Thnx designs - I have not seen Stones' film. He's right, of course, the surprising speed of the Soviet advance would have been understood in Tokyo by the Military. They had been prepared to resist the US 'island hopping' advance and likely felt they could resist long enough to negotiate more favourable surrender terms. But now with parts of the Japanese Island chain to the North in Soviet hands and with Korea lost, the invasion of the home islands would be far easier. Also, the Japanese airforce was in tatters, hence their kamikaze tactic using suicide missions against American warships.
There are two interesting analyses of the Soviet Manchurian campaign. One by the Rand Corporation and one by a Senior Officer at a US Military college, if you're interested.
I would disagree, at least to an extent with your interpretation of Stone's editorialising ( that their (Soviets) resolve was to sacrifice millions of their own in war). Its true that the Soviets lost millions in the beginning of the German offensive as the Soviet Union proved unable to resist the German advance. Whole armies were lost. But there seems little question that the Russian people supported Stalin's war efforts, and proved that they were willing to die for their country (as I presume Americans would if they were in a similar situation.
War (whether we approve or disapprove) calls on military personel to be ready to die.
However, was that the policy in Manchuria?
The battle program shows that the Soviet Generals always thought they would proceed at speed. Does that indicate they had good intelligence as to the state of the Japanese Kwantung army? I believe they did. There were three possibilities for intelligence information. First there were the Chinese communists (together with Korean communists/nationalists who had been fighting a guerilla war in Manchuria. Second, the Soviets had formed at least one special brigade, the 88th Independent Brigade, compromising former guerilla's in Korea and Manchuria and who had been forced out by the Japanese. Kim Il-Sung became an officer in that brigade. Thirdly, there were the Mongolians who would have been familiar with western Manchuria. All of Mongolia had been part of China until the Russian revolution, during which the Mongolians opted to become a Soviet Republic, so there were certainly many who would likely have had good contacts (for intelligence) among Manchurian people resisting the Japanese.
So I suggest there is reason to believe that there was no extraordinary policy of " sacrificing millions."
And, the final casualty figures: 87,000 Japanese against 30,000 Soviet. Does that indicate - 'sacrificed millions' ?
Another point of interest: The Japanese quickly over-run the Allied armies in S.E.Asia and the Phillipines, whereas prior to the war, the Russians had defeated the Japanese Kwantung Army in Manchuria on two seperate occasions. (Khanki Gol and Lake Khason).
Finally, without the succesful Soviet campaign against Germany in the west, WW2 would have lasted much longer. We should give credtit where its due.
Try this episode from 'Battlefield' for a reasonably balanced account.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXuQE90gnr4
