I was under the impression that the Soviets demonstrated they did have some reasonable sealift. On August 18 were there not several amphibious landings conducted ahead of the land advance, three in northern Korea, one in Sakhalin, and one in the Kuril Islands?
Then there is the question of just how many forces the Soviets could expect to find in Hokkaido. I was under the impression most of the Japanese forces had been sent south, so much as fuel and the submarine blockade permitted, to meet the expected invasion? The Soviets don't need much sealift (or airlift) if they are only going to face bands of starving peasants equipped with sharp sticks.
But I think you are getting ahead of yourselves. I am always a bit dubious about the supposition that market garden's success leads to a walkover. Presumerably Hitler shall have the forces dedicated to the Battle of the Bulge/Ardennes offensive hurled against those Allied forces which are leading the break through? It is more than possible that this effectively stalls the Allied advance, perhaps even hurling them back across the Rhine, and so there is no great sweep up of the German position. The advance proceeds at a similar pace to OTL. Indeed iv the Allies have their backs to the Rhine, making retreat difficult and presumerably complicating the supply situation further, the attack might well be more successful than OTL, although that isn't to imply it will drastically alter the strategic situation.
Then there is the question of just how many forces the Soviets could expect to find in Hokkaido. I was under the impression most of the Japanese forces had been sent south, so much as fuel and the submarine blockade permitted, to meet the expected invasion? The Soviets don't need much sealift (or airlift) if they are only going to face bands of starving peasants equipped with sharp sticks.
But I think you are getting ahead of yourselves. I am always a bit dubious about the supposition that market garden's success leads to a walkover. Presumerably Hitler shall have the forces dedicated to the Battle of the Bulge/Ardennes offensive hurled against those Allied forces which are leading the break through? It is more than possible that this effectively stalls the Allied advance, perhaps even hurling them back across the Rhine, and so there is no great sweep up of the German position. The advance proceeds at a similar pace to OTL. Indeed iv the Allies have their backs to the Rhine, making retreat difficult and presumerably complicating the supply situation further, the attack might well be more successful than OTL, although that isn't to imply it will drastically alter the strategic situation.