Major States 1005
Date(s): May 31, 1937 to July 1938
Participants: 740 Japan/365 Russia
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: The Soviets and Japan had an extended dispute over division of the Amur
River in northern Manchuria. The conflict began with Soviet harassment of Manchu-
rian and Japanese boats on the river and escalated to clashes between the two militar-
ies after the Soviets occupied two islands on the river. After the Soviets withdrew its
troops, Japan withdrew then withdrew as well. The Soviets then seized five Japanese
fishing boats near the mouth of the Amur on September 5 and another fishing boat on
September 11.
Elsewhere in September 1937, two Soviet gunboats entered 31 miles into the far
northeast Manchukuo province of Sankiang and captured Manchukuoans and took
them into Siberia. This was Japanese-controlled territory and, hence, an attack on the
Japanese. Border clashes continued in the Amur River dispute through January 1938
and flared again in July 1938.
Coding changes: End Date changed from July 6, 1937. Outcome changed from Yield
by side B.
MID#184
Dispute Number: 184
Date(s): July 9, 1938 to August 11, 1938
Participants: 365 Russia/740 Japan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: >999 deaths
Narrative: The border around Changkufeng was poorly delineated, leading to
several clashes between Soviet Russia and Japan throughout the 1930s. On July 9,
1938, Soviet forces occupied Changkufeng and began to construct fortified positions.
Japanese commanders on the scene attacked the new Soviet positions. Heavy fighting
began July 27 with a Japanese offensive. On July 29, the Soviets began construction
of new positions nearby at Shatsofeng, and on August 2, they launched a counterat-
tack. On August 7, the Soviets employed heavy artillery. The Japanese wanted a quick
settlement to the dispute because they were involved in major operations in their cam-
paign in China. On August 10, both sides agreed to a ceasefire that went into effect the
next day, terminating the dispute.
MID#258
Started in March 1939. See the narrative in the 255 Germany/290 Poland dyad dispute
list.
MID#183
Started in May 1939. See the narrative in the 712 Mongolia/740 Japan dyad dispute
list.