.22Go South.22 Triumphant Kantokuen

japanese expansion in asia, 1937–42

when japan struck allies , launched multistage invasion of southeast asia in december 1941, weakened kwantung army played limited role. though of units dispatched south beforehand scheduled return manchuria following successful completion of operation, timing of return hinge on outcome of battles opposing ground forces. in meantime, kwantung army ordered ensure security of manchuria , avoid conflict ussr, hard-pressed german troops neared moscow.

after initial phase of southern offensive brought successful close in spring of 1942, ighq, conscious of kwantung army s weakened state , budget increase allocating more funds spending, decided strengthen , re-organize troops in manchuria. rejuvenation of combat power in north, while bringing kwantung army closer past goals organizational standpoint, still did not reflect intention go war ussr; indeed, logistics specialists convinced full year needed repair damages of earlier redeployments , raise capabilities level serious offensive undertaken. nevertheless, during time kwantung army reached absolute peak of power, attaining strength of 1,100,000 men , 1,500 aircraft in 16 divisions, 2 brigades, , 23 garrison units; korea army added 120,000 personnel figure. though kwantung army briefly benefited momentary pivot north, changing tide of war in pacific permanently force japan s attention southward. on next 3 years, kwantung army go on oversee exodus of combat units manchuria, setting in motion terminal decline death knell.