Kevin J
Banned
There's nothing in the Soviet Far East for the Japanese, no oil, only trees.
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There's nothing in the Soviet Far East for the Japanese, no oil, only trees.The Soviets were in a bad way after Germany's offensive and scrambling to get everything they could to the Eastern Front to slow the German advance.
So I can't see Stalin keeping any top-line fighters or substantial numbers in the far East. This in turn, would have given Japan the edge had they launched an offensive.
There's nothing in the Soviet Far East for the Japanese, no oil, only trees.
Dimlee's reply hits the nail on the head.There's nothing in the Soviet Far East for the Japanese, no oil, only trees.
I think we can all agree that Japan would be insane to declare war on the USSR in support of the Germans, especially after the Soviets soundly beat Japan in the 1930s. But let's put that aside, I want to compare the fighter aircraft. Let's assume the Japan army and air force attacks the Soviet Union in early spring 1942, during the German's apparent huge success in the USSR, and Japan's own Army and AF climax of success in the SEA and whilst jealously watching the IJN's successes (before Midway rattles their confidence).
50% of all lend lease supplies in fact.Also having the Japanese occupying the Eastern reaches of the Soviet Union denies the US and Canada from ferrying lend-lease aircraft from Alaska.
Good points. Does the same apply to the IJAF in 1942, since they're fighting across the Pacific?The Soviets were in a bad way after Germany's offensive and scrambling to get everything they could to the Eastern Front to slow the German advance.
So I can't see Stalin keeping any top-line fighters or substantial numbers in the far East. This in turn, would have given Japan the edge had they launched an offensive.
It seems to me that if Japan went to war with the Soviet Union both to help the European Axis and for the gain of natural resources, it might have altered their position both with the East Indies and the U.S. raw materials embargo.Good points. Does the same apply to the IJAF in 1942, since they're fighting across the Pacific?
Also having the Japanese occupying the Eastern reaches of the Soviet Union denies the US and Canada from ferrying lend-lease aircraft from Alaska.
Hostilities commence spring 1942, Japan and USA are already at war.It seems to me that if Japan went to war with the Soviet Union both to help the European Axis and for the gain of natural resources, it might have altered their position both with the East Indies and the U.S. raw materials embargo.
Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941...Hostilities commence spring 1942, Japan and USA are already at war.
I thought the soviets had a huge army in the east being held in reserve in case the Japanese attacked? I thought this army was finally brought west to fight Germany some time after Pearl Harbor when the Russians decided japan was too busy with the US to invade Russia?
That's true. But I'm referring to Japan's attack on Russia in spring 1942.Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941...
Let's assume the Japan army and air force attacks the Soviet Union in early spring 1942, during the German's apparent huge success in the USSR, and Japan's own Army and AF climax of success in the SEA
Good points. Does the same apply to the IJAF in 1942, since they're fighting across the Pacific?
Japan would most likely not start an offensive with the Soviet Union after they committed to war with the U.S. - so the window for war with the USSR closes in fall of '41.