Ep 18. WWII in the East: War Against Japan

During World War II, the Soviet Union fought a grueling war on two fronts. While the war against Germany in Europe is well known, their conflict with Japan in the Pacific is often less talked about. In Soviet Storm season 1 episode 18, titled "WWII in the East: War Against Japan," the focus shifts to this oft-forgotten aspect of the war.

The episode begins by exploring the complicated relationship between the Soviet Union and Japan. Though the two nations had signed a neutrality pact in 1941, tensions remained high as they both had designs on territories in East Asia. These tensions came to a head in 1945, when the Soviet Union declared war on Japan and launched a massive invasion of Japanese-held territories in Manchuria, Korea, and northern China.

Viewers are taken on a journey through this conflict as the episode tells the story of the Soviet Union's relentless advance against Japanese forces. Russian soldiers are shown launching massive artillery barrages and charging into battle, often facing determined resistance from Japanese troops. The episode also highlights the brutal conditions that both sides endured, with soldiers fighting in sweltering heat and frigid cold, and often lacking basic supplies like food and water.

One of the highlights of the episode is its detailed exploration of the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, a 1939 conflict between the Soviet Union and Japan that served as a precursor to the larger war. Through archival footage and expert commentary, viewers learn about the tactics and strategies employed by both sides, giving them a deeper understanding of this important moment in world history.

Throughout the episode, viewers are introduced to a cast of characters who played pivotal roles in the war against Japan. These include Soviet generals like Georgy Zhukov, who oversaw the overall strategy against Japan, and Ivan Chistyakov, a pilot who served in the Soviet Navy and played a key role in bombing Japanese positions.

The episode also delves into the political ramifications of the conflict. For example, viewers learn about the Yalta Conference of 1945, where Allied leaders including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin met to discuss the post-war world. At this meeting, the leaders agreed that the Soviet Union would be granted control over various territories in Asia, solidifying their gains and setting the stage for the new world order that would emerge after the war.

In the end, Soviet Storm season 1 episode 18 provides a compelling look at a crucial but often overlooked aspect of World War II. By exploring the Soviet Union's conflict with Japan, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the complex geopolitics of the era, and are reminded of the incredible sacrifices made by soldiers on both sides of the conflict.