Soviet anti-tank riflemen on the island Shumshu
Kurilskaya landing operation was carried out with 18 August 1 September 1945 of the year. Operation of the Soviet troops of the 2nd Far Eastern Front began in conjunction with the Pacific Fleet, Its purpose is to capture the Kuril Islands. should say, that the conditions have been created as a result of the defeat of the Japanese forces in Manchuria and Sakhalin Island for the release of the northern Kuril Islands.
Concept of the operation envisaged landing on Shumshu (most fortified island Kuril), capture it and, using it as a springboard, clear the enemy from other islands. The structure consisted of two reinforced landing regiment of the 101st Infantry Division, artillery regiment, Marine battalion. Landing troops total population 8 824 people were involved 60 ships, including 16 landing. The operation also involved forces the Kamchatka Defense Area, Petropavlovsk naval base and the Northern Pacific Flotilla.
Fierce fighting broke out on the island Shumshu. The defense of the island consisted of long-gun emplacements, Cover your field and antiaircraft artillery. Courageously acted Marines detachment under the command of Lieutenant SA. Savushkina. When the promotion of the paratroopers had been suspended one of the enemy pillboxes, Petty Officer 1st Class NA. Vilkov crawled to the embrasure and covered her with his body. His example was followed by a young sailor PI. Ilyichev, covering her breasts another recess. The exploits of the brave sailors have immortalized their names. They were awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Cape Tower in Kamchatka was renamed Cape Vilkova, name Ilicheva named bay and cape, his name is also one of the schools in Kamchatka.
Despite the courageous actions of the Soviet soldiers put up stubborn resistance to the Japanese garrison island, so we had to reinforce our troops in two infantry regiments from Kamchatka. After amplification, the landing of enemy resistance was broken. The rest of the island of Great Kuril, up to and including the island of Urup, It was successively occupied by troops of the Kamchatka Defense Area, and all the islands to the south of it - a part of the 87th Infantry Corps, slung Sea to southern Sakhalin to Primorye from the 1st Far Eastern Front.
Planting infantry marine vessels
Kurilskaya landing operation completed sea landings, upset 1 September Kunashir Island and the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Ridge - Shikotan, a 4 September a small unit of Soviet troops without fighting landed on the islands of Habomai group, Acceptance of the surrender of the Japanese garrison troops in the Kuril Islands. Kuril operation was the destruction and capture of 80000th group of Japanese troops and the complete liberation of the Kuril Islands.
so, Far Eastern campaign of the Soviet Armed Forces lasted less than four weeks. Despite arose in the course of her problems, she was the most fleeting of all Second World War and was carried out within a single strategic operation. But its scope, dynamism of events and the final result of the campaign is one of the most important places in the last World War events.
2 September 1945 year in Tokyo Bay aboard the US battleship "Missouri" was signed the act of unconditional surrender of Japan. The Second World War ended, last six years and one day.
Armed Forces of the Soviet Union lost in the war with Japan killed, wounded and missing 36 456 human, including 24 425 survivors wounded and sick in the Far East campaign. Casualties of the Soviet Army and Navy were 18,6 times lower, than a similar loss of the Japanese armed forces and amounted to less than 0,1 % of the total number of all personnel of the Soviet Armed Forces, who took part in the campaign.
Soviet soldiers and commanders made immortal feats; So, in battle on the island Shumshu sergeants I.I. Kobzar, PV. Babich, NM. paradise, sailor NK. Vlasenko, headed by platoon commander Lieutenant demolition AM. Vodyninym swore to fight to the death, but delay the enemy. Heroes at the cost of his life to stop seven Japanese tanks. Of the entire group survived only PV. Babich.
The Soviet government highly appreciated the bravery and courage of soldiers, participated in the defeat of militarist Japan. According to the results of the Soviet-Japanese War 308 thousand. people were awarded military orders and medals, of them 93 awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Orders have also been awarded over 300 compounds, units and ships. In honor of the victory 30 September 1945 year was established medal "For the Victory over Japan".
As a result of the war the Soviet Union reclaimed southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. the threat has been eliminated the Japanese attack on the Soviet Union.
Gabriel Tsobehiya
