刘春雷是一个普通农民，生性乐观。抗战爆发时他和同村胡彦明寻求保家卫国之路，几经周折，终于成为一二九师骑兵战士。刘春雷多次犯错受罚。胡彦明积极进步被提升为班长。铁壁合围，遭遇日军精锐骑兵，胡彦明负伤落马，刘春雷拼死营救。两人参加武工队，智拔据点，巧锄汉奸，逐步由班、排升为连队干部。胡彦明巧遇昔日东家女儿罗娟子，两人产生恋情，后胡彦明在战斗中牺牲，娟子百里寻尸，削发为尼，为胡守墓。刘春雷意外结识通讯员吴立然的妹妹吴朵，两人产生感情。1945年日本投降，刘春雷奉命集结连队，消灭拒降的日伪军。吴朵说：好好打鬼子，活着回来，我嫁给你。
Plot Summary:Liu Chunlei is an optimistic farmer. When the Anti-Japanese War breaks out, in order to safeguard the country, Liu Chunlei and his fellow villager Hu Yanming join the army. Having gone through many difficulties and setbacks, they finally become cavalry soldiers of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army. In a battle against Japanese troops, they encounter Japanese elite cavalry. Hu Yanming falls from the horse and gets injured. Liu Chunlei risks his life to rescue him. After joining the Armed Working Team, they destroy enemy's strongholds and eliminate traitors so that both of them are promoted. At this time, Hu Yanming runs into Luo Juanzi, the daughter of his former employer, and they fall in love with each other. Unfortunately, Hu Yanming dies in a battle. Juanzi, after finding the body of Hu Yanming, becomes a nun and guards his tomb. Liu Chunlei comes across Wu Duo, the sister of the correspondent Wu Liran, and they start to have feelings for each other. When Japan surrenders in 1945, Liu Chunlei is assigned to eliminate the Japanese puppet army which still refuses to surrender. \"Fight against the Japanese fiercely and come back alive. I will wait for you and marry you\" Wu Duo says to Chunlei before he leaves.
