Page "Battle of Nanking" Paragraph 58

As it became obvious that the plan was falling apart because the total collapse of discipline among the troops in flight, Tang realized the city could not be defended.

Given the grim circumstances, Chiang's staff and even Chiang himself also resigned themselves to this reality.

However, Chiang was extremely reluctant to give up the capital without a fight and nobody else would dare to make such decision and accept the wrath of the angry Chinese public either.

For this reason, Chiang was also extremely grateful to Tang for assuming command of the Nanking Garrison and thus allowing Chiang to avoid the dilemma posed by the situation.

Chiang Kai-shek ordered Tang to continue the hopeless defense at least long enough to save face by being able to assert that Nanking had been defended before being abandoned.

After that, Tang would have the prerogative to decide to withdraw.

Tang was now in the very difficult position of trying to conduct a defense which he knew was futile and which he knew he would abandon in the near future.

The tension was palpably obvious at a press conference that Tang held to boost morale prior to the siege of Nanking ; it was noted by reporters that Tang was extremely agitated.

He sweated so profusely that someone handed him a hot towel to dry his brow.