Question

Why would the Soviet Union have ordered an invasion of Japanese-held Manchuria two days after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima?

Answer 1

Answer:

Russia was actually planning to declare war on Japan when the non aggression treaty ran out. But the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima made Stalin realize that if he wanted a place at the peace table, and hence a share in the spoils, he had better get in gear and declare war sooner than he had prepared for.

The Russians had been shipping the Russian troops from Germany to the border of Manchukuo (Manchuria) in preparation for the upcoming invasion. That way when Russia did declare war, they had a battle hardened army equipped with the best Russian tanks (T-34) who sliced through the Japanese Garrison troops like a hot knife through butter.