At noon on February 21st, 1933, Hong Lang led the 1st and 2nd battalions of the 36th Division Independent Regiment out of Guozhuang. They followed the northeast road and headed straight for Pingquan County 30 kilometers away.
When the troops left the village, the villagers of Guozhuang Village and the nearby villages came to send the troops off. They all knew that this was the first time their troops had taken the initiative to attack. This team had their husbands, sons, younger brothers, and fathers. This battle was very important.
They firmly believed that under Hong Lang's command, with the Independent Regiment's weapons, equipment, and combat strength, they would definitely be able to defeat those reckless Japanese.
After an hour of marching, the two battalions of the Independent Regiment left the jurisdiction of South County and entered the jurisdiction of Xiaosigou Town in Pingquan County.
The scouts that Hong Lang had sent out earlier had already killed the sentries in the southwest of Pingquan County. Therefore, Hong Lang and his independent regiment were already under their noses. The Japanese stationed in the county were still unaware of the situation.
The soldiers were still fine. They could hide in the forest and march. The difficult part was the anti-air vehicles running on the road. As the most important firepower output unit of the independent regiment, their existence directly determined the firepower of Hong Lang's army and the outcome of the battle.
There were five or six Japanese artillery towers on the mountains around Pingquan County. They were used as the focal points for the Japanese army's peripheral reconnaissance. If they found enemies in any direction, they could call the police.
However, they had encountered Hong Lang's scouts this time. These scouts could hide their figures very well. If they were not carefully identified, even if they were right under your nose, you would not be able to discover them.
Just like that, after Hong Lang gave the order to attack, these scouts successfully infiltrated the various turrets. Without firing a single shot, they occupied these turrets.
Pingquan County was located on a flat river alluvial plain. The waterfall river flowed through the south of the county, forming an innate moat. However, it was now the twelfth month of winter, and the waterfall river had long been frozen, so its defensive effect was greatly reduced.
"This is really a good town!”Hong Lang led his army to occupy the mountains south of Pingquan County. From here, they could overlook the entire county. The land here was flat and wide, very suitable for the development and upgrading of the industrial base in the future.
Seeing such land fall into the hands of the Japanese, Hong Lang couldn't help but curse the Tang brothers in his heart. They were so short-sighted to abandon such a place and care about their own treasures.
Hong Lang believed that as long as he could occupy this place, he would be able to bring new life to this place.
"Commander, to the east is the Japanese army camp in Pingquan County. The remaining soldiers of the 32nd Infantry Regiment are there, and to the west of the county is the camp of the Imperial Association Army. If we attack now, we will encounter the Imperial Association Army.”Lin Zheng was holding the map as he introduced the county town below.
Hong Lang looked at the sky and then at his watch. It was two o'clock in the afternoon. The days in winter were shorter. If he started the battle now and everything went well, he could take down Pingquan County before the sky turned completely dark. However, he was not only thinking about the county in front of him. More importantly, he was thinking about how to use the county in front of him to obtain greater benefits.
Hong Lang thought for a moment and said," Order the troops to find an area to shelter from the wind and set up camp. All troops should rest in place and remain vigilant." Tomorrow morning, we will launch an attack on Pingquan County and try to eliminate the Japanese troops in the city within three hours.”
"Commander, what should we do with the puppet troops in the city?”Lin Zheng immediately asked.
"If they choose to surrender or anything else, we can make concessions and let them off. As long as they are not the most heinous criminals, we can give them a lighter sentence.”Although Hong Lang also hated these puppet soldiers, the sorrow of the times was also present. He still had to give some people a chance to correct themselves. As for whether they could seize the opportunity, it was up to them.
"Yes, Commander!" Lin Zheng nodded and quickly issued the order in the name of the regiment command center. The two battalions hid in the mountains.
Although it was already late February, the mountains in the north were still a torture for the soldiers. Many soldiers were shivering from the cold. Even with hot water to warm their bodies, they could not withstand the cold wind from the north.
The headquarters was also built temporarily, so it was not very warm. Fortunately, there was a fire, which was much warmer than the outside.
Lu Chong rubbed his hands and ran in from outside. He opened his mouth and exhaled. "Commander, why don't we attack the county today? I believe our soldiers can take down the county in three hours.”He didn't finish his sentence. After entering the county, the soldiers wouldn't have to suffer here anymore.
"How could I not want to? It was only when I arrived at Pingquan County that I realized that instead of eliminating the Japanese army in the city, it would be better to surround them and wait for their rescue troops to take the bait. We will wait for them on the road that they must pass through. When the time comes, both sides will clean up together. Not only will the county be in our hands, but we can also eliminate a wave of Japanese reinforcements, which will reduce the difficulty for us to defend the county.”Hong Lang revealed his plan.
Lin Zheng and Lu Chong came over, and so did 1st Battalion Commander Mi Fu and 2nd Battalion Commander Fan Fei.
"The commander's plan is very good, but where is the ambush location?”Lu Chong immediately asked.
"Right here!" Hong Lang pointed at a place.
The others immediately said in unison,"Poplar Ridge."
"Yes, it's Poplar Ridge. We have to take care of the Japanese rescue team here.”Hong Lang had already chosen the ambush location.
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