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
Expenditures
US War Cost of Production by Category
Aircraft and naval vessels drove the United States (US) expenditures. These two US World War 2 war cost categories were just shy of two thirds of the US WWII spending in 1944 at 63%. Both aircraft and naval vessels played significantly into US and United Kingdom (UK) strategic planning and became overwhelming strengths as the war proceeded in all their respective theaters. So … [Read more...] about US War Cost of Production by Category
US Congressional War Department Allocations – 1939
Military pay and new equipment took the lion’s share of the 1939 War Department budget for the US Army. The Army appropriations totaled $646,000,000 for 1939. However, $192,000,000, or nearly 30 percent, were for nonmilitary purposes, such as Panama Canal costs and rivers and harbors work. Leaving the Army with $454,000,000. The total US federal budget outlays in 1939 were $9.1 … [Read more...] about US Congressional War Department Allocations – 1939
Munitions Expenditure per Military Personnel
World War II witnessed a stark contrast in munitions expenditure per military personnel between the Allied nations (the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union) and Germany. This article explores the reasons behind the intensive munitions production built by the Allied nations from the beginning of the war, in contrast to Germany's slow build-up process. The … [Read more...] about Munitions Expenditure per Military Personnel
Allies-German Spending Ratios, Munitions vs Military Pay
During World War II, the Allied nations (the United States, United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union) and Germany adopted contrasting approaches to munitions spending and military pay. The Allies focused on mass arms production, high industrial productivity, and logistics, while Germany emphasized craftsmanship, manpower, and the belief in highly trained troops. This article … [Read more...] about Allies-German Spending Ratios, Munitions vs Military Pay
Combat Munitions Production, Major Belligerents, 1935-44
In the prewar years Allied and Axis expenditures on combat munitions production tilted slightly in the Axis favor. However, by 1942 Soviet spending by itself was equaling Japanese and German spending and the United States was outspending the Axis nations on a 1.7 to one basis. Both Germany and Japan would continue to expand their munition expenditure at a growing rate, but they … [Read more...] about Combat Munitions Production, Major Belligerents, 1935-44
Combat Munitions Production, Allies versus Axis, 1935-44
During the prewar years 1935-39 the Allied nations spent 86 percent of what the Axis spent on combat munitions production. However, by 1942 the Allies were outspending the Axis nations on a 3.61 to one ratio. Although the ratio wouldn’t grow the spending gap kept accelerating until the end of the war. Combat Munitions Definition Combat munitions are weapons, … [Read more...] about Combat Munitions Production, Allies versus Axis, 1935-44
Comparison of US Aircraft and Automobile Industries
Prewar comparison shows that the US automobile industry dwarfed the US aircraft industry on almost every score except for number of manufacturing facilities. However, during the war United States industry would produce $18.9 billion worth of aircraft versus $5.3 billion worth of combat and motor vehicles. This 3.6 to 1 ratio reflected the changing emphasis of warfare … [Read more...] about Comparison of US Aircraft and Automobile Industries
Aircraft Manufacturers Percentage Sales to US Government 1931-37
The United States aircraft manufacturers were heavily dependent upon the US Government for their business during the 1930s. Government sales were often the key to success during the industry’s infancy of the 1910s and 1920s and later their survival during the 1930s Great Depression years. Post World War I The end of World War I saw United States aircraft … [Read more...] about Aircraft Manufacturers Percentage Sales to US Government 1931-37
US Military Civilian Aircraft Market 1926-36
The great depression had a massive impact on both the United States military and civilian aircraft markets. In 1928, the last full calendar without any great depression impacts, 3,582 civil aircraft were sold valued at $17,194,000. During the same year 1,219 military aircraft were sold valued at $19,066,000. With the onset of the great depression both the military and civil … [Read more...] about US Military Civilian Aircraft Market 1926-36
