Devil's Army

Wu Lang told Commander Song that he was bringing two under-strength regiments this time, and that the Fifth Brigade had already retreated for rest and recuperation because of heavy casualties in the previous continuous battles with the Japanese army.

Song said that because the Japanese occupied air superiority and their artillery was fierce, in the battle with the Japanese, a Chinese army division sometimes could not resist for even a day. The Fifth Brigade of the First Anti-Japanese Army fought with the devils for more than ten days, which was already commendable.

"Captain Song, my troops plan to cross the Hutuo River and defend Zhengding County with you."

"You're most welcome. If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know."

"I have an artillery unit and need to build a pontoon bridge across the Hutuo River."

"Building a floating bridge? That's going to be difficult."

"We can build this floating bridge ourselves, but we need to let you know."

"I am not worried about the manpower and materials, but the Japanese invaders may attack our Zhengding County at any time. I am afraid that this floating bridge will be used by the Japanese invaders."

"Master Song, don't worry about this. My troops have set up an ambush position in front of us. The Japanese won't be able to get through for a while."

"That's no problem. I will immediately order the troops to help you build a pontoon bridge, and the troops will cross the river immediately." Commander Song responded readily.

After the joint efforts of the two armies, the pontoon bridge was quickly built. Wulang led the first and second regiments across the river immediately. The heavy artillery unit also crossed the river in front of the brigade's direct battalion.

Captain Wang of the 141rd Regiment of the 723st Division witnessed the heavy artillery unit of the nd Brigade of the st Army crossing the Hutuo River and said to the commander of the st Regiment of the nd Brigade with envy:

"You guys are really strong. You have 150 13mm howitzers."

"The four Krupp 150mm howitzers in the front are ours, and the nine Type 150 mm howitzers in the back were captured from the Japanese. We also seized a truckload of shells from them. After the truckload of shells is used up, these nine howitzers will become scrap metal."

"After the battle, go and take it away from the Japs. They have plenty of it." After saying that, both of them burst into laughter.

After all the troops crossed the river, the commander of the 723rd Regiment, Wang, led the heavy artillery battalion commander, Wang, to find a suitable artillery position. The commander arranged for the soldiers to build positions on both sides of the pontoon bridge to prepare to resist the attack of the Japanese.

When the heavy artillery unit of the Second Brigade crossed the Hutuo River, Division Commander Song accompanied Wu Lang and watched the entire process on the south bank of the Hutuo River.

At this moment, he knew in his heart why the 32th Brigade had been able to resist the bombing of the Japanese planes, tanks and heavy artillery for more than ten days. This was because the heavy artillery of the Anti-Japanese First Army was more than that of the nd Army.

The heavy artillery unit of the Second Brigade had just crossed the Hutuo River when a Japanese plane flew over from a distance.

The guards immediately stepped forward to take Commander Song into the city for air defense.

Commander Song refused and said to the guards:

"It's just a reconnaissance plane of the devils. Don't make a fuss."

The Japanese reconnaissance planes flew slowly around the Hutuo River and Zhengding County at low speed and altitude.

Wu Lang ordered Captain Guo of Luhang:

"Shoot him down before he gets back with the information."

Commander Song, who was about to enter the city with his guards, continued to stay where he was after hearing what Wu Lang said.

Captain Guo skillfully maneuvered the golden eagle towards the Japanese reconnaissance plane.

The Japanese reconnaissance plane flew very slowly, and the Golden Eagle increased its flying altitude and caught up with the Japanese reconnaissance plane.

Captain Guo searched carefully and finally the sight locked onto the Japanese reconnaissance plane.

Captain Guo set the lead value according to the flying speed of his golden eagle and decisively pressed the launch button.

An air-to-ground missile flew out from the belly of the Golden Eagle II and headed directly for the Japanese reconnaissance plane below.

A loud "boom" was heard from the sky, and the Japanese reconnaissance plane was blown into pieces in the mid-air.

The soldiers of the 141st Division, who had suffered from the bombing of Japanese aircraft, witnessed the Japanese planes exploding in the air with their own eyes. The excitement was difficult to express in words.

"Now that you have this weapon, you don't have to be afraid of the Japanese planes coming over." Commander Song said happily to Wu Lang.

"It's difficult. The Japanese planes fly at a relatively fast speed, and our Golden Eagle II can only attack slow-moving or stationary targets." Wu Lang shook his head and replied helplessly.

After hearing this, Commander Song said nothing and called Wu Lang to go back to the command center.

Before Wu Lang and his men returned to the headquarters, a signalman came running over to report: the commander of the first battalion had already engaged the Japanese vanguard on the hill.

"How many devils are here?"

"At present, only one reconnaissance squadron has arrived, and the first battalion commander can handle it. But we don't know how many people will be in the subsequent large force of the Japanese. The first battalion commander asked me to come over and ask you how many days you need to hold on?"

"We have already reached Zhengding County. We ask him to act accordingly. If he cannot hold on, he should withdraw immediately and not try to resist."

After the signalman left, Wu Lang thought: At present, the First Front Army of the Japanese invaders attacking North China includes the Sixth Division, the Fourteenth Division, the Twentieth Division and some artillery, engineers, and logistics units, etc. There should be 80,000 people. However, the First Army currently has less than 20,000 people left in North China. It is difficult to resist the pace of the Japanese invasion alone.

Wu Lang asked the signalman to call Leng Feng for reinforcements.

Leng Feng's reply arrived very quickly, but it made him both happy and worried.