steamboateng
Posts: 354
Joined: 3/21/2010 From: somewhere in Massachusetts Status: offline
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On Aug 9, 1945, the USSR opened it's 'August Storm' offensive in Manchuria. The heavy Soviet Divisions pretty much blitzed the lighter Japanese formations, inflicting substantial casualties. The battle, as well as the political maze, is discussed in several forums on line. Bottom line: The US, wary of Soviet intentions since the fall of Germany, was in a hurry to get a peace settlement, before Soviet forces invaded Japanese territoy; and was somewhat at odds with its own 'unconditional surrender' policy! The Japanese, fully aware of their inevitable defeat, were put in a position where the threat of Soviet invasion of the Home Islands was very real. Knowing the historic implications of a Soviet occupation, the Japanese favored surrender to the Americans, and were favorable to that position for several months prior to the end of the war. The Soviets were quite pleased with the situation, promising a foothold in the Japanese northern territories, at the negotiating table, with a minimal cost in time and material (and lives).
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