang Kai-shek is still deceiving himself and others: If the Nine-Power Conference really wants to save you China, why should you let Chiang Kai-shek even lose the capital?Such a truth, can Chiang Kai-shek not understand?What he said was nothing more than trying his best to "appease the hearts of the people". However, in the words of ordinary people, he was "talking nonsense with his eyes open"! Anyway, it's time to prepare.On the same day, Chiang Kai-shek sent a secret telegram to Tang Shengzhi to deploy the battle order of the Nanjing garrison, with a total strength of more than 100,000 troops. The government departments and civil servants of the Republic of China, who can leave, are busy moving and transporting goods. What should the citizens do?How to settle down the morale of the guard troops?As the garrison commander, Tang Shengzhi, the "sick commander", seemed to have regained his spirits in those days. On the 27th, he issued a statement to the press about "living and dying with Nanjing": "The capital may become a battlefield in the near future, and the highest military authority has already Draw up the will to defend the capital. We Chinese must sacrifice, and now there are two things to be resolved: one is a Chinese soldier who intends to sacrifice himself for the country; the other is our sacrifice, which will cause many enemies to die." Claiming that someone from Tang "coexists and dies" with Nanjing! What a rhetoric!But whether it was true or not, the people and the defenders were a little confused, because what they saw was that Chiang Kai-shek's elite soldiers were evacuating Nanjing, and most of the troops who came in after changing defense were recruits.On the other hand, the momentum of the Japanese army's three-pronged attack is becoming more and more fierce day by day, and the blood and gunpowder smoke on the front line has filled the inside and outside of Nanjing... Nanjing, Nanjing, how long can you hold on?Heaven is asking. To Your Excellency: According to Armand, the correspondent of the New York Times (now translated as New York Times) stationed in Nanjing on the night of the 26th, said: On the 26th, except for Chiang Kai-shek and his wife, all government dignitaries rushed to Hankou by boat. Judging from their distressed situation, It gives people the feeling that the fall of Nanjing is imminent.At present, the army and military supplies in Nanjing City are passing through, refugees are running around, and the chaos is in turmoil... This is a secret message sent to the Japanese base camp, and the informant is the Japanese Consul General Okamoto.The secret telegram he sent to Tokyo has been numbered "No. 2441". Every detail of Nanjing has been recorded in detail in his secret telegram, and it has been continuously sent to Tokyo. There are hundreds of them. There is one thing that the Japanese are commendable about doing things: seriousness.Before invading other countries and massacring others, they are carefully planned and prepared.Can the Chinese do it?Supreme Commander Chiang Kai-shek is still dreaming of international support. The Japanese have studied every detail of the annexation of China thoroughly and delicately, and they are almost impartial. The Chinese defenders are very busy these days. Commander-in-chief Tang Shengzhi went to the Zhonghua Gate today to check whether the city gate is solid, and tomorrow he will go to Yuhuatai to cheer up the defenders. Inside the city, martial law has been enforced throughout the city. Anyone who enters and exits important departments and military sites Must wear the armband with the great seal of the "Ministry of the Garrison".Another task is to send soldiers and gendarmerie to post various notices and orders everywhere in the streets and alleys.Especially at night, the whole city implements an alarm system, and the lights are turned off uniformly, creating a state of emergency during wartime. One day, when Tang Shengzhi was inspecting the fortifications at Yuhuatai, all the staff officers of the garrison headquarters who accompanied him came. Tang Shengzhi announced something to his staff officers: "A few days ago, Commander Gu Zhenglun submitted to the chairman a report on his resignation as the head of the capital security corps. , Now I alone take on the task of guarding the whole city of Nanjing.” Tang Shengzhi’s voice was very low when he said this, and then he let out a long sigh, and said somewhat solemnly: “I am the commander-in-chief, and I have the responsibility to guard the land. Survival. Nanjing falls, and I will not live. You are still young, and you are all my staff, and I am in a different position. I don’t ask you to sacrifice with me. If the city is broken, you can still break through. go out……" Speaking of this, Tang Shengzhi closed his eyes and continued to speak softly: "I only ask you to persevere in your work while I am still alive." "Commander Tang, don't say that, we swear to fight with you to the end, and we will never take a step back!" Cheng Kuilang and other young staff officers were moved and stood up to express their opinion to their commander. Tang Shengzhi nodded, with tears in his eyes. "Brother Meng Xiao, I'm Dajun. The chairman invites you to come to his mansion at 4:00 p.m...." It was Minister of Transportation Qian Dajun who called. "Okay, thank you, Minister Qian." Tang Shengzhi came to Chiang Kai-shek's official residence that day, thinking that the chairman of the general committee would withdraw from Nanjing, but Chiang Kai-shek asked Tang Shengzhi to accompany him to inspect the guard troops and city defense fortifications. "Chairman, it's already very unsafe outside, and Meng Xiao is really touched by you still going to inspect it!" Tang Shengzhi's nose was really sour. Putting on his gloves, Chiang Kai-shek smiled slightly, and said, "I know, it is really a labor of love for you to put the burden of guarding Nanjing on Meng Xiao's shoulders. As the commander-in-chief of the three armies and the lord of a country, I cannot let you bear such a burden alone." burden. As long as I can do it, I will support you with all my strength.” "Thank you Chairman." Tang Shengzhi subconsciously wiped his eyes. Apparently, Chiang Kai-shek inspected the city defense and the remaining troops, firstly, to cheer up Tang Shengzhi and others, and secondly, for his own face. The latter was his main purpose of appearing in front of the Nanjing public when the war was approaching.According to the "Shenzhen" the next day, Jiang was "very satisfied" with the city defense and the order in the city. At the same time, he deliberately revealed that his wife Song Meiling was still staying in Nanjing with him. "One day when the leader and his wife are in Nanjing, Nanjing will be safe for one day." The citizens and officers and soldiers discussed this way. "Brother Mu Yin, do you know when the Chairman will leave Beijing?" On December 4, Tang Shengzhi suddenly called Minister of Transportation Qian Dajun to ask. "I didn't see his intention to leave..." Qian Dajun replied. "If I don't leave, I won't be able to bear it anymore!" Tang Shengzhi was really anxious. "What's the matter, Brother Meng Xiao, what happened?" "You don't know, today my city defense force discovered that Japanese plainclothes spies had entered the city. If my officers and soldiers hadn't been so vigilant, I wouldn't have known what kind of trouble the Japanese spies had caused!" "Nanjing City is really dangerous, dangerous!" Qian Dajun said on the other end of the phone, "Brother Meng Xiao, you should pay more attention. If you really can't bear it, you can bring it up to the Chairman..." Tang Shengzhi sneered at himself, and said, "I've already talked about living and dying with the city of Nanjing. There is only one road in front of me. I'm waiting for the Japanese to collect my body." "Strong! So strong!" Tang Shengzhi put down the phone and thought to himself: Whether I am strong or not, it depends on Lao Jiang and the Japanese. I, Tang, is just a pawn who follows the trend, and my innocence is about to collapse. My sick old bones, Can you stand it?joke! However, in any case, Tang Shengzhi knew that compared with Chiang Kai-shek, he, the leader of the Hunan Army, was still a little less resourceful.In fact, Tang Shengzhi never understood: Nanjing has nothing to do with Lao Jiang, so why didn’t he quickly evacuate to Wuhan with his lovely wife Song Meiling, but stayed in Zhongshan Mausoleum at the risk of being bombed by enemy planes? "You don't believe that Meng Xiao has always been a naive person." Chiang Kai-shek mocked Tang Shengzhi several times in front of his wife. "Of course I have a reason to stay in Nanjing!" This time Chiang Kai-shek was plotting a major event and did not tell the commander-in-chief of the city defense.What's up?Waiting for the German ambassador to China to discuss the terms of "peace talks" with Japan... As early as October and early November, the Nationalist government was trying to negotiate the terms of an "armistice" with Japan in private.It was Wang Jingwei who first came up with this plan. This person who was later convicted as a "big traitor" had a natural close relationship with the Japanese state. Therefore, after Japan provoked the Battle of Songhu, he advocated "peace talks", which is actually a decent surrender. .Although Chiang Kai-shek was displeased at the beginning, the more the battle of Songhu went on, the more Chiang Kai-shek felt that sooner or later he would lose to Japan, so he gradually became interested in "peace talks" with Japan in his heart.For such a negotiation, the condition must be opened by the strong side.Japan has long wanted to eat China, so of course it is good if you want to negotiate terms, so they offered six terms to Chiang Kai-shek. "No way! They obviously want me to make my country humiliated!" Chiang Kai-shek was so angry that he dropped his cup when he saw the clauses proposed by the Japanese side, including that the National Government must recognize the independence of Manchukuo and Mongolia. The message from Japan has come: Our Great Japanese Empire wants to shame you and China! The "peace talks" could not go on, so Wang Jingwei simply went to Wuhan to relax.In Nanjing, Chiang Kai-shek, the chairman of the general committee, was left to sing a one-man show. "Strength is king", Chiang Kai-shek, who was born in the army, understands this truth very well. If this is the case, then I will also show some strength to show you the Japanese.Chiang Kai-shek thought to himself: I will fight to the death in the capital Nanjing, and let you Japanese see that although China is not strong enough, I have a large number of people and a vast land, which makes you afraid! Okay, as long as you are afraid, we can come to "peace talks" again. At that time, you will stop forcing me to admit this and cede that.Chiang Kai-shek's real trump card is this!Of course, the current "peace talks" with the Japanese belong to the "peace talks" between enemies who have torn their faces, and middlemen are indispensable.Under such circumstances, when the government decided to move westward to Chongqing and the city of Nanjing was handed over to Tang Shengzhi, the only purpose of Chiang Kai-shek's stay was to wait for his old friend, Mr. Tautman, the German ambassador to China. "The Japanese don't count, and the United States and the Soviet Union are not trustworthy countries. I believe that you, Germany, Germany and you are our good friends. I hope you will always serve as a mediator between China and Japan, and look forward to success." Chiang Kai-shek On the night of December 2, I had a long private talk with Taudman, who came in a hurry, to discuss in detail some conditions that Japan might accept—of course, these conditions were also negotiated on the basis of the "six points" proposed by Japan. "The chairman doesn't mention leaving, how can I ask?" Qian Dajun asked Tang Shengzhi several times why Lao Jiang didn't leave, he answered his old friend in such a embarrassed way. Later, did Taudman get some "gifts" from Japan that satisfied Chiang Kai-shek?No, not at all.Because on the day when Chiang Kai-shek re-authorized and entrusted Ambassador Taudman to negotiate terms with the Japanese, the commander-in-chief of the Japanese army, Matsui Iwane, issued a combat order to all troops on the front line to attack Nanjing in accordance with the instructions of the headquarters.The order required the 10th Army on the Western Front to formally attack Nanjing City on December 3, and the troops on the Eastern Front and Yangtze River waters to attack Nanjing on December 5.As soon as this order was issued, the Japanese army on the third front "like a wild horse that has run wild, traveling day and night, marching with intensity, and the goal-Nanjing"! "My dear friend Chairman, the Japanese do not agree with the revised conditions you proposed. They insist on the original six-point conditions and cannot move a single word..." When Taudman told Chiang Kai-shek the Japanese opinion again, there was no one there. Appeared in the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, but reported it by electricity. "My mother! My mother! I know the Japanese want to make me lose face! I will never negotiate any terms with them again!" After receiving Taudman's report, Chiang Kai-shek was like an angry lion, eager to put The glass doors at both ends of the small living room were smashed... "Jiemin, come and sit down." In the evening, Chiang Kai-shek sat on the sofa in the small living room, his face was extremely gloomy, and he called the captain of the guard Yu Jiemin to his side in great frustration, and asked, "How many people do you have now?" He pointed Is their own bodyguards and bodyguards.Yu said there were only a dozen or so left.Jiang said: "You make a roster for these people and hand it to the attendants." Then he sighed and said: "You are all the elites of the party and the country, and also my most loyal officers and soldiers. , should have stayed in the capital, Nanjing, but the days of the War of Resistance were still long, so I had to leave Nanjing. But Nanjing is the capital, and it is also where my dignity lies. It should be my duty to defend the city, but I can’t help myself! So I want to do my best Do your part—you are capable and know how to lead troops, so I want you to lead two squads of uniformed guards and stay in Nanjing temporarily, under the command of Commander Tang, and the main task is to guard the small warships moored at Xiaguan Wharf.” Jiang said again. : "Don't underestimate those small warships, they are used to stabilize the hearts of the defenders." "Understood, I must complete the task well!" Yu Jiemin naturally understood Chiang's intentions, because the small warships parked in Xiaguan are special warships for Chiang Kai-shek, and as long as the army sees the small warships, it means that Chiang Kai-shek is here, and Chiang Kai-shek wants to defend the city. An "image" force for the army and citizens. "Come on, I want to go to Commander Tang's house..." Chiang Kai-shek got up. Tang Shengzhi later recalled: "On the eve of leaving Nanjing, Chiang Kai-shek and Song Meiling came to my home. Jiang said to me: 'Brother Meng Xiao, your health has not recovered. I am sorry if you guard Nanjing.' I replied: "This is what a soldier should do! I still want to repeat what I told you a few days ago. I can stay calm in the face of danger and be meticulous in the face of difficulties. Without your order, I will never retreat.'" This time Chiang Kai-shek is leaving. On December 7, in the morning light, a group of vehicles drove towards Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum under strict security.When the car arrived at Sun Yat-sen's mausoleum, Chiang Kai-shek got out of the car with the support of his wife Song Meiling. Chiang Kai-shek walked around Sun Yat-sen's coffin with a solemn face, and then bowed three times.Afterwards, he shook hands with the officials who were staying in Nanjing one by one. When Tang Shengzhi arrived, he nodded deliberately and said, "It's all up to Brother Meng Xiao!" ... The convoy then headed for Ming Palace Airport.The "Meiling" that had already parked there waited for the Chiang Kai-shek couple to board the plane, immediately slid to the runway, and then took off into the air.A team of guard planes followed closely behind, flew into the sky, and soon left the sky over Nanjing far away... "Now we are the only ones left." Tang Shengzhi sighed softly in his heart. Nanjing began to cry.Japanese bayonets were already gleaming coldly on some of the city walls. Lao Jiang left, but it didn't mean that Tang Shengzhi didn't have to report to him the military situation of defending the city. The comprehensive battle report of "one report a day" had to be sent to Chiang Kai-shek as usual.From the secret files dropped by the Kuomintang when it left Nanjing and fled to Taiwan in 1949, we can have a clearer understanding of how Tang Shengzhi "half-reported worry and half-reported good news" to Chiang Kai-shek—— December 7: At 2 o'clock in the morning, according to inaccurate information from the Sixty-sixth Army, the enemy who entered Mengtang and Dahushan suddenly disappeared, and seemed to turn north to attack Longtan.One regiment of the thirty-sixth division was temporarily controlled and stood by near the Qilin Gate.The 41st Division occupied the position as usual, and advanced towards Mengtang, and indeed connected with the left wing of the 66th Army.The 71st Army was on standby near Gaoqiao Gate.After dawn, we learned that the enemy near Dahu Mountain was still entrenched, so we ordered all the ministries to continue advancing in unison and quickly wiped out the enemy.In the end, due to communication difficulties and the harassment of enemy planes, the various troops could not advance at the same time, and it was not effective.On that day, our first-line position in front of Tangshui Town was attacked by the superior enemy forces deployed in the artillery barracks, and the enemy invaded everywhere. We had to retreat to the second line after dusk, and stick to Tangshan and Tangshui Town.On the same day, enemy traces were also found everywhere along the lines of Longtan, Prayer Terrace, and Baoguo Mountain, and a scuffle broke out with the 41st Division, with casualties on both sides. The enemy in Chunhua town attacked our position with infantry and aircraft today, and more than ten machine gun bunkers were destroyed.The defenders of our 51st Division fought bravely, killed a lot of enemies, and lost positions repeatedly. The enemy in front of Moling Pass attacked me in two directions. Today, they have entered the line of Duqiao and Yangshan, and they seem to be turning around towards the mountain on my right. The troops of the 48th Division arrived in Nanjing today and were ordered to go to the line of Yangfang Mountain and Wulong Mountain to occupy positions and rush to build fortifications.A regiment of the 87th Division arrived at Gaoqiaomen by car, preparing to take over the second-line positions of the 51st Division of Fangyuan at Hedingqiao, Shangfangmen, and Gaoqiaomen. The 54th Division, one of Dongchang Street, attacked today and reached the vicinity of Baitu Town and Xingxiang Town. Unfortunately, due to changes in the situation in Tangshan, it stopped halfway. December 8: Today, the enemy attacked Tangshan's second line of defense with its main force and artillery and mechanized troops, and there was a scuffle with our defenders.By 8 o'clock, the situation of Tangshan Town was unknown, and Tangshan and the highlands on both sides were still in my hands.Afterwards, the line of Fangzhu Mountain and Qinglong Mountain was again sent by the 156th Division to take over the defense (the second regiment of the division arrived at Qilin Gate from Zhenjiang on the evening of the 7th, and was under the command of the commander of the 66th Army), and the position gradually became stable. .However, after the enemy occupying Dahushan and Gaojiazhuang received reinforcements last night, they launched a fierce counterattack against our attacking troops at dawn this morning, and mobilized their main force to encircle Qixiashan.Our 41st Division and a regiment of the 36th Division repeatedly attacked and killed many enemies. In the end, with the advantage of enemy plane bombing and artillery, we were in a state of bitter fighting everywhere. We were unable to deal with the invading enemy according to the limit. Big. As for Chunhua Town, the Japanese enemy's attack became more intense today, and they surrounded Dongqiao Village and Xizhuang in an attempt to cut off the way back.The troops of our 51st Division fought bravely and suffered heavy casualties. Almost all the officers and soldiers of the fifth battalion died heroically.The backup failed, and the town fell at four o'clock in the afternoon. This morning, the enemy attacking Niu Shou Mountain, led by more than forty chariots, pounced on the vicinity of Jiangjun Mountain. After our chariot defensive artillery destroyed six of them, they quickly retreated. The whole day's battle was extremely quiet.However, the detachment on the right was attacked by the enemy's powerful troops, and gradually became incapacitated. In the afternoon, it automatically moved back to Banqiao Town. Most of the 87th Division arrived at the designated place this evening.The rest of the 156th Division and the 154th Division are turning to Nanjing. In view of the above situation and for the purpose of concentrating our forces to stabilize Nanjing, we ordered to retreat to the Fukuo position at night. The gist of the deployment is as follows: The right detachment sticks to the line of Dashan in Banqiao Town. The 74th Army firmly defended the line from the Niushou Mountain stronghold to the Heding Bridge. The 88th Division held on to Yuhuatai. The 87th Division of the 71st Army firmly guarded the line from Hedingqiao to Zizili (north of the Jiangnan Railway), connected with the 88th and 51st Divisions on the right, and connected with the Teaching Corps on the left. Teach the corps to stick to Zijin Mountain. The Second Army Corps defended Yangfang Mountain, the line of Wulong Mountain and the fortress of Wulong Mountain. The 36th Division sticks to the Hongshan and Mufushan areas. The Sixty-sixth Army assembled near Dashuiguan and was on standby. One regiment of the 56th and 36th divisions of the 83rd Army retreated under the cover of Qinglong Mountain and Longwang Mountain. In Zhenjiang, the 103rd and 112th divisions rushed towards Nanjing. December 9: The enemy took advantage of the retreat of the 51st Division, and the 87th Division followed up when they had only reached the Second Regiment at that time, and the occupation of the position was not yet stable. Gaoqiaomen, Qiweng Bridge and Zhonghe Bridge were not destroyed in time. Outside Guanghuamen, when the Dajiaochang and Tongguang barracks were occupied (the enemy had about 2,000 infantry and more than 10 tanks), there were only a few guards from the teaching corps near Guanghuamen.The enemy pushed the wild mountain cannon near Gaoqiao Gate and bombarded Guanghua Gate. After a while, they pierced through the two caves, and a small enemy army broke in, and they were killed by our army.Since then, the blockage has been broken, and those who are almost in danger have used the counterattack of the follow-up troops of the 87th Division and the reinforcements of the special service team directly under it. It was not until 4 o'clock in the afternoon that the enemy at the Dajiaochang was repelled.However, the few enemies occupying the Tongguang barracks and the gates of the city continued to resist. On the same day, the 58th Division on Niushou Mountain fought fiercely with the enemy all day long. Because the right detachment dispatched by the 88th Division retreated too early, part of the enemy army occupied Dasheng Pass, and it looked like they were committing crimes along the north of the river.Our 58th Division formed an isolated position, ordered to retreat at night, and united with the 51st Division to defend from Shuangjian Town to Songjia'ao (on the extension line of the 88th Division's right wing). December 10: The enemy attacked Yuhuatai, Tongjimen, Guanghuamen, and the third peak of Zijin Mountain at the same time. The fighting was more intense than on the 9th.For example, the 156th Division reinforced the defense of Tongjimen and Guanghuamen's city walls, while rushing to build fortifications in the city, and the 159th Division controlled the vicinity of the Ming Palace, supported the 156th Division in combat, and retreated back to Beijing from Zhenjiang The 103rd Division served as the guard on the city wall near Zhongshan Gate, and was under the command of the captain of Gui.That night, the 15th and 6th Divisions selected death squads to fall into the city, burned the few enemy troops lurking in the city gates, and wiped out the enemies entrenched in the Tongguang barracks.However, the right wing of the Yuhuatai 88th Division's position was slightly shaken, and three of the key points before losing the position were lost.As for the Second Army Corps, the situation is a bit slower today and it is not urgent.惟该军团四十一师以攻击孟塘方面受挫，正撤退收容中。 12月11日： 敌以主力一面向紫金山、雨花台攻击，同时以一部攻占杨坊山及银孔山，并以一部由大胜关渡江至江心洲，向我七十四军右侧背射击。至午后二时，我八十八师雨花台右翼阵地为敌突破，中华门城门亦被炮击毁，有少数敌军突入，但被歼灭。我第二军团因银孔山失守，与城内联络已断，午后战况不明。是夜，令八十八师缩短阵线，固守城外主要阵地，右与七十四军、左与八十七师密切联系，其城垣防务（除中华门、雨花台附近外）由一五六师及七十四军分担。原拟将六十六军或八十三军诸部队转移攻势，但考虑各部队疲惫已甚，无此力量。至一一二师、一零三师因新自镇江方面撤回，其疲劳则过之…… 在敌我激战时刻，中日双方都有自己的每日“军事报告”，这些“军事报告”在战后的1938年相继被公开。有关日军进攻南京的“每日军事报告”是在1938年2月出版的《日本国际画报》上刊登出来的，现在南京市档案馆里已能查到这些资料。在此摘录南京遭日军大屠杀的前几天的日军“军事报告”，可以一窥敌我双方对当时军事的不同记录——显而易见，这些军情资料十分可贵。12月7日： 进攻南京的战幕终于拉开了。担任进攻的助川、片桐、大野、胁坂、富士井、人见、下枝、千叶、山田等部队，所向披靡，从东、南方向收缩包围，已经攻到了敌人的城下。今天下午一时，在隆隆炮声中开始了对南京的总攻击。郊外的部分敌军凭据碉堡拼死抵抗。从南京城东边的中山门到郊外高桥门的公路附近的房屋燃烧着熊熊大火。除海军航空队外，陆军飞行队、渡江部队也全部出动，从昨天中午开始发动总攻，对南京郊外之顽敌断然进行猛烈轰炸。目前，南京攻防战的生死决斗尚在进行之中。 12月8日： 南京的末日即将来临，顾祝同也协助唐生智，进行指挥，似乎仍在顽强的抵抗。现在，南京郊外正在展开激战。在东边，汤山附近的敌军据守高地继续抵抗。因此野田、片桐、大野等部队正在对之进行围击。助川部队则比之先进一步，已经开始与紫金山的敌军交战，山脚下的中山陵陵园附近的建筑物被敌军点燃，大火熊熊。在南方，从句容方向突破索墅镇的下枝、胁坂等部队，下午三时击退了扼守位于通往南京要道的淳化镇的敌军，占领了该镇，并继续向青龙山附近的高地进击。在西南方，从溧水方向进攻南京的千叶、山田等部队，突破秣陵关的险阻，与牛首山的敌军展开了激烈的山地战。在这场历史性的进攻战中，我军中岛中将于七日下午光荣负伤。 ... 12月9日： 全体国民翘首以待的最大喜讯即将传来，现在，南京进攻战已达最高潮。从汤山向紫金山进击的大野、野田、片桐等部队，作为东线的先锋，业已抵达紫金山东面仅两里的麒麟门。由于夜里敌军开始撤退，昨日晨该地已完全落入我军之手。我军离南京城只有一里半了，片桐、助川各部队仍在继续向前推进，以进攻中山陵附近的敌军，逐步逼近作为南京东大门的中山门。从东南方向进攻的胁坂、下枝、富士井、伊佐等部队一边攻击驻守通往南京要道两侧高地的守军，一边向前推进，到达了位于南京城外的著名的大校场飞机场，下午又向南京城东南角的光华门挺进。南路的长谷川、竹下部队，经过夜战终于占领了牛首山及其附近地区，坦克队下午已接近了通济门，炮兵阵地向靠近南大门的中华门的雨花台进行猛轰。这样，我军的三方面包围已经逐步收缩到了城墙边。松井最高指挥官昨天中午对南京防卫司令唐生智投了劝降书，为了等待答复，在十日中午前暂缓进攻。在宣城方面，藤山、野副、片冈、浅野各部队昨晨抵达芜湖南郊，转入正面进攻，于下午五时终于攻克芜湖。长野、山田的突袭部队昨夜到达当涂以东，特别是冈本（镇）部队出现在通往芜湖的交通要道上，并占领了离南京很近的西善桥及其附近要地。至此，南京敌军的退路终于被切断了。 12月10日： 南京守军不仅不听从我方劝降，反而继续抵抗。我军断然转入总攻，各部队以城墙为目标开始猛攻。来自广德方面的藤山、片冈、小界、野副各部队占领芜湖，同时长野、山田部队占领距南京不远的当涂。同夜，这两支部队分别在当地渡过了扬子江，登陆后昨晨袭击了乌江并占领之，随后向津浦线急进。因此，南京守军由于当涂、芜湖的失陷而被切断退路，向江北的逃窜也被阻塞，也已陷入绝境。 12月11日： 总攻第一天，我胁坂部队占领了南京城东南角的光华门，南京城头竖起了太阳旗，并击退了为夺回该城门而反扑夜袭的敌军，巩固了阵地。第二天的今天，各进攻部队经过奋战，扩大了战果。与胁坂友邻的伊佐部队下午一时许占领了光华门东南的高地，与城墙上的守军进行了近距离的枪战。下枝部队也同时接近了南京东南角。从紫金山东北侧进攻城墙的野田、大野、片桐、助川等部队从清平开始一直在激烈战斗，相继临近了和平门、太平门。大野部队的一部占领了紫金山麓的中山陵，随后和富士井部队一起在坦克的掩护下，与中山门守敌接上了火。进攻中华门（南门）的长谷川、冈本（保）部队从昨日早晨以来持续在这一地区鏖战。竹下部队继续进攻南京城的西南角，冈本（镇）部队与竹下部队一起在城西的莫愁湖畔激战。从紫金山及附近一带的高地的火炮群中倾泻出来的炮弹，全部命中目标，发挥了令人恐惧的威力。海军航空队于上午、下午在城区上空对敌军进行了毁灭性的轰炸。从这几天日军的每日“军情报告”中，可以看到日军在进入南京前几天对南京进攻的概括性描述，其中有两件事值得指出： 一是7日那天，日军的中将中岛今朝吾被我军击中负伤； 二是9日松井石根兵临南京城下时给我方守军唐生智散发最后通牒“劝降书”。 第一件事发生在激战时刻，有一名日军中将负伤，确实让唐生智等中国守军士气为之一振。中岛今朝吾是日第16师团长，南京进攻战时日军的四路前线指挥官之一，他带领的部队负责城南一线的主攻任务，结果在9日下午3时40分左右被苏联志愿军飞行员的轰炸击中腰部。情报传到南京城的唐生智司令部，让中国守军好一阵欢呼。 但随即另一个消息就很让唐生智等憋气：有情报送来，说日本东京正在准备80万人的“夺胜南京”庆祝大会。 “太猖狂！太猖狂！我近20万大军还在南京城里巍峨挺立着，它小日本凭什么就认为胜利一定是他们的？”唐生智对参谋们说，“命令全城守卫部队，给我死死守住城门，绝对不让敌人进城的阴谋得逞——！” 当日，南京守军司令部发出两道“死守令”：一、我军目下占领的复廓阵地，为固守南京之最后战线，各部队官兵应抱与阵地共存亡之决心，全力固守，不许轻弃寸土；若有不遵命令、擅自后移者，定遵委员长命令按连坐法从严惩办。二、各部队所有船只，一律交本部运输司令部负责保管，不准擅自扣留。着派第78军军长宋希濂负责指挥沿江宪警，严禁部队官兵私自乘船渡江，违者即行拘捕严办，倘若违抗，准以武力制止。 “死守令”刚刚发出，参谋颤颤巍巍给唐生智递上一份花花绿绿的纸—— “什么东西？”唐生智从头到尾扫了一遍，顿时怒发冲冠，“稀里哗啦”撕了个粉碎。“门都没有！松井他把我老唐不当人了！去告诉他们：只要我南京在，我唐生智就决不言'投降'二字！” 原来，参谋递上的是一份日军最高指挥官松井石根用飞机散在南京城内外的“劝降书”。上面这样写道： 百万日军已席卷江南。南京城将陷入重围之中。观之战局大势，今后交战唯有百害而无一利。盖江宁之地乃中国故都，亦为民国之都城，明孝陵、中山陵等名胜古迹猬集。有宛若东亚文化精髓之感。日军将严厉处置抵抗者，不予宽恕，然对无辜民众及不怀敌意之中国军队，则宽以待之。乃至东亚文化亦有保护保全之热忱。然若贵军继续交战，南京势必难免战祸，千载之文化归于灰烬，十年之经营化为泡影。故本司令官代表日本军劝告贵军，立即和平开放南京城，然后按下文所记处置。 对本劝告书之答复，应于12月10日正午，在中山门至句容道路之步哨线，由我军收领之。若贵军派遣司令官代表，应准备于答复收领处，与本司令官代表达成关于接收南京城之必要协定。若于指定之时间内未得到任何答复，日本军将不得不开始攻占南京。 “劝降书”落款是：大日本陆军总司令官松井石根。 “再传我令：决不投降！坚决死守！”9日当晚，有部下来探司令官口气时，被唐生智一顿臭骂：“谁要当汉奸，谁就去向敌人投降！我唐生智决不带头干这事！”唐生智大有破釜沉舟的决心。于是在松井给出的10日“最后通牒”这一天，中国守军不仅没有放弃一扇城门的守卫，而且奉命将所有的城门用上各种可能的“武器”——比如沙石、水泥，或者木头、砖块，甚至百姓的门插等等，总之只要能抵挡和堵死城门的东西都可以用上。“实在不行，就准备汽油——等敌军攻城门时，烧它个焦烂！” 10日，日军见中国军队拒绝投降，便向雨花台、通济门、紫金山第三峰等阵地发起全面进攻，战况较前几日更为激烈。尤其是城东南方面，因复廓阵地已基本丧失，故日军干脆直接攻城垣，南京城陷入极其危险的境地。而当日包抄守军后路的日军第18师团占领了芜湖……此时的南京城三面临敌，十万火急。 狗急了也要跳墙。南京已是孤城一座，守不住就是两个出路：一是死，二是降。后者已经没了，那么只有死路一条。此时的死对守军来说，也只有两种情况：一是跟敌人拼死，二是让敌人杀死。 拼死当然光荣！当然值一点！ “拼啦——！” “拼啦——！” 中国守军们有的人心头冒着火在喊，有的人眼里流着泪在喊，也有人撕扯着自己的头发在疯叫，也有人摔着枪在偷偷哭泣…… This is war. 拼了。中国军队“流尽最后一滴血”的时刻到了！