1939)"*, published in the periodical *Frontovaya Illustratsiya* (2002).

Rather than a standard historical narrative, the text is a detailed **technical and organizational study** of the

military forces involved. Here is a summary of the key sections provided in the first 27 pages:

### 1. Historiography and Objectives

Kolomiec notes that existing Soviet literature on the conflict is sparse or ideologically biased, while Western and

Japanese sources often rely on one-sided data. His goal is to provide a balanced account using both Soviet and Japanese

archival data, focusing specifically on **ground forces** rather than aviation or industrial construction.

### 2. The Japanese Imperial Army (Kwantung Army)

The text provides a deep dive into the structure and equipment of the Japanese forces in Manchuria:

* **Organization:** He describes the different types of infantry divisions (the high-readiness "Type A" vs. the reserve

"Second Wave" divisions).

* **Equipment:** Detailed lists of Japanese weaponry, including the "Arisaka" rifles, Nambu pistols, and various types

of artillery.

* **Anti-Tank Tactics:** A fascinating look at the "human-shells" (*nikuhaku*)—soldiers who spontaneously began using

gasoline bottles (Molotov cocktails) against Soviet tanks after observing a similar tactic in Spain.

* **Armor:** A technical breakdown of Japanese tanks, from the light Type 94 "TK" and Type 97 "Te-Ke" to the more

powerful Type 97 "Chi-Ha." He notes that while Japanese tanks had decent armor, they were generally outmatched by Soviet

BT-5s in terms of armament and maneuverability.

### 3. The Soviet 57th Special Corps

The author details the buildup of Soviet forces in Mongolia:

* **Formation:** The creation of the 57th Special Corps under the command of **Nikolai Feklenko**, comprising motorized

and armored brigades and the 36th Motorized Division.

* **Logistics:** He emphasizes the extreme difficulty of operating in the Mongolian steppe, where everything from fuel

to housing had to be transported over 750 km from the USSR.

* **Equipment:** Focuses on the **BT-5 tank** (highlighting its versatility in the plains but its tendency to overheat

in summer and struggle in winter) and various armored cars (BA-3, BA-6, BA-10).

### 4. The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Army (MPRA)

The text covers the history of the Mongolian army's creation with Soviet help, noting that by 1939 it consisted of 8

cavalry divisions and an armored brigade.

### 5. Origins of the Conflict

Kolomiec challenges common narratives about the cause of the war:

* He argues that the conflict wasn't about a strategic bridgehead for invading Mongolia (due to the desolate geography)

or a simple "revenge" for previous border clashes.

* Instead, he attributes the war to **border ambiguity**. Because there was no clear, mutually agreed-upon border

between the Mongolian People's Republic and Manchukuo (the Japanese puppet state), both sides used different maps,

leading to inevitable friction.

### 6. The May Battles (1939)

The final part of this section describes the early skirmishes in May 1939, specifically the battles around

**Tamtzak-Bulak**. It describes a chaotic environment where units often fought without clear communication or high-level

command, characterized by small-scale clashes between Soviet-Mongolian reconnaissance groups and Japanese infantry.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5853552&forum_id=2...id#49793956)

https://i.imgur.com/CH5m7xc.png

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5853552&forum_id=2...id#49793957)

https://i.imgur.com/3EcqPcV.png

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5853552&forum_id=2...id#49793978)

https://i.imgur.com/FdEr9WJ.jpeg

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5853552&forum_id=2...id#49794086)