Size: case 108.6 x 59.6 x 21.4 / medal 84.4 x 29.7 x 2.6 mm
Weight: case 41.25 g / medal 29.85 g
Provenance: Private Collector, Taiwan, 2024
This bronze medal was established in AD 1939 by the Japanese-supported state of Manchukuo under Imperial Ordinance No. 310, known as the “Border Incident War Medal.” It comes with an original red paper storage case with gold-stamped lettering. This medal was awarded to Japanese and Manchukuo military personnel who participated in the border conflicts at Lake Khasan and Khalkhin Gol.
The medal’s design closely resembles contemporary Japanese military medals. On the obverse side, there is a dove with its back to the rising sun, symbolising the Manchukuo imperial crest of an orchid, with its wings outstretched. Below, the globe roughly represents the conflict zone along the Manchukuo-Soviet/Mongolian border. The reverse side features a symmetrical design of auspicious cloud patterns, with the characters “Border Incident” engraved in seal script in the centre. The medal utilises a swivel scroll suspension with claw, connecting to a square clasp bearing the inscription “War Service Medal.”
The width of the ribbon is approximately 3.7 cm, with a central vertical stripe in orange-yellow. Moving from the outer edges towards the centre, there are vertical stripes in blue and bright yellow decorating the sides of the ribbon in sequence. There is also a clip on the back. Due to mould changes, this medal has two versions known as the “Big Orchid” and “Small Orchid.” This object belongs to the “Big Orchid” version, characterised by the close proximity between the orchid and the hanging ornament. Additionally, the dove on this variant has a more slender physique compared to other versions.
Even though the victory in the Russo-Japanese War in AD 1905 allowed Japan to gain Russian interests in Northeast China, subsequent events such as the Mukden Incident in AD 1931 furthered Japan’s influence by establishing the puppet state of Manchukuo, solidifying its exclusive interests in the region. However, Japan remained cautious of the Russia after its turn towards communism, and the Japanese Army periodically advocated for expansion into Siberia through the “Northern Expansion Doctrine.” In July AD 1938, minor clashes occurred between Japanese and Soviet forces at Lake Khasan on the border between Soviet Far East, Manchukuo, and Korea, which were eventually resolved through diplomatic channels. However, in May AD 1939, armed conflict erupted at the Khalkhin Gol River border between Manchukuo, supported by Japan, and the Mongolian People’s Republic, backed by the Soviet Union. This conflict rapidly escalated into a war between Japan and the Soviet Union, lasting four months until the Soviet-Mongolian coalition emerged victorious.
This campaign marked a failure for the Japanese Army’s “Northern Expansion Doctrine” and a victory for the Navy’s “Southern Expansion Doctrine,” which advocated for expansion into Southeast Asia, significantly influencing the course of World War II. Subsequently, Japan and the Soviet Union signed the “Soviet–Japanese Neutrality Pact,” guaranteeing not to initiate war against each other, maintaining a peaceful coexistence. This status quo continued until August 8, AD 1945, when the Soviet Union unilaterally tore up the pact under pressure from the United States. They launched a surprise attack on the weakened Japanese Kwantung Army stationed in Manchuria and intercepted the Manchukuo Emperor Puyi, who was attempting to flee, at the airport. This marked the end of Japan’s ambitions in Northeast China.
物件編號: M286
年代: 公元 1939 年
材質: 銅
尺寸: 盒 108.6 x 59.6 x 21.4 / 獎章 84.4 x 29.7 x 2.6 mm