Sakhalin operation 1945. Sakhalin Regional Children's Library

After the defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, Sakhalin Island was divided into two approximately equal parts... The southern part was ceded by the Japanese Empire, and the border ran along the 50th parallel. As in other sections of the Soviet-Japanese border, tensions on the island persisted from the late 1930s until the end of World War II. To protect the Soviet part of the island from the sea and control the Tatar Strait, the last access available for the USSR to Pacific Ocean from the Sea of \u200b\u200bOkhotsk, as part of the Pacific Fleet, the North Pacific Naval Flotilla was formed, the main base of which was located in Sovetskaya Gavan. Throughout the Great Patriotic WarWhen Japanese aggression was more than likely, the units of the Northern Pacific Fleet were a serious and reliable deterrent.

Even during the Tehran Conference of 1943, the Soviet Union agreed in principle to enter the war with militarist Japan on the side of the United States and Great Britain. Later, during the Yalta and Potsdam conferences, the conditions on which this would happen were specified. Among the main requirements was the return of the southern part of Sakhalin to our country... The allies agreed to this requirement, which was enshrined in the Potsdam Declaration.

On August 8, 1945, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan. On the night of August 9, the Manchurian offensive, the successful development of which created the preconditions for strikes against Japanese troops in other sectors of the front.

At 22 o'clock on August 10, 1945, the commander-in-chief soviet troops on Far East Marshal A.M. Vasilevsky gave an order to start preparations for the operation to liberate the southern part of Sakhalin. Subsequently, the campaign was named the Yuzhno-Sakhalin offensive operation.

Sakhalin Island stretches from north to south for almost 1,000 kilometers, and its width ranges from 26 to 160 kilometers. The only transport artery connecting the northern and southern parts of the island was and remains the highway along the Poronai River. In fact, the nature of the terrain determined both the Japanese defense system and the plan of the Soviet offensive.

The Japanese command, perfectly understanding the strategic importance of the Poronai direction for the defense of the island, blocked it with a powerful fortified area. The defensive line was set up north of the city of Coton (Pobedino) and had a length of 12 kilometers along the front and about 30 kilometers in depth. The Kotonsky or Haramitogesky fortified area was well prepared in engineering terms and had: 17 reinforced concrete pillboxes, over 130 artillery and machine-gun bunkers, as well as a large number of well-equipped artillery and mortar positions.

In the event of an air raid or massive artillery shelling, the garrison could take refuge in 150 reinforced concrete shelters. South Sakhalin was defended by the 88th Infantry Division, whose total number of troops reached 30,000 people, including about 10,000 reservists. The main forces of the Japanese division were located on the border, only the actual garrison of the Coton fortified region consisted of about 5,400 Japanese soldiers and officers.

The western flank of the defensive line was reliably covered by a mountain ridge, and the eastern flank by the wooded-swampy Poronai valley, impassable for equipment. In addition to the Coton garrison, Japanese troops were stationed in ports on the southern part of Sakhalin. The developed network of railways and highways, as well as 13 airfields, allowed the Japanese command, if necessary, to quickly transfer troops both on the island itself and to replenish the grouping from other theaters of military operations.

By the end of August 1945, the forces of the 56th were stationed against the Japanese troops in the northern part of the island. rifle corps under the command of General A.A. Dyakonov. The corps was part of the 16th Army (commanded by Lieutenant General L.G. Cheremisov) of the 2nd Far Eastern Front (commanded by Army General M.A. Purkaev).

The North Pacific Naval Flotilla operated at sea under the command of Vice Admiral V.A. Andreev. The flotilla consisted of nine submarines, a patrol ship Zarnitsa, five minesweepers, 24 torpedo boats, and several detachments of patrol boats. The air group in the Sakhalin region was represented by the 255th mixed aviation division (about 100 aircraft).

The general concept of the Yuzhno-Sakhalin operation was to break through the Kotonsky fortified area by the forces of Dyakov's corps and with the support of aviation. At the same time, the flotilla was supposed to land amphibious assault forces in all japanese ports and to prevent both the evacuation of the enemy's 88th Infantry Division from the island and the transfer of new Japanese forces to Sakhalin. Together with the main blow, it was decided to deliver two auxiliary strikes east and west of the Coton fortified region.

On August 11, 1945, at 9:35 am, Soviet aircraft bombed Esutor, Toro and Coton. At 10 am Dyakov's troops launched an offensive. The Yuzhno-Sakhalin operation has begun.

In the main direction, along the swampy valley of the Poronai River, units of the 79th Infantry Division under the command of Major General I.P. Baturov were advancing. The swiftness of the strike made it possible to overcome the advanced positions of the Japanese troops and seize strongholds on the Lysaya and Golaya mountains with little or no opposition.

The Japanese tried to organize resistance in the Khandasa area, which covered the road to the main positions of the Koton fortified area. During the roundabout maneuver and night assault, the Khandas stronghold was taken.

To the right of the main forces of the corps, along the Tatar Bay in the direction of Ambetsu, border guards and a special company of machine gunners were advancing.

To the east of Baturov's troops, the 179th regiment operated under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Kudryavtsev. The unit was tasked with overcoming the swampy floodplain of the Poronai River and entering the rear of the Koton garrison. The unit had to operate in extremely difficult conditions. There were no roads in this direction, the water in the lowlands reached the waist. Naturally, there could be no question of any technique. Kudryavtsev's troops did not have tanks or artillery, only mortars, which they had to carry on themselves. The Japanese command did not expect a blow from Soviet troops in this direction, as he considered it irresistible for technology. The battalion of Captain L.V. Smirnykh, which was the vanguard of the 179th regiment, first destroyed the Japanese garrison in the city of Muyke with a swift blow. Further, advancing south, in a fierce battle, the battalion destroyed a large defensive point covering the railway bridge. During a short but bloody battle, the Smirnykh fighters managed to eliminate 18 enemy bunkers. By the evening of August 12, the battalion's scouts reached the outskirts of the city of Coton.

By the evening of August 13, mobile corps units (214th Tank Brigade) overcame the front of the Japanese fortified area and reached its main strip. The tankers tried to break through the enemy's defenses on the move, but when they met heavy fire, they had to stop the assault.

14 August 165th rifle regiment continued to gain a foothold at the achieved line, trying to break through the Japanese defenses with periodic attacks. On this day, the feat of Alexander Matrosov was repeated by senior sergeant Anton Efimovich Buyukly, who closed the embrasure of the Japanese bunker. For this feat he was awarded the title of Hero Soviet Union.

The 179th Rifle Regiment (without the 2nd Battalion), repelling two enemy counterattacks, captured the Coton railway station and the southern slopes of Mount Harmitoria. At the station, 3 steam locomotives and 25 carriages with property were seized. A significant, if not decisive, role in the battles for Coton was played by the battalion of Captain Leonid Vladimirovich Smirnykh. His unit was the first to reach the city and immediately entered the battle with the Japanese... The enemy, quickly stopping the panic that arose from the attack of the Soviet fighters from an unexpected direction, launched a psychic attack against them with an unfolded banner. By order of the captain, fire was opened when the enemy was about 50 meters away. All the attackers were destroyed. On August 16, Captain Smirnykh was killed by a Japanese sniper. He was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Two settlements on Sakhalin bear his name: Leonidovo and Smirnykh.

Simultaneously with local battles, there was an active preparation for the assault. Divisional artillery and an artillery regiment of the Reserve of the High Command were brought up to the area of \u200b\u200bthe breakthrough. Also, the corps' forces were reinforced by the 2nd Infantry Brigade.

On the night of August 16, the scouts of the 79th Rifle Division managed to obtain accurate information about the location of the enemy's firing points. Corps forces were already ready for the start of the assault on the Japanese defensive line.

On the morning of August 16, artillery and aviation preparations for the future assault began. Despite all efforts, it was not possible to achieve serious damage to the Japanese positions by remote strikes. Mainly due to the fact that the fire of our batteries could not penetrate the armor of the Japanese fortified emplacements and shelters.

In this way, the brunt of breaking into enemy defenses fell on the 79th Rifle Division, which struck in a general direction to the Harami-Toge pass in order to cut the enemy grouping. The second echelon of our troops consisted of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, as well as the 178th and 678th separate tank battalions.

The tactical structure of our troops was as follows: infantry units were advancing in the forefront, their main task was the destruction of tank destroyers (suicide soldiers); the soldiers of the assault battalions were supposed to make passages in minefields and ensure the passage of tanks in wetlands; the breakthrough units were followed by tanks and sapper detachments. Under cover of the fire of tank guns, which hit mainly at the machine-gun points of the enemy, the demolition men got close to the pillboxes and threw grenades at them. By the evening of August 16, a fierce battle for the Harami-toge pass ended with a breakthrough of the main strip of the Kotonsky fortified region in a narrow sector of the front.

Sakhalin, 23 August, SakhalinMedia. The headquarters of the main command of the Soviet troops of the Far East, evaluating the success of the actions of the Trans-Baikal and Far Eastern fronts in the early days of the war with Japan, on August 11, she decided to start hostilities to liberate South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. This task was assigned to the units of the 16th Army located in Kamchatka and Sakhalin, as well as the formations of the Second Far Eastern Front and the forces of the Pacific Fleet. The mournful list of warriors who gave their lives in battles in the south of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands numbers about 2000 people. For the liberation of the islands, hundreds of soldiers and officers were awarded orders and medals, 14 people were awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Military historian and writer Alexey Sukonkin specially for RIA PrimaMedia prepared material on the progress and results of the Sakhalin and Kuril operations.

Instead of a preface: “The Japanese came here in 1905 to hastily export timber, furs, coal, fish and gold from South Sakhalin for forty years in a row. They did not feel like the masters of this land. They were in a hurry, anticipating their short Sakhalin century, " - This is how the famous writer-marine painter Nikolai Cherkashin described the Japanese order on Sakhalin very accurately.

Back in 1905, as a result of the signing humiliating for Russia Portsmouth Peace Treaty, Russia lost the southern half of Sakhalin - up to the 50th parallel. However, the Japanese went further - in 1920, taking advantage of the virtual absence of real power on Sakhalin, they occupied the entire island and returned beyond the 50th parallel only in 1925 after the signing of the Soviet-Japanese Convention on the Basic Principles of Relations (Beijing Treaty of 1925). Nevertheless, the USSR was forced to grant Japan the right to concession on coal, oil and fish resources - such a relaxation was caused, first of all, by the desire to stabilize the already complicated relations between the parties. As a result, Japan withdrew its troops, but began to actively develop natural resources Northern Sakhalin. At the same time, the Japanese side systematically violated concession contracts, creating conflict situations with the Soviet side.

Soon the situation changed, and in 1941, during the conclusion of the Soviet-Japanese pact of neutrality (April 13), the USSR raised the question of eliminating Japanese concessions in Northern Sakhalin. Japan gave written consent to this, but delayed its implementation for three years. And only convincing victories Soviet army over German troops prompted the Japanese government to comply with the previously given consent. On March 30, 1944, a Protocol was signed in Moscow on the liquidation of the Japanese oil and coal concessions in Northern Sakhalin and the transfer of all concession property of the Japanese side to the Soviet side. For some reason, it is not customary to voice this fact, highlighting the complex Soviet-Japanese relations of that period.

On April 5, 1945, Vyacheslav Molotov received the Japanese ambassador, Naotake Sato, and brought to his attention that the extension of the Treaty on the Neutrality of the Parties in conditions when Japan is at war with the allies of the USSR is meaningless and becomes impossible, and therefore this treaty is subject to denunciation. The Japanese ambassador noted that only the cancellation of the treaty terminates its validity, and that denunciation does not legally cancel the treaty until the end of the agreed period - April 13, 1946. The parties remained unanimous, and on July 26, 1945, the United States, Britain and China turned to Japan with a proposal for unconditional surrender. On August 8, the USSR declared war on Japan ...

Training

A month and a half before the start of the war with Japan, units of the 79th Rifle Division, which were located in the northern part of Sakhalin, began training to overcome the barrier strips and destroy long-term firing points. The seriousness of intentions is evidenced by the fact that in the 79th division an exact copy of the Japanese Kharamitogsky (another name - Kotonsky UR) fortified area was built - in full size, with the exact location of all known firing points, all obstacles and minefields. And the soldiers day after day, until the seventh sweat, learned to storm enemy positions.

The geographic configuration of the central part of Sakhalin Island determined the only possible way from south to north and back - along the valley of the Poronai River. On both sides, the valley was squeezed by mountain ranges, which in themselves were already a natural barrier for the troops. And the Japanese closed the road and the river valley with the powerful Kharamitogsky fortified area, which occupied up to 12 km along the front and up to 16 km in depth. The flanks of the fortified area rested in the west against an inaccessible mountain ridge, and in the east against the wooded-swampy valley of the Poronai River. The construction of the structures began in 1939. Dozens of caponiers and other fortifications were built here.

In total, there were 17 reinforced concrete pillboxes, 31 artillery and 108 machine-gun emplacements, 28 artillery and 18 mortar positions, up to 150 different shelters in the fortified area.

All these structures were located along the road connecting Northern Sakhalin with Southern Sakhalin, as well as along country roads and paths - that is, in places where military operations were likely to unfold. The fortification was protected by anti-tank ditches, barbed wire, minefields and provided with a large supply of food. The garrison of the fortified area consisted of the 125th Infantry Regiment of the 88th Infantry Division, an artillery division, and a reconnaissance detachment of the same division. In total, there were at least 5,400 Japanese troops.

Forward to attack!

Fighting on Sakhalin began with naval aviation strikes on various objects of the Japanese military infrastructure.

At 9 a.m. on August 11, the 79th Rifle Division (commander - Major General I.P. Baturov), the 2nd Rifle Brigade (Colonel A.M. Schekala), the 214th Tank Brigade (Lieutenant Colonel A.T. Timirgaleev ), as well as the 178th and 678th separate tank battalions, a separate Sakhalin rifle regiment and the 82nd separate rifle and machine-gun company crossed the state border of the USSR and Japan and began operations to break through the Japanese fortified area. Vanguard of the 165th infantry regiment 79th Infantry Division at 11 o'clock in the morning struck up a battle for the border stronghold of Honda. The commander of the forward detachment, Captain Grigory Svetetsky, captured four pillboxes and firmly established himself on the reached line, but the Japanese blew up the bridge over the river, which closed the passage for the tanks. This option was calculated, and, using the logs prepared in advance, the Soviet soldiers built a new crossing (!!!) overnight, along which tanks moved in the morning. Having sent one company to bypass, Svetetsky was able to block the enemy, blocking his path to retreat. In the evening, the enemy garrison chose to surrender. The capture of Honda made it possible to reach the front edge of the main line of defense of the Kharamitogsky fortified area. For the skillful organization of the battle and the courage and heroism shown at the same time, Captain Grigory Grigorievich Svetetsky was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

On the night of August 12, while the 165th and 157th regiments of the 79th division finished off the garrison of the strongpoint, the advance detachment of the 179th regiment under the command of Captain Leonid Smirnykh secretly passed through a swampy area along the Poronai River (waist-deep in water, holding weapons overhead!) and unexpectedly for the enemy attacked the stronghold of Muika. In the course of a swift hand-to-hand combat, the strong point was captured, and its garrison was destroyed. All these actions added up to a piggy bank of success, but they were given at a great price - killed and wounded appeared in the units. On the night of August 13, Captain Smirnykh led his battalion to the next strongpoint, and in the morning they reached Coton, the main defense center of the entire fortified area. Immediately, the battalion attempted to seize the railway station, but their way was blocked by a machine-gun bunker, which did not allow them to move forward. To destroy the enemy firing point, a group of five fighters was assigned: four were to conduct continuous fire at the embrasure, and senior sergeant Anton Buyukly, armed with grenades, crawled forward, pushing a heavy machine gun in front of him. Hiding behind the armored shield of the Maxim machine gun, he was able to crawl almost point-blank to the bunker. From here he threw several grenades and the enemy machine gun fell silent. The company raised with a shout: "Hurray!", But the machine gun came to life - wounded and killed appeared in the chain of attackers.

And then Anton Efimovich Buyukly got up, pushed the "Maxim" forward, closed the embrasure with it and piled on top, holding his machine gun so that it would not be blown away from the embrasure by enemy bullets. The brave warrior received several severe wounds to his arms and legs, but he continued to close the embrasure until his last breath - until the advancing company overcame the area under fire.

At the cost of his life, he cut off the fire of the enemy machine gun, which ensured the success of the actions of the entire regiment. Anton Buyukly was posthumously awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union. And the garrison of the Japanese bunker, which caused so many problems for the attackers, comrades deceased Hero They did not take prisoners - they burned them with a flamethrower.

Hero of the USSR Anton Buyukly. Photo: Courtesy of the author

The battle for Coton ended only on the second day. Taking his subordinates into battle, on August 16, battalion commander Leonid Vladimirovich Smirnykh died a heroic death. His bold and decisive actions determined success in capturing an important knot of resistance, and his feat was appreciated according to his merits - by the decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces he was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Two settlements of Sakhalin are now named after him - the villages of Leonidovo and Smirnykh.

In Coton, over 3,300 Japanese troops surrendered to Soviet troops. Having broken through the Kharamitogsky fortified area, the 79th Rifle Division entered the operational space and already on August 20 liberated the city of Sikuka (modern Poronaysk). Further, the Soviet units moved south in the direction of Toyohara (now Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), and the marines came to their aid.

The landing went to Sakhalin!

On August 16, in order to assist the advancing troops in the speedy seizure of the island to the western and southern parts of Sakhalin, the 16th Army began to land from the ships of the Northern Pacific Flotilla.

Port Toro (now Shakhtersk) was chosen for the landing of the first amphibious assault, the purpose of which was to block the coastal road and further assist units of the 79th division, which, having broken through the Japanese fortified area, advanced to the south of the island.

As a landing, it was decided to use the 365th separate battalion of the marines of the Northern Pacific Flotilla, as well as the second battalion of the 113th separate rifle brigade... In Sovetskaya Gavan and Vanino, the landing party boarded the ships of the landing convoy, which consisted of four minesweepers, nineteen torpedo boats and six patrol boats, as well as a minelayer and a patrol ship. They were supposed to provide artillery support to the landing force at the time of the landing and the battle for the bridgehead. The commander of the landing forces was appointed Captain 1st Rank A.I. Leonov, the commander of the landing - the commander of the 365th separate battalion Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel K.P. Tavkhutdinov.

The passage of ships with a landing party on board through the Tatar Strait took place in the most difficult conditions of thick fog and stormy weather. The worst of all was for the crews and the landing of small torpedo boats - they were thrown from side to side, many people began to be overcome by seasickness.

The disembarkation itself was made directly to the quays and pier of the port, as well as to the sandbank adjacent to the port. In the early morning of August 16, the first to land was a reconnaissance detachment, whose task was to suppress a small Japanese garrison. Following was the landing of the main landing force, after which the marines and riflemen moved in a southeast direction, breaking the resistance of small Japanese units. By the end of the day, Toro, Nishi-Onura, Taihe and New Haku were cleared of the Japanese.

The aviation of the Pacific Fleet provided great assistance to the landed assault force during periods when flight weather was established. Bombers and attack aircraft operated in conditions of weak enemy air defense, which the Japanese provided only with the use of anti-aircraft machine guns. It turned out that the Japanese had no combat aircraft on the island.

In development of the achieved success of the first landing, the Soviet command decides to send the next amphibious assault to the port of Maoka ( modern name - Kholmsk).

The ships assigned to the landing were consolidated into three landing squads, a fire support squad and a guard squad. The first landing party consisted of seven patrol boats, the second - of four minesweepers, the third - of three transports, a rescue ship and a tug. The Okean minelayer and the Zarnitsa patrol ship were included in the fire support detachment, and four torpedo boats were included in the guard detachment. Based on the experience of the operation already carried out in Toro, it was decided to make the landing directly to the port berths. It was also assumed that there would not be a long separation in time between the first assault force (assault squad of machine gunners), the first echelon (the combined battalion of the marines) and the second echelon (the 113th rifle brigade). Captain 1st Rank A.I. Leonov was again appointed commander of the landing forces, and Colonel IZ Zakharov, commander of the 113th rifle brigade, was appointed commander of the landing force.

On 17 August, south of the port of Maoka, special operation - a reconnaissance group was landed from the submarine, which conducted reconnaissance of the landing sites, clarified the location of enemy firing points and the engineering support of the Japanese anti-amphibious defense system. The information received from the scouts allowed the command to plan more carefully the applications of the Marine Corps on this object.

On the morning of August 19, the landing ships headed for Maoku. The weather at the crossing by sea, which lasted about a day, was very bad, which led to a delay in the beginning of the disembarkation.

At 7.30 a.m. on August 20, in a continuous fog, the ships were able to find the entrance to the central harbor of the port, after which patrol boats rushed into it with the first assault force. The enemy was taken by surprise, and the landing of the first thrust of the Soviet landing was completed quickly and without losses.

However, in the future, as the landing party advanced inland, the enemy began to offer strong resistance.

By noon, the first landing echelon captured the entire territory of the port and began fighting in different parts of the city. Thanks to the bold and decisive actions of Soviet soldiers, the city of Maoka was taken by 14 o'clock. The losses of the Japanese amounted to more than 300 soldiers and officers killed, up to 600 prisoners. Fleeing from the devastating fire of the Soviet paratroopers, the samurai retreated along the railway inland. But there they were taken out by the main forces of the landing - on the night of 23 August, the 113th separate rifle brigade captured the Futomata railway station and launched an offensive on Otomari (Korsakov).

Kuril landing operation and the liberation of South Sakhalin. Japanese prisoners of war. Photo: Courtesy of the author

At this time, the headquarters of the Northern Pacific Flotilla was already preparing amphibious assault forces for the landing at Otomari, in order to deprive the Japanese command of the last opportunity to evacuate troops and cargo to Hokkaido. The decision to land this landing was taken immediately after the capture of the port of Maoka. The landing plan included the landing of three battalions of the Marine Corps. Reference. During the build-up of forces for the upcoming landing on Hokkaido, the 357th Infantry Regiment of the 342nd Infantry Division, among others, was transferred to Maoko from Vladivostok. After the war, the division remained on Sakhalin, in 1957 it was reorganized into the 56th motorized rifle division, and the 357th rifle regiment - in the 390th motorized rifle regiment... And already on the basis of the 390th Motorized Rifle Regiment, the 390th Marine Regiment was formed, which was redeployed to Slavyanka, and later was deployed to the 55th Marine Division - which is today known as the 155th Marine Brigade, stationed in Vladivostok ... This is the fate of our marines!

On the morning of August 23, a detachment of ships with a landing party on board headed for Otomari. The storm was such that the towing cables tore. The ships were forced to enter the port of Honto and wait out the stormy weather (at the same time, the surrender of a small local garrison was accepted). Due to the loss of time, the landing was landed in Otomari only in the morning of August 25, when the 113th rifle brigade was already approaching the outskirts of the city. By 10 o'clock in the morning, the Otomari naval base was liberated. The Japanese garrison of 3400 soldiers and officers laid down their arms and surrendered.

At the same time, the advanced units of the 79th Rifle Division entered the city of Toyohara (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk). By noon, the fighting on the island was over. As a result of the operation on Sakhalin, 18 320 Japanese soldiers and officers were taken prisoner.

And now - the Kuriles!

The liberation of the islands of the Kuril ridge was carried out by units of the 101st Infantry Division, as well as ships and vessels of the Peter and Paul Naval Base, ships of the merchant fleet, as well as the 128th Mixed Aviation Division and the 2nd Separate Naval Bomber Regiment.

The concept of the operation provided for a sudden landing on Shumshu Island with the task of seizing a bridgehead, ensuring the landing of the main landing forces and subsequently, violating the Japanese defense system, attacking the islands of Paramushir, Onekotan and others.

On the island of Shumshu, the Japanese had a strong military garrison, the basis of which was the 91st Infantry Division, two battalions of the 11th Tank Regiment and the 31st Air Defense Regiment, which together numbered more than 8,500 people, about 100 guns and mortars, and up to 60 tanks. The island was equipped and camouflaged 34 artillery bunkers, 24 machine-gun bunkers, 310 sheltered machine gun points, numerous underground shelters for troops and military property up to 50 meters deep. Most of the defensive structures were connected by underground passages into a single defensive system.

The peculiarity of the landing operation on Shumshu was that it was developed in an extremely short time - in just a day.

During this time, the operators of the headquarters had to prepare, and the command had to make a decision to conduct a combat operation, give the necessary orders on a host of issues, concentrate transport and landing craft at the loading points, deliver here parts of the 101st division, assigned for landing as an amphibious assault. Thanks to the high organization of the work of the command and subordinate headquarters, the selflessness of all personnel, the preparation of the landing operation was organized in an organized manner and was completed on time.

At five o'clock in the evening on August 17, a convoy with a landing party on board (a total of 64 pennants) left Avacha Bay towards Shumshu Island. The forward landing detachment consisted of a Marine Corps battalion commanded by Major T.A. Pochtarev, a company of machine gunners of Senior Lieutenant S.M. Inozemtsev, a mortar and sapper company, a reconnaissance platoon and a chemical defense platoon. Major P.I.Shutov, deputy commander of the 138th Rifle Regiment, was appointed commander of the forward detachment. In the first echelon of the landing there was the 138th rifle regiment, in the second echelon - the 373rd rifle regiment, an artillery regiment and a detachment of border guards.

Landing of amphibious forces on a ship before disembarking at Shumsha. Photo: Courtesy of the author

On August 18, at 4:30 am, a forward landing detachment began to land on a three-kilometer stretch of coast between Kokutan and Kotomari Capes in the northeastern part of Shumshu Island. The paratroopers had to pass a wide coastal shoal, after which they immediately captured two lines of empty trenches. It was only after the advance detachment had plunged two kilometers into the island that the Japanese finally discovered the landing.

The coastal batteries opened heavy fire. The Japanese command made every effort to disrupt the landing. Nevertheless, under deadly enemy fire, the advance detachment completed its immediate task - seized a bridgehead for the landing of the main landing force.

The ships approaching the disembarkation point were subjected to brutal shelling. The pace of concentration of forces on the bridgehead remained low, artillery at the initial stage did not land at all. Until 9 o'clock in the morning, there was no radio communication of the fire support ships with the landed subunits, which is why the forward detachment could not issue target designations to defeat the main targets.

At the critical moment of the battle, the assistant to the commander of the marine corps platoon, foreman of the first class Nikolai Vilkov and sailor Pyotr Ilyichev approached the enemy bunker at a grenade throw distance. The bunker was silent for a minute, and the company rose to attack ... but the Japanese opened fire again, and then both marines closed two embrasures with their bodies.

The example of Alexander Matrosov was firmly entrenched in the minds of Soviet soldiers, who, even in this seemingly short war, in the heat of a fierce battle, often made this terrible, suicidal, but saving decision for others. Posthumously, they both became Heroes of the Soviet Union.

And at the same time, other fighters of the vanguard fought with the Japanese tanks, which were trying to drop the landing into the sea. The commander of the submachine gunners, senior lieutenant S.M. Inozemtsev, destroyed two tanks from an anti-tank rifle. Junior Sergeant Sultanov jumped on an enemy tank and shot the crew from a machine gun through a viewing slot in the side of the tower.

From Paramushir, the Japanese began to transfer reinforcements to Shumshu, complicating the position of our landing party. The Japanese managed to sink or destroy seven landing craft, a border boat, two small boats by the fire of coastal batteries and the strikes of their aviation, seven landing ships and transport were also damaged.

So, the crew of a self-propelled barge consisting of foreman of the 1st article Vasily Sigov, minder Kryukov and sailor Kiselev, despite the mortal risk, were engaged in the transportation of troops and ammunition for three days without rest, and the wounded were evacuated.

Sigov was wounded in the head and arm, but continued to carry out a combat mission until the end of the landing operation.

For heroic actions, Vasily Sigov became a Hero of the Soviet Union, and his crew received military orders.

By the end of the day, the main landing force was landed on the island, and on the night of August 19, artillery units appeared on the bridgehead - this became possible after the defeat of the coastal batteries, which did not allow the landing ships to approach the coast. By 11 o'clock, the paratroopers were ready for a decisive offensive across the island, but the Japanese suddenly requested an armistice. Believing them, the Soviet command sent a detachment of ships to the Kataoka naval base to accept the surrender, but as soon as the Soviet ships were within the reach of the Japanese coastal batteries, they were immediately fired upon. As soon as the insidiousness of the enemy was revealed, the main forces of the landing, forgetting about the requested truce, launched a decisive offensive.

On August 2, having suffered a crushing defeat, the now truly Japanese began to lay down their arms. In total, one general, 525 officers and 11,700 soldiers were taken prisoner at Shumshu. Among the trophies were 57 field and 9 anti-aircraft guns, 214 light machine guns, 123 heavy machine guns, 20 anti-aircraft machine guns, 7420 rifles, several surviving tanks and 7 aircraft.

ACT of Japan's surrender. Photo: Courtesy of the author

The liberation of the island of Shumshu became a decisive event in the entire Kuril landing operation - the occupation of the remaining islands did not require such a strain of forces from the Soviet troops. On August 23, realizing the futility of resistance to the Soviet marines, the garrison of Paramushir island surrendered without resistance: about 8000 people (74th Infantry Brigade 91st Infantry Division, 18th and 19th Mortar Divisions, a company of the 11th Panzer Regiment), up to 50 guns and 17 tanks.

On August 25, a detachment of paratroopers landed on Matua - here the 41st separate mixed regiment was waiting for them, which surrendered in full force - 3795 people. Aside from the topic, I would like to note that recently a landing was again landed on Matua - this time the Russian military came there for construction military base, from which in the future it will be possible to control almost all the islands of the Kuril ridge and the straits between them.

On August 28, the landing party landed on Urup, where it accepted the surrender of the Japanese 129th Infantry Brigade. On the same day, 13,500 people from the 89th Infantry Division surrendered on Iturup. On September 1, Kunashir was occupied - from it it was planned to develop an offensive on other islands, including Hokkaido - 1250 people surrendered here. On the same day, the garrison of Shikotan Island surrendered - the 4th Infantry Brigade of 4,800 people surrendered. By September 4, all the islands of the Kuril ridge were occupied.

After the fighting in Shumshu, the Pacific Fleet did not suffer any combat losses in the Kuril Islands region. In total, 50 442 Japanese soldiers and officers, including 4 generals, were disarmed and captured on the Kuril Islands. The landing on Hokkaido did not take place on the personal order of Joseph Stalin.

Decades have passed, but the Japanese leadership is still trying to challenge the results of the Second World War, in which the consolidation of the so-called "northern territories" for the USSR and Russia is a legally justified norm. Apparently, it is still difficult for Japanese samurai to admit the fact of shameful surrender, to which most of their military units were inclined, who occupied positions on the islands and showed tremendous cowardice in the face of their enemy ...

But in no case can we talk about the ease of the victory achieved! After all, some Japanese garrisons showed what the descendants of the ancient samurai are capable of, and this actually gives them honor, in no way diminishing the merits of Soviet soldiers!

Come on. operation of the troops of the 16th A of the 2nd Far East. fr. in cooperation with the North. Pacific. military. flotilla, held on August 11-25. with the aim of liberating Yuzh. Sakhalin, seized by Japan in 1905. The successful development of the Manchurian operation of 1945 allowed the Sov. command to launch an offensive on Sakhalin. For Yu.-S. about. involved the 56th brigade, the 113th brigade and the 214th brigade of the 16th A (general-lieutenant L.G. Cheremisov), sea. infantry, approx. 30 ships and boats North. Pacific. flotilla (Vice-Adm. VA Andreev), 255th mixed air division (106 aircraft) and sea. aviation Pacific. fleet (80 aircraft). South. Sakhalin was defended by the reinforced 88th Japanese. pd (19 thousand soldiers and officers, about 10 thousand reservists), based on the Kotonsky (Kharamitogsky) SD with a length of 12 km along the front and up to 30 km in depth (17 pillboxes, 28 artillery and 18 mortar positions and other structures , garrison - 5400 people). The idea of \u200b\u200bthe owls. command: forces of the 56th squadron to break through the defenses of the Kotonsky UR from the front and, rapidly advancing eastward. the coast of the island in the direction of Toyohara (administrative center of South Sakhalin), in interaction with the sea. landing forces, to-rye was supposed to land a flotilla in the rear of the pr-ka, destroy the enemy grouping and capture the south. part of the island. The fighting began on the night of August 11. blows of pestilence. aviation at the facilities of Esutora, Toro, Usiro and Cotona. In the morning, the units of the 56th brigade and the 214th brigade went on the offensive, which had to move along the unities, a dirt road that connected the North. Sakhalin with the South and passing between the hard-to-reach spurs of the mountains and the swampy valley of the river. Burrow. The enemy offered fierce resistance. On the night of 13 Aug. The 179th Rifle Division of the 79th Rifle Division, advancing in the first echelon of the 56th Rifle Division, overcame the swampy area and went into the rear of the enemy fortifications. On August 16, the flotilla landed a landing party in the port of Toro (the 365th separate battalion of the marines and the 2nd battalion of the 113th brigade), which by the end of the day cleared several of the pr-ka. settlements, points within a radius of 8-12 km, and the next day seized the city of Yama-Sigai, the port of Esutora and blocked the roads to the Kotonsky UR along the west. the coast of Sakhalin. Aug 18 counter-strikes from the 56th SC from the front and rear, the defense of the Kotonsky UR was broken, after which the Sov. troops deployed aspires, the offensive to the south. the coast of the island. 20 Aug pestilence. landing (113th brigade, combined battalion of marines) captured the port of Maoka. 25 Aug a combined brigade of sailors, disembarked from the sea, captured the Japanese. military-mor. Otomari base. On the same day, units of the 56th SC entered Toyohara. Sov. troops, eliminating the Sakhalin grouping of pr-ka (18 320 Japanese. soldiers and officers taken prisoner), liberated Yuzh. Sakhalin, which was returned to the USSR in accordance with the decisions of the Crimean Conference of 1945 and the Berlin Conference of 1945. 14 most distinguished in battles units and formations Land. troops and navy received honorary titles. Sakhalin.

Introduction

The progress of the Yuzhno-Sakhalin operation

Consequences of military operations in 1945 on Sakhalin

Conclusion

Introduction

Every year Sakhalin and Kuril residents, since 1945, celebrate September 2, a holiday that was called differently. Some - the holiday of Victory over Japan, others - the Day of Liberation of South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands from the Japanese militarists. In 2010, it was declared the Day of the end of the Second World War (Federal Law of 23.07.2010 No. 170-FZ "On Amendments to the Federal Law" On the Days military glory and memorable dates of Russia ").

The years go by. More than 65 years have passed since the last volleys of the Great Patriotic War died down. But the unparalleled feat of the glorious sons of the Fatherland lives and will live in our hearts. The Victory salute on Red Square, which fizzled out on May 9, 1945, marked the end of the war in the European part of the country. But in the east, the hot summer of 1945 was just beginning. Ahead was the war with Japan. And no matter how it was kept secret, rumors circulated among the soldiers about the impending war with Japan. The soldiers asked questions: "When will we start?" The answer was: "When there will be an order." Since May 1945, echelons with troops and military equipment rushed east one after another along the Trans-Siberian Railway day and night.

on August 1945, the Soviet government announced: "Consider the USSR in a state of war with Japan." On August 9, 1945, the Sakhalin region from a distant rear turned into a front-line area. Many participants in the battles in the west, not having time to visit home, began to smash the militarist Kwantung army on the move. The fighting for the liberation of South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands was carried out by units of the 2nd Far Eastern Front under the command of Army General Purkaev M.A. and the personnel of the ships of the Northern Pacific Flotilla under the command of Vice-Admiral V.A.

Despite the fact that more than 65 years have passed since the end of hostilities on the island's territory, Sakhalin residents still remember the events that took place in 1945, and some villages in the region bear the names of the heroes who died for the liberation of Sakhalin. In Leonidovo there is a memorial complex in which L.V. was buried. Smirnykh, A.E. Buyukly and another 370 dead Soviet soldiers.

1. The course of the Yuzhno-Sakhalin operation

south Sakhalin operation

On February 11, 1945, Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill signed an agreement in Yalta on the conditions for the USSR's entry into the war with Japan. Among them are the return of South Sakhalin to the USSR and the transfer of the Kuril Islands. On August 8, the USSR declared war on Japan. From 11 to 25 August there were battles for the liberation of South Sakhalin. From August 18 to September 1 - the liberation of the Kuril Islands.

On August 10, the commander-in-chief of Soviet troops in the Far East, Marshal of the Soviet Union A.M. Vasilevsky ordered the 16th Army and the Northern Pacific Flotilla to begin the Yuzhno-Sakhalin offensive operation in the morning of the next day and capture South Sakhalin by 25 August.

The plan of the Soviet command during the planning of the Yuzhno-Sakhalin operation was to break through the defenses of the Koton fortified area with the forces of the 56th rifle corps and, rapidly advancing south along the eastern coast of the island, interacting with a small landing force in Esutoro and a large landing force in Maoka (Kholmsk ), destroy the Sakhalin enemy grouping, liberate South Sakhalin from the Japanese invaders.

The Yuzhno-Sakhalin operation 1945, the offensive operation of the Soviet troops on August 11-25 to liberate South Sakhalin during the 2nd World War 1939-45. Conducted by the troops of the 56th Rifle Corps of the 16th Army of the 2nd Far Eastern Front (commander - General of the Army M.A.Purkaev) in cooperation with ships and units of the marines of the North Pacific Flotilla (STOF) of the Pacific Fleet (commanded by Admiral I.S. . Yumashev). On South Sakhalin the troops of the 88th Japanese Infantry Division, parts of the border gendarmerie and detachments of reservists defended themselves. Long-term defensive structures were built on the island. The center of defense was the Koton fortified area. The offensive began on 11 August and was supported by two air divisions. By the end of August 18, Soviet troops captured all the heavily fortified strongholds in the border area. On August 16, amphibious assault forces landed on the western coast in the Toro area (now Shakhtersk). In the period from August 19-25, in the ports of Maoka (now Kholmsk) and Otomari (now Korsakov), sea (in Otomari, in addition to air) landings were landed. On August 25, the administrative center of Southern Sakhalin - the city of Toyekhara (now Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk) was occupied. 18,320 Japanese soldiers and officers surrendered. The southern part of Sakhalin, torn away from Russia as a result of the Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905, was returned to the USSR.

The land border between the USSR and Japan on Sakhalin (140 km long) was defended by the Japanese 125th Infantry Regiment and the artillery battalion attached to it. In the middle part of the border (valley of the Poronai River) there was a Japanese Kharamitogsky (Kotonsky) fortified area, 12 km long along the front, which had 17 bunkers and more than 100 bunkers. The other two infantry regiments and artillery of the Japanese 88th division were located on the southern tip of Sakhalin.

The command of the Soviet 2nd Far Eastern Front (General of the Army Purkaev) allocated the 56th Rifle Corps (Major General Dyakonov) for the capture of South Sakhalin, as part of the 79th Rifle Division, 214th Tank Brigade, two separate tank battalions, two artillery regiments of the RGK, with the support of the 255th Aviation Division. The corps was based in the Soviet part of Sakhalin, near the land border. The Soviet 56th corps went on the offensive at 10 a.m. on August 11, 1945, with the task of breaking through the Japanese fortified area and, no later than August 12, taking possession of the city of Shikuka (at the mouth of the Poronai River, 90 km south of the border, now - Poronaysk). (TsAMO RF, fund 238, inventory 170250, case 1, sheet 217).

By the end of August 13, units of the 56th corps were able to overcome the forefront of the Japanese fortified area and came close to its main strip. An attempt by the Soviet 214th Tank Brigade to break through the Japanese defenses on the move was unsuccessful. On August 14 and 15, the Soviet 56th corps was preparing to break through the Japanese fortified area, divisional artillery and artillery regiments of the RGK, as well as the 2nd rifle brigade (from the reserve of the Soviet 16th army), were pulled up.

Due to the delay of the Soviet 56th corps in battles to overcome the Japanese fortified area, the command of the 2nd Far Eastern Front only on August 15 ordered to land amphibious assault forces on the western coast of South Sakhalin (while the command of the Pacific Fleet insisted on the landing of this landing from August 11 ). For the landing, the 365th Marine battalion and one battalion of the 113th Infantry Brigade (from the Sovgavan naval base) were allocated.

august, these forces landed in the port of Toro (100 km south of the border, now - Shakhtersk). There were no Japanese troops in this area (only a few dozen reservists who surrendered to Soviet captivity without a fight), and the next day the paratroopers freely occupied several Japanese villages, as well as the neighboring port of Esutora (now Uglegorsk). However, due to inconsistencies between the landing force and the aviation, the Soviet Il-2 attack aircraft struck the Soviet landing party, inflicting losses on it.

august, a Soviet amphibious assault was landed at the port of Maoka (now Kholmsk) in the south-west of Sakhalin. The composition of the landing - the combined battalion of the marines and the 113th rifle brigade (without one battalion). In the Maoka area there were two battalions of the Japanese 25th Infantry Regiment (88th Infantry Division). The landing forces, with the support of Soviet aviation, fought against the Japanese regiment until the end of August 23 (these were last battles on South Sakhalin). The losses of the 113th brigade in these battles amounted to 219 people killed and 680 wounded. On August 22, a mobile detachment of the Soviet 56th Corps without a fight occupied Shiritori (now Makarov), 70 km south of Sikuk (Poronaysk), on the eastern coast of Sakhalin. Part of the forces of the mobile group proceeded further south and on August 25, 1945, units of the 79th Infantry Division without a fight occupied the administrative center of Karafuto (Southern Sakhalin) - Toykhara (now Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk).

On the same day, August 25, the Soviet amphibious assault (three combined battalions of the marines) and part of the forces of the 113th rifle brigade (which passed overland from Maok) occupied the port of Otomari (now Korsakov), in the south of Sakhalin without a fight. Thus, the seizure of South Sakhalin was completely completed.

The assault on the Koton fortification was a decisive event for the outcome of the entire Yuzhno-Sakhalin operation.

Early in the morning of August 11, Soviet troops crossed the state border at the 50th parallel. Attacking in the first echelon, the 79th Rifle Division under the command of Major General I.P. Baturov immediately met stubborn resistance. Its forward detachment - a battalion under the command of Captain G.G. Svetetskiy - tried to seize a large stronghold of Khandas on the move, but, having no artillery and tanks, was forced to go on the defensive. A stubborn battle ensued. By August 12, when the Khandas stronghold was surrounded and his fate a foregone conclusion, the Soviet command offered the Japanese surrender. But the Japanese garrison rejected this proposal. It was destroyed by artillery strikes from the front and rear in half an hour.

The rest of the enemy strongholds were also blocked, but each of them had to be taken with a fight. Retreating, the Japanese blew up bridges, made ditches and blockages on the roads.

The battle on the heights went on for a week. Assault groups, tanks and artillery smashed Japanese bunkers and bunkers one after another. Only in the evening of August 19, the remnants of the Japanese garrison (more than 3 thousand soldiers and officers), having laid down their arms, began to surrender.

Amphibious assault forces in the ports of Southern Sakhalin secured the western flank of the 56th Rifle Corps, advancing on Toyohara, and prevented the evacuation of Japanese troops to Hokkaido and the removal of material values. The main role in this was assigned to the ships and units of the marines of the Northern Pacific Flotilla, based in the port of Sovetskaya Gavan.

august, the first landing of up to one and a half thousand people landed in the port of Toro (Shakhtersk). Fighting in the Toro area and in the vicinity of the neighboring town of Esutora (Uglegorsk) continued for almost two days, so stubborn was the resistance of the units of local reservists. On August 18, the small landing operation at Esutora was completed.

august, the second landing of the unit of the 113th separate rifle brigade landed in the port of Maoka (Kholmsk), breaking the desperate resistance of the Japanese. In the next two days, there were battles at Kamyshovy Pass and for railway stations on the Toyohara-Maoka line. An airborne assault was launched at the Konotoro airfield (Kostromskoye). On August 24, Soviet ships with a landing party on board entered the port of Honto (Nevelsk), whose residents greeted them with white flags. In the evening of the next day, the paratroopers were already in the port of Otomari (Korsakov). A group of Japanese led by the mayor came out to meet them and announced the surrender of the garrison.

In the evening of August 24, 1945, the advance detachment of paratroopers of the 113th separate rifle brigade under the command of Lieutenant Colonel M.N. Tetyushkin entered the city of Toyohara from the Kamyshovy Pass. At this time, the combat units of the 56th Rifle Corps, overcoming the resistance of the Japanese troops defending the Coton fortified area, advanced from the north of the 50th parallel. On August 25, the forward units of the corps entered the administrative center of South Sakhalin - the city of Toyohara. The Yuzhno-Sakhalin operation, carried out by the troops of the 2nd Far Eastern Front and the formations of the ships of the Pacific Fleet, ended.

2. Consequences of hostilities in 1945 on Sakhalin

1945-1946 numerous armed gangs operated on the territory of South Sakhalin. At the time of their elimination, a huge amount of weapons was seized, and sabotage, terrorist and espionage groups were eliminated. Work was underway to identify former soldiers, officers of the Japanese army and police officers who lived in an illegal situation, hiding in the taiga. The militiamen, together with the state security officers, managed to carry out a number of successful operational-search measures and find warehouses with weapons and ammunition, military-technical bases created by the Japanese after the surrender.

From large-scale operations on combing forests, they moved on to separate, well-prepared ones, which were carried out, as a rule, by small units. Particular attention was paid to an active night search, setting ambushes and secrets along the paths of the possible movement of gangs. In 1946, 13 armed gangs (60 people) were liquidated, consisting of former Japanese military personnel and members of paramilitary units (Boetai detachments), which represented a serious danger. 18 robbery armed groups (72 people) were opened and liquidated, of which 43 were military personnel. In addition to the elimination of gangs and predatory groups, the joint actions of the police and state security officers in South Sakhalin eliminated a Japanese sabotage group of 10 reservists led by the former deputy chief of staff of the Japanese armed forces on Karafuto, Lieutenant Colonel Chikushi Fujio. This detachment under the command of Captain Kitayama set fire to the central part of the city of Sikuk (Poronaysk), as a result, most of the city was destroyed by fire, and the losses were estimated at 6 million 699 thousand rubles. ...

Conclusion

As a result of the Yuzhno-Sakhalin operation, the troops of the 16th Army, in cooperation with the Northern Pacific Flotilla, defeated the enemy grouping on the island, captured 18320 soldiers and officers, and captured many military equipment... Soviet soldiers fulfilled their duty to the Motherland, returned to it the primordially Russian land - South Sakhalin.

The liberation of the Kuril Islands lay ahead.

In total, 63,840 Japanese were taken prisoner in South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands (TsAMO RF, fund 234, inventory 68579, file 3, sheet 101). During the hostilities in South Sakhalin and on Shumshu island, up to a thousand Japanese soldiers and officers were killed , about two thousand Soviet servicemen died and went missing.

And so until 1945 Russia-USSR owned the northern part, and Japan owned the southern part of the island. The current capital of Sakhalin, the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, became a Japanese city for 40 years.

Since 1945, both Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands have been an integral part of Russia, according to the Japanese surrender act (September 2, 1945) and the 1951 San Francisco Treaty.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk makes a good impression today. It is a city with elements of the Soviet past, such as the Lenin monument in the center, but with its own special face. And this face is Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. For Sakhalin, Chekhov is “our everything”. Young Anton Pavlovich came to Sakhalin and lived here for a long time, studying ... hard labor and convicts.

For example, the exhibition of the traveler, researcher, archaeologist Mikhail Sherkovtsov called "The Last Warmth of Karafuto" is popular with Sakhalin residents. The exposition is based on unique Japanese stoves of the late 19th - early 20th centuries, brought by the collector from various parts of the Sakhalin Region. The exposition is complemented by household items with the help of which the inhabitants of Karafuto were heated in the first half of the 20th century: water heaters - yutampo, teapots and cups, sakezuki, etc. So the period of the Japanese stay on Sakhalin will not be forgotten soon.

List of used literature

1. Bagrov V. N. Victory on the islands / V. N. Bagrov; [ed. foreword A. N. Ryzhkov]. - Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk: Dalnevost. book publishing house. Sakhalin. department, 1985. - 110, p. : h.-b. ph.

Bolotnikov A.F. 50th parallel: memoirs / A.F. Bolotnikov. - Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk: B. and., 2001 .-- 45, p. : ill., ph.

Vishnevsky N.V. Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands during the Second World War: a short encyclopedia. ref. / N. V. Vishnevsky; State Sakhalin archive. region ; Sakhalin. documentation center recent history... - Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, 2000 .-- 167 p. silt

Heroes of Fire Days: Participants in the liberation of South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands in August 1945 - Heroes of the Soviet Union: [book-album] / Ministry of Culture of Sakhalin. region ; GBUK "Sakhalin Region Museum of Local Lore"; [comp. N. V. Vishnevsky]. - Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk: Sakhalin. region type., 2011. - 66, p. : col. silt - Lit .: p. 64-65.

History of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands from ancient times to the beginning of the XXI century: textbook. manual for students of higher educational institutions of the region in the specialty "History" / [ed. count .: M.S. Vysokov [and others]. - Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk: Sakhalin. book publishing house, 2008 .-- 711 p. : ill., ph.

Kuznetsov D.A. Organization of the protection of law and order and the fight against crime in South Sakhalin (1945-1950) // Russia and the Asia-Pacific Region, 2009, No. 2, pp. 101-109

Last volleys The great war... Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands in August 1945: photo album / Sakhalin Archive Agency. region ; Sakhalin Cultural Agency. region ; ed. text: K. E. Gaponenko, I. A. Samarin. - Vladivostok: Rubezh, 2010 .-- 239 p. : ph.

Ryzhkov A. N. Monuments and memorable places of the Sakhalin region / A. N. Ryzhkov; ed. A. I. Krushanova; Sakhalin. regional department of the All-Russian island of protection of monuments of history and culture. - Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk: Dalnevost. book publishing house Sakhalin branch, 1977, 78, p. : ill.

Ryzhkov A. N. Fights for the native islands: diaries, memories, meetings, letters, documents / A. N. Ryzhkov. - Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk: Dalnevost. book publishing house Sakhalin department, 1980, 143, p. : ill. - Bibliography. in note.

Samarin I. A. Monuments of military glory of the Sakhalin region / I. A. Samarin; Sakhalin Cultural Agency. region - Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk: Lukomorye, 2010 .-- 183 p., Fol. color ph. : ph., maps.

Serdyuk PT So it was ... In the battles for South Sakhalin: from the experience of party-political work of the 79th Sakhalin division in the preparation and support of battles for the liberation of South Sakhalin / PT Serdyuk; Ministry of Culture Sakhalin. region ; GBUK "Sakhalin Region Museum of Local Lore"; [ed. introductory article, note. and comments. IA Samarin]. - Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk: Sakh. region type., 2011 .-- 146 s: col. ph.

The word of the liberators: memories of the participants in the battles for the liberation of South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands / comp., Input. Art. and ref. material by A. N. Ryzhkov. - Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk: Dalnevost. book publishing house, Sakhalin. department, 1985 .-- 123, p. : ill. - Words. renaming of settlements: p. 119-123,.

) The Pacific Fleet. Troops defended on South Sakhalin 88th p.p... (com-r general-l. Mineki Juechiro), Japanese border units. Long-term defensive structures were built on the island. The center of defense was Coton fortified area ... With the outbreak of hostilities on 08/09/1945, in accordance with the operational directive of the 2nd Far Eastern Front and the developed operational plan, the task of the 16th Army was determined by the defense of about. Sakhalin, the coast of the Tatar Strait and the Sea of \u200b\u200bOkhotsk in order to prevent the enemy from violating the land state border of about. Sakhalin and the sea landing. landing of the enemy in the defense zone of the army. The Poronaiskaya Valley, Aleksandrovskoye, Okhinskoye, De-Kastrinskoye and Ust-Amurskoye directions were especially strongly subject to defense. In accordance with the changed situation, 08/10/1945 of the Armed Forces of the 2nd Far Eastern Fleet (commander of the Army General M.A. Purkaev , member of the Supreme Council, general - l. Ya.S. Leonov, early. front headquarters General - l. F.I. Shevchenko) assigned the 16th Army the following mission: 56th squadron: as part of 79th s.d. , 214th brigade, 178th brigade, 433rd and 487th brigade RGK with the support of the 255th Social Democratic Party at 10-00 on 08/11/1945 go on the offensive along the road in the direction of Coton - Kiton - Kami - Shikuka - Nairo for 3 days this regiment took up prepared defensive positions. 08/10/1945 commander of the 79th rifle division I.P. Baturov gave it to the commander of the 165th rifle regiment N. D. Kurmanov, the order to be ready at 8-00 on 08/11/1945, together with 2/284 AP, 1/214 th br. and 487th G.A. p. deliver the main blow in the direction of the Khanda-Coton police post road, with the simultaneous action of part of the forces in the flank and rear of the main enemy grouping, preventing his retreat to the south and the approaches of his reserves from the south. The offensive of the 79th s.d. started on 08/11/1945 at 7-45. The forward detachment of the 79th rifle division as part of the 2/165 ths., 2/284 ths. and 1 / 214th br. crossed the state border in the direction of the Khanda police post. A reconnaissance squadron of the 79th SD was moving ahead. under the command of Art. l-ta D.G. Litvitsky. At the turn of the river. The Handasa-gawa squadron was stopped by the Japanese rifle-machine-gun fire, who took up defenses in the Handa OP. After 2 hours 2 / 165th SP. approached this OP and started a fight. The enemy from the southern bank of the river. Cottonkai offered fierce resistance. Together with the main forces of the 79th SD. passed state. border of the 179th s.p. (without 2 / 179th SP) under the command. E.A. Kudryavtsev and the 518th O.S.b. Sakh. regiment with the order to make a dash across the swampy area along the river. Burrow and go south of the city of Coton, thereby cutting off the highway and the railway, preventing the enemy from throwing up reserves. On the same day, the 179th rifle regiment, without encountering significant resistance from the Japanese, captured OP Muika.
08/12/1945 2/165th s.p. under the commands. G.G. Svetetsky , bypassing the OP Handa from the flanks took it. 179th s.p. by the end of the day he started a battle to the southeast. outskirts of Coton. Detachment D.S. Tregubenko (7th rifle regiment of the 157th rifle regiment, 3rd rifle regiment of the 165th rifle regiment) destroyed the enemy's base in 3 km south-west. OP Handa. Task force SMPO and the 82nd Special Operations Regiment 79th s.d. captured the Ambetsu police post.
08/13/1945 165th s.p. and the 214th br. attacked the Kotonsky UR, but had no success. 179th s.p. and 518th b.p. fought for Coton.
14-15.08.1945 79th s.d. attacked the Kotonsky u.r. When blocking the bunker, Art. s-t A.E. Buyukly ... Detachment D.S. Tregubenko captured the item of Nibu. To the area of \u200b\u200bCoton to support the 179th village. profit 284th a.p. (without 2 / 284th a.p.), 2 / 179th S.p. and 1 / 214th br. The SMPO task forces captured the Japanese border outposts: Kire, Wampaku, Chisio, Chiringai, Enai, Fanzai, Asase.
15.08.1945 the news of the surrender of Japan came to the troops. A message about this was published in the newspaper “ For the Soviet Motherland” .
16.08.1945 at 9-00, after the hour art. preparation of part of the 56th S.K. went on the offensive. 1 / 165th s.p. and 2 / 165th sp. from the 214th br. (without 1 / 214th brigade) captured the OP of the Kotonsky district. in the north-east. slopes of the Horomi pass. 1 / 157th s.p. and 3 / 165th s.p. attacked the Japanese resistance node at Happo. Especially proved themselves in battle P.N. Sidorov , L.V. Smirnykh , G.G. Svetetsky and S.T. Yudin. Having transferred on the patrol ship "Zarnitsa" and 4 patrol ships from Sovetskaya Gavan to the western coast of Sakhalin the 365th o.b.m. STOF landed this battalion in the port of Toro. The battalion operated in 2 groups under the command of Art. l-ta D.L. Gadziev and l-that A.A. Egorova. Port Toro was taken, after which the 2 / 113th brigade landed there.
17.08.1945 179th s.p. with reinforcement units captured the city of Coton and launched an offensive on the Coton river. from South. 1 / 157th s.p. and 3 / 165th sp. continued to wage fierce battles in the depths of the Japanese defense on the city of Happo. 1 and 2 / 165th S.p. fought on the Horomi pass and east. slopes of Futago. Detachment D.S. Tregubenko advanced in sowing. direction, fought in the depths of the resistance node on the city of Futago. Troopers of the STOF (365th regiment and 2 / 113th brigade took the town of Yama-Sigai and the town of Esutora in battle.
18.08.1945 at 12-00, negotiations began with the command of the 56th command center. with the envoys of the 125th pp. Fighting in the Kotonsky district suspended. Commander of the 56th rifle regiment issued an order "On the order of occupation of Karafuto." In the direction of Otomari, a mobile detachment of the 56th regiment began. under the command of General M.V. Alimova.
19.08.1945 165th s.p. and 179th s.p. made a march along the route Coton - Kami - Shikuka. 2 / 179th s.p. made a march to the district of OP Muika, where the Japanese garrison did not lay down its arms. 2 / 165th s.p. made a march to the item Kusyunnai. 125th p.p. headed by Colonel Kobayasin began to surrender. Three airborne detachments (1st airborne assault - 297 submachine gunners, 2nd detachment - combined battalion of the marines (820 people) under the command of Major Gulchak, 3rd - 113th regiment (without 2/113 th o.s. br.) left Sovetskaya Gavan to the port of Maoka.
20.08.1945 with weak enemy opposition at 7 o'clock. 33 minutes troops have landed at Maoka. A battalion of marines fought for the eastern part of the city, units of the 113th brigade. under the command of the deputy. commander of the brigade, lieutenant regiment M.M. Tetyushkina - for his app. part. By 14 o'clock, Maoka was taken . The enemy withdrew from Maok in the U.R. at Kamyshovy pass. Another part of the Japanese troops retreated railroad to the south and fortified on the outskirts of Futomato.
21.08.1945 Commander-in-Chief of Soviet troops in the Far East A.M. Vasilevsky ordered to speed up the clearing of the Japanese troops from the south of Sakhalin, and the port of Otomari and the city of Toyohara to occupy no later than August 22, to concentrate there the 87th command station, the main aviation forces of the 9th air. army and Pacific Fleet, as well as the required number of ships, combat boats, ships and watercraft, so that by the end of 23 Aug. be ready to start an amphibious operation in Hokkaido with a simultaneous transfer there of at least 2 pd, in 2-3 echelons each. It was indicated that the start date of the operation would be announced by the rate additionally.
08/22/1945 113th brigade fought on Kamyshovy pass, which was taken by the end of the day. 4 / 113th o.s. br. fought for the city of Futomato and the Ekinohara railway station. B.M. Nikolaychuk, V.I. Volkov and E.A. Chaplanov. Preparations continued for ten. in Otomari.
23.08.1945 issued to Otomari des. detachment with 1600 n. infantrymen got into a 7-point storm and headed for the port of Honto.
24.08.1945 the landing force en route to Otomari landed in Honto, where it was met by representatives of the garrison command, police and city administration. Due to the mine danger in the La Perouse Strait, the minelayer “Ocean” remained in Honto, the rest of the ships continued their voyage to Otomari.
25.08.1945 the Pacific Fleet landing and units of the 113th brigade. occupied by the port of Otomari, part of the 56th sk. entered Toyohara. 18320 Jap. soldiers and officers surrendered. The southern part of Sakhalin, torn away from Russia as a result of the Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905, was returned to the USSR. Following the results of the Yuzhno-Sakhalin operation, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Owls. Union G.G. Svetetsky, S.T. Yudin , P.N. Sidorov. L.V. Smirnykh. This title was posthumously awarded to A.E. Buyukly. The honorary titles “Sakhalin” were awarded to: 79th rifle division, 255th rifle division, 113th brigade, 433rd division, 3rd division of frontier. boats, 3rd detachment of patrol boats, 5th det. division of torpedo boats, 7th dep. minesweeper division, 15th dep. battalion of patrol boats, 42nd artillery regiment, 48th regiment regiment, 56th assault artillery regiment Awarded: Orders of the Red Banner - 179th rifle regiment, 214th brigade. and 48th r.p. STOF, orders of the Red Star - 157th r.p., 165th r.p., 284th r.p. Awarded the rank of the guards 365th o.b. m.p.