Assault of Hutou fortress 9-25 August 1945

The article explores the fierce battle of Hutou fortress 9-25 august 1945. One of the difficult tasks that faced the troops of soviet 1st Far Eastern front - the assault of the fortification line of the Kwantung Army which aimed to protect Manchukuo. Hutou Fortified Region was one of the strongest Japanese fortresses in Manchuria. Just over 7 kilometers long and 10 kilometers deep, the region consisted of 19 reinforced concrete fortifications and eight log forts, numerous armored firing positions and minefields. Armament of the region consisted of one 410 mm howitzer, two 305 mm howitzers, two 240 mm guns, several 155 mm guns, and many machineguns. Soviet soldiers of 109th fortified region and 1056th rifle regiment within 17 days fought with Japanese garrison. Offensive actions required the reorganization of the units of the 109th fortified area into consolidated assault detachments. Artillery support was a key to the success of the Soviet troops. Japanese national ideology, mistakes of operational preparation soviet forces and intense combat with heavy weapons led to the deaths of more than 500 soldiers of Red Army and more than a thousand Japanese soldiers and civilians. Analyses of new materials from Central Archives of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation provides a more detailed and accurate picture of Manchurian strategic offensive operation.

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