Novikov gives orders for air support in preparation for a Soviet invasion of the Japanese island of Hokkaido.
August 19, 1945
Report by Ivan Yumashev to Aleksandr Vasilevsky
19.8.45
GENERAL COMMANDER OF THE SOVIET FORCES IN THE FAR EAST
COPY: COMMANDER OF THE FORCES OF THE FIRST FAR EASTERN FRONT
MOSCOW – COMMANDER OF THE MAIN FLEET HEADQUARTERS
In response to No. 10 and 5247
Reporting on the plan of operation of the 87th rifle corps to the island of Hokkaido and the southern part of the islands of the Kurile chain.
1. Operation is carried out in three stages.
a. The first stage—transport of one rifle division to the port of RUMOI.
b. The second stage—transport of one rifle division to the port of RUMOI.
c. The third stage—transport of one rifle division to the islands of the Kurile chain through HOKKAIDO.
2. Implementation of the operation.
a. Concentrate two regiments of DB-3s, one regiment of Yak-9 and 20 Yak-9yu’s at the aerodromes of the Vladimiro-Ol’ginskaya Naval Base.
b. Deploy four positions of submarines from the side of the Tsugaru and Laperouse straits [with] the task of reconnaissance and destruction of military ships of the enemy: four submarines in all.
c. Carry out reconnaissance of the ports and the naval bases of the southern part of SAKHALIN, the island of HOKKAIDO, Tsugaru Strait and approaches to the Western coast of HOKKAIDO beginning from 19.8.45 [with] the aim of disclosing the location of military ships.
3. The transport of troops is to be carried out: the first dash—composed of one naval infantry regiment, one rifle regiment on 6 landing ships [under] the protection of 6 destroyers and 6 torpedo boats. Destroyers, in cases of counteraction, are used as ships of artillery support; in a favorable situation torpedo boats are used as transport means for the first dash. The main forces of the rifle division are transported on 6 transport ships [under] the protection of four frigates, 4 trawlers and 4 large hunters. The first dash departs with the calculation of being at the place of landing—the port of RUMOI—two hours ahead of the arrival of the main forces.
4. Provision of two destroyers and six torpedo boats [is by?] VLADIMIR. Destroyer air force cover everyone during the transport, bomber [illegible] force at the moment of the arrival of the ships in RUMOI takes waiting position over the port. It carries out a strike against the port only after a signal from the commander of the landing. The landing is commanded by counter-admiral SVYATOV. General command of the operation is left with me. Readiness of ships for the landing of the first division: at 12.00 on 19.8.45. Departure at 20 hours on 21.8.45. Landing at 05.00 on 24.08.45, landing of the rest in line with the return of the transport ships.
Request approval.
COMMANDER OF THE
PACIFIC OCEAN FLEET
YUMASHEV
MEMBER OF THE MILITARY
COUNCIL OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN FLEET
ZAKHAROV
The plan of operation for a Soviet invasion of the island of Hokkaido and the Kurile Islands.
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