In 1941 rifles made up 96.6% of Soviet light arms, submachine guns 1.2%, and light machine guns 2.1%. This would transition in 1945 to 29.7% of Soviet light arms being submachine guns and light machine guns 3.5%. Submachine guns were becoming more of the standard issue. Not only were the percentages changing but the overall quantities were rising as well. Total quantity of … [Read more...] about Soviet Light Arms Availability 1941-45
USSR
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
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
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
Soviet Armor Losses
During World War II, the Soviet Union suffered devastating losses in terms of tanks, self-propelled guns, and armored vehicles. The Soviet military was heavily reliant on these vehicles to wage war on the Eastern Front, and their losses significantly impacted the outcome of the war. Two thirds of Soviet armor was lost during the war. According to data from Colonel General … [Read more...] about Soviet Armor Losses
Annual Allied Axis Naval Construction 1939-45
In all aspects of naval construction, save submarines, the Allies outproduced their Axis foes significantly. In battleship production the Allies outproduced the Axis by a 2.6 to one ratio. Aircraft carriers, cruisers, escorts, and destroyers the Allies’ ratios were higher. In submarines the Axis produced 1336 to 370 Allies units for a 3.6 to one ratio. The UK and US both … [Read more...] about Annual Allied Axis Naval Construction 1939-45
Annual Allied Axis Military Truck Production 1939-45
Truck production during World War II played a pivotal role in sustaining military operations and logistical support for both the Allied nations and the Axis powers. Each nation's production totals of trucks provide valuable insights into the scale and intensity of industrial efforts during this global conflict. The Allies out-produced the Axis at a 5.1 to one ratio. Germany … [Read more...] about Annual Allied Axis Military Truck Production 1939-45
Annual Allied Axis Tank and Self-propelled Gun Production 1939-45
Tank and self-propelled gun production was near parity between the Allies and Axis in 1939 and 1940, however with Germany’s invasion of the USSR a production divergence begins in 1941. In 1942 US and USSR production numbers ramp up significantly and the divergence becomes huge. Germany produced 90 percent of the Axis tanks and self-propelled guns but were outproduced by the US … [Read more...] about Annual Allied Axis Tank and Self-propelled Gun Production 1939-45
Annual Allied Axis Crude Oil Production 1939-1945
Crude oil production was the single most strategic natural resource for modern warfare. The Allies had it and the Axis did not. The US and USSR both had enough that they were self-sufficient, and the US could also export. Germany and Japan both had strategic goals to capture oil resources. The Allies countered by destroying what the Axis Nations could produce and limiting their … [Read more...] about Annual Allied Axis Crude Oil Production 1939-1945