Brendan Hulley Volgorde van de boeken (chronologisch)

During the first half of the 20th century, the Empire of Japan engaged in a series of undeclared wars in the Far East against Tsarist Russia and the Soviet Union. The conflict began in 1904-1905 over imperial ambitions in Manchuria and Korea, culminating in a decisive Japanese victory. Following Japan's occupation of Manchuria in 1931, tensions escalated with the Soviet Union, leading to border incidents, notably the Battle of Lake Khasan in 1938. Japan claimed the Khalkhyn Gol as the border between its proxy state of Manchukuo and the Soviet-dominated Mongolian People's Republic, deploying elite army units to secure the area. After a military buildup, intense clashes occurred in mid-1939, culminating in a full-scale assault in July. The battle ended in a stalemate due to heavy casualties, prompting the Soviets to launch a counter-offensive in August 1939, resulting in a decisive defeat for the Japanese. This conflict, known as the Nomonhan Incident in Japan and the Battle of Khalkhyn Gol in the Soviet Union, was pivotal in shaping the dynamics leading to World War II. With its eastern border secured, the Soviet Union could focus on Europe, while Japan shifted its ambitions to Southeast Asia and the Pacific, reforming its military and aligning with the Axis powers. This volume explores the land and air forces involved in the conflict as they stood in 1939, providing a detailed account of the battles fought.