ORIGINAL: Nikademus
ORIGINAL: spence
How foolish of me to think that the retreats after every battle and subsequent seeking, signing and maintenance of the non-aggression pact
had any significance whatsoever.
Indeed, as there were several major skirmishes with Soviet forces in addition to Nomanhan and the results were not always retreats...nor did every battle during Nomanhan result in a retreat and/or defeat. The seeking and signing of agreements and ultimately a non-aggression pact was part and parcel of the posturing, both diplomatically and at times, militarily that frequently occured along the vast Siberian/Manchurian border of which there were constant incidents and disputes on certain pieces of territory. Neither side wanted full scale war (not counting some radical voices within the troublesome Kwantung army), but neither side was going to have it's perceived soverenty compromised either. Thus like two children in a playground there were incidents and a few flash points but ultimately both sides backed down. Nomanhan was the biggest flash point of course and was a clear operational defeat for Japan, but the result was the same after the shooting stopped....both sides agreed to cease and an uneasy peace resumed. The non-aggression pact suited both sides at the time, but at one point after the German invasion the Kwantung Army did build up for a possible invasion. Its an interesting what if of course had it attacked Russia.
I am also unaware of the "institutionalized" use of Japanese soliders fanatically strapping mines to their chests and throwing themselves at Russian tanks in the period prior to the start of WWII as you suggested. I can recommend a couple of very good books on Nomanhan if your seriously interested in the subject.....which i doubt based on your recent pattern of posts. But the offer stands.
I'm interested! What are the names of these very good books?
