In 1941 light tanks made up 93.8% of Soviet tanks, medium tanks 4.0%, and heavy tanks 2.2%. This would transition in 1945 to; 32.7% light tanks, 48.8% medium tanks, and 18.5% heavy tanks. Not only were the percentages changing but the overall quantities of medium and heavy tanks were rising as well. Total quantity of available tanks in 1941 was 22,600 and due to tremendous … [Read more...] about Availability of Soviet Tanks 1941-45
Armored Vehicles
US WW2 Production – Combat and Motor Vehicles
Tanks received the headlines and general-public fascination, but it was in non-combat motor vehicles, trucks, that the United States' industry produced in huge volumes, 2,455,964 units. Logistics was a core US and Allied WWII strategy, and trucks were at the forefront when it came to supplying the ground-based troops. Through Lend-Lease the US supplied the Soviet Union with … [Read more...] about US WW2 Production – Combat and Motor Vehicles
US Production WWII: Ships, Planes, and Tanks
Naval vessels and aircraft dominated US production inS Production WWII with regards to expenditures. The Allied nations were unique in the production of landing craft with the US producing 84,198. Landing craft aren't foremost in discussions of WWII naval warfare but they were core to their strategies of island hopping in the Pacific and invasion forces in Western Europe and … [Read more...] about US Production WWII: Ships, Planes, and Tanks
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
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 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
M4 Sherman Tank Production By Manufacturer
American and Canadian automobile and locomotive manufacturers turned out 13 variations of the M4 Sherman tank. A total of 49,422 units were produced in eleven factories. The single most produced variant was the M4A2 with a 75 mm gun with 8,053 units produced by five different manufacturers. The Chrysler Detroit Arsenal facility produced 7,499 units of the M4A4 with a 75 mm gun. … [Read more...] about M4 Sherman Tank Production By Manufacturer
Allies Axis Major Weapons Groups – Production Summaries
The Allied nations outproduced the Axis nations in every weapons group except for missiles. German V-1 and V-2 rockets were a harbinger of the Cold War and beyond. However, in World War 2 the V-1 and V-2 missiles were imprecise and too few to be effective in halting the Allied onslaught in western Europe. Prewar Expectations Germany foresaw a series of short wars or … [Read more...] about Allies Axis Major Weapons Groups – Production Summaries
Allies Axis Weapon Production – Land Forces
Three production items jump out in the Allies favor; 1) Allies outproduced the Axis nation in tanks and self-propelled guns by a 3.5 to 1 margin, 2) the Allies held almost a ten to one ratio in other vehicles allowing the Allies greater mobility in the field and not as reliant on railroad systems, and 3) the Allies, especially the USSR, were great believers in artillery and … [Read more...] about Allies Axis Weapon Production – Land Forces
Numbers of Weapon Types Produced in Germany USSR, 1944
Germany consolidated the number of weapon types and platforms in 1944. Logistics was a major issue for Germany throughout the war making field repairs very difficult. Lack of commonality due to the myriad of different weapon types and platforms increased the practice of cannibalization while waiting for the right spare part. Logistics was not the only reason for consolidation … [Read more...] about Numbers of Weapon Types Produced in Germany USSR, 1944
