With the Japanese fully engaged against the Allies in the summer of 1942, the threat of a Japanese invasion of the Soviet Far East was nowhere as acute as in 1941. Nevertheless, the Soviets made continued efforts to maintain force levels in the theater. However, the force fielded in 1942, though numerically comparable, was much weaker that that in 1941. In August 1942, a total of 25 division were deployed, supported by 45 brigades. Figure 5 details the Soviet order of battle in the Far East throughout 1942. The armored force was reduced to two tank and two motorized divisions, all deployed in the Trans-Baikal Military District. A total of 18 tank brigades had entered service, with all but four deployed along the Far East Front. Per the July 1942 table of organization, these units held 53 tanks each and retained their small motorized rifle barration. A number of independent tank barrations and armored trains rounded Out the Far East's armored force. Infantry units in 1942 were much weaker. Through 18 divisions remained in the order of battle, the 1942 division was a much different unit than that of 1941 (see figures 2 and 3). Of note, each of the pre-war divisions lost its second artillery regiment and other heavy weapons battalions. To augment the weaker divisions, a total of 23 rifle brigades were now in the order of battle. These were emergency formations that permitted the Soviets to quickly Put personnel in the field but possessed a minimum of supporting heavy weapons. By July 1942, each brigade was authorized 5,000 men organized as described in figure 4. The airborne brigade and the three naval infantry brigades remained in the theater in the summer of 1942. North Wind Rain Japanese Invasion of Manchuria Introduction and Background The Nomohan Incident Preparations for the Next Round Japanese 1941 Campaign Plan Into 1942 and Beyond Kwantung Army Close Up The Soviets Prepare The Red Army and the Far East The Red Army in 1942 Opposing Air Forces Red Army Rifle Division April 1941 TO&E Red Army Rifle Division July 1942 TO&E Red Army Rifle Brigade July 1942 TO&E Red Army Tank Brigade July 1942 TO&E Red Army Far Eastern Front June 1941 Red Army Trans-Baikal Military District June 1941 Large Map: Kwangtung Army Deployment August 1941 (slow: 116K) Jumbo Map: Kwangtung Army Deployment August 1941 (very slow: 397K) Alternative History: 2nd Russo-Japanese War Back to Table of Contents -- Against the Odds vol. 2 no. 1 Back to Against the Odds List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2003 by LPS. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com * Buy this back issue or subscribe to Against the Odds direct from LPS.