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Japan invaded russia

Discussion in 'What If - Pacific and CBI' started by Ron, Dec 26, 2000.

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  1. Ron

    Ron Member

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    what if Japan declared war on the Russians when Germany declared war on the US...thus Japan invading Russia and forcing her to fight on 2 fronts?
     
  2. C.Evans

    C.Evans Expert

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    The russians would have still come out on top, they had Zhukov as their commander. Look at what he did to the Japaneese, when they did try fighting with Russians. The Japaneese, got their arses kicked.
     
  3. Ron

    Ron Member

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    I think that is prob. right regarding what would happen to the Japanese. They wouldn't have gotten so far against the Russians and the Japanese forces being used would have been better used in the pacific.
    However even if the Russians were defeating the Japanese, they still needed to use a considerable amount of troops to do it...troops that would have been desperatly needed against the Germans...do you think it could have given the germans that extra edge to defeat russia?
     
  4. Killjoy

    Killjoy Member

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    Japan DID invade Russia... and was it ever a disaster for them!
    When the Russians unleashed their armor on the Japanese forces, it convinced them that a war with Russia was - to say the least - an unprofitable alternative. The Japanese forces lacked even a single credible tank. Their best was probably equivalent to the Stuart M3/M5, nor did they have anti-tank weapons sufficient to the task of combating armored formations.
    Nonetheless, the forces tied down in the far eastern areas of Russia were among the "reserves" called upon for the winter of '41 counteroffensive, and may have been instrumental in holding back the Wermacht long enough to allow the gargantuan industrial capacity of the USSR to come on line. Its doubtful that Japan would've taken territory from Russia, but maintaining the threat on her eastern front might have altered the outcome of the battle between National and Soviet socialism....

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    Novus Ordo Seclorum
     
  5. C.Evans

    C.Evans Expert

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    Actually, the Russians defeated the Japaneese in two major battles, if I am correct. I agree with you, the Russians sure did teach them a few lessons that they would not soon forget.
     
  6. Ron

    Ron Member

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    yeah i never doubted the Japanese would get wooped by the Russians...but my point is like killjoys...maybe the troops forced to stay and beat away the Japanese would have been vitally needed troops needed against the germans...and that could have altered the war.
     
  7. C.Evans

    C.Evans Expert

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    I didnt get the "Drift" on the original posting. You are correct, the extra soldiers would have made a difference, had they been able to be elsewhere but, I dont see that the war would have ended much sooner to make much difference. Who knows?
     
  8. PzJgr

    PzJgr Drill Instructor

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    I am thinking along the same lines as Killjoy. The Japanese had good troops but the quality of their armour was poor. They lacked any heavy tanks. It would have put a strain on the Soviets but not enough to change the course of the war other than making it more difficult for the Japanese.

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  9. J.Mahoney

    J.Mahoney Member

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    I agree with you. In fact, I have never seen a photo of a Japanese tank in a fight.
     
  10. C.Evans

    C.Evans Expert

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    I dont know much on Japaneese Armor, except that they were mostly light tanks with only small MG's for fire support. Although, there were some with Artillery, but I do not know the calibers.
     
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