Something, but the Russians know how to fight: the history of the Kuril operation

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

Three thousand versus twenty-five thousand and a hundred tanks.

The Japanese had been preparing for the defense of the Kuriles for years. A system of fortifications was created, which made it possible to withstand many days of shelling from the main calibers of battleships, as well as bombing. Fortifications in rocks, with soil thickness from 4 to 50 (!) Meters.

Lots of carefully concealed and targeted guns of all calibers. Hundreds of infantry shelters and supplies, warehouses scattered so that in any case, most of them remained intact. The effectiveness of the system was indicated by the fact that the Americans had been ironing one of the islands from the air for two years (!), While "inflicting no harm on the Japanese forces."

They were also preparing for the landing. Those who would manage to pass through the fire of coastal artillery and Japanese aviation were awaited by 25 thousand soldiers armed (in addition to small arms) with 500 machine guns, 100 tanks, as well as mortars, bombers, field artillery, etc.

The Japanese were preparing to fight the Americans, to fight "according to the rules." First, the shelling of battleships, the work of deck and assault aircraft. Then the landing.

But I had to fight with the Russians … And world history knows very little of such rudeness, which the Red Army arranged for the unfortunate samurai.

With the support of only two unfortunate TFR, on forty "landing" ships (mostly - alterations from peaceful vessels), 3000 people approached. Marines and riflemen 101 SD.

I will repeat it once again if anyone did not understand. THREE THOUSAND PEOPLE. Against TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND HUNDRED TANKS in well-prepared positions and armed to the teeth.

They approached in the weather so bad that not only the aircraft did not fly, but the ships would be supposed not to go anywhere. The valiant Japanese managed to pat forty pennants …

The first wave, 700 people, unloaded under fire … Despite the heavy fire that damaged the ships and pressed the infantry, the Japanese were thrown back into the interior of the island. In the midst of the landing - a counterattack.

18 tanks supported by infantry. The Russians were just going to be crushed into the sand by caterpillars - the infantry was on a bare bank, without any support - an easy prey. But Ivans managed to drag (this is at a depth of two meters) a hundred anti-tank rifles. 17 tanks were set on fire by head-on hits, one escaped in horror.

The infantry that remained without tanks was partly killed, partly dispersed. Then the sappers stuffed the throats of the batteries of the main calibers, and the TFRs burned the tanker, which was stuck in the shallows, and was converted by the Japanese into a battery. The next tank counterattack failed again - the Crazy Rashenz carried (at the same depth of 2 meters) a 45 mm cannon …

The rest of the troopers have landed …

After some time, those Japanese who were still alive surrendered. I would give dearly to see the face of Commander Kobayashi, who was informed that he surrendered to the enemy, which was 8 times outnumbered …

Total: A brilliant victory won with little bloodshed. Most of the attackers survived. The reasons for the success in the report are indicated:

1. Stealth and surprise.

2. High level of personnel training.

3. Courage and heroism of personnel

4. Coordination and coordination of actions of all participants in the operation

Yes, three commanders with a banner in their hands personally led their people into the attack. Two were killed. The last words of one of them "To take the height, no matter what." But it was a personal initiative - no one shoved them in the back with machine guns …

After that, does anyone else want to give the Kuril Islands?

See also: German soldiers about the Soviet. 1941 through the eyes of the Germans