Chapter 197

With the main force shifting, free from the entanglements of the Japanese, their speed was remarkable. By noon that same day, the troops had completely withdrawn from the southern front of Lake Tai. As for the National Government garrison in the area near the Japanese advance, they had long since pulled back; the 88th Division could be considered among the very last to leave. Throughout the journey, there was almost no respite, save for a brief rest stop as the troops passed through Jurong. The moment the main force fully cleared the Japanese offensive zone, the plans of both the Japanese 11th Division and the 3rd Division to encircle the 88th Division through a pincer movement were reduced to nothing. Once the main force passed Jurong and headed north, they essentially reached the northern gateway to Nanking. The Tangshan and Dahuashan line served as the first and last natural defensive barrier with tactical advantages for the entire Nanking area. If this position were lost in the subsequent fighting, Nanking would lose its final shield. "What do you think you're doing?! Are you all out of your minds? You even dare to block the commander of our 72nd Army!"