[Firstly, Soviet forces, while neither as murderous or as cruel as Japanese or German troops, had, in East Prussia and Berlin, displayed a propensity for rape. This would repeat itself in Manchuria. Secondly, many Manchus and Chinese took the opportunity to avenge themselves for years of exploitation and brutality.

Beavor recounts how about 1,000 Japanese women and girls gathered at an aerodrome. When the Soviets arrived, they demanded girls as the spoils of war or threatened to burn down the hanger. Young single women volunteered to go out; older ones offered prayers for their sacrifice. Captured Japanese nurses were turned into comfort women. ]

 

 

[Firstly, Soviet forces, while neither as murderous or as cruel as Japanese or German troops, had, in East Prussia and Berlin, displayed a propensity for rape. This would repeat itself in Manchuria. Secondly, many Manchus and Chinese took the opportunity to avenge themselves for years of exploitation and brutality.

Beavor recounts how about 1,000 Japanese women and girls gathered at an aerodrome. When the Soviets arrived, they demanded girls as the spoils of war or threatened to burn down the hanger. Young single women volunteered to go out; older ones offered prayers for their sacrifice. Captured Japanese nurses were turned into comfort women. ]

 

 

 

 

 

[Clonial life was good. Fukushima loved meeting young Japanese troops – who she would make pound cake and cream puffs for – and feasted with a local foreman. But even to her, it was clear Japanese occupation was not entirely benevolent: Her husband trained their German shepherd, Esu, to attack those wearing Chinese clothes.

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The human cost, too, would endure. Only in 1955 did Yoshie Fukushima learn the fate of her husband: He had died in a Soviet prison camp in 1946.]