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
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
US Army Personnel in Philippine Islands: 30 Nov 1941
With war about to break out the US had just over 31,000 officers, US enlisted men, and Philippine Scouts to defend over 7,600 islands that comprised the Philippines. There would be no time to reinforce these defenders once the hostilities broke out. US Army Forces On November 30, 1941, the United States Army had a significant presence in the Philippine Islands, which … [Read more...] about US Army Personnel in Philippine Islands: 30 Nov 1941
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
Comparative Military Manpower Sept 1939
At the outbreak of WW2 in Europe the USSR alone had 46% of the European military manpower. USSR maintained a 2.8:1 ratio over Germany on day one. Many of the other nations such as France and Poland had significant manpower numbers but both would be shortly neutralized. 1930s Military Build Up by Nation China The size of China's military varied greatly during the … [Read more...] about Comparative Military Manpower Sept 1939
US Inductions by Year 1917-1973
In 1918 2,294,084 US men were inducted by Selective Service System to support the World War I Allies effort. However, not another US induction occurred until 1940 when 18,633 men were inducted as wars in Europe and Asia were drawing the US closer to their epicenters. Selective Service System The Selective Service System, also known as the draft, was a mechanism used … [Read more...] about US Inductions by Year 1917-1973
Military Divisions per Country 1939-45 in Europe
In Europe, German and Soviet number of divisions were the bulk of the fighting forces. Soviet and German divisions were approximately the same from 1940 to 1943. Germany was not only facing the Soviets on the Eastern Front but the British and Americans in North Africa, the Atlantic, and later in Italy and France. German Forces Occupying … [Read more...] about Military Divisions per Country 1939-45 in Europe
UK Armed Forces Men and Women 1939-45
At the onset of World War II, the United Kingdom recognized the need to rapidly expand its armed forces to confront the growing threats posed by Nazi Germany and Japan. The strength of the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force underwent significant changes during this tumultuous period. From 1939 to 1945 the UK’s armed forces increased from 480,000 to 5,090,000 … [Read more...] about UK Armed Forces Men and Women 1939-45
US Military Manpower 1939 – 1945
The start of WW2, September 1, 1939, saw the US Army as the 17th largest military manpower in the world morph into the world’s second largest army. The US began WW2 as a Navy titan and ended the war with an Army and Air Force almost on par with the Navy. The men entering the US military branches all went through boot camp, discussed below. Boot Camp History Boot … [Read more...] about US Military Manpower 1939 – 1945
US Military Branches Manpower and Deaths
Relatively speaking the US Military Branches had much lower WW2 death rates than their Soviet or Axis counterparts. The Battle of Stalingrad alone would produce more casualties than the US suffered during the entire war. Total Axis casualties at Stalingrad were estimated at 800,000 killed, captured, missing in action, or wounded. Total Soviet … [Read more...] about US Military Branches Manpower and Deaths