The Allies in June 1942 had a 3.1 to 1 ratio aircraft advantage in Europe. That was their low point, and it would grow to 8.6 to 1 in June 1944. All three Allied nations would individually outproduce Germany over the course of the war. The American and British relied heavily on bombers to take the war against Germany. Germany would transfer much of their air force to fight off … [Read more...] about Aircraft Available In Europe; Germany, UK, US, USSR
Great Britain
Allied versus Axis Manpower 1939-1945
At the beginning of the war Allied manpower was 70.6% that of the Axis manpower strength. However, at war's end a huge reversal with Allied strength now almost double that of the Axis powers. But in 1940 it was far from clear what manpower levels would be needed and their respective responses to mobilizations corresponded to their unique … [Read more...] about Allied versus Axis Manpower 1939-1945
Relative Productivity Ranking Of World War II Foes
Of six major World War II combatants four Allied and two Axis nations the four Allied nations ranked one, two four, and five in industrial relative productivity ranking. Whereas Germany and Japan were third and sixth overall. Most of the combatant nations increased their productivity as the war went on but the Axis nations were fighting a losing battle industrially as well as … [Read more...] about Relative Productivity Ranking Of World War II Foes
Military Manpower by Nation 1940 to 1945
Germany’s manpower peaked in 1943. Germany’s raw military manpower numbers for 1944-45 don’t reflect that more and more of their men haven’t either reached their prime fighting age or were well beyond it. Japan’s manpower levels peak in 1945 but they have similar quality personnel as Germany making up those numbers. Germany and Japan are getting men into the ranks with less … [Read more...] about Military Manpower by Nation 1940 to 1945
Warships Produced by Nation by Total Tonnage 1940-45
The two Allied nations, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK), far outproduced their Axis counterparts in warships. Strategically, both the US and the UK believed in two ocean navies as well as worldwide trade. Japan to a lesser degree depended upon trade but it was limited in scope to the Pacific and their navy reflected that fact. Additionally, the US and UK had … [Read more...] about Warships Produced by Nation by Total Tonnage 1940-45
Tank Production by Nation 1940 to 1945
Every year from 1940 to 1945 the Allies outproduced the Axis in tanks. Overall, the Allies tank production outstripped the Axis by a 4.2 to 1 ratio. Japan’s tanks production was minimal reflecting the type of war they faced in the Asia Pacific theater. In the European theater Germany’s production went up against the two war production heavyweights in the Union of the Soviet … [Read more...] about Tank Production by Nation 1940 to 1945
UK National Income and Expenditure 1938-1945
United Kingdom’s war expenditure as a percentage of the UK National Income and Expenditure went from single digits in 1938 to just more than half by 1941 where it would remain until nearly the war’s end. The above graphs can be downloaded as images. To download the data shown below from which the graphs were developed click on the icon below corresponding to … [Read more...] about UK National Income and Expenditure 1938-1945
WW2 Aircraft Losses by Country
The Allies loss aircraft at a 1.9:1 ratio compared to their Axis counterparts. This was part of the price the Allied air forces paid in order to gain air superiority. However, the air superiority that they did gain was a key to final victory. Total Losses The total number of airplanes lost during World War II is difficult to determine with complete accuracy due to … [Read more...] about WW2 Aircraft Losses by Country
Bomb Tonnage Dropped on Aircraft Industry by UK and US Air Forces
The Royal Air Force (RAF) and United States Army Air Force (USAAF) bomb tonnages dropped on Germany during 1939-1945 had a catastrophic effect on their country. The Allied air forces dropped over 2.3 million tons of bombs on Germany, with most of the bomb tonnage occurring during the last two years of the war. Germany’s aircraft industry was one of the Allies strategic targets. … [Read more...] about Bomb Tonnage Dropped on Aircraft Industry by UK and US Air Forces
RAF and USAAF Bomb Tonnages on Germany 1939–1945
The Allied bombing campaign against Germany during World War II was one of its most destructive military operations. It was an integral part of Allied strategy to weaken Germany’s war effort by disrupting its industry and transportation while causing civilian casualties and psychological trauma. Over the course of the war, the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the United States Army … [Read more...] about RAF and USAAF Bomb Tonnages on Germany 1939–1945