One of the few set-piece battles of the Soviet invasion of Manchuria, it delayed Soviet forces while allowing the main Japanese army to withdraw.
Key Facts
- Dates
- August 12–16, 1945
- Soviet forces
- Fifth Army and First Red Banner Army
- Japanese forces
- Japanese Fifth Army (rearguard)
- City captured ahead of schedule
- Ten days early
- Part of operation
- Harbin–Kirin Operation
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Soviet invasion of Manchuria, launched in August 1945, rapidly penetrated Japanese defenses. As Soviet forces advanced toward Mutanchiang, the Japanese Fifth Army faced the need to buy time for its main forces to withdraw to more defensible positions before being overrun.
From August 12 to 16, 1945, elements of the Japanese Fifth Army fought a delaying action against the Soviet Fifth Army and First Red Banner Army near Mutanchiang. Despite heavy casualties on both sides, Soviet forces broke through the hastily organized Japanese defensive lines and captured the city.
The Soviet capture of Mutanchiang ten days ahead of schedule demonstrated the speed of the Manchurian campaign. Although the Red Army achieved its objective, the Japanese rearguard successfully allowed the bulk of Japanese forces to escape to better-prepared positions before the end of hostilities.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent