The Japanese army wanted the best of both worlds, that is, it could solve the First Army division and maintain sufficient strength to continue fighting in the south.

But now the First Military Division is on the west bank of the Yuntuo River, confronting the Japanese army.

Rivers are a natural line of defense.

No matter who crosses the river to attack whom, there will naturally be many casualties.

Even if the Japanese army was able to capture the west bank of the Yuntuo River, the depth of the defense zone of the First Army Division would consume the Japanese army step by step.

By the time the First Army Division is completely resolved, hundreds of thousands of Japanese troops will have been wiped out in this war.

"The larger our defense zone is, the safer it will be, and the Japanese attack on us will be slower and slower, rather than a continuous attack," Tian Kezhi said.

At the beginning, the Japanese army had sufficient troops. After one attack, they could come again at any time.

But today's First Military Division is no longer what it used to be. The Japanese army uses hundreds of thousands of troops, but it will take several months to mobilize the combat materials needed for hundreds of thousands of troops.

"Another point is that the Japanese army has aircraft and can conduct reconnaissance of our defense lines in the air at any time. It does not necessarily have to be a waiting period," Zhao Zhiguo said.

The Japanese army dispatches quite a few reconnaissance aircraft every day.

"Commander, we are deploying anti-aircraft artillery on the river bank. Now we have sufficient ground anti-aircraft firepower, and each brigade has also been equipped with anti-aircraft artillery." Yao Pengju said.

In addition to being equipped with tanks, each brigade also formed an air defense battalion.

Anti-aircraft guns can both deal with Japanese aircraft and can be used to deal with Japanese armored groups.

"Yao Pengju, there is no need for us to suffer losses before we come up with a plan to cross the river. The distance to the west bank is within the coverage range of Japanese artillery fire. The Japanese ground and air firepower cooperates. If we expose heavy firepower to the Japanese army at this time, there is a high probability that we will suffer losses.

Yes, war... don’t just think about whether we can hit others, but also think about whether others can hit us.”

Japanese aircraft and ground firepower were able to form a coordinated force along the Yuntuo River line.

"Furthermore, the Japanese aircraft were conducting reconnaissance in the sky. Although they could see our positions, they were not so clear about our firepower deployment on the positions."

Zhao Zhiguo fought with the Japanese army for so long, and learned something from the Japanese army in the defensive battle. As long as the Japanese army did not launch a charge, they would never expose their deadly firepower to the little devils.

The Japanese army's aerial reconnaissance capabilities were limited, and they did not dare conduct ultra-low-altitude reconnaissance.

The pilot of the Little Japanese pilot pulled the plane very high because he was afraid that he would fly too low and provoke the defenders on the position, and then use anti-aircraft fire to deal with them.

"If the Japanese army doesn't come, we will get there sooner or later," Tian Kezhi said.

"I'm now afraid that Gangcun will hide troops on the other side that we haven't detected."

Zhao Zhiguo has always been worried about one thing: Gangcun is hiding his strength.

When the First Army Division crosses the river to attack, the Japanese army's strength suddenly doubles. Even though the armored troops can gallop on the battlefield, they may face a defeat in the face of the incoming Japanese army.

"It is impossible for Gangcun to still have hidden troops. The Japanese army on the other side of the river supplies a certain amount of supplies every day. If there are still hidden troops, the supplies will definitely increase."

On the other side, they had deployed manpower in the First Military Division and were keeping an eye on the Japanese trucks, supplies, and the number of captured men.

If the Japanese army increases its troops, the numbers in this area will definitely change.

"Lao Tian, ​​we need to expand the scope of reconnaissance." Zhao Zhiguo said, "Wherever the Japanese army can support within twelve hours, we have to find out the strength of the Japanese army."

"Twelve hours, if it were the Japanese motorized and mechanized troops, the scope would be too wide," Tian Kezhi said.

If the infantry marches in a hurry and carries supplies, the mileage is limited.

But the Japanese mechanized troops had trucks to help transport troops and supplies, so twelve hours was too far.

"Based on the marching speed of the Japanese infantry, there are only a few roads that the Japs rely on. If we take action, we will send a force to destroy the roads first before the battle begins," Zhao Zhiguo said.

"Okay, I will arrange the forward troops and let them expand the scope of reconnaissance." Tian Kezhi said.

"Old Yao, don't be idle. Arrange the special forces to find a way to get to the other side and capture a Japanese officer for me. He will ask him about the deployment of the Japanese army and the location of the Japanese airport."

When the battle begins, Japanese bombers will be a big threat to the ground armored groups.

If the Japs' planes can be eliminated through this battle, it will reduce the huge pressure on the battlefield.

"Commander, I will get you some planes directly." Yao Pengju said.

"You are so brave. You brought the plane, where did it park it?" Zhao Zhiguo said, "You might as well destroy the headquarters in Gangcun."

"It's not impossible, it's easy to do anyway."

Zhao Zhiguo sneered and said nothing. Gangcun rarely went to the front line to command in person and hid in the rear. It would not be easy to sneak attack his headquarters.

"Report the telegram to the commander, Commander Zhang. He will arrive in Bingzhou City tomorrow morning and hopes to come to our headquarters."

"Mr. Zhang?" Zhao Zhiguo touched his chin, "Didn't he go to the banquet?"

Mr. Zhang had already told Zhao Zhiguo about Mr. Yan’s banquet in honor of Mr. Zhang.

"Commander Zhang arrived at Bingzhou City directly from the defense area of ​​the Shanxi-Sui Army." said the communications soldier.

"Tell Brigadier Hu and ask him to arrange for someone to escort Commander Zhang to Pingcheng. Someone will be there to pick them up in Pingcheng," Zhao Zhiguo said.

Received the order from the platoon leader and came to see Zhao Zhiguo: "Response to Commander Zhang? Commander, do you want to cover your eyes?"

The location of Zhao Zhiguo's headquarters is never easily disclosed to others. The only person outside the country who is qualified to know is Tao Xueyi.

"We don't know what he talked about with Mr. Yan, but we have to be on guard against it," Zhao Zhiguo said.

If Commander Zhang came from the northwest army's defense area, Zhao Zhiguo would definitely not be on guard. But now that the Jinsui Army was involved, Zhao Zhiguo could not be trusted more than Mr. Yan.

If Mr. Yan knew where Zhao Zhiguo's headquarters was, he would definitely tell the Japanese army to blow up Zhao Zhiguo to death.

"Signal Corps, did Commander Zhang say why he came to our defense area?" Zhao Zhiguo asked.

"Report to Commander, there is no explanation in the telegram. Do you want Brigadier Hu to ask for clarification?"

"No need, let Brigadier Hu take care of Commander Zhang's safety along the way." Zhao Zhiguo said.

Teacher Zhang's sudden visit left Zhao Zhiguo a little confused, but he still had trust in Teacher Zhang.

"Report to the commander that our people found traces of Sun Xiulan in Xing County."

"Sun Xiulan?"
Chapter completed!