Forgotten Ally: China's World War II, 1937-1945

by Rana Mitter

ended with Japan’s resounding defeat and cemented the reputation of General Georgi Zhukov, later one of Stalin’s most decorated generals during the Second World War. The despised Soviet Army had fought fiercely, and not only was a cease-fire declared, but the two sides also signed a nonaggression pact, ending Chiang’s hopes of a Chinese-Soviet alliance.7 The crowning blow came in the aftermath of events in the frozen north of Europe. In the Winter War of 1939–1940 the Soviets invaded Finland, prompting Britain and France to sponsor a motion expelling the USSR from the League of Nations. At the time, China was a member of the League Council, and it refused to exercise its power of veto on the motion.8 The Soviets were furious at Chiang’s failure to prevent their expulsion, and for the rest of China’s war with Japan the relationship between Chiang and Stalin would remain deeply mistrustful. China would have to fight Japan without further major Soviet assistance.