Far East

1938–1939: The Soviet–Japanese border conflicts

July 1938 – September 1939 · 2 battles

Once Manchukuo had been created, the edge of Japan’s sphere of influence ran directly up against the USSR and Mongolia. Undefined stretches of the border gave rise to hundreds of incidents, and in 1938 and 1939 they turned into real battles. Defeats at Lake Khasan and at Khalkhin Gol convinced the Japanese high command that war with the USSR would be too costly, which influenced the decision to expand southwards and, in 1941, to conclude a neutrality pact with Moscow.

29 July – 11 August 1938The Battle of Lake KhasanFrom 29 July to 11 August 1938 the Red Army and Japan's 19th Division fought over two disputed hills where the USSR, Manchukuo and Korea met. Japan gave way.
11 May – 16 September 1939The Battle of Khalkhin GolFrom May to September 1939 the Red Army and the Mongolians fought the Kwantung Army at Khalkhin Gol. Zhukov's offensive destroyed Japan's 23rd Division.