"In 1938 Zhukov was directed to command the First Soviet Mongolian Army Group, and saw action against Japan’s Kwantung Army on the border between Mongolia and the Japanese controlled state of Manchukuo in an undeclared Soviet-Japanese war that lasted from 1938 to 1939. What began as a routine border skirmish—the Japanese testing the resolve of the Soviets to defend their territory—rapidly escalated into a full-scale war, the Japanese pushing forward with 80,000 troops, 180 tanks and 450 aircraft.
This led to the decisive Battle of Khalkhin Gol. Zhukov requested major reinforcements and on August 15, 1939 he ordered what seemed at first to be a conventional frontal attack. However, he had held back two tank brigades, which in a daring and successful manoeuver he ordered to advance around both flanks of the battle. Supported by motorised artillery and infantry, the two mobile battle groups encircled the 6th Japanese Army and captured their vulnerable supply areas. Within a few days the Japanese troops were defeated."
that is from Wikipedia
While I doubt I’d take a Japan first strategy with Russia remind Japan of the bear on their shoulder doesn’t hurt. When I play Japan in P40 my Manchurian territories clear out early while my units are working their way through China and to India. Only reason I ever put anyone there has been if the Americans look like they’re trying to land.
48 points of additional allied units on that side of the board might slow things up
