| | *[https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B5%B7%E8%BB%8D%E4%B9%99%E8%88%AA%E7%A9%BA%E9%9A%8A#%E5%8C%97%E6%9D%B1%E6%B5%B7%E8%BB%8D%E8%88%AA%E7%A9%BA%E9%9A%8A Northeastern Air Group] | | *[https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B5%B7%E8%BB%8D%E4%B9%99%E8%88%AA%E7%A9%BA%E9%9A%8A#%E5%8C%97%E6%9D%B1%E6%B5%B7%E8%BB%8D%E8%88%AA%E7%A9%BA%E9%9A%8A Northeastern Air Group] |
| − | This operation mainly revolves around the planned invasion of Northern Japan by the USSR in the last stages of the war. This initial plan was canceled after the Soviet experiences fighting the Japanese forces in the Kuriles. During the New Year 2025 Live event, there was mention and talk of the 11th Tank Regiment having a key role or bonuses. The historical note and reference for the 11th Tank Regiment was that their engagements with the Soviets during the war's end happened in Manchuria, Sakhalin, and the Kuriles. The Soviets thought it would be easy to defeat the Japanese with their numerous soldiers and more modern tanks compared to the poorly equipped Japanese Army (most of their best units and equipment had to be sent to fight in the Pacific over the years), yet despite the advantages, the Japanese resistance was very stiff. The 11th Tank regiment, along with other Imperial Japanese Army units, played a key role in the defense operation and the fighting here showed the Russians the tenacity of the Japanese, which made Soviet commanders rethink their island-hopping campaign and the planned Hokkaido invasion. One of the reasons Soviet commanders underestimated the Japanese was that their armor technology was obsolete and their T-34s would have no trouble fighting them. However, the Japanese did field a decent tank during WW2, and it was the Shinhoto Chi-Ha (an "improved" Chi-Ha tank utilizing the high-velocity 47mm Type 1 gun). These tanks proved to be a decent match against the M4 Sherman in the American island-hopping campaign, particularly in the major tank battles in the Philippines, and later against the Soviet T-34 in the last days of the war. This was because the gun was able to penetrate the side and rear armor of both Allied tanks and were primarily used in ambush tactics. | + | This operation mainly revolves around the planned invasion of Northern Japan by the USSR in the last stages of the war. This initial plan was canceled after the Soviet experiences fighting the Japanese forces in the Kuriles. During the New Year 2025 Live event, there was mention and talk of the 11th Tank Regiment having a key role or bonuses. The historical note and reference for the 11th Tank Regiment was that their engagements with the Soviets during the war's end happened in Manchuria, Sakhalin, and the Kuriles. The Soviets thought it would be easy to defeat the Japanese with their numerous soldiers and more modern tanks compared to the poorly equipped Japanese Army (most of their best units and equipment had to be sent to fight in the Pacific over the years), yet despite the advantages, the Japanese resistance was very stiff. The 11th Tank regiment, along with other Imperial Japanese Army units, played a key role in the defense operation, and the fighting here showed the Russians the tenacity of the Japanese, which made Soviet commanders rethink their island-hopping campaign and the planned Hokkaido invasion. One of the reasons Soviet commanders underestimated the Japanese was that their armor technology was obsolete, and their T-34 would have no trouble fighting them. However, the Japanese did field a decent tank during WW2, and it was the Shinhoto Chi-Ha (an "improved" Chi-Ha tank utilizing the high-velocity 47 mm Type 1 gun). These tanks proved to be a decent match against the M4 Sherman in the American island-hopping campaign, particularly in the major tank battles in the Philippines, and later against the Soviet T-34 in the last days of the war. This was because the gun was able to penetrate the side and rear armor of both Allied tanks and were primarily used in ambush tactics. |