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
Allies vs. Axis
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
USAAF 8th and 15th Missions Flown Against Aircraft Industry
The United States Army Air Force (USAAF) 8th and 15th flew a total 178 missions against Axis airframe manufacturers and 75 against aircraft engine manufacturers. After the war Speer said: "We were surprised for a long time that you attacked the airframe production and not the motor production. We were always worried that you would attack Bayerische Motorenwerke (FW 190 engine) … [Read more...] about USAAF 8th and 15th Missions Flown Against Aircraft Industry
USAAF 8th and 15th Tonnage Dropped on German Aircraft Industry
The United States Army Air Force (USAAF) 8th and 15th and the British Royal Air Force (RAF) strategically targeted Germany’s aircraft industry, in fact a successful D-Day required the Allies to have air superiority. The USAAF 8th and 15th Air Forces stepped up their attacks on German aircraft industry targets leading up to and then following D-Day. Not only were … [Read more...] about USAAF 8th and 15th Tonnage Dropped on German Aircraft Industry
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
Conventional Bombing Damage to Japanese Cities in WW2
During World War II, conventional bombing raids inflicted devastating damage on Japanese cities. Major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Yokohama, and Kobe were all targeted. The first United States Army Air Force (USAAF) raid on Japan’s homeland was the Doolittle Raid on April 18, 1942. This was a one-off operation with sixteen B-25 Mitchells launched from the USS Hornet … [Read more...] about Conventional Bombing Damage to Japanese Cities in WW2
Conventional Bombing Damage to German Cities in WW2
The effects of conventional bombing by the Allies during World War II on German cities were devastating. The scale of the destruction was immense, and the human cost was catastrophic. Seven German cities with populations greater than 500,000 suffered more than 50 percent destruction. These estimates by the RAF showed the extent of Allies strategic bombing on Germany. … [Read more...] about Conventional Bombing Damage to German Cities in WW2
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
Combat Forces on the Eastern Front Manpower Ratios
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) drew heavily upon its union of soviet states to build an Eastern Front foe to oppose the German-led alliance. Germany believed they could quickly dispatch the USSR but when that didn’t happen, they found themselves facing an enemy with growing combat forces. Eastern Front Manpower Ratios Germany believed they could … [Read more...] about Combat Forces on the Eastern Front Manpower Ratios