Correct, I'm sure they had a prototype, and they had some small ones that could cross rivers, but none in sufficient quantity to invade Japan. Second, let's talk about the virtually non-existent Soviet Navy of 1945...or how about the lack of long-range bombers and fighter-bombers with range across the sea of Japan for close air support....no, had they wanted to invade Japan, it would not have been possible before an American victory. Sounds cool to say they were "poised to invade", reality=no
I'm still puzzled by your use of 'virtually'. I mean, a piece of military hardware either exists or it doesn't. There's no such thing as 'virtually non-existent'.
Anyway, the relevant information on this subject comes from American Army historian LTC David Glantz who wrote a paper on the subject: David Glantz, "The Soviet Invasion of Japan," MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History 7, no. 3 (Spring 1995). I'll post some more info in a moment.
The Red Air Force was able to establish air superiority because the Japanese had withdrawn most air assets as the American island-hopping campaigns got closer to the Japanese main islands. The Red Air Force flew reconnaissance and resupply missions for the most part, providing close air support during the breakthrough of the so-called concrete belt in northern Manchuria. (more in moment)...
The Soviets also began operations against the Kurile Islands, attacked the southern half of Sakhalin Island, and conducted amphibious assaults in modern-day North Korea to interdict Japanese sea lines of communication across the Sea of Japan. Their establishment of air superiority allowed the Soviets to take greater risks, dropping battalion-size formations to capture major cities in southern Manchuria and seizing communications centers. (more in a moment)...
The campaign, marked by both tactical and strategic surprise, continued until 17 August 1945. The Japanese did not widely follow the emperors order to surrender, issued on 14 August, until Imperial Headquarters made a subsequent broadcast. Glantz also explains how the Soviets had planned to seize the northern island of Hokkaido, which would have led to a split Japan during the Cold War.
"poised to invade?" I don't think so...let's stat with the fact they had virtually no landing craft.....
That should be enough......
anonymoususerindenve 2 years ago
Virtually?
speculativism 2 years ago
Correct, I'm sure they had a prototype, and they had some small ones that could cross rivers, but none in sufficient quantity to invade Japan. Second, let's talk about the virtually non-existent Soviet Navy of 1945...or how about the lack of long-range bombers and fighter-bombers with range across the sea of Japan for close air support....no, had they wanted to invade Japan, it would not have been possible before an American victory. Sounds cool to say they were "poised to invade", reality=no
anonymoususerindenve 2 years ago
I'm still puzzled by your use of 'virtually'. I mean, a piece of military hardware either exists or it doesn't. There's no such thing as 'virtually non-existent'.
Anyway, the relevant information on this subject comes from American Army historian LTC David Glantz who wrote a paper on the subject: David Glantz, "The Soviet Invasion of Japan," MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History 7, no. 3 (Spring 1995). I'll post some more info in a moment.
speculativism 2 years ago
From 'Air & Space Power Journal' - Fall 2004:
The Red Air Force was able to establish air superiority because the Japanese had withdrawn most air assets as the American island-hopping campaigns got closer to the Japanese main islands. The Red Air Force flew reconnaissance and resupply missions for the most part, providing close air support during the breakthrough of the so-called concrete belt in northern Manchuria. (more in moment)...
speculativism 2 years ago
The Soviets also began operations against the Kurile Islands, attacked the southern half of Sakhalin Island, and conducted amphibious assaults in modern-day North Korea to interdict Japanese sea lines of communication across the Sea of Japan. Their establishment of air superiority allowed the Soviets to take greater risks, dropping battalion-size formations to capture major cities in southern Manchuria and seizing communications centers. (more in a moment)...
speculativism 2 years ago
The campaign, marked by both tactical and strategic surprise, continued until 17 August 1945. The Japanese did not widely follow the emperors order to surrender, issued on 14 August, until Imperial Headquarters made a subsequent broadcast. Glantz also explains how the Soviets had planned to seize the northern island of Hokkaido, which would have led to a split Japan during the Cold War.
speculativism 2 years ago
interesting concepts. thanks for sharing.
nietzscheluv 3 years ago