Japanese Forces

The Kwantung Army in Mongolia 1939

Advance in Nippon Magazine 1939

Infantryman of the IJA 23rd Division marching in the Mongolian Steppe during Battles of Khalkhyn Gol, July 1939. During this campaign the 23rd Division suffered a total of 11,958 men killed, or about 80% of its combat strength. Notably, the only divisional sub-unit not suffering a crippling casualties was the reconnaissance regiment, which was able to break a Soviet encirclement. As a result, commanding General Michitaro Komatsubara was recalled to Japan in disgrace.