The 76-millimeter field gun was the Soviet artillery piece to go to from start to finish in World War II. On average Soviet forces had 24,700 76-millimeter field guns available for use at any one time. But that is an overall average, the yearly availability of the 76-millimeter field gun ranged from 9,500 in 1942 to 41,100 in 1944. The 76-millimeter gun was renowned for its … [Read more...] about Soviet Artillery Availability 1941-45
Guns and Munitions
Soviet Light Arms Availability 1941-45
In 1941 rifles made up 96.6% of Soviet light arms, submachine guns 1.2%, and light machine guns 2.1%. This would transition in 1945 to 29.7% of Soviet light arms being submachine guns and light machine guns 3.5%. Submachine guns were becoming more of the standard issue. Not only were the percentages changing but the overall quantities were rising as well. Total quantity of … [Read more...] about Soviet Light Arms Availability 1941-45
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
Allies Axis Munitions Expenditures in WWII
The munition expenditures of the Allied nations, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union versus the Axis powers, primarily Germany and Japan, during World War II illuminate the scale and intensity of military production and resource allocation during this global conflict. Roosevelt famously proclaimed the US as the arsenal of democracy. In the … [Read more...] about Allies Axis Munitions Expenditures in WWII
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
German Soviet War Production, 1940-45
With the exception of warships, Soviet war production rate ratios were in their favor for the 1940-45 timeline. Each weapon or platform type had their unique up and down ratio trends but overall the production trends were upwards for the USSR. Manufacturing Production Philosophy “Quantity has a quality all its own.” It is debated if Stalin ever said this, but it was … [Read more...] about German Soviet War Production, 1940-45
