The Kwantung Army fought the Soviet invasion of Manchuria during Japan’s final weeks in 1945.
The Kwantung Army was the Imperial Japanese Army formation responsible for defending Japanese-controlled Manchuria, where Japan had established the puppet state of Manchukuo. Soviet forces launched their offensive on August 9, attacking across several fronts with large armored and mechanized forces.
By 1945, the Kwantung Army was less powerful than its earlier reputation suggested. Many experienced units and weapons had been transferred to other fronts, and its remaining forces faced a much larger Soviet army. The offensive rapidly broke through Japanese positions and contributed to the crisis that preceded Japan’s surrender.
The Kwantung Army should not be confused with Japan’s China Expeditionary Army, which operated mainly in occupied China, or with the Japanese forces defending the home islands. The Manchurian campaign had its own command structure and strategic setting.