As an aside, this is what I am working for regarding Soviet troop strength in the region:
Already at the front:
Siberian Military District - 3 ID, 10 reserve ID
Asian Military District - 2 ID, 1 ATB, 20 reserve ID
Far East Army- 23 ID, 1 special AR, 2 heavy AR, 4 ATB, 30 reserve ID
Everything else has to be brought in via train, 1 Division every 2 days. That means, as it is now D+60, 30 additional divisions.
Total Soviet strength (not counting casualties) therefore:
121 Infantry Divisions
5 ATB,
1 special AR,
2 heavy AR.
= ~1,850 million troops.
The Soviets took the following casualties:
- crushing of the salient and other battles that day: 120k prisoners + 165k casualties (including prisoners from other salient battles), total - 258k troops
I was unable to find a total figure for Soviet casualties incurred earlier on, but as the Manchu have so far only taken rather few, I am going to assume that a total of 40k men was lost so far. If this is incorrect, I would ask for help in establishing the correct number. I made a search for "casualties" and "Stas Bush" and it only came up with one post.
Thus, total Russian forces in theater:
1,55 million troops.
Quite a dire situation, Beowulf can bring atm twice as many forces against the Russians. Thus, I am going to do the following:
Strategic disposition of Manchu forces
1st. All forces assume defensive postures. The same measures as the soviets did in 1941 will be implemented, that means no more mass surrenders. In fact, from now on all soviet forces will continue to fight on.
2. I am abandoning the Southern salient, but I am leaving 50.000 men behind to slow down the Manchu advance. They will fight delaying actions.
3. The main bulk of the Southern Army will also form defensive postures.
4. The Amur will be the main defensive bulwark. Massive amounts of mines will be released throughout the river.
5. The Soviet airforce has arrived in force. A total of 240 combat aircraft will now be in theater, of whom I belive one third is lost by now. This leaves around 80 fighters and 80 bombers. The bombers will be held back until the Manchus try a crossing of the River, the fighters will be employed en masse to intercept Manchu attacks. Full attacks will wait until the aircrafts built before will enter combat status in Q3 1925.
The soviet army will be formed up according to those lines:
link
Holding a 2:1 advantage is an advantage for the Manchu forces, but they have to get over the River first (with the exception for the North). The soviets had about 15 days to prepare (60 days for the center) for an assault, that should be enough. If the Manchus break through, the soviet forces in combat will form hedgehogs. There will be no widespread encirclement, as soon as there is a threat of that, the forces will fall back. The main goal is to make the manchus bleed for every inch of ground. The preparations and the tactic (employing every delaying and defensive measure available), should make sure that the manchus take as much or higher casualties when attacking.
