Mittwoch, 1. April 2026

Soviet Invasion of Manchuria 1945

 


The Soviet invasion of Japanese-held Manchuria, formally known as the Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation or simply the Manchurian Operation and sometimes, mainly in the West, as Operation August Storm was the last major land battle of WWII. The Soviets also made the last amphibious landings of the war when they liberated South Sakhalin Island and the Kuril Islands. The last tank attack of WWII occurred on the Kuril Island of Shumshu.

After Japan’s Kwantung Army invaded the Manchuria region of China in 1931, a new common border was created between Japanese-occupied Manchuria and the Soviet Far East. From 1932 to 1939, the Soviet Union and Japan fought in a series of escalating small border skirmishes and punitive expeditions which became known as the undeclared Soviet-Japanese Border Conflicts. The battles of Khalkhin Gol (11 May to 16 September 1939) were the decisive engagements where the Soviet and Mongolian victory over the Japanese forces resolved the border disputes.

In the Yalta Conference (4–11 February 1945), one Soviet precondition for a declaration of war against Japan was US official recognition of the Mongolian independence from China (the Mongolian People’s Republic had been a Soviet satellite state from 1924 to 1945). The Soviets also wanted the return of the south end of Sakhalin island, which had been taken from Russia by Japan in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, and the cession of the Kuril Islands by Japan, both of which were approved by Roosevelt and Churchill. In return, Stalin pledged that the Soviet Union would enter the Pacific War three months after the defeat of Germany.

On 5 April 1945, the Soviet Union denounced the 1941 Soviet–Japanese Neutrality Pact and informed the Japanese government that “in accordance with Article Three of the pact, which envisaged the right of denunciation one year before the lapse of the five-year period of operation of the pact, the Soviet Government hereby makes known to the government of Japan its wish to denounce the pact of 13 April 1941.”

Project Hula

Project Hula was a secret program during WWII in which the US transferred naval vessels to the Soviet Navy in anticipation of the Soviet Union joining the war against Japan. Based at Fort Randall Army Airfield at Cold Bay, territory of Alaska, the project was active during the spring and summer of 1945. It was the largest lend lease transfer program of WWII.

The US planned to transfer 180 ships to the Soviet Navy by 1 November 1945 and train about 15,000 Soviet naval personnel to operate them.

  • 30 Tacoma Class Patrol Frigates (US Navy hull classification symbol PF)
  • 56 Submarine Chasers (SC)
  • 24 Admirable Class Minesweepers (AM)
  • 36 Auxiliary Motor Minesweepers (YMS)
  • 4 Floating Workshops (YR)
  • 30 Large Infantry Landing Craft (LCI(L))

Large infantry landing craft USS LCI(L)-585 and USS LCI(L)-591 at Cold Bay in the spring of 1945 awaiting transfer to the Soviet Navy. The Soviet Navy designated the LCI(L) type as Desantiye Suda (“Landing Ship”) or DS. On 10 June 1945, they were commissioned in the Soviet Navy and re-designated DS-45 and DS-35, respectively.

From 16 April 1945 until the end of the war, 149 ships were delivered to the Soviet Navy and 12,000 Soviet naval personnel were trained. These ships took part in the last war naval operations in Manchuria, northern Korea, south Sakhalin Island, and the Kuril Islands.

On 8 May 1945, Germany surrendered which ended the war in Europe and it started the Soviet secret three month countdown for starting hostilities against Japan. During the three months, the Soviets moved an enormous military force to the eastern side of an equally enormous country.

New Shermans

On 26 June 1945, the Soviet 6th Guards Tank Army was reallocated to the Transbaikal Front in Mongolia. It covered a distance of 9000 km (5592.3 miles) to travel from Czechoslovakia to Choibalsan in Mongolia. 88 trains of 60 cars each were allocated for this journey. The complete transfer took 30 days, but the first elements began to arrive by July 17th.

At Choibalsan, 100 new US lend lease M4A2(76)W tanks with VVSS and HVSS suspensions awaited them. The tanks with HVSS suspensions were described in Soviet documents as “M4A2 with wide tracks”. The 46th Guards Tank Brigade was fully equipped with these tanks. One company from each of the tank regiments of the 18th, 30th, and 31st Guards Mechanized Brigades that made up the 9th Guards Mechanized Corps also received new tanks. From Choibalsan, the tanks made a 300 km (186.4 miles) road march to Tamsagbulag, where the army prepared for the upcoming offensive in Manchuria.

The closest M4A2(76)W tank missing the front sand shield components has the newer Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension (HVSS). Note the metal supports brackets on top of the fender attached to the hull.

This is a photo of the tanks further down the line with complete sand shields. There is no information on how many of the tanks had the HVSS Suspension with the wide tracks.

The 6th Guards Tank Army was reinforced with the 36th and 57th Motorized Rifle Divisions, an AA division, the 208th SP Artillery Brigade, two light artillery brigades, two artillery regiments, and a motorized engineering brigade. At the start of the campaign, it had 185 M4A2s, 416 T-34-85s, 193 SU-100s, 26 SU-76Ms, 117 BT-5s and BT-7s, 22 T-26s, 129 AA guns, 201 mortars, 46 Katyushas, and up to 359 cannons and howitzers.

On 6 August 1945, the US dropped the first atomic bomb named “Little Boy” on Hiroshima but Japan did not surrender. On 8 August 1945 which was three months after Germany surrendered, the Soviet Union fulfilled their agreement and declared war on Japan.

On 9 August 1945 just after midnight, the Soviet Union launched their Manchurian Operation. At 1102 hours on August 9th, the US dropped the second atomic bomb named “Fat Man” on Nagasaki. Japan still has not surrendered.

Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation

The Soviet forces did not have time for a methodical advance, as they accelerated their plans as the Japanese was getting close to surrender. After the invasion begun, Stalin pushed the Red Army forces to press hard on their attacks and consolidate their objectives before the possible arrival of US forces.

Soviet Tank and SPG units order of battle on 9 August 1945.

The numbers in the table are the unit’s designation number and (G) is Guards.

+ Also included the 48th Heavy Tank Regiment.

++ The 6th Guards Tank Army consisted of:

+++ Cavalry-Mechanized Group consisted of Soviet and Mongolian units.

Soviet units:

  • 59th Cavalry Division
  • 27th Motorized Rifle Brigade
  • 43rd Tank Brigade (I/43 and II/43 Tank Battalions)
  • 25th Mechanized Brigade
  • 35th Anti-Tank Destroyer Brigade
  • 30th Motorcycle Regiment

Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Army (MPRA) Emblem

MPRA units:

  • 5th Cavalry Division
  • 6th Cavalry Division
  • 7th Cavalry Division
  • 8th Cavalry Division
  • 7th Motorized Armored Brigade
  • 3rd Separate Tank Regiment
  • 29th Artillery Regiment

Mongolian BA-10 armored cars.

Mongolian BT-7 tanks.

Mongolian T-34/76 tanks.

On 10 August 1945, over 24 hours after the first Mongolian troops in the company of their Soviet allies had crossed the border into Japanese-occupied Inner Manchuria, the Mongolian parliament issued a formal declaration of war against Japan.

At noon on 15 August 1945, Emperor Hirohito of Japan broadcasted his announcement of Japan’s surrender on the terms of the Allied Potsdam Declaration. However, the Soviets continued fighting in Manchuria until the formal surrender document was signed.

Kwantung Army 1945

The Kwantung Army of the Imperial Japanese Army in Manchuria by 1945 had over 900,000 soldiers in 31 divisions and 13 brigades. However, the Kwantung Army was far below its authorized strength. Most of its heavy equipment and all of its best military units had been transferred to the Pacific Theater over the previous three years to contend with the advance of Allied forces. Some Kwantung Army units had also re-deployed south against the Nationalist Chinese in Operation Ichigo in 1944. In early 1945, ten divisions were transferred for the defense of the home islands. By August 1945, the Kwantung Army contained a large number of raw recruits and conscripts, with generally obsolete, light, or otherwise limited equipment.

All of the Japanese tanks were 1930s models such as the Type 89 I-Go, Type 95 Ha-Go, and some Type 97 Chi-Ha tanks. The anti-tank units only possessed Type 1 37mm anti-tank guns that were ineffective against Soviet armor, and the infantry had very few machine-guns and no anti-tank rifles or sub-machine guns. The Japanese regarded none of the Kwantung Army’s units as combat ready, with some units being declared less than 15% ready. Essentially the army has been reduced to a light-infantry counter-insurgency force with limited mobility and limited ability to fight a conventional land war against a superior equipped coordinated enemy.

The Soviets faced major challenges in their invasion of Manchuria. First, Manchuria was vast, roughly the size of France and Germany put together. Manchuria is a natural redoubt, with a central plain surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped series of barriers which includes the deserts of Mongolia, the Greater Khingan Mountains to the west, the Lesser Khingan Mountains to the north, and the eastern highlands to the east.

In the east, rivers, taiga forests, and swampy terrain complicated movement and any good avenues of approach were defended by Japanese fortified positions. The Soviets launched their invasion during the rainy season and faced incessant rain and muddy terrain.

The Mongolian and Soviet cavalry divisions on the Transbaikal Front were able to cross the Greater Khingan Mountains faster than the armor and Mechanized units which had to travel on few available roads.

Film: 1945 Soviet–Japanese War (Red Army tanks)

Film: How Russia Erased Japan’s Million Soldiers in Just 11 Days

Video: Russian Invasion of China – Operation August Storm 1945

1st Far Eastern Front

The 1st Far Eastern Front was to form the eastern half of the pincer movement. This attack involved the 1st Red Banner Army, the 5th Army and the 10th Mechanized Corps striking towards Mudanjiang (or Mutanchiang). After the city was captured, the force was to advance towards the cities of Jilin (or Kirin), Changchun and Harbin. Its final objective was to link up with the forces of the Transbaikal Front at Changchun and Jilin thus closing the double envelopment movement. The Soviet 9th Air Army provided the air support for this front.

As a secondary objective, the 1st Far Eastern Front was to prevent Japanese forces from escaping into Korea, and then liberate the Korean Peninsula down to the 38th parallel, establishing what later became North Korea. This secondary objective was to be carried out by the 25th Army. Meanwhile, the 35th Army was tasked with liberating the cities of Boli (or Poli), Linkou and Mishan.

Soviet troops of the 1st Red Banner Army are pushing a US lend lease Jeep through the taiga after crossing the border.

A US lend lease truck (probably a Studebaker US6) is towing a M1942 (ZIS-3) 76.2mm divisional field gun on a muddy road. In the foreground is a Stalinets-65 diesel engine tractor.

The US supplied the Soviet Union 586 US DUKW amphibious trucks during the war. Here, Soviet DUKWs are lined up for a river crossing in Manchuria.

Soviet ISU-152 SPG number 155 fording the Muling River (a left tributary of the Ussuri) east of Mudanjiang in Manchuria (today China). Cities of Jixi and Hulin are located on the Muling River.

Soviet ISU-152 number 152 fording the Muling River. ISU-152 numbers 152 and 155 were probably from the 395th Guards Heavy SP Artillery Regiment.

A Soviet artillery unit moving up a hill in Manchuria. The vehicle in the background appear to be a T-26T artillery tractor towing a field gun. The soldier on the left is carrying a mortar barrel on his right shoulder.

A Soviet SU-76M SPG and riflemen of the 35th Army advance on the Japanese fortified town Hutouzhen (north of Viadivostok) on 14 August 1945.

On 10 August 1945, Soviet 25th Army on the 1st Far Eastern Front entered northern Korea.   The Soviets began amphibious landings in Korea by August 14th and rapidly took over the northeast of the country, and on August 16th they landed at Wonsan. Japanese resistance was light, and Soviet forces secured most major cities in the north by August 25th (including Pyongyang, the second largest city on the Korean Peninsula after Seoul). Having fought Japan on Korean soil, the Soviet forces were well received by Koreans. 

Throughout August, there was a mix of celebration, confusion, and conflict, mainly caused by the lack of information provided to the Koreans by the Allies. The general Korean public were not aware of the division of Korea until the Soviets entered Pyongyang on August 25th.

2nd Far Eastern Front

The 2nd Far Eastern Front was deployed in a supporting attack role with the Soviet 10th Air Army providing air support. Its objectives were the cities of Harbin and Qiqihar, and to prevent an orderly withdrawal of Japanese forces to the south.

The front also included the 88th Separate Rifle Brigade, composed of Chinese and Korean guerrillas of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army who had retreated into the USSR in the beginning of the 1940s. The unit was set to participate in the invasion for use in sabotage and reconnaissance missions, but was considered too valuable to be sent into the battlefield. They were thus withheld from participating in combat and instead used for leadership and administrative positions for district offices and police stations in the liberated areas during the subsequent occupation. The Korean battalion of the brigade (including future leader of the DPRK, Kim Il Sung) was also sent to assist in the following occupation of northern Korea as part of the 1st Far Eastern Front.

A column of T-34/85 tanks advancing forward on the 2nd Far Eastern Front.

A Soviet BT-7 tank, predecessor of the T-34 tank, moving into Manchuria. The older BT-7 was better than the T-26, but still had poorer reliability than the more modern tanks.

A Soviet SU-76M carrying troops checking a civilian on a horse in Manchuria.

Harbin

On 17 August 1945, the mass surrender of Japanese troops began. To accelerate the surrender, Soviet Airborne Forces or VDV (Vozdushno-Desantnye Voyska) conducted airborne drops in several major cities, including Harbin, Jilin, and Pyongyang, from August 18 to 24. In addition, special mobile detachments were formed to capture important industrial centers quickly, preventing the Japanese from destroying or evacuating valuable assets.

Soviet soldiers advancing through Harbin on 20 August 1945. The vehicles (rear not visible) are towing Soviet 45mm M1937 anti-tank guns. Two of these guns were employed as an anti-tank platoon, organic to each rifle battalion.

A line of Soviet T-34/85 tanks parked in a church square in Harbin.

On 21 August 1945, the Soviet forces captured a large number of Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go light tanks near Harbin. The Japanese tanks, in poor condition and low on fuel and ammunition, were not able to mount any resistance against the Soviet surprise assault on Harbin. It is believed these tanks belonged to a Japanese armor training unit. Most of the trained crewmen were probably sent as replacements to Japanese armor units in the Pacific.

Soviet officers walking pass a Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go light tank. Note the wooden storage rack with equipment on the engine deck.

A long line of Type 95 Ha-Go light tanks. Note the long wooden storage boxes across the engine decks of four of the tanks.

Soviet soldiers examining captured Type 95 Ha-Go tanks. Note the small white star painted on the plate on the left rear hull of the center tank.

Transbaikal Front

The Transbaikal Front was to form the western half of the Soviet pincer movement, attacking across the Inner Mongolian desert and over the Greater Khingan mountains. These forces had as their objectives firstly to secure Mukden (today Shenyang), then to linkup with troops of the 1st Far Eastern Front at the Changchun area in south central Manchuria, and in doing so close the pincer movement.

The 36th Army was also attacking from the west, but with the objective of meeting forces of the 2nd Far Eastern Front at Harbin and Qiqihar. As a secondary objective, the Transbaikal Front was to prevent Japanese forces from retreating into China.

Amassing over one thousand tanks and self-propelled guns, the 6th Guards Tank Army served as an armored spearhead, leading the front’s advance and capturing objectives 350 km (220 miles) inside Inner Manchuria by the fifth day of the invasion. The Soviet 12th Air Army provided the air support for this front.

Commander of the 45th Guards Tank Battalion (20th Guards Tank Brigade, 5th Guards Tank Corps, 6th Guards Tank Army), Guards Captain Selyutin S.A. (3rd from left) posing in front of T-34/85 tank with code “520 1-01” on the turret in Mongolia, July 1945.

Personnel of the 20th Guards Tank Brigade (5th Guards Tank Corps, 6th Guards Tank Army) in China, 1945 (probably late August or later). Codes “520 UK”, “520 USh”, “520 1-01”, and “520 1-02” are visible on the first four T-34/85 tank turrets.

A large Soviet mechanized force moves through the Grand Khingan Mountains into Manchuria from the northwest. A column of T-34/85 tanks is passing a supply convoy along a narrow section of road.

A Soviet T-34/85 tank reaching the crest of a hill. Note the large auxiliary fuel tank mounted on the tank’s right fender. It appears to be a 55 Gallon drum.

Soviet T-34/85 number 129 of the 6th Guards Tank Army on 10 August 1945.

Tanks of the 5th Guards Tank Corps, 6th Guards Tank Army advancing. On the right is T-34/85 number 522 with the slogan “For Stalin” painted on the turret. Attached to the fender is an unditching log. Flying over the tank column is a Polikarpov Po-2 observation biplane.

A T-34/85 tank carrying Soviet troops advancing forward.

Anti-tank artillery was not highly regarded by the Japanese, and that the samurai considered “tank-buster” and suicide squads to be the most effective method of combating armored vehicles. Each Japanese rifle company was assigned 13-16 men armed with grenades, mines, Molotov cocktails, and other lethal “surprises”.

The favorite tactic of the “fighters” was ambushes. They waited for the Soviet armored vehicle to get close, then they would fling a mine on a rope under its tracks. Sometimes the Japanese would jump onto the tank/SPG and throw mud into its viewing slits/periscopes or covered them with a tarpaulin. Then they would attach a magnetic mine or a bunch of grenades to the armored vehicle and set off the detonator.

Suicide bombers were far more dangerous. With grenades or explosives strapped on, they would throw themselves directly under the vehicle or they would destroy the vehicle by holding an anti-tank mine against the vehicle’s armor. Soviet tank/SPG crews were powerless against the suicide bombers, so they were dealt with by accompanying infantry.

Soviet T-34/85 tanks halted for a rest during the advance into Manchuria. In the background, there are three T-26 tanks. By 1945, the T-26 had become a rare sight as most T-26s were destroyed in 1941 and in 1944 the surviving T-26s were withdrawn from the western front.

More Soviet T-34/85 tanks halted for a rest. On the right are the rear of two US lend lease half-tracks. In the background in front of a building is a US lend lease Dodge WC51/52 weapons carrier.

Soviet troops and an ISU-152 self-propelled gun during the march through Inner Mongolia.

Two ISU-152 self-propelled guns driving on a muddy road.

Two ISU-122 self-propelled assault guns moving up on a muddy road. The ISU-122 was mainly used as a long-range tank destroyer. Note the long gun barrel.

Soviet M4A2(76)W Sherman tanks are spread out in a field. The closest tank on the left has the newer HVSS suspension and has an unditching log on the rear hull. Its turret and gun barrel appear to be covered with foliage. Two Shermans with numbers on their turrets behind it has the VVSS suspension. Four Shermans in the background are too far away to determine their suspension type.

Tankers of the Soviet 9th Guards Mechanized Corps, 6th Guards Tank Army, meeting a group of civilians. This M4A2(76)W Sherman tank has the VVSS suspension indicated by the narrow steel chevron tracks.

Soviet officers and tank crew posing in front of a M4A2(76)W Sherman with HVSS suspension. The rubber on the road wheels and return rollers are painted white probably for a victory parade in late 1945.

Kamikaze Attack

Due to severe fuel shortages and overwhelming Soviet air superiority, many Japanese squadrons in Manchuria were ordered to prepare for suicide (kamikaze) attacks against Soviet armored columns. The “Shinshu Fumetsu” (“immortal divine land”) Special Attack Corps carried out one of the final recorded kamikaze missions of the war.

The Japanese Imperial Army’s 5th Kyōiku Hikōtai (Training Squadron) was stationed at Chinchow (today Jinzhou), southwest of Mukden. With Soviet forces approaching their airfield, ten Japanese officers of the unit did not want to surrender to the Soviets.

Second Lieutenant Tatsuo Imada, Hiroshima (Squadron Commander)
Second Lieutenant Iyoji Baba, Yamagata
Second Lieutenant Teruo Iwasa, Hokkaidō
Second Lieutenant Iwao Ōkura, Hokkaidō
Second Lieutenant Tetsuo Tanifuji, Aomori
Second Lieutenant Kōji Kitajima, Tōkyō
Second Lieutenant Shinji Miyagawa, Tōkyō
Second Lieutenant Toshikazu Hino, Hyōgo
Second Lieutenant Itsuo Hatano, Hiroshima
Warrant Officer Kiyoshi Ninomiya, Shizuoka

It is believed that these young men between 22 to 27 years old were training officers, who had trained and sent off many Special Attack Corps pilots on suicide missions. They decided to follow them.

At 1400 hours on 19 August 1945, they took off in ten Mansyū Ki-79 “Willow” Type 2 and Tachikawa Ki-55 “Ida” Type 99 Advanced Trainers and flew northwest towards a group of Soviet tanks that gathered near Chifeng which WO Ninomiya had scouted the previous day. All of them made their suicide attack against the aforementioned Soviet tanks for the honor of Japan. There is no information on how many Soviet tanks were damaged or destroyed in this attack.

Ki-79 and Ki-55 trainers on an airfield in Manchuria. The closest planes are Ki-79s.

This is Second Lieutenant Tanifuji and his new wife Asako, who he had just married. She flew with her husband in the attack against the Soviet tanks. A woman named Sumiko flew with Second Lieutenant Ōkura.

The Japanese military typically granted a promotion of two ranks for soldiers who died in a special attack, but this operation was not an official tokkō mission since it took place after the Emperor’s announcement of the war’s end on 15 August 1945 so these soldiers received a one rank promotion posthumously (example: Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant).

On 19 August 1945, the Soviets captured a Japanese airfield north of Mukden. On the left are Mitsubishi Ki-57 “Topsy” transport aircraft (developed from the Ki-21 bomber during the early 1940s). In the lower right corner is a Type 97 Chi Ha medium tank.

This is a closer view of the Type 97 Chi Ha tank in the above photo. Soviet officers are standing by the tank which has a circular radio antenna on the turret. Behind the officers, the tracks, sprocket, and a road wheel of another tank can be seen. The Ki-57 transports are in the background.

Japanese planes on an airfield in Manchuria. On the left are two Ki-55 trainers. The plane in the center (nose on ground and tail in the air) is a Kokusai Ki-86A “Cypress” trainer which is a German Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann trainer that was license-built in Japan.

Once the forces of the 1st Far Eastern Front and the Transbaikal Front liberated the city of Mukden, the Transbaikal Front forces swung southward down the Liaotung Peninsula liberating Port Arthur (today Lüshun) and Dalian on 22 August 1945.

Liberating Port Arthur was payback for the Soviets because during the Russo-Japanese War during 1904-05, Port Arthur fell to Japanese forces after a long and bloody siege.

A Soviet soldier is directing trucks on a road south to Port Arthur. The sign reads “ДАЕШЬ ПОРТ-АРТУР!” (Dae-sh Port-Artur!), which translates to “Give us Port Arthur!” or “On to Port Arthur!”.

Guards Lieutenant Vasily Sarafanov of the 21st Guards Tank Brigade was the commander of this T-34/85 in Port Arthur on 22 August 1945. On top of the turret is a Degtyaryov DT light machine gun. The numbers on the turret are 521.

Dalian, is the name of the port city today. From 1898 to 1905, it was Dalny. From 1905 to 1945, it was Dairen. After WWII, it was changed to Dalian which its literal meaning is “The Far-Away”.

Soviet tank crews meet the residents of Dairen, September 1945. T-34/85 number “522 U/1” belonged to the 5th Guards Tank Corps of the 6th Guards Tank Army.

Tanks of Guards Major A.M. Ustyuzhanin enter the port of Dairen, 1945. The first two T-34/85 tanks have turret numbers 150 and 152. Note the last digit of the number is duplicated on the front fenders.

Sources state that Ustyuzhanin’s unit is the “15th Guards Separate Tank Battalion, 5th Guards Tank Corps, 6th Guards Tank Army” but that is incorrect. Tanks of the 5th Guards Tank Corps had turret numbers that began with a number 5 (520, 521, 522). The turret numbers of these tanks begin with a number 1. Tanks from the 6th Guards Tank Army and the 39th Army entered the port of Dairen. Ustyuzhanin’s unit would be either the I/44 Tank Battalion of the 44th Tank Brigade OR the I/206 Tank Battalion of the 206th Tank Brigade.

Soviet tanks on the Yellow Sea coast near Dairen, August 1945. Note T-34/85 number 153 has a small red star to the right of the turret number.

South Sakhalin

In 1905, Japanese forces invaded and occupied Sakhalin Island in the closing stages of the Russo-Japanese War. In accordance with the Treaty of Portsmouth of 1905, the southern part of the island below the 50th parallel was reverted to Japan, while Russia retained the northern three-fifths of the island. As part of the Soviet’s agreement with the Allies to the enter the war against Japan in 1945, the Soviets wanted the south of Sakhalin Island returned to them.

On 10 July 1943, the Soviet 16th Army was formed for the third and last time in the war on the Far Eastern Front and was based on a Special Rifle Corps. From the spring of 1945, the 16th Army was responsible for the defense of the Soviet border with Japan on the north side of Sakhalin Island, and also along the mainland coast of the Tatar Strait from Sovetskaya Gavan to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur.

The Soviet command, having assessed the major success of the Manchurian offensive that had begun, decided to launch an offensive on South Sakhalin as well. The favorable situation in Manchuria allowed for the Sakhalin and then the Kuril Islands operations to be carried out ahead of schedule.

The Soviet 16th Army, incorporating the 56th Rifle Corps, 3rd, 103rd and 104th fortified areas, 5th and 113th separate infantry brigades, 214th Separate Tank Brigade, and a number of separate infantry, tank, artillery and other units, was subordinated to the 2nd Far Eastern Front. The 214th Separate Tank Brigade consisted of the I/214 and II/214 Tank Battalions. The 56th Rifle Corps consisted of the 79th Rifle Division, 2nd Rifle Brigade, the Sakhalin Rifle Regiment, the 6th Battalion (infantry) and other formations and units. It was supported by the 255th mixed aviation division (106 aircraft) and the Northern Pacific Naval Flotilla.

Northern Pacific Naval Flotilla (operating from Petropavlosk Naval Base):

  • 60 ships and vessels including transports
  • 2nd Independent Naval Aviation Bomber Regiment (80 aircraft)
  • Coastal Artillery batteries
  • 365th Soviet Marine Battalion

The north of South Sakhalin was covered by the Koton (today Pobedino) fortified area, which was defended by part of the Imperial Japanese Army 88th Infantry Division, the “Essential Division”, which had no tank support. The Japanese had prepared a complex system of numerous fortifications, with their left flank resting on the Poronai chain, and their right flank on the swampy right bank of the Poronai River which flowed north to south. The fortified area was a chain of enclosed concrete bunkers, mutually covering each other with fire and connected by communication passages. It was not built directly along the border, but at a distance of several kilometers from it, which protected the defensive structures from Soviet artillery. The distance from the border to the chain of bunkers was reinforced by a security zone with well-equipped positions for Japanese infantry, who were trained in the conditions of mountainous taiga and swampy terrain.

On the morning of 9 August 1945, Soviet troops conducted reconnaissance in force in the Koton direction. The operation began on August 11th. The main attack was carried out by the 79th Rifle Division, reinforced by the 214th Tank Brigade and artillery, in the direction of Koton. Another regiment advanced off-road bypassing the main line of the fortified area on the eastern side.

The advance detachment of the 165th Rifle Regiment at 1100 hours on August 11th began a battle for the border stronghold of Honda (Handa), which covered the first line of defense of the fortified area. Soviet soldiers captured 4 pillboxes. The Japanese fought bravely, blew up the bridge over the river and knocked out several Soviet tanks.

A Soviet T-34/85 tank carrying troops crossing the a river (probably the Poronai) in South Sakhalin.

A knocked out Soviet T-26 tank in South Sakhalin.

The main forces of the 165th Rifle Regiment entered the battle. During the night, a temporary crossing was built from logs and improvised means, and at dawn, the infantry and tanks attacked Honda. The T-34/85 tanks brought into the battle crushed the forward barriers, came close to the post and suppressed the Japanese artillery and machine guns with point-blank fire at the embrasures. All attempts by Japanese soldiers to break out of the encirclement were unsuccessful. The fierce battle continued until the evening and ended with the complete defeat and capture of the Japanese garrison.

A Soviet T-34/85 tank passing by a Soviet 76mm Divisional gun M1942 (ZiS-3). The artillery crew is pushing the gun into a firing position.

On the night of August 11-12, the advance detachment of the 179th Rifle Regiment marched along the swampy left bank of the Poronai River and unexpectedly attacked the Muika stronghold. After a stubborn battle, the garrison was routed. At night, Soviet soldiers began to move through the swamp to the city of Koton.

A Soviet T-26 tank carrying troop through a swampy area. Note the unditching log mounted on the tank’s right fender.

By the evening of August 12th, the 165th Rifle Regiment approached the forward edge of the main line of the Kharamitogh fortified area and, together with the 157th Rifle Regiment, which was following in the second echelon of the division, began the assault. On the morning of the 13th, soldiers of the 179th Regiment reached Koton.

The Japanese were able to repel the first attacks. Soviet artillery and tanks were brought up to the town. The stubborn battle for the town and the station lasted for two days. By the evening of August 15th, the regiment had completely captured Koton. The Soviets seized Keton airfield (today Smirnykh Air Base, abandoned since 1991) and used it for Soviet Air Force operations, initially accommodating three squadrons of Tupolev Tu-2 bombers and the 528th Fighter Aviation Regiment equipped with Yakovlev Yak-9 fighters.

At dawn on August 16th, after an hour of artillery and air strikes, Soviet troops began an assault on the main Japanese defense line. By the end of the 17th, the Japanese fortified area garrison was dismembered. By the evening of the next day, after capturing the main pass of Harami-Toge (Haramitori), the fortified area was defeated and the remnants of the Japanese garrison capitulated. The main road through South Sakhalin was open to Soviet troops and tanks.

Soviet T-34/85 tank under the command of Junior Lieutenant Kazakov of the 214th Separate Tank Brigade supported the infantry’s advance, destroying enemy gun emplacements with direct fire. The meaning of the marking on the turret is unknown.

During the battles on the border, in order to speed up the defeat of the enemy, the Soviet command decided to land naval assault forces deep in the rear of the defending Japanese troops. On the morning of August 16th, in poor weather conditions, a detachment of ships from the Northern Pacific Flotilla, the 365th Separate Marine Battalion and the 2nd Battalion of the 113th Rifle Brigade landed in the port of Toro (today Shakhtyorsk) and with a swift strike captured the port and the city.

After the breakthrough of the fortified area was completed, Soviet troops began advancing through South Sakhalin. The average pace of which was 20-30 km (12.4 to 18.6 miles) per day. Several naval transports with ammunition, fuel and food were prepared to supply the ground forces, which followed the troops along the western coast and issued supplies at the ports.

Despite the announcement of unconditional surrender (made on August 15th), some Japanese troops on the island continued to resist. This was orders from Japanese commanders who were trying to gain time to evacuate troops and equipment to Hokkaido.

On August 20th, a landing party consisting of the 113th Rifle Brigade and a battalion of Soviet Marines was landed at the port of Maoka (today Kholmsk).

A number of telephone operators in the Maoka city post office pledged not to evacuate and maintained contact with the city of Wakkanai on Hokkaido, as well as mainland Japan, until the moment that Soviet forces destroyed the telephone and postal installations in the city. Fearing that they would be raped by the invading Soviet troops, nine of the twelve female operators poisoned themselves. Three were saved by male colleagues’ intervention. The survivors at the post office were treated well by the Soviets. In Japan, it is known as the Maoka post office incident. The city of Wakkanai has a memorial to these post office operators.

After the Maoka landing, the first units of the Japanese 88th Infantry Division began to surrender. On August 24th, the Japanese command in South Sakhalin agreed to capitulate. To complete the capitulation, a landing party was landed at the port of Otomari (today Korsakov), through which the evacuation and removal of material assets was carried out. The Japanese troops did not offer any resistance and this landing was the last military action on the island.

Soviet T-26 tanks advancing through southern Sakhalin. The lead tank appears to be flying a “Cease Fire” flag hoping that Japanese troops would not fire on them and surrender.

On August 25th, Soviet forces occupied Toyohara (today Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), the capital of Sakhalin Prefecture, making the occupation of southern Sakhalin complete.

Video: The Last Battle of World War II: The Liberation of Sakhalin

Video: Soviet invasion of South Sakhalin (1945)

Kuril Islands

The Soviet Invasion of the Kuril Islands was the last Allied operation of WWII. The Soviet military planned to use South Sakhalin as a forward base for the planned invasion of Hokkaido (Japan’s northern main island) and the Kuril Islands. However, the Soviet plan to occupy Hokkaido was halted after US President Harry Truman sent a letter to Stalin on August 17th, opposing the occupation of Hokkaido, which Stalin accepted on August 18th. The Soviets abandoned their plans to land on Hokkaido and decided to proceed with their invasion of the Kuril Islands instead.

The operation took place between 18 August and 1 September 1945. The attack was made by the 87th Rifle Corps of the 16th Army from the 2nd Far Eastern Front, and elements of the Kamchatka Defense Area. Ships and transportation were drawn from the Petropavlovsk military base and the 128th Aviation Division provided air support.

The islands were occupied by the Japanese 91st Infantry Division (Shiashkotan, Paramushir, Shumshu, and Onekotan), 42nd Division (Simushir), 41st Independent Regiment (Matua), 129th Independent Brigade (Urup), and 89th Infantry Division (Iturup and Kunashir). The Japanese commander was Lieutenant General Fusaki Tsutsumi.

The initial reconnaissance was undertaken on August 18th by a detachment of the 113th Separate Rifle Brigade, carried by two mine trawlers (ТЩ-589 and ТЩ-590) to Rubetzu Bay on Iturup island. The landings on Iturup were continued by the 355th Rifle Division, which also landed on the smaller island of Urup.

Shumshu Island

Shumshu is the easternmost and second-northernmost island in the Kuril Islands chain, which divides the Sea of Okhotsk from the northwest Pacific Ocean. The name of the island is derived from the Ainu language, meaning “good island”. It is separated from Paramushir by the very narrow Second Kuril Strait in the northeast 2.5 km (1.6 miles), and its northern tip is 11 km (6.8 miles), from Cape Lopatka at the southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia).

By 1945, the island was strongly garrisoned by both the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) and Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). A garrison of over 24,500 soldiers reinforced by 74 tanks was garrisoned on Shumshu in nine locations centered around Kataoka.

The Japanese 11th Tank Regiment was on Shumshu and consisted of:

  • 20 Type 97 ShinHoTo Chi-Ha Medium Tanks (long barrel 47mm gun)
  • 19 Type 97 Chi-Ha Medium Tanks (short barrel 57mm gun)
  • 25 Type 95 Ha-Go Light Tanks (37mm gun)

Commander of the 11th Tank Regiment: Colonel Sueo Ikeda

One ShinHoTo Chi-Ha medium tank (the nearest) and Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tanks on Shumshu Island in 1944-45. In the background are Japanese troops standing at attention behind Isuzu Type 94 6×6 trucks and one Tokyu Kurogane Type 95 4×4 Scout Car.

All coastal areas suitable for amphibious landings were covered with permanent emplacements and bunkers, interconnected with underground passages and trenches. All the warehouses, power stations, and hospitals were up to 50 meters (164 feet) underground. The island was subjected to sporadic air raids by USAAF and US forces based in the Aleutian Islands since 1943.

On 12 August 1945, the US fleet carried out naval gunfire on the northern Kuril Islands, including Poromiyoshi Island, but it did not fire at Shumushu Island.

On August 14th, Soviet coastal artillery (four 130mm coastal guns) stationed at Cape Lopatka on the Kamchatka Peninsula fired several shells onto the sandy beach near Takeda-hama (today Takeda Beach) on the northeast corner of the island.

On August 17th, the Japanese forces on Shumshu had noticed the movement of numerous boats along the Kamchatka Peninsula coast, but they did not consider the possibility of a Soviet invasion. They assumed the enemy was US forces, and it was not until the weather cleared and the identity of the enemy became clear much later in the day that they realized it was the Soviets. Many of the soldiers on the island only realized the enemy was the Soviets much later.

On August 18th, Soviets launch their invasion of Shumshu Island which was the only major battle of the Soviet campaign in the Kuril Islands and arguably the very last battle of WWII.

Around 0230 hours on August 18th, Soviet advance elements of a naval infantry battalion landed at Takeda-hama on Shumushu Island. Due to the excessive weight of their equipment, the Soviet forces were unable to reach the shore by boat and had to swim ashore.

Around 0330 hours, the main landing force, the 1st echelon (the 138th Rifle Regiment), began to land. The Japanese forces fiercely counterattacked and reported sinking 13 landing craft. According to Soviet sources, two landing craft, including the command craft, were set ablaze, and several others were damaged. Only four anti-tank guns had landed, and with the loss of their headquarters ship, the Soviet forces had difficulty organizing their units ashore.

Japanese coastal artillery soon determined the range of the Soviet ships. Almost completely lacking radio communication with the initial assault troops ashore, the Soviet ships’ attempts at naval gunfire support were ineffective. When the Soviet second wave headed for shore at 0530 hours, led by 16 ex-US Navy large infantry landing craft, LCI(L)s, Japanese coastal artillery laid down heavy shell fire against them. By the time the second wave finished unloading at 0900 hours, Japanese artillery fire had destroyed five landing ships – DS-1 (ex-USS LCI(L)-672), DS-5 (ex-USS LCI(L)-525), DS-9 (ex-USS LCI(L)-554), DS-43 (ex-USS LCI(L)-943), and DS-47 (ex-USS LCI(L)-671). The Soviet second wave came ashore without its artillery and mortars and with few of its radios.

US-built Soviet landing craft DS-5 was hit by Japanese coastal artillery fire and sunk at the landing site on Shumshu.

Soviet Landing Craft DS-9 is shown here beached on Shumshu after crippled by enemy fire during the landing operation. Note it still has the large US Navy number 554 painted on its bow.

Both DS-5 and DS-9 had two battle stars with the US Navy for the Invasion of Normandy (6 to 25 June 1944) and the Invasion of Southern France (15 August to 16 September 1944).

To support the Japanese forces on Shumshu, both the remaining elements of the 54th Army Flying Squadron and the IJN North-East Air Force were dispatched from Kataoka Airfield. Four IJA Nakajima Ki-43 “Oscar” fighters flew escort for four Nakajima B5N2 “Kate” Type 97 Carrier Attack Bombers. However, since there were no Soviet aircraft, the Army fighters attacked Soviet minesweepers. The Naval Attack Bombers began bombing and hit a Soviet transport ship with a 800 kg (1763.7 lbs) bomb. One of the bombers, severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire, then made a kamikaze attack on the Soviet minesweeper KT-152, which sank with 17 crew members aboard, became the last successful kamikaze attack of WWII.

Last Tank Banzai Charge

Hill 171 (171 meters, 561 feet) is located near the northern coast of the island, close to Kataoka (today Baikovo), which was the main Japanese garrison and harbor area at the time. It is the highest elevation on the island. Northeast of Hill 171 was the IJA 282nd Infantry Battalion of the 73rd Infantry Brigade and to the southwest was the IJA 293rd Infantry Battalion of the 74th Infantry Brigade.

Soviet forces which landed on Takeda-hama around 0400 hours on August 18th pushed inland and occupied the strategic high ground, Hill 171. There is no information if any Japanese units was occupying Hill 171 or which Soviet unit(s) captured the hill during the invasion.

The 11th Tank Regiment worked in cooperation with Type 2 Ka-Mi amphibious tanks of the the Japanese naval guard force. Around 0650 hours, the 11th Tank Regiment’s commanding officer led a banzai charge against the Soviet forces on Hill 171 and drove them back, then advanced further up the northern slope of the hill. The Soviet forces fiercely resisted by concentrating their anti-tank weapons (4 anti-tank guns, anti-tank rifles, and RPG-43 HEAT hand grenades), destroying the Japanese tanks one by one. However, after being hit by fire from Japanese forces southeast of Hill 171 and with reinforcements from the Japanese 293rd Infantry Battalion joining the fight, the Soviet forces retreated to the north side of Hill 171, leaving behind numerous bodies.

The 11th Tank Regiment lost 27 tanks, and 97 soldiers, including Colonel Ikeda and many officers, were KIA in the last armor action of WWII. The naval guard force’s Type 2 Ka-Mi amphibious tanks also suffered losses, but several survived, and after the war, they were retrieved and later displayed at the Kubinka Tank Museum in Moscow.

A view of Hill 171 on Shumshu Island.

Soviet anti-tank teams occupied the high ground on Hill 171, the highest elevation on the island.

A Type 97 ShinHoTo Chi-Ha Medium Tank with unditching logs attached to the fenders.

Japanese tanks advancing on Shumshu. The tank on the right has unditching logs lashed to its fender.

Two Soviet Marines probably of the 365th Marine Battalion posing by a knocked out Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go light tank. The Soviet marine on the left is holding a PTRD-41 (ProtivoTankovoye Ruzhyo Degtyaryova), which is a single-shot anti-tank rifle that fires a 14.5×114mm round. Note the foggy weather.

Another group of Soviet Marines posing with the same knocked out Japanese tank. The marine standing on the left is wearing a naval style cap and a striped telnyashka (undershirt). At the time this photo was taken, the fog in the area had cleared out.

This knocked out Japanese tank had caught on fire. The rubber of several road wheels had burnt off indicated by the white ash.

This Japanese tank had ran off the road in the fog into a ditch and hit a telegraph pole. The crew abandoned the tank.

Damaged Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go light tanks are gathered at a collection area on the island, 23 August 1945.

On August 23rd, the 20,000-strong Japanese garrisons on the islands were ordered to surrender as part of the general surrender of Japan. However, some of the garrison forces ignored this order and continued to resist Soviet occupation.

On September 1st, elements of the 87th Rifle Corps were landed by torpedo boats, mine trawlers and transports (departing from Otomari) on Kunashir and Shikotan in the southern Kuril Islands. This was an assault landing against Japanese resistance.

On 2 September 1945, Japan formally signed the surrender documents aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo bay ending WWII. Meanwhile, Soviet forces continued advancing through the Kuril Island chain.

On September 4th, the Soviet 87th Rifle Corps occupied five smaller islands (Sibotzu, Taraku-Shima, Uri-Shima, Akiuri, and Suiseto). After September 4th, Soviet forces occupied the rest of the Kuril Islands without further resistance.

Today

In 1946, Outer Mongolia received its independence and became the “State of Mongolia”. Today, Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of China where it is able to manage its own affairs, including cultural, economic, and language matters, while still being part of China.

The Zaisan Memorial in Khan-Uul, Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, honors allied Mongolian and Soviet soldiers killed in WWII (1943 to 1945). Construction began in 1969 and the monument was unveiled in 1971 during the 50th anniversary of the People’s Revolution of 1921.

The inscription on the pedestal, written in Mongolian Cyrillic, translates to:

“The ‘Revolutionary Mongolia’ tank brigade, established with the contributions from the Mongolian people, took part in the war against Hitler’s Germany.”

The Shinshū Fumetsu Special Attack Squadron Monument, erected in 1967, stands on the grounds of the Setagaya Kannon Temple in Tokyo. Note all the monuments at the temple have the text only in Japanese.

Rusty abandoned Japanese tanks on Shumshu Island today.

This is the rusty remains of a Japanese Type 2 Ka-Mi amphibious tank on the island. It is missing its turret and the large hollow pontoons made from steel plates attached to the front glacis plate and rear decking which gave it the necessary buoyancy.

Model and Conversion Kits

1/35:
Dragon 6787 JSU-122 Tank Destroyer 3 in 1 (JSU-122, JSU-122S or JSU-152) – 2020
MSD Micro Scale Design 3502 T-34-85 Soviet Tank Late Version – 2017
Zvezda 3645 American Medium Tank M4A2 (76)W “Sherman” – 2022

Fury Models 35060 M4A2 (76)W HVSS Conversion set for Zvezda 3645 kit (Resin)

1/48:
RS Models 48006 Manshu Ki-79B – 2020
Tamiya 32599 Russian Medium Tank T-34-85 – 2021

1/72:
Dragon 7269 T-34/85 Mod. 1944 – 2005
Pegasus Hobbies 7670 ISU-122 & 152 Soviet Assault Guns – 20??
RS Models 92037 Manshu Ki-79b Shimbu-tai – 2013
UM (Uni Models) 377 Medium tank M4A2(76) HVSS Sherman – 2009




Erschienen auf Mike's Research

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