The most significant battle of WWII was one few people know about, and wasn’t even publicized by both sides at the time, it was the Battle of Kalkhin Gol in 1939.
The Soviet victory, changed Japan’s course from going for Siberia, to turning their focus to the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
It also meant Japan was never going to help the Germans against the Soviets. It was an “Axis” in name only.
The most significant battle of WWII was one few people know about, and wasn’t even publicized by both sides at the time, it was the Battle of Kalkhin Gol in 1939.
Interesting points I had forgotten. It was a complex war.
When I visited Mongolia I went to their WWII museum. They were very proud of their involvement.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_Military_Museum
It explains Mongolian military history dating back to the Mongol Empire.
Where does the Battle of Midway fit in the hierarchy?
... That battle & the American oil embargo the shut off 90% off Japan’s petroleum. Japan’s shiny new deep water Navy was going to be tied up at the pier when Japan’s oil reserves ran out. It became “use it or lose it.” The Dutch East Indies became the strategic target of necessity. Their oil production trumped the Japanese Army’s ambitions in the Soviet Far East.