Battle of Khalkin-Gol
The Battle of Khalkin-Gol, also known as the Nomonhan Incident, took place in 1939 between Soviet and Japanese forces in Mongolia. Triggered by disputes over territorial control, the conflict began on May 28 when Japanese troops launched a major offensive. Despite initial advances, the Japanese faced strong resistance from Soviet forces, leading to heavy casualties on both sides. Notably, General Georgy Zhukov executed a double envelopment tactic that overwhelmed the Japanese by utilizing superior artillery and armored units.
The fighting intensified through July and August, with the Japanese resorting to desperate measures amid mounting losses. By late August, Soviet forces had encircled the Japanese, but both sides opted for a cease-fire in September due to shifting international priorities and significant losses—over 17,000 for Japan and around 10,000 for the Soviets. The battle ultimately had strategic implications, steering Japanese military ambitions toward other regions, marking a turning point in their expansionist policies in the lead-up to World War II.
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Battle of Khalkin-Gol
Type of action: Ground battle in Second Sino-Japanese War
Date: May-September, 1939
Location: Manchuko, outer Mongolian border between the Khalkin-Gol River and the village of Nomonhan
Combatants: 57,000 Russians with 844 armored vehicles vs. 30,000 Japanese with 92 armored vehicles
Principal commanders:Russian, General Georgy Zhukov (1896–1974); Japanese, Lieutenant General Michitaro Komatsubara
Result: After the Japanese attacks were stopped, the Russian counterattack encircled and nearly annihilated the Japanese forces
Disputes over primacy in Mongolia led the Japanese into a series of punitive attacks. On May 28, 1939, the Japanese, under Lieutenant General Michitaro Komatsubara, launched a major assault. Stout Russian resistance frustrated the Japanese into ordering stronger attacks between July 3 and July 17. Strong Russian defenses inflicted terrible losses, and the stymied Japanese dug in.
On August 20, 1939, General Georgy Zhukov launched a classic double envelopment attack. Overwhelmed by superior Russian artillery and tanks, Japanese forces resorted to bayonet attacks and Molotov cocktails to stop the Russians. Although Russian attacks demonstrated considerable skill in combined arms tactics, they often were too direct and very costly. By August 30, the Russians had surrounded the Japanese, but heavy Russian casualties and major events in Europe reduced Mongolia to a sideshow, so in September, both sides decided on a cease-fire. During the fighting, the Japanese suffered more than 17,000 casualties, and the Russians admitted to some 10,000.
Significance
Although many Japanese officers sought to expand Japan’s possessions, the severe losses at Khalkin-Gol, also known as the Nomonhan Incident, convinced them to look elsewhere. With the United States unprepared for war and the British fighting Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, Khalkin-Gol persuaded the Japanese that Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, the Dutch East Indies, and Malaysia would be easier, less costly conquests.
Bibliography
Coox, Alvin D. Nomonhan: Japan Against Russia. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, 1985.
Drea, Edward J. Nomonhan: Japanese-Soviet Tactical Combat, 1939. Fort Leavenworth, Kans.: Combat Studies Institute, 1981.
Snow, Philip. “Nomonhan: The Unknown Victory.” History Today 40, no. 7 (July, 1990): 22–27.