Decryption of the Behind-the-Scenes of the Xuzhou Campaign: An Account of the Frontline Battlefield in China's War of Resistance Against Japan

Author: Pu Jihong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: This is a history written in blood and tears by the Chinese people. With vivid penwork and rich historical materials, this book authentically recreates the epic Battle of Xuzhou, revealing many little-known secrets of the Chinese theater in the Anti-Japanese War! The Chinese nation, with its unique resilience and indomitable spirit, fought bravely against the Japanese invaders amidst blood and rain, composing a magnificent and moving epic. Sixty years after the victory in the Anti-Japanese War, this book takes our memories back to that era of flames and storms, a time of heroic and tragic battles.
Battle Duration: Late January to Early June 1938
Combat Forces: Chinese Army—12 armies, approximately 600,000 soldiers; Japanese Army—8 divisions and 5 brigades, totaling 240,000 soldiers.
Battle Outcome: Japanese casualties—320,000; Chinese casualties—around 100,000.
Significance of the Battle: The entire battle lasted for five months across the vast regions of Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, and Anhui, depleting the Japanese army's combat strength and slowing their advance. Especially in the early stages of the battle, the Battle of Tai'erzhuang brought the Chinese army an unprecedented victory, greatly boosting the morale of the entire nation's resistance forces.
1. Li Zongren smiled slightly, "As long as we fight against Japan, I will take even the most ragged troops!"
Xuzhou. The headquarters of the Fifth War Zone. In a square room with high ceilings and green velvet curtains, military maps were hung on the walls. General Li Zongren, commander-in-chief of the Fifth War Zone, was leaning over his spacious desk, flipping through a pile of documents. He was of medium build, with broad shoulders, wearing a brand-new, impeccably tailored military uniform. His wide, square face shone with sharp, bright eyes. His thick, black eyes were usually unkempt, but today he had shaved them clean, even his short, dense, slightly gray hair, which was usually tousled, was neatly combed and even oiled with French "Cognac" hair cream. Seeing him so meticulously groomed, his staff members speculated: Was General Li meeting some foreign dignitary or a prominent figure from the Nationalist government today? But to their surprise, the two guests who arrived at noon were neither foreigners nor government officials—they were Li Zongren's subordinates—Deng Xihou, commander-in-chief of the 22nd Group Army, and Sun Zhen, deputy commander-in-chief.
"Welcome! Welcome! On behalf of all the brothers in the Fifth War Zone, I sincerely welcome the arrival of the Sichuan army troops!" As soon as they met, Li Zongren greeted Deng and Sun with a warm embrace, as if seeing long-lost old comrades, and then, with a charming smile, personally brewed two cups of premium Guiping "West Mountain Tea" from Guangxi for them. The tea leaves were specially sent to him by his wife, Lady Guo Dejie, from Guilin—it was the general's habit. For over 20 years, he had always been particularly fond of this tea from his hometown, often praising its vibrant green color, rich aroma, sweet taste, and elegant appearance, claiming it was superior to West Lake Longjing, Dongting Biluochun, Huangshan Mao Feng, or Qian Island Jade Leaf.
Li Zongren's warmth left Deng Xihou and Sun Zhen flustered and at a loss. "," Deng Xihou said after taking his seat, lowering his head and rubbing his hands, his face filled with shame, "We are the kind of troops nobody wants. Your willingness to take us into the Fifth War Zone is a great kindness! From now on, if you have any orders, just let us know—we will obey your commands without hesitation!"
The Sichuan army had always been known for its fierceness, so why had they become the "unwanted troops"? The story is long.