Soviet actions in Khalkin Gol and Lake Hasan

The Soviet Actions in Asia
Timeline
(1938-1939)

A historical overview of the Soviet combat actions in Asia.

This section will focus on a brief history of the Soviet combat actions in Asia. These include the military actions at Lake Hasan as well as the Khalkin Gol campaign. Origins to these conflicts are examined, and the costs of the war in men and equipment are given when available. Color maps are planned for this section in the near future to better illustrate the conflicts.

History of the Asian Campaigns
Prelude to War Lake Hasan - June 1938 Lake Hasan - July 1938 Lake Hasan - August 1938	Prelude to War Khalkin Gol River - May 1939 Khalkin Gol River - June 1939 Khalkin Gol River - July 1939 Khalkin Gol River - August 1939 Khalkin Gol River - September 1939
Costs of the Wars

Lake Hasan Campaign

The underlying causes of the battle of lake Hasan could be traced back to the Japanese occupation of Manchuria in 1931. That occupation resulted in large numbers of Japanese soldiers facing the Red Army in a part of the world where the border was unmarked and poorly defined. Over 500 incidents involving the two forces took place along the border between 1932 and 1938. The mutual assistance pact that the Soviets signed with Mongolia only increased tensions, as the Red Army began patrolling parts of that border as well.

The Japanese probed the Soviet strength on numerous occasions to test their resolve and see if they could expand their territorial gains in Asia. They also remembered the swift victory over the Russians in 1905 and expected an easy victory. They were sadly mistaken. For the Soviets were more capable than their Czarist predecessors and were building an industrial base that could support a war in Asia. They were also just beginning to increase their military presence in the region.

1937

June Soviets occupy the islands of Sennufa and Bolshoi on the Amur river. The Japanese protest and high level negotiations begin. Along the river small skirmishes brake out between opposing patrols.

Early July
Soviets agree to evacuate the disputed islands. Japanese forces move in as soon as Red Army leaves resulting in many Soviet protests.

7 July
Japanese army invades China.

July
Soviets and Japanese argue over fishing rights, territorial issues, and other minor matters. Consulates are closed in both nations. Japanese place Soviet embassy under surveillance.

June 1938

----
Soviets begin construction of submarine and air base at Posiet Bay south of Vladivostok.

---- Soviet frontier guards unit under the command of Colonel Grebennik take two strategic hills (Zaozernaya and Bezymyanaya) within artillery range of the base. They begin fortifying the base of Zaozernaya hill in secret.

20th
Japanese discover Soviet occupation of Zaozernaya and Bezymyanaya and demand that they immediately pull back or be removed by force.

24th - 25th
Inspection of Soviet forces in Asia by General Vassili Blucher. Soviet government is informed of the fortification on Zaozernaya hill.

29th
Japanese forces attack a patrol of 11 Soviet frontier guards led by Lieutenant Makhalin. Japanese wait for Soviet response.

30th
Soviet government files a formal protest.

July 1938

----
Japanese begin to concentrate forces near Khasan Lake.

29th
Japanese forces attack Soviet positions, and are pushed back.

31st
After several days of fierce fighting, Japanese forces take both Zaozernaya and Bezymyanaya hills.

August 1938

2nd - 3rd
Counterattack by a single Red Army division fails to push back the Japanese.
General Vassili Blucher attempts to peacefully resolve the situation, but is arrested and sent back to Moscow.

6th
9th anniversery of OKDVA (Eastern Army HQ)
Soviet 32nd and 40th Divisions attack Japanese forces. Modest gains are made, but the Japanese still hold northern parts of the hills.

9th
In an effort to solidify their gains, the Soviet forces ordered to take up defensive positions.

11th
Japanese request a cease fire agreement. Russians accept.

12th
Truce signed. All parties agree to move all forces to the positions that they originally held on 10 July 38 at 2pm.

----
Japanese pull back in accordance with the agreement. Soviet forces hold positions and sieze surrounding hills. Frontier incidents continued to occur from time to time, but nothing of the scope of the earlier actions.

Khalkin Gol Campaign

The peace from the August 11 cease fire was not to last long as both sides began analyzing the battle. The Soviets began strengthening their Far East forces, while the Japanese sought another opportunity to achieve victory over the Soviet forces in the region. They thought they discovered this opportunity after two successful raids in the Nomonhan area brought no Soviet response. They decided to take disputed territory east of the Khalkin Gol river. The presence of few Mongolian soldiers in the region made the Japanese move more attractive, especially since the nearest Soviet forces would be over 300 miles away.

1939
	January 14th	Japanese cavalry crosses Mongolian border at Nomonhan. They kill a border guard and capture another.
	February	Japanese again raid the Nomonhan area.
	Spring	Japanese generals begin plans for Nomonhan campaign. They begin recon flights over the region and begin constructing a rail line to resupply the forces expected to take the region.
May 1939
	11th	300 Bargut tribesmen with Japanese advisors cross the border and raid as far as the east bank of the Khalkin Gol river.
	12th	Mongolian border guards stationed at a small fort on the west bank of the river drive off the Bargut force.
	14th	Backed by two Japanese infantry companies, the Bargut force returns. Mongolian border guards call for their Soviet advisor.
	15th	The Soviet advisor arrives as small Mongolian fort is destroyed by Japanese air attack. He calls for assistance and the 6th Mongolian Cavalry is ordered to the area along with some Soviet troops.
	18th	Soviet and Mongolian force deploys on west bank of Khalkin Gol river. The Japanese and Barguts quickly leave the disputed area.
	22nd	Soviet force numbering 700 infantry and 260 cavalry move to east bank of the river. This force is soon attacked by 2500 Bargut and Japanese soldiers and retreats to the riverbank.
	28th-30th	The Japanese force under Lt. Colonel Yaozo Azuma attack by surprise and almost reach the bridges at the Halha and Holsten rivers. They drive Soviet forces back to west bank of Khalkin Gol river. A regiment from the Soviet 36 Infantry Division counterattacks and helps stabilize the Soviet line. Japanese lose 400 men in the battle and relinquish the some ground they gained fearing further Soviet action.
	31st	Soviet foreign minister Molotov warns the Japanese against further aggression in the region.
June 1939
	3rd	A combined Soviet and Mongolian force crosses Khalkin Gol river and takes up defensive positions along the border.
	5th	General Georgi Zhukov is appointed commander of the Soviet-Mongolian 1st Army group.
	early June	Both sides continue to reinforce, train, and resupply their armies in the region.
	22nd-26th	The air war along the border escalates involving up to 100 aircraft at one time. Japanese will lose some 64 planes in these battles.
	26th	Japanese 2nd air group launches air attack on Soviet airfield at Tamsag. Japanese Army General Staff attempts to stop the attack but is unable to do so. Soviet 22nd air regiment attacks Japanese airfield near Uzan-Nur lake and disables 12 Japanese aircraft..
	27th	Japanese make a surprise air strike on Soviet airfields using 80 fighters and 30 bombers. 9 Soviet aircraft destroyed. Further attacks on Soviet airfields are banned by Japanese Army General Staff for fear of escalating the war.
July 1939
	2nd	Japanese General Komatsubara launches armored attack against Soviet positions. Initially the force makes good progress, but is halted by Soviet counterattack.
	3rd	In a pre-dawn action a large Japanese force crosses the river and takes the Mount Bain-Tsagan. The Japanese then move south, but are crushed by a Soviet armored counterattack. Soviets begin assault on Mount Bain-Tsagan.
	4th	Soviet and Mongolian forces attempt to take Mount Bain-Tsagan but are repulsed. At 1600 hours the Japanese force receives orders to cross back to east bank of Khalkin Gol river.
	5th	Japanese abandon positions on Mount Bain-Tsagan early in the morning and retreat to east bank of Khalkin Gol river. At 1800 hours the only Japanese pontoon bridge across the river is destroyed. Japanese forces on the east bank meet very heavy resistance and lose half of their entire tank force.
	6th-9th	Japanese launch series of night attacks against Soviet forces and begin making progress towards the Soviet river bridges.
	10th	On orders from Kwantung Army command the Japanese 3rd and 4th armored brigades are withdrawn leaving little armor to support future operations.
	14th	Soviet newspaper Izvestia announces that Red Army had killed 2000 soldiers, wounded 3500 soldiers, and captured 254 Japanese troops. Little mention was made of Soviet losses.
	19th	Soviet forces begin offensive.
	23rd	General Komatsubara receives new heavy artillery and launches attack which fails.
	24th	Japanese prince Higashikuni abandons battlefield without permission in the face of fierce Soviet counterattacks. He is moved to a quieter sector and the incident is covered up.
August 1939
	7th	Japanese Kwantung army receives approval for mass air operation against Mongolian airfields.
	19th	Japanese reconnaissance aircraft locates large Soviet assault force, but 6th Army command does nothing to inform Kwantung headquarters.
	20th	0545 hours - General Zhukov launches major offensive. 150 bombers attack Japanese headquarters and supply areas. Artillery strikes all along the 42 mile front. Soviet armor and infantry begin advance at 0900 hours that morning. Japanese field commanders do not inform Kwantung headquarters until the following day.
	21st	Soviet Southern Group eliminates most Japanese resistance in its area of responsibility. Soviet bombers fly 256 sorties and drop 90 tons of bombs on Japanese positions. Japanese dug in along Fui Heights slow the progress of the Soviet Northern Group.
	22nd	Japanese 61st Sentai (squadron) is attacked by Soviet I-16 fighters. Planned air offensive postponed so that Japanese air power can support ground forces against Soviet armored advance. Japanese claim to destroy 109 soviet planes in two days, but actually lose air superiority as Soviets reinforce.
	23rd	Japanese 6th Army staff arrives to take control of battlefield but can do little to stop the powerful Soviet advance. Fui Heights fall to Russians. "Operation S" is launched by Japanese. 88 fighters, 37 bombers, and 21 scout aircraft fly against Soviet airfields and army units. Soviets put up 85 fighters and 35 bombers against them.
	24th	Five Japanese battalions attack in the morning fog with no artillery support. They are quickly thrown back by two Soviet infantry regiments and the 6th tank brigade. The Japanese forces lose half their men. Soviet forces continue attack against Japanese 72nd regiment and force it to withdraw leaving flank of 28th regiment exposed.
	27th	Soviet Southern Group attacks Japanese positions along Zelenaya Hill and the Pechanaya Heights. At the same time the Northern Group attacks Hill Remisova, but initially fail to take the hill. Trapped Japanese ground forces under General Komatsubara attempt to break out but largely fail. The 28th regiment is at 20% effectiveness but is ordered to assault Soviet positions. It is quickly repulsed. The failure of the attack is later blamed on "lack of fighting spirit".
	31st	Japanese Manchukuo 23rd division is destroyed by Soviet forces. Another mass air battle involving 126 Soviet aircraft against 70 Japanese fighters and 27 bombers. Losses: 20 Soviet - 22 Japanese.
September 1939
	1st - 2nd	Air battles continue between Soviets and Japanese.
	4th - 5th	More air combat between Soviets and Japanese.
	5th	Japanese Army Air Force undergoes reorganization. Soviets do so as well.
	15th	Soviet foreign minister Molotov meets with Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Oshima in Moscow to sign an armistice. All prisoners are to be returned and a commission is formed to resolve border issues.

Cost of the Wars In Asia

Exact loss figures for the conflicts in Asia are very difficult to obtain. This is due to poor record keeping by both sides as well as a propensity for each side to inflate the numbers of enemy units destroyed. Taking air units as an example, the Russian estimate is that they lost 179 planes and the Japanese lost 660. The Japanese claim that they destroyed 481 planes in July alone, with a loss of only 14 of their own craft. Their figures for August are equally one sided; 134 Soviet planes and 23 Japanese. Yet another Russian account states that the aircraft kill rations for May 1939 were 4 Soviet to 1 Japanese. The rations change dramatically to 1:3 in June, 1:4 in July, to an amazing 1:10 in August. With radically different numbers like these you can probably appreciate the difficulty in coming up with accurate statistics, which I believe to have on the table below.

Number of personnel who served in Asian conflict: 92,051

Red Army Force Breakdown

22,950	Lake Khasan (1938)
69,101	Khalkin Gol (1939)

Total Killed and Wounded

Killed in Action	7548
Sick and Wounded	19,231
Missing in Action	1218

Equipment Losses

Aircraft	Between 207 and 481
Tanks	????
Vehicles	????
Artillery Pieces and Mortars	????

Back to Wars of 1938-1940

1937
	June	Soviets occupy the islands of Sennufa and Bolshoi on the Amur river. The Japanese protest and high level negotiations begin. Along the river small skirmishes brake out between opposing patrols.
	Early July	Soviets agree to evacuate the disputed islands. Japanese forces move in as soon as Red Army leaves resulting in many Soviet protests.
	7 July	Japanese army invades China.
	July	Soviets and Japanese argue over fishing rights, territorial issues, and other minor matters. Consulates are closed in both nations. Japanese place Soviet embassy under surveillance.
June 1938
	----	Soviets begin construction of submarine and air base at Posiet Bay south of Vladivostok.
	----	Soviet frontier guards unit under the command of Colonel Grebennik take two strategic hills (Zaozernaya and Bezymyanaya) within artillery range of the base. They begin fortifying the base of Zaozernaya hill in secret.
	20th	Japanese discover Soviet occupation of Zaozernaya and Bezymyanaya and demand that they immediately pull back or be removed by force.
	24th - 25th	Inspection of Soviet forces in Asia by General Vassili Blucher. Soviet government is informed of the fortification on Zaozernaya hill.
	29th	Japanese forces attack a patrol of 11 Soviet frontier guards led by Lieutenant Makhalin. Japanese wait for Soviet response.
	30th	Soviet government files a formal protest.
July 1938
	----	Japanese begin to concentrate forces near Khasan Lake.
	29th	Japanese forces attack Soviet positions, and are pushed back.
	31st	After several days of fierce fighting, Japanese forces take both Zaozernaya and Bezymyanaya hills.
August 1938
	2nd - 3rd	Counterattack by a single Red Army division fails to push back the Japanese. General Vassili Blucher attempts to peacefully resolve the situation, but is arrested and sent back to Moscow.
	6th	9th anniversery of OKDVA (Eastern Army HQ) Soviet 32nd and 40th Divisions attack Japanese forces. Modest gains are made, but the Japanese still hold northern parts of the hills.
	9th	In an effort to solidify their gains, the Soviet forces ordered to take up defensive positions.
	11th	Japanese request a cease fire agreement. Russians accept.
	12th	Truce signed. All parties agree to move all forces to the positions that they originally held on 10 July 38 at 2pm.
	----	Japanese pull back in accordance with the agreement. Soviet forces hold positions and sieze surrounding hills. Frontier incidents continued to occur from time to time, but nothing of the scope of the earlier actions.