Kuril Islands Landing Operation

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Kuril Islands Landing Operation (Курильская десантная операция in Russian), the Soviet military operation, aimed at liberating the Kuril Islands from the Japanese in 1945.

The operation took place between August, 18 and September, 1 with participation of the army of the Kamchatka defense area (commander - Major General A.R.Gnechko), ships and transportation means of the Petropavlovsk military base (Captain D.G.Ponomarev) and with the support from the 128th Airborne Division.

Successful military operations of the Soviet Army in Manchuria and South Sakhalin created the necessary prerequisites for liberation of the Kuril Islands, which had been occupied by the Japanese 91st Infantry Division (islands of Shiashkotan, Paramushir, Shumshu, and Onekotan), 41st detached regiment (Matua Island), 129th detached brigade (Urup Island) and 89th Infantry Division (islands of Iturup and Kunashiri). The Japanese commander was Lieutenant General Tsutsumi Fusaki.

The Soviet operation began with the landing on the Shumshu Island. On August 23, the Japanese garrison chose to surrender, despite its superiority in terms of force and equipment.

Between August 22 and September 1, the Soviets occupied all of the Kuril Islands.