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Chapter 152 Emergency Supplies Needs

September 2, 1938, Logistics Headquarters of the Japanese Central China Expeditionary Army in Shanghai.

Rainwater washed over the bronze plaque on the exterior wall that read "Imperial Japanese Army Central China Expeditionary Army." Lieutenant Colonel Takeo Takahashi, Deputy Chief of Staff of the 106th Division, pulled up abruptly in front of the heavily guarded building.

He didn't wait for the guard to hand him an umbrella; he grabbed his briefcase and rushed into the hall, leaving conspicuous stains on the gleaming marble floor.

"Urgent telegram from Division Commander Matsuura!" Takahashi showed the guard captain the official document bearing the chrysanthemum crest. "I must see Minister Sato immediately!"

In the conference room on the third floor, Major General Fumita Sato, the logistics director of the Central China Expeditionary Army Headquarters, was checking the material list with several leaders at various levels of the logistics department.

He had his hair neatly combed back, and his gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses was as cold as ice: "Gentlemen, the Empire has only been waging a large-scale war against China for a year, yet the consumption of resources has reached such a terrifying level."

"Headquarters has issued new regulations regarding the consumption of supplies. The supply lists submitted by divisions and regiments at all levels must be strictly reviewed and must not..."

Before he could finish speaking, the door was suddenly pushed open, and the pen in his hand immediately drew long lines of ink on the ledger.

"Baka! Are all frontline officers this unruly?"

Takahashi Takeo immediately stood at attention and saluted, raindrops dripping from his forehead onto the exquisite Persian carpet: "I am extremely sorry, Lord Sato, the situation at Wanjialing has changed. I am requesting emergency supplies on orders from Chief of Staff Kitahara!"

Sato frowned, waved for the staff officers to leave, and then slowly took off his glasses to wipe them: "Supply requests should be submitted in writing two weeks in advance and approved by the Quartermaster Department, the Transportation Department, and the Logistics Headquarters."

He tapped on the "Regulations for the Allocation of Supplies in Central China" that had just been read aloud. "This is the latest instruction from the Ministry of Military Affairs, a supplementary supply regulation personally signed by Commander Hata Shunroku."

Takahashi spread the battle map on the conference table and traced an arc in the Wanjialing area with his finger: "Please take a look at this."

"We are currently engaged in direct combat with Xue Laohu's main force. On August 28th, aerial reconnaissance soldiers from the Third Flight Squadron discovered an undefended mountain path." His fingernails dug heavily into the blue line marked "Route B23."
Takahashi said in a deep voice, "Chief of Staff Kitahara convened a meeting, and after discussion, everyone concluded that only an additional 250 barrels of gasoline and 4000 rounds of mountain gun ammunition are needed to carry out a flank breakthrough!"

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strike directly behind enemy lines from the center of Mount Lu. I hope Mr. Sato will support us."

“Support? How can you expect me to support you?” Sato walked to the safe and took out a thick stack of documents: “Do you know how many troops in the entire Central China Theater are waiting for supplies?”

He pulled out the top document and slammed it on the table. “The 101st Division crossed Poyang Lake to support your operations, but was blocked by the 25th and 66th Armies. Colonel Iizuka Kunigoro died in battle. We urgently need a large supply of ammunition to break through the Lushan defense line.”

"The 9th Division Brigade Commander, Maruyama Masao, requests increased material assistance to break through the Minshan defense line and assist you in attacking De'an."

"All of this is to support your offensive. Your 106th Division didn't even meet the army headquarters' requirements to capture De'an in a short time. Why are you giving us special treatment now?"

Takahashi took out a handwritten letter from Matsuura Junrokuro from his briefcase and handed it over with both hands: "Lord Sato, this is a letter from General Matsuura. Please take a look..."

“Our division’s special service has intercepted a coded telegram from the Chinese army, confirming that their main force is assembling at Wanjialing. If we cannot launch a surprise attack before they are settled, and wait until they have completed their fortifications,” his voice suddenly lowered, “Commander Hata Shunroku’s ‘October Offensive’ plan will be completely thwarted.”

Sato suddenly grabbed the phone: "Connect me to the Jiujiang supply depot and check the 106th Division's current supply inventory." While waiting for the call to connect, he coldly sized up Takahashi: "Commander Matsuura liked to 'go it alone' in Nanjing last year; now he wants to recreate his 'glory'?"

A report came from the other end of the phone: "Lord Sato, based on the current rate of material depletion and the comparison of the previous material allocation, it is estimated that the 106th Division has consumed less than sixty barrels of fuel."

“Interesting.” Sato hung up the phone, glaring at Takahashi, his fingers tapping the table as he angrily rebuked, “You haven’t even prepared enough basic combat reserves, yet you dare to formulate a surprise attack plan?” “Are you going to act first and report later?”

Takahashi's Adam's apple bobbed: "Your Excellency is wise; due to frequent attacks on supply lines by Chinese guerrillas..."

"Enough!" Sato suddenly slammed his hand on the table, startling the flock of pigeons outside the window into scattering into the air. "According to the 'Emergency Allocation Regulations for Battlefield Supplies,' the maximum amount we can grant you is 120 barrels of gasoline and 2000 artillery shells."

He pulled out a disclaimer and pushed it over, saying, "The division commander of Matsuura must sign to confirm that he 'voluntarily assumes the risks of combat.'"

As Takahashi took the documents, the tassel of his saber trembled incessantly: "This amount of supplies is only enough for half a regiment."

"To take it or not?" Sato had already picked up the next document to review. "The next scheduled representative from the 18th Division will arrive in ten minutes."

The rain pounded against the windows. Takahashi finally gritted his teeth and signed the document, deliberately knocking over the ink bottle while folding it.

Black ink spread across the battle map, perfectly covering key coordinates.

"The signing is complete. We need to get the supplies as soon as possible." To Sato, Takahashi's dissatisfied gesture was just like a child throwing a tantrum.

Sato Fumio took the disclaimer, picked up the phone, and said slowly, "Inoue-kun, come in for a moment."

Knock knock knock. Secretary Inoue Takehiko pushed open the office door and bowed to Sato Fumiyasu, saying, "Mr. Sato, what can I do for you?"

Sato Fumiyasu pointed to the documents on the table and said, "Make three copies of the new meeting minutes and send one each to the Logistics Department, the Inspection Department, and my safe."

"Have someone come and clean the office."

Finally, he handed the supply request list to Takehiko Inoue, saying, "Arrange the supplies for the 106th Division as soon as possible."

“Hi,” Takehiko Inoue quickly took the order.

Takeo Takahashi quickly said, "Lord Sato, the need for supplies is urgent. Could you please expedite the process?"

Sato Fumio's gaze sharpened: "Takahashi-kun, I have arranged for the supply warehouse to allocate supplies as soon as possible. You need to coordinate with the Southern Transportation Department regarding transportation issues."

"I understand, Mr. Sato. I'm sorry to trouble you. I'll go to the Southern Transportation Department right away..." A hint of displeasure flashed across Takahashi Takeo's face, but he quickly replaced it with a respectful tone.

Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department, Office of the Section Chief of the Third Section.

Chen Yang was engrossed in reviewing documents at his desk when a knock sounded on the door. Li Ningyu pushed open the office door and said, "Sir, Minister Oshima wants you to come up immediately."

"Lieutenant Colonel Takeo Takahashi, staff officer of the 106th Division, has an urgent need for supplies and requires your coordination..."

(End of this chapter)