What was Operation August Storm, the Soviet campaign launched against Japan in August 1945?

Operation August Storm was the Soviet invasion of Manchuria, launched against Japan’s forces on August 9, 1945.

The campaign is also called the Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation or the Manchurian Operation. Soviet forces attacked the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo and neighboring Japanese-controlled territories, advancing from several directions with large armored and mechanized forces.

The offensive began only hours before the American atomic bombing of Nagasaki. It rapidly defeated the Japanese Kwantung Army, which had once been one of Japan’s most powerful formations. The Soviet attack also affected Japanese calculations because Tokyo had hoped the Soviet Union might mediate with the Western Allies.

Fighting continued after Japan’s August 15 announcement, and the Kwantung Army formally surrendered on August 16. The wider Soviet campaign continued until the general surrender was signed on September 2.