War Against Japan

Overview

In exchange for territorial concessions Stalin agreed to join the war against Japan within 90 days of Germany's surrender negating the 1941 armistice with Japan. Exactly ninety days later Soviet forces invaded Manchuria, a region critical to Japan for fuel and other raw materials. Despite major logistical challenges including a mountain barrier, the battle hardened Soviets achieved rapid victories against the obsolete Japanese forces. Coupled with the nuclear bombing of the Japanese homeland, the Japanese finally decided to consider surrender. But the Japanese delayed, first hoping to negotiate better surrender terms and then failing to call a prompt cease fire after their surrender. During the interim Soviet forces were able to occupy and retain after the war Sakhalin and the Kiril islands.