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 the Mongolian
People's Republic and the Japanese-controlled state of Manchukuo.
The Soviet–Japanese Border Wars lasted from 1938 to 1939. What began
as a border skirmish rapidly escalated into a full-scale war, with the Japanese
pushing forward with an estimated 80,000 troops, 180 tanks and
450 aircraft.These events
led to the strategically decisive battle of Khalkh River. Zhukov requested
major reinforcements, and on 20 August 1939, his Soviet offensive commenced.
After a massive artillery barrage, nearly 500 BT-5 and BT-7 tanks
advanced, supported by over 500 fighters and bombers. This was
the Soviet Air Force's first fighter-bomber operation.
In 1979,
Mongolians established a museum after Marshal Zhukov, Hero of Mongolian
People’s Republic and Russian Federation, for 40th anniversary of
Battle of Khalkh River defeating Japan’s Kwantung Army.