One thing I've always wondered is the Stalin's delay for operation August Storm during the Second World War. I wonder what's the earliest possible date for Soviet invasion of Japanese Asian mainland territories and what effects it could have?
My gut instinct is that an invasion already in August 1944, after loss of Marianas, defeat of IJN carrier force and when sub warfare was starting to have real strangling effect on Japanese economy, would have been well feasible. While it would have been a bloodier affair than OTL operation, casualties were not exactly Stalin's concern. Soviet forces already in place were more than ample to conquer Japanese possessions on mainland.
This would have risked distruption of trans-pacific Lend Lease route for some months, but there would have been real benefits for Soviet Union. First, control of Northern China would have been assured and China could be held under tighter leash in the future. Second, all of Korean peninsula clould be puppetized by Stalin. Third, and most importantly, Soviets would definitely get an occupation zone in Japan.
I wonder if this has been discussed before?
My gut instinct is that an invasion already in August 1944, after loss of Marianas, defeat of IJN carrier force and when sub warfare was starting to have real strangling effect on Japanese economy, would have been well feasible. While it would have been a bloodier affair than OTL operation, casualties were not exactly Stalin's concern. Soviet forces already in place were more than ample to conquer Japanese possessions on mainland.
This would have risked distruption of trans-pacific Lend Lease route for some months, but there would have been real benefits for Soviet Union. First, control of Northern China would have been assured and China could be held under tighter leash in the future. Second, all of Korean peninsula clould be puppetized by Stalin. Third, and most importantly, Soviets would definitely get an occupation zone in Japan.
I wonder if this has been discussed before?