a watering place

May 1939.
Military conflict in the Soviet Union and Japan occurred in Nomonhan of border of Manchukuo and Mongolia.

Manchukuo was a puppet state of Japan which was founded in northeastern China.
At that time, the border between the two countries seems to have been little uncertain.
First、conflict occurred in troops of both countries.
And Japan army intervened.

Although write relying on memory.
Starting point of this conflict.
It was a watering place for horse.

Khalkha River is flowing the Nomonhan.
This place was a watering place of horse of Mongolia from ancient times.
Insidiously，Iffy border line had been drawn on there.

At that time，Mongolia had been signed a treaty of mutual assistance with the Soviet Union.
Of course, Soviet troops have also sortie.

This was in the regional battle, but it became a fierce battle of both armies.

This battle did cease-fire in September by the World War II broke out.
But damage of the Japanese army was enormous.

Casualties of the Japanese army, twenty thousand or more.
Casualty rate of the Japanese army seems to had over 70%.


・・・・・・・・・
　

Before conflict，tension to the war was growing already in Europe.

"Soviet troops would not can fire military action in the Far East under the current circumstances.
We should develop a favorable border to us during this time."
Such an idea might have existed in Japan army inside.
　
Army corps called "Kantō-gun" was stationed in Manchukuo at that time. (関東軍)　
　
"We're vassals under the direct control of the Emperor.
So the Government of Japan is apposition with us.
We do not have the limitations by the Government of Japan."

By this nominal，they have performed many military action at own discretion.　

"Only Emperor has supreme command to the armed forces."
The constitution of Japan had this provision at that time. (as public stance.)
　
Note: After World War II, the Constitution was amended.
　
　
・・・・・・・・・


But its forecast was too optimistic.
(While it is my imagination.)　

This year, August 23.　
The German-Soviet non-aggression pact entered.

Probably because the prospect of a treaty was in sight.　
　
"The Soviet Union will never off guard."　
Or probably because they trying to show it to Germany.(to world)
　　
"We should beat thoroughly the Japanese army."
Soviet Union gathered the mechanized troops to Nomonhan.
　
"The number of troops you want.
You should take it."
Stalin seems to have said so in commander at that time.
(General of the best of the Soviet Union had been elected to commander.)　
　
August 20，3 days before this treaty.
They started a large counteroffensive strategy.
　
Japanese army suffered a heavy loss.