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| Japanese soldiers in defensive positions at Khalkin Gol, 1939 |
Not many people know that the Soviets and the Japanese clashed on the Mongol border in 1939, known as the Battles of Khalkhin Gol (also known as the Nomonhan Incident). Yet it was an important influence in the direction of World War 2.
Background
After victories in China allowed Japan to puppet the region of Manchuria in 1931, the Japanese found themselves at the border of Soviet-aligned Mongolia.
After victories in China allowed Japan to puppet the region of Manchuria in 1931, the Japanese found themselves at the border of Soviet-aligned Mongolia.
Tensions were high as both sides accused each other of crossing the borders unnecessarily. Things came to a head when cavalry of both Mongolia and Manchukuo (formerly Manchuria) clashed on May 1939. After bombing the Soviet airbase at Tamsak-Bulak (Mongolia), the Japanese launch an invasion of Mongolia, crossing the Khalkha River.
Knowing that the Soviets would counter-attack, 800 Japanese soldiers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Eiichi Ioki, along with Manchukuoan forces, occupied Fui Heights to cover the Japanese northern flank.
Fui Heights was a flat, grassy area described as a slightly elevated plateau, roughly three kilometers in diameter, resembling a "raised pancake" rather than a traditional hill or mountain. This terrain, while not dramatically elevated, provided a tactical vantage point overlooking the surrounding area, making it a focal point for control during the conflict.
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| Rough location of the battle |
The battle
On 19 August 1939, General Zhukov (later to be known as one of the best Soviet General of World War 2) assaulted the area. The thousand men-strong Soviet forces employed a combined-arms strategy, including infantry, artillery, and tanks. They overan the Japanese easily and approached Fui Heights on 20 August
On 19 August 1939, General Zhukov (later to be known as one of the best Soviet General of World War 2) assaulted the area. The thousand men-strong Soviet forces employed a combined-arms strategy, including infantry, artillery, and tanks. They overan the Japanese easily and approached Fui Heights on 20 August
The Japanese infantry on Fui Heights were not as heavily armed and lacked even dedicated anti-tank ammunition. On paper, this would seemed like a curb stomp battle. Yet the heights held.
By 23 August, the Japanese southern flank had collapsed. Almost every company and battalion commander was killed, as well as the regiment’s commanding general and most of his staff. However, the Soviets at the northern flank was still stuck fighting at the Fui Heights. Although the attacking forces were much more powerful than the relatively small force of 800 men, the strongpoint had defensive fortifications on all sides and barbed wire overlaying deep bunkers connected by trenches. The Japanese defenders inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers.
This disrupted General Zhukov's timetable and greatly displeased him. He fired the Soviet commander on the spot (and later his replacement) before finally sending one of his own staff to take over.
They encircled Fui Heights and continued to assault the Japanese over the next two days with flamethrower tanks and heavy artillery. Finally on 25 August, Colonel Eiichi Ioki took his surviving 200 men and withdrew.
During this offensive, the Soviets had committed a rifle division (about 10,000 men), three tank brigades (about 5,000 men each), two cavalry regiments (about 2,500 men each) and an airborne brigade (about 5,000 men). All these just to dislodge 800 Japanese defenders.
Aftermath
After the fall of Fui Heights, the Soviets encircled the 6th Japanese Army. Within days they managed to wipe out the Japanese defenders. The entire operation resulted in about 30 000 casualties on each side. A ceasefire was declared on 16 September 1939.
After the fall of Fui Heights, the Soviets encircled the 6th Japanese Army. Within days they managed to wipe out the Japanese defenders. The entire operation resulted in about 30 000 casualties on each side. A ceasefire was declared on 16 September 1939.
Yet General Zhukov reportedly was so impressed by Eiichi Ioki that he wanted that Japanese to be captured alive so Zhukov could "pin medals on him". Eiichi would never see that day because he would commit ritual suicide. He had retreated without orders, and this was seen as dishonorable by the Japanese command.
The failure of the Japanese in Mongolia made the Japanese rethink their position in expanding northwards, and instead set the course for the Pacific War. They saw the colonial powers as easy targets and thus began to plan to expand southwards.
Another observation was that the Japanese had strategies to make their entrench defenders difficult to remove. This fierce defence would later be seen at Peleliu, Tarawa, Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
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