A new biography on Zhukov
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/stalins-general-the-life-of-georgy-zhukov-by-geoffrey-roberts/2012/06/23/gJQAwECmxV_story.html
A great general. I'm glad that this review highlights the amazing costs and contributions the Soviets made to the War. Americans tend to get a VERY one-sided view of things. I hope that the book covers well one other aspect of Zhukov's career, one that is often overlooked, even by military historians.
When asked what his most important battle or campaign might be, folks would summon up a variety of answers - the seige of Leningrad, the defense of Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk and on and on. And they're all damned impressive and important. But they all pale besides a little know shooting match - the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, in Mongolia in 1939. There, the Soviets and Japanese fought a fierce campaign for what would ultimately be the control of the Northern parts of the Far East. And Zhukov slaughtered the Japanese forces so badly that they declined to go at the Soviets any more, despite hitler's entreaties in 1941. That fact allowed the Soviets to transfer forces from the Far East to Europe and win the early victories at Leningrad and Moscow, which in turn led to the later victories that ended the War. It's weird and disappointing how something so important is ignored so much. One could argue that WWII was won in an obscure (to the West) battle in the Mongolian wilderness. A Japanese invasion of Siberia would almost certainly have turned things the other way. Zhukov's leadership and his mens' determination and bravery stopped that possibility from occurring.
This is one of those wonderful historical instances where something that is seemingly obscure and disconnected from events becomes a linchpin in our lives.
A great general. I'm glad that this review highlights the amazing costs and contributions the Soviets made to the War. Americans tend to get a VERY one-sided view of things. I hope that the book covers well one other aspect of Zhukov's career, one that is often overlooked, even by military historians.
When asked what his most important battle or campaign might be, folks would summon up a variety of answers - the seige of Leningrad, the defense of Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk and on and on. And they're all damned impressive and important. But they all pale besides a little know shooting match - the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, in Mongolia in 1939. There, the Soviets and Japanese fought a fierce campaign for what would ultimately be the control of the Northern parts of the Far East. And Zhukov slaughtered the Japanese forces so badly that they declined to go at the Soviets any more, despite hitler's entreaties in 1941. That fact allowed the Soviets to transfer forces from the Far East to Europe and win the early victories at Leningrad and Moscow, which in turn led to the later victories that ended the War. It's weird and disappointing how something so important is ignored so much. One could argue that WWII was won in an obscure (to the West) battle in the Mongolian wilderness. A Japanese invasion of Siberia would almost certainly have turned things the other way. Zhukov's leadership and his mens' determination and bravery stopped that possibility from occurring.
This is one of those wonderful historical instances where something that is seemingly obscure and disconnected from events becomes a linchpin in our lives.
posted by mendip at
6:05 PM
1 Comments:
Thanks for bringing this book to my attention. I'll be getting it soon.
I've always been struck by another point about Khalkhin Gol. The ferocity and resilience of the World-War-II era Japanese was legendary -- they were a fearsome opponent to US forces in the Pacific. Yet when they went up against the Red Army, the Red Army wiped the floor with them. Those people are tough. It's always been foolish to underestimate the Russians, and still is.
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Infidel753, at 8:30 PM
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