On August 15, Chiang Kai- Shek convened with his divisional staff to organize a second assault on
the Japanese defenses in Shanghai, this time with greater firepower and
preparation. The Chinese divisions were to use German Stosstrupp shock
tactics, advancing immediately after an intense artillery barrage to break
through Japanese lines and fight their way deep behind enemy positions
before the defenders could recover. Since their forces lacked adequate
heavy weapons to destroy the Japanese bunkers directly, the Chinese
command decided to employ encirclement tactics. To this end, the Chinese
Commander instructed his troops to take the streets surrounding the Japanese
strongholds, avoiding costly frontal attacks on heavily fortified positions.
On the morning of the 16th, the German-trained Chinese 87th and 88th
Divisions launched OPERATION IRON FIST, which began with an intense
bombardment of the Japanese positions, followed by a mass infantry assault.
