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
Axis Powers
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
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
V-2 Production Estimates
The V-2 Vergeltungswaffe 2 "Vengeance Weapon 2” was the world’s first ballistic missile. The V-2’s design and development phase were long and arduous due to the multitude of leading-edge technologies required. The V-2 production also had a long and arduous path. Unlike the V-1’s simplistic design and manufacturing the V-2 required robust guidance, turbopumps, and other new … [Read more...] about V-2 Production Estimates
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
